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!

Dogtopia Foundation Works to Accommodate Individuals with Autism in Dogtopia Daycares

April is National Autism Awareness Month. It is a time to recognize and celebrate the unique strengths and abilities of individuals on the spectrum.

As a part of our Noble Cause, Dogtopia and the Dogtopia Foundation support employment programs for adults with autism by employing individuals with autism in daycares across North America.

Our hope is through quality employment programs, adults with autism will experience a higher quality of life and increased self-determination through their success at work. When given the opportunity, individuals with ASD can bring a unique perspective and understanding to a work environment. One person’s unique strengths may be a game-changer for an employer or an entire organization.

Additionally, the support and accommodations that help an individual with ASD be successful in the workplace are likely beneficial for all employees. Employees with autism also provide an employer with loyal employees who tend to have lower attrition rates and fewer absences.

Diane Foos, Owner of the Dogtopia of Rocklin quoted below, states how much of an asset it has been to employ individuals on the spectrum.

“Employing adults with autism has been a huge benefit for us. They bring so much to the table. They bring joy and they love what they do, but they also take their jobs very seriously. We have a lot of visual aids and technology in place to support them, but those additional supports have also benefitted our entire team.”

We are committed to empowering individuals on the spectrum to learn, grow and build their careers at Dogtopia.

How Impactful Are Service Dogs?

The Dogtopia Foundation was established to “enable dogs to positively change our world” and they are doing just that.

Professional studies and evidence further validate what many people already know to be true: animal companionship can help support beneficial physical and mental health outcomes including:

Assistance with Physical Disabilities: Service dogs can be trained to assist veterans with mobility concerns, such as those who use wheelchairs, by opening doors, picking items up from the floor or another surface, and providing balance and stability.

Improving Mental Health Conditions: Service dogs can provide support to veterans with mental health conditions such as PTSD, depression and anxiety. They can offer emotional support, interrupt panic attacks, provide a sense of security, and help veterans feel more connected to the world around them.

Increased Socialization: Veterans with service dogs may find it easier to interact with other people as the dog can act as a social bridge and help them feel more comfortable in social situations.

Regain a Sense of Independence: Service dogs can enable veterans to perform tasks that they may not be able to do on their own, therefore increasing their sense of independence.

Companionship: Service dogs can offer companionship and unconditional love, which can be particularly beneficial for veterans who may feel isolated or alone.

Join us in our Noble Cause and help sponsor a service dog for a veteran! Click here to get involved and donate today.

Retired Army Command Sergeant Major Gretchen Evans Visits Warhawk Air Museum in Nampa

Last week, retired Command Sergeant Major and Dogtopia Foundation Ambassador Gretchen Evans visited the Warhawk Air Museum to speak about the positive impact service dogs have had in her life after returning from war.

Evans was 46 years old when she was injured while in combat and honorably discharged. Years later, she tells her story while discussing how a service dog truly saved her life. She spoke at the Warhawk Air Museum, again telling her story and raising awareness about service dogs.

Read the whole story from the Idaho Press here.

Dogtopia’s Noble Cause Provides Employment Opportunities for Adults with Autism

When husband-wife engineers Girish Rao and Radhika Dontaraju in Olathe, Kansas wanted to get into the pet industry, they never imagined the alignment Dogtopia could have with their own lives.

“We were looking to do something with a smarter approach to the service industry that was organized and standardized,” said Girish. “We took the steps and came to learn more about Dogtopia and that’s when we were introduced to the Dogtopia Foundation. That was a game changer for us.”

Dogtopia, North America’s leading and fastest-growing dog daycare franchise, offers its services to pet parents at more than 150 locations. The Dogtopia Foundation’s mission, known as its Noble Cause, of “enabling dogs to positively change our world” is brought to fruition through three worthy causes including providing adults with autism job opportunities in Dogtopia daycares.

Nationally, it is reported that approximately 90 percent of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are unemployed or underemployed. Over the next decade, it is reported an estimated 500,000 teens with autism will enter young adulthood and will be seeking employment.

For Girish and Radhika, this cause hit very close to home – their son, age 11, is on the autism spectrum.

“We knew our son may have trouble finding employment as an adult,” said Radhika. “We thought, ‘we can always put funds aside for him, but then what?’ When we heard about the work Dogtopia is doing to help lower the unemployment rate for adults with autism, it opened a future not only for us, but for our son, too.”

As Girish and Radhika set out on their journey, they visited a Dogtopia in Virginia and met several of the 10+ employees with autism working in the dog daycare. “It was amazing how well the team embraced these adults,” said Radhika. “It was really heartwarming.”

Now, in their own daycare, Dogtopia of Olathe, Kansas, which opened in November 2019, they have hired three full-time employees and one intern on the autism spectrum. For the internship, they partner with the Olathe School District to support their local career transition program that brings students with learning disabilities to Dogtopia to learn and grow.

“We asked ourselves – how do we enrich the lives of adults with autism?” said Radhika. “But frankly, it has actually empowered our team to be more open and embrace different kinds of people.”

The beauty of Dogtopia, they say, is that there is a role for everyone – it is about finding balance and understanding the perfect role and needs for each employee (those on the spectrum and not).

“This business is an intersection of all the good things for us,” said Girish. “When we found Dogtopia we were convinced in our brains. When we found the Dogtopia Foundation, we were convinced with our hearts.”

Through the work of the Dogtopia Foundation, Dogtopia is committed to empowering adults with autism to learn, grow and build their career.

Dogtopia Foundation Supports Purdue University Study Showing Benefits of Service Dogs for Returned Veterans

The findings of a newly published study led by the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine and partially funded by the Dogtopia Foundation provides further evidence of the benefits of service dogs for veterans with PTSD and helps identify more specifically which dogs and human-animal interactions lead to the best outcomes.

We’ve seen first-hand the benefits of service dogs for veterans with PTSD and are proud to support Dr. Maggie O’Haire’s ground-breaking research as we continue to fundraise and provide service dogs to returned veterans.

Learn more about the study by clicking here!