Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexzandra Lyon.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I grew up in Wake Forest, North Carolina, and from the time I was little, I’ve had a deep love for animals. For years, I planned to become a veterinarian. Life had other plans, though, and I chose to pursue a degree in business instead. That decision led me into corporate marketing and event planning, where I built a successful career that required constant travel and long hours.
During that season of my life, I adopted my first dog, Shelly, who quickly became my heart. Because of my demanding schedule, I often had to board her or take her to doggie daycare. While the facilities were perfectly fine, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing a warm, peaceful, home-like environment where pets felt truly safe and loved. Without realizing it at the time, that experience planted a seed.
Years later, my life changed in ways I never expected. I became a mother to two incredible girls and found myself navigating a divorce and moving back home to Wake Forest. It was a season of healing, learning to love myself again and understanding that I wasn’t broken. As I raised my two young daughters, I knew I needed a career that offered flexibility so I could be fully present for them.
During that time, I began volunteering at local animal rescue, helping groom dogs who had often been neglected or overlooked. That’s when I met my second dog, Lilly. She came to the rescue severely matted, sick, timid, and wary of people. Throughout the weeks I spent getting to know her, take care of her and love on her something remarkable happened; she bonded with me. It was as if she chose me. Despite everything she had endured, she was grateful and loving, yet cautious with others. When I brought my daughters to meet her, Lilly lit up in a way I had never seen before. She became a completely different dog. In that moment, I knew she was meant to be part of our family and the rest is history.
As I considered a career change, I knew I wanted to build something meaningful. Growing up, I watched my mother work as a special education teacher and saw the profound difference she made in so many lives. Her example stayed with me. I wanted to give back to the community that raised me and create something that filled a gap I had personally experienced.
That’s when the idea for Paws-abilities was born.
The name reflects a simple but powerful belief: animals don’t see differences the way people do. They don’t see disabilities, struggles, or hardships. They simply love unconditionally. I wanted my business to embody that same spirit. Paws-abilities isn’t just about providing exceptional, home-like care for pets; it’s about creating opportunity. From the beginning, my vision was to hire adults with special needs and disabilities, offering meaningful employment in an environment built on patience, compassion, and love. We also partner with two local high schools to provide job shadowing and out-of-classroom work experience for ECS students, helping prepare them for future employment.
Even our logo tells our story. Lilly is on the left and Shelly is on the right; the two dogs who shaped my journey in very different but equally powerful ways. If you look closely, you’ll see an “A” on Lilly’s neck for my oldest daughter, Adelyn, and a “K” on Shelly’s neck for my youngest daughter, Katherine. My Aunt Zandra Lowman created my logo to incorporate everything Paws-abilities mean to me; they are the heart behind everything I do.
Today, what began during one of the most challenging seasons of my life has grown into something far greater than I ever imagined; a place where pets are cared for like family and where people of all abilities are valued exactly as they are. It’s been a journey shaped by faith, resilience, and a whole lot of heart, and I wouldn’t change a thing.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely has not been a smooth road, but I truly believe the challenges shaped the heart of what Paws-abilities is today.
Starting a business is never easy, especially when you’re doing it as a single mom. There were financial risks, long nights, and moments of real uncertainty. I was building something from the ground up while also healing personally and making sure my daughters felt secure and supported. Balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship required a level of faith and resilience I didn’t even know I had.
There were also challenges in creating something different from the traditional pet care model. I wasn’t just opening another boarding or daycare facility I was building a home-like environment and incorporating inclusive employment for adults with special needs and disabilities. That meant additional training, intentional structure, and sometimes educating others on the value of what we were doing. Not everyone immediately understood the vision.
There were moments of doubt wondering if I could carry the weight of it all, wondering if the community would embrace something so purpose-driven. But every time I saw a dog relax into our space, or watched one of our team members beam with pride after mastering a new skill, I was reminded why I started.
The struggles forced me to grow as a business owner, as a mother, and as a person. They taught me patience, humility, and perseverance. Looking back, I wouldn’t call it smooth, but I would absolutely call it worth it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Paws-Abilities Dog Resort & Spa?
Paws-abilities is a boutique-style pet care facility offering dog boarding, grooming, and doggie daycare; but at our core, we are so much more than that. We specialize in creating a calm, home-like environment where dogs feel safe, loved, and understood. Our goal is to provide peace of mind for pet parents, knowing their dogs are not just supervised, but genuinely cared for as family.
What truly sets us apart is the heart behind our mission. Paws-abilities was built on the belief that love sees ability, not limitation. In addition to exceptional pet care, we intentionally create employment opportunities for adults with special needs and disabilities. Every team member is valued for their strengths, and we foster an environment built on patience, compassion, and encouragement. We also partner with local high schools to provide job shadowing and hands-on work experience for ECS students, helping prepare them for meaningful futures.
In terms of services, our dog boarding focuses on comfort and routine minimizing stress and maximizing individual attention. Our doggie daycare provides structured play in a safe, enriching setting, with a strong emphasis on socialization and positive interactions. Our grooming services are rooted in patience and trust-building, especially for dogs who may be anxious or have had difficult experiences in the past.
Brand-wise, what I’m most proud of is that Paws-abilities feels different the moment you walk through the door. It’s peaceful. It’s intentional. It’s personal. Our logo even reflects our story featuring my two dogs who shaped this journey symbolizing family, resilience, and unconditional love.
More than anything, I want readers to know that Paws-abilities is a place where dogs are cared for with genuine affection and where people of all abilities are given the opportunity to shine. We are proof that you can run a successful business while leading with purpose and that when you combine heart with high standards, something truly special happens.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What I love most about our city is the sense of community. Rolesville has grown so much over the years, but it still holds onto that small-town heart. People genuinely support one another here. As a business owner, I’ve felt that support in such a meaningful way families trust us with their pets, neighbors recommend us to friends, and the community has embraced not just our services, but our mission. There’s something special about building a business in the same place that helped shape you.
I also love that we are so close and convenient to nearby cities such as Raleigh, Wake Forest, Wendell, Youngsville, it is really special getting to growth our community and make connections with so many pet families. Raising my daughters here, in the same community that I was raised in, feels full circle.
If I had to name a challenge, it would simply be navigating the rapid growth. With expansion comes increased traffic, competition, and the natural growing pains of a town becoming more well-known. But even that comes with opportunity new families, new connections, and new ways to serve.
At the end of the day, I’m proud to call Rolesville/Wake Forest home. It’s where my story began, and it’s where Paws-abilities continues to grow.
Pricing:
- Boarding starts at $65/night
- Grooming starts at $50
- Doggie Daycare ranges from $30-$45
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.pawsabilitiesdogresort.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pawsabilitiesdogresortandspa/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Paws-Abilities-Dog-Resort-Spa-61577063806910/
- Other: https://linktr.ee/pawsabilitiesdogresort
