Dogs and their people have never needed to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life as much as they do today. Overwhelmed by busy schedules, constant demands, noisy cities, crowded spaces, and short leashes, everyone needs a chance to step out of the fray and into an immersive private mountain world to truly be themselves and recharge.
Now there’s a place – exclusively designed by well-renowned dog behavior and welfare expert, author, and educator Kim Brophey – to be the perfect getaway for both humans and their furry friends to do just that. Whether it’s a dog-curated vacation, reunion, staff retreat, or perfect small group workshop that you had in mind,
Good Life Ridge is the spot.
Thanks to the generosity of a few very passionate investors who believed in the vision, Good Life Ridge is opening its doors as the premier co-species destination vacation rental property in the United States in 2027 – introducing an unprecedented standard of dog-friendly accommodations to the pet, dog pro, and travel industries. Spanning 38 private acres of pristine Western North Carolina mountain canopy in scenic Mars Hill, this high-capacity estate was custom-engineered inside and out to promote adventure, sensory engagement, deep relaxation, conversation, behavioral fulfillment, freedom, comfort, fun, and convenience for both humans and dogs – with fenced yards, trail systems, and endless porches… just for you.
You don’t just get to bring your dog. You get to experience the bar-setting immersive vacation, professional retreat, or workshop that rolls out the red carpet… for both of you.
Connect, relax, adventure, and evolve with your two and four-legged friends as you discover the Good Life on the Ridge.
The Good Life – We all need it. We all deserve it. Find it and dig it at Good Life Ridge.
Whether you are hosting a multi-generational family reunion, a corporate team-building week, a non-profit board retreat, a professional educational workshop, or a long overdue get together with your favorite dog-loving friends, Good Life Ridge offers a seamless, stress-free, cup-filling environment where groups and their dogs can reconnect with themselves, nature, and each other like never before.
In a world where pets and their people are ever-more restricted by walls, leashes, and rules that can make life stressful and frustrating for both species, GLR provides an escape where everyone can truly adventure, relax, and be their best selves – unleashed from it all on the Ridge.
The Good Life Amenities
Good Life Ridge is where the science of animal welfare – including our own – comes to life as an immersive private mountain oasis offering unprecedented opportunities for dogs, their people, and professionals to experience the power of applied ethology science in action for themselves. GLR is also part living laboratory – where the dogs teach us in return, giving us direct feedback about what they want and need so we can improve as we go along. Your dog can be a part of that living legacy.
In partnership with SniffSpot, Kim Brophey is introducing GLR’s own on-site, first-ever “SuperSniffSpots” – The Farm, The Maze, and The Hunt – each designed to promote agency, target natural behaviors, and raise the welfare of dogs through engaging enrichments and amusements in three distinct sensory and adventure parks. These add-on experiences for overnight guests sweeten the deal even more.
Endless Porches
Over 3000 square feet of porches
- Overlook front porch to demo area/front yard
- 60 ft. lanai with outdoor serving, dining, and sitting area
- 3 screened treehouse porches with rocking chairs, lounges, couches, and a hanging bed
- Sunset dining tables overlooking the mountain views
Cozy Bedrooms
No ruffing it here. We even have beds for the dogs.
- 4 king beds
- 2 queen beds
- 7 full beds (3 are overflow sleeping in the bar area)
- 4 full baths
- 2 half baths
** all beds and furniture are dog friendly, with pet covers provided
Indoor Amenities
Entertainment, relaxation, and fun for the people
- Large jacuzzi
- Swim spa for laps or play
- Sauna
- Pool room & bar
- Bar doubles as meeting & lecture hall
** the dogs can hang out but cannot use the spa features
Outdoor Amenities
Nature, adventure, and tranquility for dogs and people.
- 3 fenced yards around house
- 8 acre fenced trail system
- Numerous additional trails
- Fire pit for large groups
- Demo area in front yard
- Practice/demo fields
- House-side waterfall
- On-site creeks
- Old growth forest & wildlife
**On-site SuperSniffSpots – The Farm, the Maze and the Hunt – available to rent/include for additional charge
Dog-tailored Amenities
- Room, porch & yard enrichments and amusements
- Air-lock property entrance/exit for dog safety
- Dog beds in every bedroom
- Dog bowls in every bedroom & common area
- Welcome goodies
- Dog towels provided
- No slip treads on indoor stairs
- Toy baskets in every bedroom (can remove if desired)
- Leash hooks & extra leashes
- Protective furniture covers (all furniture dog friendly)
- Dog gates inside to separate spaces as needed
- 3 separate fenced yard spaces (no leashes required)
- Perimeter fencing around private, secure 8 acre mountain trail system
- On-site experiences – SuperSniffSpots – The Farm, The Maze, & The Hunt (2027)
Host an Educational Workshop at GLR
Good Life Ridge is the future of education for pet dog professionals – with hands-on learning, field observations of natural dog behavior in a dedicated environment, and unrivaled amenities for dog and human guests. As the vision’s creator, Kim Brophey, operates an online applied ethology school for dog professionals – Family Dog Mediation Education Center – her students and educators may book the vacation property and organize a small group as guests of GLR through vacation rental platforms like AirBnB and VRBO.