The moment Fiki Watson, 38, reaches for Nugget’s collar, the mixed-breed dog instantly perks up, her tail wagging eagerly.
She knows exactly what’s coming. Soon, she will join a group of equally excited four-legged passengers for a morning spent chasing new scents, scrambling over obstacles and running around with new furry friends.
“When Nugget sees us carrying her collar and food towards the car, she knows she’s about to go on an adventure,” says Watson.
“Throughout the day, we receive so many photos and videos from the ‘nannies’ (the staff handling the dogs) of her running around and having fun.”
More pet owners today are beginning to see that caring for a dog is much more than just providing food and shelter. It also means giving them opportunities to explore and engage with the world around them.
That belief inspired Amanda Andrea Koh to start Doggy School Bus in 2022, a dog daycare whose signature outings bring groups of canine passengers to a dog park for a morning filled with play and socialising.
The idea first came to Koh after she stumbled across online videos of a similar concept overseas, where dogs would hop onto a bus and be taken out on excursions.
“I thought it was such a brilliant idea because as someone who works and owns dogs, I personally would love for someone to help take my dogs out. I believe many people out there wish the same,” she says.
“It was more than just hiring a dog walker because the dogs actually get to go somewhere different, which is beneficial for them.”
But the real turning point came when she was searching for a boarding facility to send her dog during her travels.
“One place told me my dog would be kept in a cage, and when I asked how often they would take her out on walks, I was told they wouldn’t unless I paid extra.
“I’d much rather have proper care built into the boarding fee than have the dogs miss out simply because owners didn’t ask and pay for an add-on. That experience drove me to come up with this service.”
It initially started as a simple idea – bringing a handful of dogs out for a morning of fun before sending them home. The business has grown since then, operating from two branches in Selangor and offering daycare, boarding, training and grooming alongside its adventure sessions.
All aboard
Despite the name, the “school bus” itself isn’t an actual bus at all. It’s an SUV painted bright orange with playful decals to resemble one.
Judging by the excited barks and wagging tails, the dogs don’t seem to mind the difference at all.
“It’s all about giving them mental stimulation, which starts the moment they get into the vehicle and arrive at a park filled with new scents and sights because there are always different dogs at the park,” Koh explains.
“We’ll also hide treats around the park for them to sniff out, taking into account allergies or owners’ preferences, and we use the obstacles around the park to play with them.”
On a typical adventure session, the day begins long before the “bus” pulls out of the compound.
From 8am, dogs arrive one by one, spending time together while Koh and her team observe every interaction carefully, making sure the group is comfortable with one another before setting off.
“When we first started, we picked dogs up from their homes just like a school bus. But there would always be dog fights. Even dogs that are familiar with each other can become defensive when they’re suddenly placed in an enclosed environment.
“We realised the setup wasn’t ideal, so we introduced the check-in concept. Once they have spent time together and are comfortable with each other, then they hop on and head out.”
To ensure safety throughout the journey, each outing is limited to 10 dogs, with two “nannies” accompanying the group inside the vehicle.
Treats are never given during the ride to prevent food aggression, and each dog is secured individually during the ride before being allowed to go off-leash at the fenced-off park in Rawang, Selangor.
New leash on life
Audrey Teh, 51, enrolled her poodle, Murphy, for the adventures in hopes he would have more opportunities to socialise and experience life beyond his usual routine and surroundings.
“He is less apprehensive about meeting new dogs and more comfortable in unfamiliar environments,” she says, reflecting on how the experience has changed Murphy.
“It’s a great outlet for his energy and it’s mentally stimulating, too. It’s good that he gets to socialise with different dogs and people while experiencing a new environment out there.”
Her favourite part is scrolling through the stream of photos and videos sent by the staff, showing Murphy happily running around with his newfound friends.
Stories like Murphy’s give meaning to why Koh started the service in the first place.
She recalls one timid dog that would immediately hide underneath a car every time she arrived, too scared to interact with people or other dogs.
With patience and the support of her owner who trusted the process, the team slowly earned her confidence.
“She was on a muzzle for about a month while we slowly built trust. Eventually, she started tolerating us and coming over for pets. After several months, we felt confident enough to bring her out, and she did so well.
“Her owner was incredibly thankful. Watching that transformation was really beautiful for me,” shares Koh.
Meaningful lessons
After working with countless dogs, Koh highlights the two biggest and most invaluable lessons she’s learnt from them.
“They’ve definitely taught me a lot of patience and that love can be unconditional. I started this because I love dogs, and they have an incredible way of loving you back,” she shares.
“I wish more owners would understand that a fulfilling life isn’t just about having a safe home, a comfortable place to sleep, and a bowl of food. Dogs thrive on mental stimulation and social interaction,” she says.
“I’m happy to see more people who are genuinely looking for ways to give their pets a better life.”
Watson has come to a similar conclusion after watching Nugget grow into a livelier, more sociable companion.
“We can’t keep our dogs cooped up all the time. They need to be able to run around, have fun and interact with their own species,” she says.
And that’s a mindset that seems to be gaining traction among pet owners today, that giving them the best life is not necessarily about adding more years to it, but about adding more life to their days.
