We know you love your pet and wish it could be with you while you are attending the whole body detoxification program at Fresh Start. We fully understand the difficulty of leaving your pet at home, trying to arrange care, and the worry about it being alone while you are away.

We also understand that your primary reason for attending the health retreat is YOU and YOUR HEALTH, not your pets.

Fresh Start Pet Policy

While we strongly discourage coming with a pet, should you prefer to attend the program with a pet, you may stay in Suite at the Ocean Resort (it’s the only room in the building and is quite pricey) or stay across the street at Oyster Bay Resorts. Because the sound easily travels between rooms, when the dog barks in your absence, at least 6 rooms around can hear it.

Bad news: No pets are allowed during any of Fresh Start programs while staying at Ocean Resort Hotel. You won’t be able to leave the pet in the room on its own while participating in the program, except if you’ve booked a Suite.

Q: I have an Emotional Support/Therapy Dog, will I be able to bring it?

A: In our experience, guests that have brought an Emotional Support Dog did not get the full value of the program, as they were distracted and spent a lot of their day tending to their pet in their hotel room. If you do require an Emotional Support Animal, Fresh Start is not the best place. We’d like to refer you to Homewood, Ravensview. It’s an amazing place that works with advanced cases. We highly recommend them.

Pet will be without you: 7-11 a.m., 12-1:30 p.m., 4-7 p.m. Also, if you are in an appointment or go for a trip or excursion.

If you board your pet in a nearby dog daycare, you can stay at Ocean Resort. You must have a car to drop off a pet or check it in for your stay.

If you want to visit your pet, then you have the possibility to end up missing drinks, workshops, and events. Please be aware you might open yourself to stress, and in the end, your experience will be nowhere near as good as it could have been.

NOTE: Guests that came with the pet, next time always came without so that they could focus on their own healing while on a program.

Good news: Right across the street, there are cozy cabins at the Oyster Bay Resorts , where you can stay with a pet, and you can leave the pet unattended in the cabin. Your pet won’t be disturbing anyone, and you’ll be able to see them several times a day; take it out for a walk and hug your bundle of joy. Or you may be the lucky one to book a Suite at the Ocean Resort.

If you sleep in, no worries; leave the pet in the cabin or suite and just run to the spa center…you are all good. Oh yes, do not forget to feed the dog and enjoy a stress-free day, knowing that your pet is nearby and you can see them anytime.

WARNING: Be prepared to cross a busy highway when you come to the Fresh Start program from Oyster Bay Resorts.

Spa Center

Fresh Start Spa is 100% pet free. They are NOT allowed in the spa at ANY time except for Registered Therapy Dogs. Pets are only permitted outside at the place of lodging.

They must be left in your cabin during events.

Group walks/excursions: Due to allergies, your pet is NOT allowed to participate in group walks or any group outdoor activities. It is our job to ensure the best experience possible for everyone who comes.

USA/International Guests: Please contact your vet for the required pet vaccination to travel to Canada.

Offsite Disclaimer

Staying Offsite with a Pet Disclaimer

We want you to be as comfortable as possible and ensure you have the most incredible experience possible. Be sure to plan in advance for these issues that have come up in the past with other guests that have stayed with a pet. It will significantly increase your experience, which is your main focus at Fresh Start.

Pet Safety

Please beware of Bald Eagles if you come with a small pet. Unfortunately, these beautiful birds are birds of prey. You must be careful with your little pets while outside. Eagles are not a threat to us humans. Please remember to use caution with your pets. Learn more about bald eagle here.

Steam Bath:

1. No Public Change Room: Ocean Resort DOES NOT HAVE A CHANGING ROOM for the general public. The steam room is for Resort Guests only. Staying guests change in their rooms, and offsite guests change in the bathroom. It does not have hooks or anything to hang clothes on and is unsuitable for a changing room. Please see Ocean Resort’s front desk if you need more privacy and have a fitting room to change into and temporarily store your belongings. They charge a $15 fee per day for the use of a room to change in as long as space is available

2. No Locker: Please be aware that there is no locker to store your clothes after you change. We suggest putting your belongings in the vehicle.

3. Resting after Steam room: This is not a conventional steam room experience but a Hot/Cold Hydrotherapy Treatment. Because of it, the body goes into a much more profound healing experience. It is essential to lie down and rest after the steam room. Since you do not have a room, we request that you sit on the couch in the lobby for a few minutes with closed eyes to let the body prolong the healing cycle.

4. Cool down time: Always take min 15-30 min to cool down before you go outdoors. If you have to rush, dress warm (regardless of the season) and COVER/WRAP YOUR HEAD. It is critical not to expose yourself to sudden cold air shock as it may have a negative impact on your body.

Crossing the Highway:

1. Across the street: If you are staying at Oyster Bay Resorts, planning your ability to cross the highway carefully QUICKLY is essential. Most cars drive 90 km/hr. While it is only a two-lane, 25 feet crossing, you MUST BE FAST.

If your feet work well and you do not have arthritis, you’ll have no difficulty crossing. If you do have issues with mobility, it is best to drive. You’ll be much safer.

2. After Steam bath: Please carefully read “Steam bath” section above.

3. Missed appointments: Oyster Bay Resorts DOES NOT HAVE phones in cabins. We’ve had instances when guests forgot their appointment, and we could not reach them. You’ll have to notify Fresh Start staff of your cell number. If you are from outside Canada, give us a Canadian phone number. Otherwise, you’ll be paying roaming fees.

NOTE: You are responsible for a missed appointment.

Driving back/forth if your pet is in the Kennel:

1. Feeling dizzy/nauseous: When detoxifying, you do not always have clarity of mind and may feel drowsy, extra tired and fatigued. Especially after steam baths and colon hydrotherapy treatments, some people may experience dizziness. It increases the risk of driving. While everyone has been able to drive back and forth safely, have a backup plan in case you feel it would not be safe for you to drive.

NOTE: Fresh Start or Ocean Resort, due to a lack of staff, is not able to drive you back or pick you up. Please make prior arrangements to be picked up or call a cab.

Tips for Successful Healing:

1. When it is time to heal, discipline yourself to heal.

2. Bonding with Group: The offsite guests often do not get as close to the group as onsite participants. Spend extra time to bond with the group. It is an essential part of successful healing.

3. Missing Some Activities: The temptation to miss the afternoon/evening activities or to sleep in during morning Yoga/Meditation classes is high. It would be best if you considered driving time and may not be up to getting up early or going to bed late, mainly because your need for rest increases. The two items above do not let the person go into the whole experience.

4. Getaway Aspect: It’s essential to relax and leave behind everything but yourself.

We appreciate your understanding and wish you a most enjoyable stay.

Plan in advance, and you’ll have an excellent experience.