Oak Brook Kennel Club offers a second home for its special guests
By Bill Esbrook
You might call it a drop-dead gorgeous “country club” for dogs.
Or maybe a better name for the facility would be “Woof in the City,” considering Aly Solle and Beth Eggers sign off their emails with the salutation “woof.”
No matter what the nickname, it’s clear that the two friends and business partners have developed a serene, picturesque, thriving animal care facility.
Solle and Eggers’ passion project is the expansive, estate-like, full-service Oak Brook Kennel Club near the corner of 31st Street and Meyers Road in the village.
The building and grounds, set in a pretty, tree-lined environment, looks from a distance more like an English country home than a brick-and-mortar establishment.
No matter how impressive the vista, though, what matters most to an undertaking such as the OBKC is having great people – and the kennel has that in the caring and nurturing Eggers and Solle.
The collaboration started with an idea by Solle, who had previous animal care experience, to partner up, and they envisioned a place that would be a second home to pets and a comfort to their owners, in addition to becoming a profitable venture.
Mission accomplished.
Solle grew up in Tinley Park, while Eggers is from Plainfield. They took over ownership of the OBKC in 2021.
According to their website, the OBKC’s priorities are health and safety, spacious play yards, and top-notch comfort.
They also accept all types of animals, including cats, guinea pigs, rabbits, birds, and even the occasional snake or chinchilla.
But more than that, it’s the community atmosphere that keeps their faithful clientele coming back. “When we see reviews left for us saying how good of a job we’re doing and how happy their dogs are when they come in, it’s super heartwarming,” said Solle. “We love it here, and I feel like people see that the second they walk in the door.”
“We have a great set of core values in place,” Eggers said. “Our customer’s pets are basically their children, so they are very concerned about the care they receive. When we tell them that their pets did great here, it’s a really good feeling (for everyone).”
Solle adds that the OBKC also caters to dogs who may have had issues with other kennels.
“For whatever reason, some dogs are apprehensive going to a group facility,” she said. “They’re very fearful and very nervous. We work with them, and eventually, they just run in and are excited to be here. Those success stories are very fulfilling. It’s nice when we can turn a negative experience into a positive experience.”
Eggers and Solle’s plan is to expand to other suburbs eventually. The motto of OBKC is “Real Grass, Real Trees, and Real People,” and that certainly is the case.
Solle and Eggers also use their “OBKC Cares” program to promote causes such as LGBTQ support, Breast Cancer Research, and Autism Awareness. “We like to be as inclusive as possible,” says Eggers.
The women, in addition, use their platform to lend a hand to other community events in partnership with the Oak Brook Park District and host a toy and treat drive during the holidays for various groups and humane societies.
The author Jodi Picoult once wrote, “Home is not a place, but rather the people that you love.” And it sure appears that there is an abundance of that type of warmth that goes back and forth between Solle and Eggers and their loyal clients.
Oak Brook Kennel Club has an expansive estate near the corner of 31st Street and Meyers Road.
