Army Veteran, Entrepreneur Opens Dogtopia Dog Daycare in Waukee, Marking First Location in Iowa

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Press release: Dogtopia

Dogtopia, the nation’s leading dog wellness franchise, recently announced that it is opening a new location in Waukee on January 24. Located at 1500 NW Gettysburg Lane, Dogtopia of Waukee will provide award-winning services to dog parents in the community. As a welcome gift, Waukee dog parents can enjoy 25 percent off daycare enrollment until the end of February.

Providing personalized care for Waukee pups in a fun, enriching, and safe environment, Dogtopia sets the industry standard among dog daycares with its focus on three key benefits: socialization, exercise, and education. Dogtopia allows dogs to enjoy plenty of exercise, play with like-minded dogs, and learn important social skills, all under the supervision of professionally trained Canine Coaches. In keeping safety at the forefront, each of the playrooms includes dogs of similar size and play style and is built with compressed rubber flooring to reduce the impact on pups’ paws and joints.

The new establishment is proudly owned by local Army Veteran, businessman and dog enthusiast, Jon Renaud. Having moved to Iowa to become director of operations for a local convenience store chain, Renaud and his wife struggled to find a quality place to board their beloved dogs. Recognizing a need in the community, Renaud leveraged his business expertise and passion for pets to bring Dogtopia to Waukee. Opening the first Dogtopia in Iowa, Renaud wants to emphasize Dogtopia’s passion for dogs and their health and safety.

“At Dogtopia, we recognize that a dog is not just a pet – they are a companion,” said Renaud. “Our overall commitment to you and your dog is their safety. That is why we have employed an industry-leading cleaning regimen and filtration system. And with our dedicated Canine Coaches, you can trust that your dog will be safe and healthy, and most importantly, they will have a blast at Dogtopia.”

Renaud’s love for dogs is not the only connection that drew him to opening Dogtopia of Waukee. Renaud, who was in the Army for 20 years, was inspired by Dogtopia’s mission of helping the veteran community through the Dogtopia Foundation. This mission is also near and dear to the assistant manager and canine coach trainer at Dogtopia of Waukee, who is the first female Infantry solider in the Iowa National Guard.

The Dogtopia Foundation, a nonprofit with the mission to enable dogs to positively change our world, funds programs focused on three worthy causes: service dogs for veterans, therapy dogs for students, and employment initiatives for adults with autism. One hundred percent of funds raised are donated directly to the supported organizations.