Chapel Hill dog trainer opens new kennel

 A new boarding kennel and dog training center has opened on New Hope Church Road about a half-mile from Interstate 40.  The newly constructed facility is called Chapel Hill Boarding Kennel.  The owner, Gene Lonsway, is also the owner and handler of Durham Bulls mascot, Lucky Junior.  The new facility seeks to provide upscale lodging for dogs while offering a wide range of obedience training and problem solving services.

The 20-run kennel holds fewer dogs than most, but that's the way Lonsway wanted it.  The more intimate design provides the guests with a higher level of care and attention.

"We've designed our kennel to provide the personal care that I would want for my own dogs," Lonsway says.  The basic boarding package includes indoor and outdoor play time, food and bathroom breaks.  Group activities are also included.

After 25 years as a professional dog trainer, Lonsway doesn't intend to stop any time soon.  Even for short stays, training packages are available to improve dogs' behavior.  Training classes and extended board and train options are still offered.  Group lessons and puppy classes are also available.

The new building includes a 1,000-square-foot indoor activity room for obedience classes, training and play time, rain or shine.  Doggie daycare will also be provided in the space.

Chapel Hill Boarding Kennel is accepting reservations as of June 29.  The formal grand opening will be between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on July 16. Dogs are definitely welcome for this event.

The Durham Bulls canine mascot, Lucky Junior, will be on site daily to greet visitors.

Chapel Hill Boarding Kennel is a 3,000-square-foot dog boarding and training center located at 719 New Hope Church Rd. in Chapel Hill.  The 5-acre campus is located on New Hope Creek.  It was formerly known as Canine College of Chapel Hill.  Services include overnight dog boarding, in-board dog training, dog training classes and doggie daycare.  Tours are available by appointment. For more information, pictures and videos visit the website

Gene Lonsway is a graduate of the National K-9 Learning Center in Columbus, Ohio.  Since 1986, he has lived in Chapel Hill and offered dog training services out of his home.  In 2002, Lonsway's yellow labrador retriever, Lucky The Wonderdog, was chosen as the canine mascot for the Durham Bulls baseball club.  Lonsway and the current mascot, Lucky Junior, still perform at weekend home games.  He has authored a childrens book called Lucky Oh Lucky: The Puppy Who Loved to Run.  Lonsway also holds two U.S. patents for dog toys he has invented.