About Us

River City Bark and Park is proud to be the original doggie daycare in Elizabeth City, setting the standard for pet care in our community. Our owner brings years of expertise in training and leadership, ensuring every aspect of our facility operates with excellence. Our carefully selected staff undergo rigorous training to meet the highest standards in the industry, providing your furry family members with the care, attention, and fun they deserve. At River City Bark and Park, your pet’s happiness and safety are our top priorities!

About Us

Welcome to River City Bark & Park, the original doggie daycare in Elizabeth City! We’re Heather and Jay, a husband-and-wife team passionate about animals and dedicated to providing a fun, safe, and enriching environment for your sweet pups. Both lifelong residents of Elizabeth City and Camden, we briefly ventured away but returned to turn our dream into reality.

Meet Heather:
Owning and operating River City Bark & Park has always been my dream. With a bachelor’s degree in business from Purdue University and over 20 years of experience training animals, my passion for pets runs deep. From fostering and training rescue dogs to breeding, showing, and raising German Shepherds, I’ve been dedicated to helping animals thrive. My specialty lies in working with reactive or aggressive dogs, a challenge I love because of the rewarding transformations I get to witness. I’m also the founder of River City Animal Rescue, INC., a non-profit organization committed to helping animals in need. Currently, I’m working toward earning a national certification from The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers® (CCPDT®) to further enhance my expertise.

Meet Jay:
Jay’s love for animals started early, primarily with dogs but also with his experience working on a commercial hog farm for over eight years. He has more than 10 years of dog training experience and a unique talent for woodworking, which he incorporates into our business. Whether building customized projects or integrating innovative technology into our operations, Jay brings creativity and precision to everything he does.

Our Vision:
River City Bark & Park, LLC is the culmination of years of dreaming, planning, and dedication. We envisioned a facility that goes beyond traditional boarding—one that offers a fun, enriching, and safe experience for dogs. Our inspiration came from our own experience with boarding facilities, where we saw firsthand the need for a more engaging environment. At RCBP, our staff ensures your dog’s physical and mental well-being through play and enrichment exercises that keep them happy and healthy throughout the day.

Thank you for trusting us with your beloved pets. We can’t wait to welcome them into the River City Bark & Park family!

Meet The Team

Heather Mason

Owner

Heather has always had a deep-rooted connection to animals. Growing up in Elizabeth City, she spent countless hours exploring the outdoors and interacting with dogs and farm life. Her early experiences with dogs and horses instilled in her a lifelong passion for animals and a desire to care for them.

After years of working with animals, Heather decided to turn her passion into a career. She opened RCBP to provide a safe and loving environment for dogs while their owners are away. In addition to the daycare, she also runs an animal rescue, rescuing and rehoming dogs in need.

Heather is dedicated to helping dogs and their owners thrive. She offers various obedience courses to teach dogs good behavior and to help owners develop stronger bonds with their pets. Her expertise in animal training is rooted in years of experience and a deep understanding of animal behavior.

Outside of her work, Heather enjoys spending time with her family. She lives with her husband, Jay, who she has been with for 18 years, and their six dogs and two cats. Together, they share a love for animals and a commitment to providing them with a happy and healthy life.

Jay Mason

Jack-Of-All-Trades

Jay, the heart and soul of our doggy daycare. He's a passionate animal lover with a knack for problem-solving. With years of experience working on a hog farm, Jay has honed his skills in animal care and handling. His deep-rooted connection to animals is evident in the way he interacts with our furry guests.

Jay's versatility is truly impressive. From plumbing to electrical work, there's no task too big or too small for this jack-of-all-trades. His ability to maintain our facility efficiently and effectively ensures a safe and comfortable environment for our canine clients.

When Jay isn't busy tending to the needs of our furry friends, he enjoys spending quality time with his wife, Heather. Their love for animals is a shared passion that strengthens their bond.