“Our customers are the dogs,” says Dave Vermette, co-owner and president of Hounds Town.
Growing up in Schenectady, New York, Vermette earned his Bachelor of Science in criminal justice from Saint Joseph’s College of Maine. He was a United States Navy Chief Master-at-Arms. While in security forces he spent a lot of time around military working dogs.
In 2000, Vermette met the founder of Hounds Town USA, Michael Gould, a NYPD canine unit founder, retired U.S. Navy veteran/reservist and former commanding officer of the Nassau County Canine Unit. And the first Hounds Town USA opened in 2002 and began franchising 10-plus years later.
“Michael was also a Navy reservist working the same job I did,” Vermette says. “We connected on all his ideas.”
Upon retirement, Vermette and wife, Tonya, moved to Suffolk and bought a Hounds Town USA franchise. Tonya, doctor of nursing practice, is Hounds Town’s co-owner, vice president and marketing manager. After her 26-year career, she brings her creative leadership in marketing and a commitment to excellence and a safety-first approach to pet care.
Hounds Town’s full-service spa offers nail trimming, baths, deluxe baths (including a blueberry facial), teeth brushing and furminating (de-shedding). Owners interested in services can book an evaluation through the online booking system, call or email. The pup is assessed by dog management experts who perform a no-cost temperament check to see if the pup is a good fit for services. Passing the check, the pup is evaluated for an existing play group for play, rest and thriving which includes a free day of daycare. Dogs must be spayed/neutered when of age. Pups are required to be current on vaccinations and they must be on flea/tick preventative.
Pups are grouped with others their own size and temperament for a day designed to be enriching. They play together in a large area surrounded by vinyl fencing with fresh water available at all times.
For evenings, they sleep in a “townhome” or suite that features raised beds. Dogs are never in the suites/townhomes during the day.
“The staff was great with Milo and he had such a great time,” owner and newer pup boarder, Brenda Hux-Machia says. “He will be going weekly.”
Tonya brings her heartfelt customer communication and playful community outreach skills to work. She works alongside day shift lead, Michaela, crafting themed events and spotlighting furry guests on social media, ensuring every pup receives personalized attention. Monthly events feature arts and crafts projects for parents to take home, such as paw prints dipped in paint to accessorize and look like fun googly-eyed critters.
“My favorite part about working at Hounds Town is building relationships with dogs and their owners,” Michaela says. “I love seeing how excited the dogs are when they arrive — and how happy and reassured owners are, knowing they can trust us with their fur babies.”
Working alongside other employees, Tonya and Michaela design activity boards and plan birthday fun while caring for pups’ daily needs. Photos of all dogs are posted on its Facebook page so owners can see their babies. Pup parents can participate in a birthday party. Tonya and Michaela also put together the monthly events calendar and a list of specials, and they offer trivia opportunities for visitors to get a surprise treat (a free bath, a free day of daycare, etc.)
When the Vermettes moved to Suffolk they built an in-law suite for his parents. Their two older children, Kassey and David, are adults with families of their own. Their son, Corbin, is 13. The couple has four grandchildren. And their pups are two Chocolate Labs, Zuma (9) and Smoke (4) and a French Bulldog, Duke (1).
“It’s always been about dogs for us,” Dave says. “I worked security forces in the Navy around military working dogs all the time; it was always a passion.” He is proud of how the community has supported Hounds Town. “We were voted ‘Community Votes Newport News’ 2025 Platinum Winner for Pet Sitter and for Kennel,” he says. Their location is on land owned and regulated by Christopher Newport University’s real estate foundation.
The Vermettes vacation in St. Lucia, the British Virgin Islands, with trips revolving around fishing or sailing.
Locally, the couple enjoys fishing on their 26-foot boat.
“Our mission is simple: to create a safe, joyful space where dogs can truly be dogs—playing freely, resting comfortably and feeling right at home,” Tonya says. “I’m proud to help lead a team rooted in compassion, community and a deep love for dogs.”
