- Founders, Puppy Paws Hotel & Spa
- Co-founders, Academy Dog Solutions
Stephanie Cramer started what is now Puppy Paws Hotel & Spa out of her home in 2005. As a stay-at-home mom, she wanted a way to contribute financially while still being available to her family. She combined her passion for dogs with her entrepreneurial vision and began grooming for friends and neighbors. Her skill as a groomer and patience with dogs led to more and more referrals. Year after year, she added additional services and today, her home-based business has grown into a multi-million dollar, award-winning company with two locations in the Oklahoma City metro area.
“My goal in the beginning was simple, to love dogs with all my heart and provide the best loving care in the pet industry. From humble beginnings and with hard work I am proud to say we reached that goal and have the best dog hotel and spa the Oklahoma City and Edmond areas have to offer.”
In 2015, she moved her business from the home into a 7,000 square foot facility in Edmond, Oklahoma to allow for growth. In 2019 she partnered with animal planet pet expert and trainer Travis Brorsen to create the puppy paws academy, an on-site professional dog training program using Travis’ positive reinforcement approach to training. The success of this partnership led to the decision to create dog training solutions that could be easily implemented in dog facilities across the country.
In 2023, Puppy Paws expanded their market presence with the launch of a 2nd location in a new area of the city. This 10,000 square foot, state-of-the-art facility was custom-built from the ground up to pamper pups in new communities. They are currently under construction with another 10,000 square foot facility scheduled to open later in the year.
Cramer shares her success with her husband Chad. With a background in project management and design, he makes Stephanie’s big dreams a reality. Together they run the company overseeing the daily operations and management of nearly 100 employees; she’s the visionary and he oversees operations and strategic initiatives.
Cramer is very proud of what she and Chad have built have created but has more big, bold ideas for the future of the puppy paws brand. Short term plans include the national launch of a dog grooming training and certification program that will meet a huge need within the industry.
Generosity is one of Cramer’s core values and she loves to give financially, with her time and by sharing her resources. She realizes that she has been greatly blessed and entrusted with much and believes the biblical truth that much is expected of her in return. Believing that foster care is the modern-day response to the biblical call to care for the orphans, in 2016 she and her husband became foster parents opening their home to several children who were later permanently adopted into their family. She spends her time bringing awareness about the need for foster families in her community and promoting support programs available to current foster families.
She has been an active member of her local church for the last 20 years leading small groups out of her home. She is heavily involved with the Angels Foster Family Network, an agency that is near and dear to her heart, and she maintains her professional affiliation with the Edmond Chamber of Commerce.
Puppy Paws Hotel & Spa was recognized as the best of Edmond 5 consecutive years by the Edmond awards program, has received the Daily Oklahoman Reader’s Choice Award and was recognized as the best dog daycare in Oklahoma City. In 2020 Cramer and her husband received the Halo Award from the Angels Foster Family Network for their support of the agency and raising awareness about the need for foster families.