Dogtopia Foundation Ambassador Awarded Purple Heart

We are absolutely honored to announce some remarkable news: Retired Command Sergeant Major Gretchen Evans has been awarded the Purple Heart. This prestigious recognition was bestowed upon our beloved Dogtopia Foundation ambassador in a heartfelt ceremony that fittingly took place on her birthday, August 5. The event was held at Ross Perot’s infamous Circle T Ranch and Fox News was on site to cover the ceremony.

Gretchen is a true hero, having dedicated her life to serving her country with bravery and distinction. Her stellar 27-year military career is marked by countless acts of valor, leadership, and selflessness. As a Command Sergeant Major, Gretchen led troops through some of the most challenging circumstances, always prioritizing their safety and wellbeing. Her resilience and strength have inspired many, both on and off the battlefield.

Beyond her military achievements, Gretchen has been an unwavering advocate and ambassador for the Dogtopia Foundation. She has worked tirelessly to support the Foundation’s mission and has been instrumental in our efforts to provide service dogs to veterans.

We are incredibly proud to have Gretchen as part of our Dogtopia family, and we celebrate her well-deserved recognition with the Purple Heart. Her story is a testament to the power of resilience and the difference one person can make in the lives of many. Her dedication to service is truly remarkable, and her impact on the Dogtopia community is immeasurable.

Thank you, Gretchen, for your service, your sacrifice, and your ongoing dedication to making the world a better place.

Therapy Dogs for Students: Addressing the Growing Need in Schools

In the aftermath of the pandemic, a compilation of 21 global studies has found that students are increasingly experiencing anxiety, depression, fatigue, and distress. Unfortunately, time hasn’t healed these unpleasant trends, and schools are seeking effective ways to support their students’ wellbeing.

Research has shown that dog-assisted interventions offer significant physical, psychological, and emotional benefits, leading to a surge in demand for registered therapy dog teams within the education sector. According to a story in Education Week, more schools have introduced therapy dogs to help students cope.

In response to this growing need, the Dogtopia Foundation has teamed up with Pet Partners to recruit more therapy dog teams for the 2024/25 school year. Pet Partners is internationally renowned as the “gold standard” of therapy animal organizations, supporting more than 11,000 therapy animal teams that make more than 3 million visits annually to K-12 schools, universities, colleges, hospitals, nursing homes, and senior centers.

Despite this impressive reach, the increasing demand means there aren’t enough volunteers to go around. To help, we have created a Therapy Dog Recruitment Guide that includes all the information you need to get started.

Join us in making a meaningful difference by becoming a therapy dog volunteer! This fulfilling opportunity allows you to share the joy and comfort of your furry companion with those in need. With flexible scheduling, you can volunteer at your convenience, bringing smiles to faces in schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and more. Experience the profound impact of spreading love and healing alongside your beloved pup, wherever your heart leads.

Together, we can support our students and community, making a lasting difference in the lives of those who need it most.

As a nonprofit organization, we rely on your generosity to further the Dogtopia Foundation’s noble cause. By connecting man’s best friend with the organizations we support, we will help returning veterans, students, and adults with autism reach their full potential. Click here to donate today. 100% of your donation is given directly to the organizations we support.

Dogtopia Foundation Celebrates Milestone of 500 Service Dogs Sponsored

We are absolutely thrilled to announce a significant milestone: The Dogtopia Foundation has officially helped sponsor more than 500 service dogs for veterans! Since the Foundation’s inception, our Dogtopia daycares, dedicated teams, amazing pet parents, and beloved pups have collectively achieved this milestone by raising more than $3 million, underscoring Dogtopia’s ongoing commitment to supporting the brave men and women who have served our country.

This achievement comes on the heels of the recent groundbreaking research from The University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine, which was supported by the Dogtopia Foundation with the help of K9s For Warriors, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and Purina. The study assessed a total of 161 veterans who had PTSD—88 had a service dog and 73 did not. Cortisol, a stress hormone found in saliva, was assessed at two different points three months apart, and a total of 2,613 cortisol samples were analyzed. The study concluded that overall, veterans with service dogs had stress hormone levels more like those in healthy adults without PTSD than veterans without service dogs.

Much of the Dogtopia community’s energy and passion for supporting veterans with service dogs is inspired by retired Command Sergeant Major Gretchen Evans, a highly decorated and courageous warrior who sustained life-threatening injuries while serving her country. She credits her service dog, Aura, with saving her life. Evans regularly speaks at Dogtopia fundraising events nationwide and recently joined Dogtopia Regional Manager Jordan Cerrillo for the final 10 miles of his 101-mile fundraising run from Dogtopia of Eau Claire in Wisconsin to Dogtopia of Woodbury in Minnesota. Her participation in Cerrillo’s run, along with a recent fundraiser hosted by the owners of Dogtopia of Sacramento – Nimbus Winery, helped boost the Dogtopia Foundation’s fundraising totals by nearly $150,000 in the week leading up to Memorial Day.

