As Nashville continues to grow at a rapid pace, finding a sense of community can feel harder than ever. Sometimes, all it takes is a girl and her golden retriever to bring neighbors together. Enter Nashville Golden Hour. What began as a monthly golden retriever meetup in 12 South has since grown into neighborhood chapters in East Nashville, The Gulch, and The Nations, welcoming anyone who wants to join in.
It all started when Laura Shoopman moved to 12 South in April 2025 and began taking her golden retriever, Bella, on regular neighborhood walks.
“In the matter of 30 minutes, I'd probably see a handful of golden retrievers,” recalls Laura. “I'd frequently see the same people over and over again. And I thought, why don't I get to know some of my neighbors as well?”
That one question soon turned into something much bigger than Laura ever expected. Today, Nashville Golden Hour has grown into a community that has connected hundreds of neighbors through their shared love of golden retrievers.
That welcoming atmosphere extends to every meetup. There’s no RSVP required, no cost to attend, and even bringing a dog isn’t necessary. The only expectation is to follow a few “Golden Rules” outlined on the group’s website. Meetups are held monthly at various locations depending on the neighborhood, with activities ranging from group walks to park hangouts to the occasional pet celebration. Local pet photographer John Fletcher of Get Pet Pics frequently attends meetups, capturing the joy and connections that unfold along the way.
For Laura, the walks have always been about something much bigger than dogs. “I really want to get people together, meet our neighbors, create community, and spread joy. It's our little motto,” said Laura. “Golden Hour helps make Nashville feel a little less huge and a lot more happy.”
Since then, Nashville Golden Hour has grown quickly, with no signs of slowing down. While Laura still leads the charge, running the group’s Instagram and sending out the monthly newsletter, each neighborhood is led by a dedicated volunteer who helps organize local meetups and create a welcoming environment for neighbors to connect.
“I couldn't do this on my own, we have a really great team that is launching and advocating in their neighborhoods and getting people involved,” Laura said. “I've seen some true friendships grow through this. So, it's very nice to have golden retrievers and go for a walk down these popular parts of our city and share this joy with people. But it's even more special to see friendships and relationships grow through this. And I would have never thought that I would be scaling a golden retriever meetup across Nashville, but here we are, and it is the biggest blessing.”
As Nashville Golden Hour continues to grow, so does its impact. Giving back has become a natural extension of Nashville Golden Hour’s mission. This month, the group is partnering with Rescue Revival to host its "Gold for Good" Kickoff on August 29th. NGH has committed to funding the training of 10 golden retrievers upon their adoption, with each neighborhood aiming to raise $500 – and the neighborhood that raises the most will take home a prize. Then, on October 10th, they'll celebrate their first anniversary with a party at Urban Dog Bar, complete with bingo, raffles, and a few other fun surprises.
What started as a handful of golden retrievers crossing paths on a 12 South sidewalk has become something much bigger: a network of neighbors, dogs, and friendships spread across Nashville. Proof that even in one of America’s fastest-growing cities, community can begin with something as simple as saying hello on a walk around the block.
To stay up to date on the next meetup or to enroll in the monthly newsletter, follow them on social media or reach out via email.
@NashvilleGoldenHour
nashvillegoldenhour@gmail.com
“I couldn't do this on my own, we have a really great team that is launching and advocating in their neighborhoods and getting people involved,” Laura said. “I've seen some true friendships grow through this. So, it's very nice to have golden retrievers and go for a walk down these popular parts of our city and share this joy with people. But it's even more special to see friendships and relationships grow through this. And I would have never thought that I would be scaling a golden retriever meetup across Nashville, but here we are, and it is the biggest blessing.”