Meet Michelle Thomsen:

Prior to having human children, Michelle would say that there were two things that tore at her heart strings, dogs and soldiers. Michelle's journey began at the age of seventeen when she joined the North Dakota Army National Guard, marking the start of an adventure that would take her across the globe.

Two overseas deployments and numerous military schools later, Michelle earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of North Dakota. Her pursuit of higher education and military duties led her away from Bismarck temporarily, but the call of home was strong. Upon returning, Michelle found herself captivated by the charm of Dempsey, a beautiful boxer mix owned by her significant other, Richard. It wasn't long before another boxer, Goose, joined their family, enriching their lives with canine companionship.

Michelle's path to pet care entrepreneurship intertwined with her military service when she crossed paths with her now business partner, Lila Teunissen. Both actively engaged with Team Red, White, and Blue, they discovered a shared passion for animals through conversations at various events. Recognizing a need for more dog boarding options in the Bismarck area, the idea of Bed 'n' Biscuit Ranch was born.

Since its inception in 2018, Bed 'n' Biscuit Ranch has grown to become a trusted haven for pets and their owners. Recognizing an opportunity to further contribute to their community, Michelle and Lila, along with a few other animal enthusiasts expanded their footprint with the creation of Bed 'n' Biscuit 2 – bringing the exceptional Bed 'n' Biscuit experience right into the heart of town.

Beyond her military service and dedication to Bed 'n' Biscuit, Michelle and Richard's family has expanded to include two human children, Isabelle and Sullivan. In her precious free time, Michelle finds enjoyment in the outdoors and channels her passion into brainstorming ways to support local animal rescues.

Meet Lila Teunissen:

Lila Teunissen, a proud native of Bismarck, and co-owner of Bed 'n' Biscuit Ranch and Bed 'n' Biscuit 2. From a young age, Lila's love for creatures great and small was evident, as she frequently brought home orphaned and injured cats, birds, and dogs. Her family fostered this passion, resulting in a household that embraced the companionship of a dog, two cats, parakeets, fish, hamsters, hermit crabs, and multiple freshwater aquariums.

After graduating high school, Lila embarked on a different adventure by joining the Army. Even in the midst of her military service, her connection with animals remained constant. Lila satisfied her "animal fix" by pet sitting for friends whenever the opportunity arose.

The turning point came when Lila's dear friend, Jen, introduced her to the world of dog training and boarding through the charismatic company of a well-trained Jack Russell Terrier. This encounter ignited a spark in Lila, and her dream of owning a training facility began to take shape. Over the years, she's been the proud owner of five dogs, each contributing to her wealth of experience in understanding and caring for our four-legged friends.

Lila's dream took flight when she crossed paths with Michelle Thomsen, a kindred spirit who shared her vision. Both deeply involved in volunteering with the Central Dakota Humane Society and Furry Friends Rockin' Rescue, Lila and Michelle channeled their passion into a shared mission. After careful consideration and collaborative efforts, they identified the perfect property and, in 2018, Bed 'n' Biscuit Ranch became a reality.

Driven by a commitment to quality pet care, Lila, Michelle, and a few other animal lovers seized an opportunity to expand their impact. The result was the birth of Bed 'n' Biscuit 2, a facility designed to bring the Bed 'n' Biscuit experience right into the heart of our community. This in-town option ensures that our clients can enjoy the same exceptional care for their furry companions without leaving the convenience of town.

Mike and Sarah Thomsen have been employed full-time by the same companies for 30 years and have owned businesses throughout the years. Their love for animals initiated a search to find a business working with dogs. Healthy Dog Center became available to purchase in May of 2022 and like the previous owner, natural food selection and proper care of animals was important to Mike and Sarah. They were extremely excited to pair up with Mike’s sister, Michelle Thomsen and her business partner, Lila Teunissen to purchase Healthy Dog Center.

From the early days of taking over, Mike and Sarah identified a significant demand for support in canine health, particularly in healing from injuries or surgery, weight management, arthritis, and hip dysplasia in Bismarck and the surrounding areas. Their personal experience with their black lab, Sam, who suffered from severe hip dysplasia, prompted Mike's extensive research into solutions that could alleviate Sam's pain and enhance his quality of life. This journey led to the decision to invest in an aqua treadmill from Hudson Aquatic Systems, making Healthy Dog Center the first and only facility in Bismarck with this innovative equipment. The treadmill quickly became Mike’s passion. Through working with dogs at Healthy Dog Center, Mike and Sarah’s desire to help dogs in our community grew. They now volunteer and help support local animal rescues on a regular basis.

With Michelle and Lila as business partners once again, Mike and Sarah are excited for their ability to work with animals to grow even more! They look forward to continuing to give the quality of care Lunn’s Kennel provided in the past and are excited to expand services. They look forward to offering the community another safe, clean, and friendly environment that Bed N Biscuit Ranch is well-known for, only this location is conveniently located in town!