“We are fortunate to have Gretchen igniting a spark among the communities we serve, encouraging them to give back to the men and women who so bravely fought for our country,” said Neil Gill, CEO and President of Dogtopia. “Her involvement, along with the outstanding commitment of Dogtopia owners, team members, and pet parents to the Dogtopia Foundation, has been crucial in raising money to support our veterans in need of service dogs. We could not be prouder of our Dogtopia community.”

The Dogtopia Foundation’s mission is to enable dogs to positively change our world. Providing service dogs to veterans is just one of the three key pillars of the Dogtopia Foundation that helps to achieve this mission. Since its inception in 2017, the Foundation has also supported youth education programs and employment initiatives for adults with autism.

“Dogs are compassionate and affectionate and, most importantly, provide unwavering, nonjudgmental companionship. This support is crucial for emotional and physical wellbeing and helps people navigate their daily lives with greater confidence,” said Liz Meyers, the executive director of the Dogtopia Foundation. “Our collaborations allow the Foundation to assist returning veterans, adults with autism, and at-risk students and help them reach their full potential.”

Dogtopia Regional Manager Embarks on 101-Mile Run to Raise $60,000 for the Training of Service Dogs for Veterans This Memorial Day Weekend

A Minnesota man is embarking on a monumental feat to make a positive impact on veterans over Memorial Day weekend. Starting at 7 a.m. on Sunday, May 26, Jordan Cerrillo, Regional Manager for Dogtopia in Eau Claire, WI, and Woodbury, MN, will run 101 miles from one daycare to the other to raise $60,000 for the Dogtopia Foundation.

Cerrillo’s long-distance run from Dogtopia of Eau Claire to Dogtopia of Woodbury is dedicated to raising funds to provide service dogs to veterans in need. Cerrillo’s goal of $60,000 will help support the training of 10 life-saving canines. Donations can be made here.

“The Dogtopia Foundation, Dogtopia daycares, and all Dogtopians across the country are proud to support Jordan on his ultra-marathon run, which will provide several veterans in need with a life-saving service dog,” said Neil Gill, CEO and President of Dogtopia. “Jordan’s determination, grit, compassion, and mission to make the world a brighter place embody everything we stand for as an organization, and we will be cheering him on the entire way.”

For the final 10 miles of his run, Cerrillo will be joined by retired Command Sergeant Major Gretchen Evans, a Dogtopia Foundation ambassador whose journey of resilience and recovery serves as the inspiration behind this ambitious fundraiser. After enduring life-threatening injuries in service in Afghanistan, Evans found solace and strength in the companionship of service dogs. Her celebrated story, recognized with the prestigious Pat Tillman Award for Service at the 2022 ESPYs, continues to inspire countless individuals to live with purpose and resilience.

“I am fortunate enough to have a pretty amazing ‘why’ that will fuel me for this run,” said Cerrillo. “Hearing Gretchen tell her story at the Dogtopia Conference in 2022 sparked an immense amount of pride to be part of a franchise that helped impact our veterans in an incredible way. I have many family members who have or are currently serving our country, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to be able to honor and give back to veterans that have sacrificed and done so much for us.” If you are interested in cheering for Jordan, he will depart from Dogtopia of Eau Claire in Wisconsin at approximately 7 a.m. on Sunday, May 26, and hopes to arrive at Dogtopia of Woodbury in Minnesota around 10 a.m. on Monday, May 27. To make a donation, please visit https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/101Miles.

Autism Awareness Month Highlight: Alex T. from Dogtopia of Rocklin

As part of our mission to enable dogs to positively change our world, one of the worthy causes we support is employment initiatives for adults with autism. The unemployment rate for adults with autism is twice as high as those with other disabilities, so the Dogtopia Foundation partnered with the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center to develop an Autism Employment Guide for Dogtopia franchisees. This guide provides coaching for Dogtopia team members on how to best create a positive, thriving work environment for both adults with ASD and neurotypical adults.

In honor of Autism Awareness Month, we wanted to highlight a heartwarming success story from Dogtopia of Rocklin, California. Alex T., who is on the autism spectrum, joined the Dogtopia of Rocklin team as a Canine Coach in October 2023 and quickly made an impression with his infectious energy and charismatic personality.

“We are very happy to have Alex on our team,” Diane Foos, owner of Dogtopia of Rocklin, said. “He is full of energy. He enjoys all his pups in the Park playroom, and it is obvious that the admiration is mutual. Alex is also a skilled conversation starter, and he loves to get all the staff engaged in lively conversations about different topics.”

While Alex is clearly making an impact on the pups and people at Dogtopia of Rocklin, it appears Dogtopia is leaving its mark on Alex, too.

“A year ago, I would not have known my son would be working in a place he not only loves but is accepted as a person on the autism spectrum,” Nicole T., Alex’s mother, said. “Alex absolutely adores working part-time at Dogtopia of Rocklin. Since he started his role, we’ve seen him grow in his confidence and happiness. He comes home with stories of seeing his ‘regulars,’ Max and Penelope, or welcoming a new dog to the mix.”

Stories like Alex’s inspire us to continue our efforts in creating inclusive workplaces where everyone can thrive. We’re so happy to have you as part of the Dogtopia family, Alex!