Dogtopia Boise-Greenbelt, located in Garden City, offers dog daycare, boarding, training, and spa services.
But Dogtopia, which has locations across the country, also aims to impact dogs and people positively through the Dogtopia Foundation and its programs.
Service Dogs for Veterans matches veterans with a canine companion who can support them. Since 2017, the Foundation has raised $2.57M to support 381 service dogs, with 161 service dog-and-veteran teams successfully graduating the program.
Boise-Greenbelt Pet Parent Relationship Manager Tyler Proctor said the Idaho location just raised its first $6K and was able to sponsor its first dog.
“From the moment I laid eyes on Maverick, I knew that he was exactly what I needed,” retired Sergeant Jeanette R. Nichols, a USA Paralympic Track & Field Team Member, said in a testimonial. The Dogtopia Foundation sponsored the match between Maverick and Nichols. “He has made an incredible difference in the quality of my life.”
According to statistics Proctor provided, a service dog can cost upwards of $30K. This leaves a dog out of reach for many suffering veterans dealing with PTSD, depression, loneliness, and anxiety.
If you’re interested in helping sponsor a service dog, you can contribute at fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/DOGTOPIA.
Local dogs are also having an impact on kids through Dogtopia’s Youth Literacy Programs.
“We will take kids who are under their reading levels and have them either come into our facility or a Humane Society,” Proctor said. “They then have a chance to read to the dogs and practice their reading skills.”
The kids gain confidence from a dedicated listener, and the dogs get to enjoy a good story and possibly some belly rubs.
The Foundation also recruits dogs and their owners for therapy teams. Through Pet Partners, the teams visit schools to offer the benefits of dog-assisted interventions.
To learn more about Dogtopia’s programs, visit dogtopia.com/boise-greenbelt.