Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason Blackston.
Hi Jason, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
As we look ahead to 2026, we are filled with immense gratitude. This coming year will mark the 20th anniversary of Beaufort Dog. In 1999, I brought home a Christmas present for my girlfriend, Kelley Blackston—an adorable Golden Retriever puppy we named Abbey. Kelley, a local English teacher at the time, was living with roommates, and we quickly learned that Abbey, while incredibly sweet, was also a whirlwind of energy and destruction. She tore a hole through a sofa, scratched the woodwork, and generally turned the house upside down. The homeowners, understandably, were not going to put up with it.
We were faced with a challenge familiar to so many dog owners: we loved our dog, but we needed help. We knew we had to get Abbey some training. That challenge, that moment of needing a solution for a beloved but problematic pet, was the seed from which Beaufort Dog grew.
We learned firsthand that a dog’s difficult behavior isn’t a sign of a “bad dog,” but often a cry for guidance, structure, and an outlet for their energy. That experience didn’t just teach us how to train a dog; it taught us why services like ours are so vital to a family’s happiness.
From that single, determined beginning in 2006, we have been honored to serve thousands of dogs and their families in Beaufort and the surrounding areas. What started as a solution for one rambunctious Golden Retriever has blossomed into a comprehensive facility dedicated to the well-being of the canine family.
Today, Beaufort Dog offers:
Obedience Training: The foundational service that started it all, helping you build a lasting, peaceful bond with your dog.
Dog Day Care: A safe, supervised environment for play and socialization to prevent boredom and destructive behaviors at home.
Professional Grooming: To keep your dog not only looking great but feeling healthy and comfortable.
Overnight Boarding: Providing a true “home away from home” where your dog receives the same loving attention and structure they do at home.
Our journey over these nearly 20 years has been built on a simple, proven principle: a well-exercised, well-trained, and well-cared-for dog is a happy dog, and a happy dog makes for a happy home. We’ve lived it.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There have certainly been some bumps in the road. When it comes to running any business, there will be challenges that go along with the job. However, whether it be us as a staff, the dog, or the owners, we always strive to meet people where they are and make it a great experience.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Beaufort Dog?
Beaufort Dog: 20 Years of Lowcountry Love
For two decades, Beaufort Dog has been more than a training, grooming, boarding, and daycare facility — it’s been a part of Beaufort’s family.
We got our start in training, built on a love of dogs and a desire to help owners understand them better. At a time when few places offered a full range of services, we expanded to create a one-stop home for the dogs of the Lowcountry. From our first training session to our newest four-legged friends, Beaufort Dog has grown alongside this amazing community.
We chose the name Beaufort Dog because we wanted people to know — we’re local, we’re proud of it, and we’re here to serve our neighbors. For 20 years, we’ve cared for generations of Beaufort’s pets like they were our own.
Here’s to the tails we’ve wagged, the friendships we’ve made, and the community we call home.
Beaufort Dog — Where Every Dog is Family.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Kelley started out as an English teacher at Lady’s Island Middle School. She has also taught at Beaufort Middle School, USCB, and The Technical College of the Lowcountry. Along with being the Lead Dog Trainer at Beaufort Dog, she also serves as the Wellness Director at the Wardle Family YMCA in Port Royal SC.
I run the Day to Day Operations at Beaufort Dog. I also serve as the middle school boys basketball coach at John Paul II in Ridgeland SC. I have also proudly served as the first boys basketball coach at Holy Trinity Classical Christian School in Beaufort SC and the Varsity girls basketball coach at Beaufort Academy in Beaufort SC.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.beaufortdog.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beaufort_dog/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/beaufortdog
