Franchises Share a Giving Spirit

By Jim Gold

By giving back to their local communities, franchisees are making a global impact. Here’s how these entrepreneurs are spreading their generosity.

Dogtopia and its franchise owners provide safe, fun environments for dogs and peace of mind for pet owners. Beyond its business model, the company inspires positive change in the world through the Dogtopia Foundation.

The foundation raises funds for deserving causes that provide service dogs to veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, support youth literacy programs, and create job opportunities for adults with autism.

“At every level, Dogtopia is full of loving, compassionate people who want to do right by the communities we serve,” says Diane Foos, owner of Dogtopia of Rocklin, California. Her fundraising events have revolved around ticket raffles and seasonal photoshoots for dogs, among other initiatives, Foos says.

“Our pet parents love being able to treat their dog while also supporting these very deserving causes,” she says.

The foundation is helping Foos match a service dog to a local veteran. “It’s fantastic knowing our efforts are going directly to someone in our own community whose life will be positively changed with a trained service dog,” she says. Since 2017, the Dogtopia Foundation has sponsored 22 service dogs for veterans, says Jeri Kendle, the foundation’s executive director. The foundation supports research on how dogs can help veterans with PTSD and backs a program that prepares veterans to teach puppy training classes. Leading those classes can be a job opportunity for veterans, who are also given the chance to interact with families in their community, Kendle says.

Dogtopia has also launched an employment manual that ensures its dog daycare centers are equipped to hire people with autism, Kendle says. Right now, about 20 adults with autism already work for Dogtopia.

“When given the opportunity, individuals with autism can bring a unique perspective and understanding to an organization,” Kendle says. “One person’s unique strengths may be a gamechanger for an employer or organization.”

For the third straight year, Dogtopia has supported Sit- StayRead, a program serving about 2,500 elementary school students in Chicago schools. Volunteers in the program teach literacy skills while using dogs to engage students.