Ep. 104 – From Kennel Smell to Boutique Hound Hotel: How Scent Creates a Five-Star First Impression in Pet Resorts

Does your pet facility smell similar to most others… like nothing in particular?

Or worse, have you become nose-blind to something your clients notice the second they walk in?

Did you know scenting wasn’t just about odour control…but one of the simplest ways to create a high-value, premium brand experience?

In this week’s episode of the Pet Boarding & Daycare Podcast, host Dom Hodgson sits down with Kevin Rhodes from Air Essentials to explore one of the most overlooked elements of experiential marketing in pet care: scent. And we don’t mean scent work, we mean how your facility actually smells.

Kevin has spent nearly a decade working with luxury hotels, resorts, and now pet boarding facilities, helping those businesses eliminate odours, create instant positive first impressions, and build memorable brand environments through professional scenting systems.

In this conversation, Dom and Kevin unpack why pet facilities often become nose-blind to their own environment, how scent links directly to memory and emotional recall, and why top hospitality brands treat smell as part of their brand identity, not an afterthought. They dive into odour mitigation, branded signature scents, seasonal scenting, anxiety-reducing pet-safe fragrances, and how facilities are quietly using scent to increase perceived value, client trust, and repeat bookings.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

Odour vs Experience – Why scent solves hygiene and brand perception at the same time.
First Impressions That Last – How smell links to memory, emotion, and instant trust.
Blind Spots in Your Facility – Why facility owners miss what clients notice the moment they walk in.
Signature & Seasonal Scents – How luxury brands use scent to build identity and keep experiences fresh.
Premium Perception – Why a clean, consistent scent quietly signals care, quality, and value.

Thanks to my awesome guest Kevin Rhodes for sharing his wisdom. Find out more about AirEssentials by going to AirEssentials.com

Want to work with the World Leading Pet Business Coach? Discover if you’re a good fit to work with Dom by going to www.petbusinessmarketing.com/diamondnow

Canine Labs Testing are the amazing sponsors of this episode. Go to CanineLabsTesting to find out more about their fabulous service that keeps your facility parasite free!

Remember, the next big Barkleigh event is the PB & D Expo West which this year is in Phoenix, Arizona! You can register for the event and be the first to find out when tickets go on sale by clicking here now

Grab a copy of Dom’s latest book Mission ENRICH by clicking here now

Episode Highlights:

[00:51] – Dom introduces the episode and explains why scent is one of the most overlooked opportunities in pet care.
[02:07] – A personal update from Dom on why focus and clarity matter when building a business that stands out.
[07:30] – Dog news: the rise of wellness in pet care, and what modern pet parents are willing to pay more for.
[11:30] – Meet Kevin Rhodes from Air Essentials — the man helping luxury hotels and now pet boarding facilities that want to smell as good as they look.
[13:30] – Why even clean facilities can suffer from hidden odour problems, and how nose-blindness catches most owners out.
[14:53] – How scent links directly to memory and emotional recall, and why first impressions are formed in seconds.
[17:43] – Why plug-ins, sprays, and candles don’t solve the real issue, and what professional scenting systems do differently.
[19:49] – Signature scents, seasonal aromas, and how luxury brands use smell to build identity and recognition.
[28:30] – The study showing dogs prefer certain scents, and how specific fragrances can reduce anxiety in pet environments.
[38:00] – Disnifying, “five-sensing” environments, and why scent is the heavyweight champion of premium experience design.

Huge thanks to our amazing show sponsors Canine Lab Testing. You can learn more about their fast, reliable parasite testing solutions at: www.caninelabtesting.com