Scio's 'Dog Doctors' off to sizzling start in new food truck business. Where to find them

Thane Graves and Tim Smith could have decided to take it easy, put their feet up and relax after both retired from Scio Central School following more than 60 combined years of teaching in the Allegany County public school district.

But that was never in the cards.

The pair have known for a long time that stepping away from one profession would mean the start of another: grilling hot dogs for hungry customers with their new business called "The Dog Doctors."

More on the name later.

“I have been thinking about it for about 20 years,” recalled Smith, a fifth and 6th-grade teacher for 31 years at Scio. “About ten years ago, on the playground, I looked at him and said, ‘Thane, when we retire we should buy a hot dog cart.’ He looked at me and goes, ‘We are going to do it.’”

Graves was at Scio for 33 years, teaching elementary school physical education. Both educators were successful, long-time coaches in Scio athletics programs. Smith coached varsity baseball for about a decade and also coached girls tennis. Graves made his mark coaching both basketball and soccer.

So they were accustomed to staying busy.

Dog Doctors serve up Sahlens at debut in Andover

They custom ordered their hot dog cart from the Hot Dog Cart Company in Jackson, Michigan and made their debut July 7 at Kent's Beer Company in Andover.

"Super response, we had a blast," Graves said of opening night. "People were great, everything was positive. I couldn’t ask for a better first night.”

"The Dog Doctors" serve up Sahlens hot dogs, Italian sausage with peppers and onions, beer brats, mac and cheese, chips, beverages, water and cookies. That will be their regular fare for awhile. The hot dog toppings run the gamut of what eaters love to put on their dogs.

The food stand's Facebook page boasts The Dog Doctors are willing to make house calls.

“The word’s out. We got that Facebook page and it gets bigger and bigger,” Graves said.

'Dog Doctors' headed to Belmont American Legion, Amity Daze

"The Dog Doctors" are scheduled to set up three days a week in the American Legion parking lot in Belmont, serving up their special hot dogs and fixings to lunchtime crowds. They will be back in Belmont Aug. 11-12 for Amity Daze.

The Dog Doctors are planning to seek out events and be available for birthday parties and other special occasions. Smith and Graves are excited about the Dog Doctors merchandise that is on the way, including hats, t-shirts, hoodies and crew neck sweatshirts.

“The bottom line that Tim and I are putting the emphasis on is we do not want this to be a job. We want to have fun. Take care of people and meet people and get out around the county," Graves said.

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And about that name

Which brings it back to the name they selected and how the unusual moniker came about. It sounds like it originated with Graves.

Smith explained it: "A lot of names were thrown out, and one day Thane looked at me and said something to the effect of, ‘We are going to doctor up your dog. Dog Doctors.' It stuck, and we both like it."

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This article originally appeared on The Evening Tribune: Retired Scio teachers keep promise with hot dog stand opening