Holistic Approach Makes Youngblood’s Well Worth the Trip

Youngblood’s Natural Animal Care Center
and Massage, Wilkinson, IN

OWNERS: Sam and Kim Youngblood; URL: youngbloodanimalmassage.com; FACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM: @youngbloodsnaturalanimalhealth; LOCATIONS: 1; FOUNDED: 2013; AREA: 7,000 sq. ft.; TOP BRANDS: Adored Beast Apothecary, Cycle Dog, Feline Essential, Feline Natural, Green Juju, Mad About Organics, Natura Petz Organics, Nature’s Logic, Northwest Naturals, Shepherd Boy Farms, Sodapup, Steve’s Real Food, Suzie’s CBD Treats, worksSOWell (1-TDC)

HISTORIC ‘HOME’: A 1911 church now serves as a place of comfort and clarity for pets and their people.

“OUR STORE IS out in the country in a small town,” says Sam Youngblood, who owns Youngblood’s Natural Animal Care Center and Massage in Wilkinson, IN, with Kim Youngblood, her mother. “We have to find ways to stand out, to be a destination.”

Downtown Wilkinson is tiny, with no stop signs or lights, making it a drive for customers, who mainly come from surrounding Knightstown and Greenfield, and the suburbs of Indianapolis about 45 minutes away. A former 1911 historic Methodist church the Youngbloods bought in 2020, the Center stands out with its unique look and holistically focused team, products, services and events.

The daughter-and-mother team has a mission: To empower all pet owners to become advocates — confident in their knowledge of animal wellness and welfare. “I pray that we continue to be that destination for anyone and everyone,” Sam says.

FAMILY TIME: From left, among Kim and Sam Youngblood’s many pets are Finale, Winter and BZRK.

Serving Up Hope

The duo founded Youngblood Animal Massage Therapy in 2013, offering massage in the back room of a pet store. They grew into a 400-square-foot location in a strip center, followed by a small house in the business district before re-opening in the current 5,000 square feet.

Most clients come to the Center as a last-ditch effort to solve their pet’s health issues through a holistic approach. Sam says, “They have been to the big-box stores and vets with no success. They are frustrated, and many feel hopeless.”

The Youngbloods and their staff work with clients to educate and map out a plan. “We welcome weird diagnoses and animals who need the most help,” Sam says. “Bring us a challenge, and we will be right there to support you and help you feel powerful in the care you are giving.”

ROOM TO SHOP: Wide aisles and neat displays make it easy for customers to find what they need.

Kim has certifications in canine and feline massage therapy and animal holistic wellness. Sam’s certifications include equine sports massage and rehab therapy, equine and canine kinesiology taping, and pet food nutrition, along with training in equine raindrop therapy, animal thermography and saddle fitting.

“I call Kim the brains of the operation,” Sam says. “She is my cleanup crew (physically and emotionally), does payroll, supports me and everyone else with her ever-amazing organizational skills and insane work ethic. She is all heart and loves to greet everyone who comes in with a smile and words of support with her cheerful attitude.”

Sam describes herself as the all-around what-can-I-do woman. “From ordering, cleaning, social media, answering emails, class instructor and public speaker to being store cat Toothpick’s servant and the pool cleaner.”

The rest of the team consists of part-timers: six animal health specialists and five trainers, with backgrounds in everything from animal nutrition, veterinary science, technology, marketing and animal training. Sam says, “The team plays a huge role in our business. The coolest thing? They were all customers first.”

Each team member’s photo and background are highlighted on the Center’s website. Sam says, “The team at Youngblood’s is a powerhouse of fierce, energetic, strong, opinionated, successful, loving, and amazing women and men.”

Welcoming Sanctuary

Describing the Center’s aesthetic, Kim says, “I wanted the style to fit the theme and age of the historic church — nothing modern. Something comfortable for people … a place where they could bring their pets and feel like they are coming to a friend’s home — accepted, safe and respected.”

INSPIRATIONAL WINDOWS: The Center’s interior design complements the building’s stained glass.

The interior color palette highlights the stained-glass windows and original trim. Sam says, “Our main foyer is pink, and muralist Rachel Holmes added one of our favorite Bible verses: ‘But ask the animals, and they will teach you. Job 12:7.’”

The checkout area’s counter and nearby raw bar were built by customer and carpenter Wesley Hale of Two Brindles, who also created store cat Toothpick Charlie’s enclosure. (See 5 Cool Things.)

CUSTOMER CONTRIBUTIONS: Wesley Hale of Two Brindles built the raw bar and the large cat enclosure.

Non-refrigerated products sit on quirky and fun metal and plastic shelving from a variety of sources, including garage sales and vintage stores. “We find that people don’t mind if the shelves are mismatched or different,” Sam says. “We are always organized and clean — people can always find things.”

The 10-by-15-foot massage room has soft lighting from vintage lamps. Kim says, “We play Wholetones CDs for calming and relaxing, and we have a massage table for the cats and small dogs. We also have a twin-size memory foam bed for our larger and more senior dogs who can’t get on the table.”

MASSAGE TREATMENTS: A twin-size mattress proves easily accessible for large and senior dogs.

The 25-by-40-foot dog training room was previously the church’s reception hall. Now sporting rubber-matted flooring, mirrors hang on the walls along with murals painted by Holmes, displaying different dog sports. She adds, “We also feature photos of our dogs and client dogs doing the sports they enjoy.”

