Cedar Run Company, which provides dog and cat boarding, daycare, grooming, and training services, plans to open a new training and wellness center at 2701 Robins Road in Hiawatha in June 2026.
A ribbon cutting and tour of the new facility will be held Thursday, May 28 at noon. A public open house is scheduled scheduled for Saturday, May 30 from 1 to 4 p.m.
Construction on the 9,000-square-foot facility on a 2.82-acre lot is nearing completion. The development includes the Cedar Run Company Training & Wellness Center and a standalone veterinary clinic owned and operated by Dr. Loni Ellsworth.
“This new facility has been a long-time goal for us,” said owner Sonia Wiltsey. “Our wellness clinic offers advanced care capabilities, and our expanded training center helps us serve more pets and families through both individual and group programs. From our underwater treadmill to dedicated training areas, every part of the space was designed with animal health and wellbeing in mind.”
The Robins Road facility will offer veterinary diagnostic and treatment services alongside individualized training sessions and group classes. The facility also includes an underwater treadmill, which the company says supports post-surgical recovery, weight management and conditioning for dogs.
The project received unanimous approval from Hiawatha’s Planning and Zoning Commission in December 2024, followed by City Council approval to rezone the parcel from agricultural to general highway commercial. The site is designed to accommodate the future Tower Terrace Road extension, a federally funded arterial road project.
Liz Mathis, executive director of the Hiawatha Economic Development Corporation, noted the company’s expansion trajectory in the city.
“Cedar Run Company’s growth has been remarkable to watch — from one facility, to a second acquisition, and now a beautiful new build right here in Hiawatha,” Ms. Mathis said. “That trajectory speaks volumes about Sonia Wiltsey’s vision and her confidence in our community. We couldn’t be happier that she has chosen Hiawatha at every step.”
Ms. Wiltsey founded Cedar Run in 2011 after co-founding Last Hope Animal Rescue in 2004 and operating a shelter for rescue dogs from her home. The company has grown from four employees to more than 90 and currently operates two Hiawatha locations — at 2705 Stonegate Court and 860 N. 20th Ave. — offering boarding, daycare, grooming and training services.
