Need some pep in your step while walking your pooch in Onset? A cup of joe and a place for your pet to rest indoors will be available at a new cafe following a Board of Health decision on Wednesday.

Board members voted to amend a health code, giving the green light to Tracy Knowles, owner of Dog Days Coffee, to welcome canines into the shop.

Knowles, who along with her husband Troy, owns the adjacent Sinners & Saints Tattoo and Piercing. The couple opened the cafe, located at 2 W Central Ave., in April. The plan from the start was to create a place for dog lovers to congregate, helping to liven up downtown Onset.

“We wanted to bring some life back to where the blues cafe was,” said Knowles. “There’s been nothing there for so long.”

She said with so many dog lovers in Onset, the canine-themed cafe seemed a perfect fit.

Board of Health members agreed, giving there enthusiastic support to the business. Chair Amy Wiegandt said after visiting the shop she was impressed with the Knowles’ operation and saw no problem allowing animals in the store.

Knowles noted that the store is now open Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. On Sunday, the store is open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. However, with summer coming she may expand those hours to give customers a place to gather at night.

Knowles also made note of the fact that the business is owned and operated by military veterans or family members of veterans. In the store, each coffee blend is named after a canine war veteran. Ten percent of the coffee shop’s proceeds will go to Mission K9 Rescue, a nonprofit focused on finding retired military dogs good homes.