Healing Products & Services

Sam says, “Our focus is on retail, with food, treats, supplements, etc., at around 60% of sales. Training is about 30% of the business and 10% is in services, but this can change throughout the year, especially during dock season where we have six to 10 classes per week.”

The store carries thousands of cat, dog and equine foods, supplements and treats. “We have 10 freezers that hold all of our raw, toppers, milks and broths.”

Of the product categories, she says “Pet food is definitely No.1 at 70%. Supplements are No. 2 at 20%.” The Youngbloods plan to expand those supplement lines — adding a few more freezers and some new raw foods and toppers — and expand the feline section. All products also are available on the Center’s website.

Customers can sign up for Youngblood’s unique health services and dog training there, too. They include vaccine titer testing; canine, feline and equine massage therapy; thermography; animal neuro myofascial release; red light therapy; kinesiology taping; and nutrition counseling. Dog training covers everything from puppy classes and manners to dog sports and activities, including dock diving, scent work, trick training, flyball, disc dog and dog parkour.

TRAINING FLOOR: Rubber matting cushions feet and paws in the former reception hall.

Unleashing the Joy

The Center holds many destination activities each year. Sam says, “In the summer, we crush it with dock diving classes and competitions. In the winter? We do pop-up shops, sales, events and seminars.”

Close to their hearts, Sam and Kim hold four low-cost vaccine titer clinics each year, inspired by Sam’s Boston Terrier, BZRK, now 11. “She got cancer at 2 years old from over-vaccination, and I promised myself that I would shout it from the rooftops so that no other cat or dog would suffer from this,” Sam says.

In its sixth year, the quarterly clinic has helped more than 300 cats and dogs. A local veterinarian oversees blood draws by an animal health specialist, who is also a registered veterinary technician, while Sam and Kim handle other essentials and logistics. “Each clinic ranges from 10 to 30-plus pets,” Sam explains. “We charge a low fee so that people can attend with numerous animals.”

Also on the Center’s schedule: dog sports such as distance jumping and air retrieval, plus a dock league where participants pay a one-time fee to jump all summer long. “This is our fourth year offering dock lessons and competitions. We recently joined with International Dog Sports (IDS) to host events, and it has been a huge success.”

People drive in from other states, including Virginia, Ohio and Michigan, to compete.

“The events draw between 50 to 60 participants each,” Sam says, “and it continues to grow.” The Center gets a portion of entry fees and benefits from attendees shopping at the store.

Guided By Faith

Sam says that although money is important for a business, it’s imperative that owners not lose sight of why they started. “Don’t lose your mission because of the busyness around you.” Oftentimes customers come into the Center and sit on the couch for an hour to talk. “They are lonely, worried about something, upset, etc. And they just need a friend. This is what it is all about for us … Our customers are family — every single one of them, and I hope they know they are seen, heard and valued.”

The Youngbloods’ beliefs are key. “We are Christians, and God is at the center of this business, 100%,” Sam says. “Without Him, we would not be where we are today. He has guided us, blessed us and shown us so much through our friends, community and connections.”

Although owning and running their own business has been not easy, it’s been completely rewarding. “I am so incredibly blessed to run this business with my mom,” Sam says. “She is my best friend and to be on this road with her gives me life, and I am forever grateful.”

Five More Cool Things About Youngblood’s Natural Animal Care Center
and Massage

1. DIVE IN!: In 2021, the Youngbloods added the aboveground dock-diving pool, now one of the Center’s most popular features. “It consists of a custom-built dock and 20-by-40-foot pool, all enclosed in a fenced yard,” Sam says. “Local artist Rachel Holmes painted an outdoor ‘Dive In,’ drive-in-movie-themed mural on our building so everyone who does dock diving can get their photo taken in front of it.” Open from April to October, the 4-foot-deep pool is insured, which Sam says was a challenge. “It’s the last thing I thought would be a problem, but it was the hardest part.” The pool has “No Lifeguard” signs posted, along with cameras for monitoring. Users sign annual waivers.

2. PICTURE THIS: The Center holds canine powder shoots (action photos using nontoxic, colored powder to create color trails). “The powder shoots are done by our friend, Brittany LaCour of Tumbling B Photography in Texas,” Sam says. “They are $100 per dog and very popular!” The Youngbloods host the shoots, and although not a moneymaker, they bring in customers who shop while they’re there. Candid Canine Photographer also offers seasonal photo shoots.

3. DRINK UP: Recently added — a complimentary coffee and tea station. Sam says, “We occasionally offer baked goods from a local baker as well as a dairy cart run by college students at our dock events.”

4. KITTY CITY: The Center fosters cats in store for The Biscuit Factory Animal Rescue. Sam says, “We adopted Toothpick Charlie (our store cat) from them, and he is such a hit — our customers are obsessed.” He had a smaller in-store enclosure, but customers did a T-shirt fundraiser and raised enough for a bigger one with numerous shelves, beds and hammocks. “We use the smaller one for foster cats since they don’t have to stay in it for as long.”

5. FOR RENT: The Center rents out its pool and training rooms. Customer and neighbor B&K Farms rents its fenced field and barn to Youngblood’s, but also partners with the Center to rent out the field to dog sport organizations. Space rental brings in around 10% of revenue, with the pool bringing in the most. Trainers, pet parents and dog clubs use the spaces for dog birthday parties, CPR training, private events, CGC and trick dog testing, flyball, disc lessons and dock diving.

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