Blythe Penna, Ruffin’ Wranglers

Blythe Penna, Ruffin’ Wranglers

Blythe Penna has always seen herself as a passionate, risk-taking entrepreneur.  From the second she graduated Clemson University, she was pushing for a career in medical sales during the day while working as a waitress at night.  After 14 years of success in medical devices, she had to end her sales career due to a hip injury; however, during her time rehabilitating, she was able to come up with the idea for her next venture while spending time with her dog, Roma.

Penna had always wanted to own her own business, and working with her dog was a plus, so she came up with the idea of building a dog excursion company.  She partnered with her dog walker, and together they formed Scratch and Sniff.  Shortly after, Penna and her partner realized they didn’t share the same business goals, and Penna went through the stressful process of dissolving a company while still trying to run her own part of the business, which she renamed Ruffin’ Wranglers, LLC.

According to Penna, the company name embodies everything her company is about:  the outdoors, wrangling pups, and allowing pups to have a ruffin’ good time!  At the Ruffin Wranglers’ ranch in Rehoboth, dogs are free to run around and play off the leash for an hour and half over the five acres of fenced in land. Wranglers also take dogs up the five miles of hiking trails that lead to a river where the dogs can go for a swim.  A day at the ranch includes pick-up in one of Ruffin’ Wrangler’s Honda Elements, drop-off, and a cleaning of the dogs.

Penna likes to tell clients to simply let their dogs be a dog:  “Your dog should be in their natural element and run free with their best buds.  A tired dog is not only a very happy one, but also makes the owner thrilled as well.  We provide guilt-free dog ownership.  We also warn that if they are not careful, their dog could have a better social life than they do!”

Currently, Ruffin’ Wranglers offers two morning sessions and two afternoon sessions, and takes care of 60-80 dogs a day!   The company also offers overnights and in-home pet sitting exclusively to their weekly excursion clients.  Penna says her company is continuously growing in their current areas of coverage, which includes the East Side of Providence, Downtown Providence, the West Side of Providence, Riverside, Rumford, and Barrington.  She is planning on introducing a fifth Honda Element into their fleet of pick-up vehicles to help expand their business to Bristol and Warren.  Over the next year, Penna also would like to start looking for another ranch closer to Cranston and Warwick so that Ruffin’ Wranglers can provide even more dogs with a fun excursion for a day.

“Ruffin’ Wranglers Dog Excursions is a success because I have surrounded myself with an incredible team and built the best clientele any company could hope for…not to mention we adore what we do,” said Penna.  Penna is excited to continue growing with her team, and looks forward to the growth to come.

Leave a comment