This is how the journey started …
The best things in life happen when you’re not looking!
Staying in the same city, it was still a chance meeting on a walk when we were talking about the influx of new puppies in the neighborhood during Covid-times that a gem of an idea was born.
Dogs bring so much joy into our lives and with support, education and resources we wanted to empower every puppy owner to become a responsible dog owner and then a dog lover for life.
Covid times, wearing masks, sitting on outdoor tables, brainstorming for hours and hours !! Our office headquarters became the benches outside Starbucks in downtown village.
We put hours into understanding Market Research, growth in the pet industry, industry trends and what was missing.
We already had a thriving dog community in our neighborhood and we had seen the benefits of it, we wanted to recreate it for everyone by providing a platform for global impact.
Dogs live a short but a very impactful life….that’s their charm too and we want to make the most by celebrating them each day !
PURVI Co-Founder & the CEO
Entrepreneur & Visionary of theDogHood
- Purvi is a Product and tech services builder. She had a decade-long career at PayPal and Ebay working in data analytics and product insights.
- She has extensive experience in jump-starting product development and data engineering. This background paved the way for her to launch her first successful app – “SmartCooks” in 2018 with the mission to use technology to improve people’s lives.
- Purvi got her dog, Oreo, a sheepadoodle, in August 2019. It was love at first sight. His energy and love changed her life forever.
- Her experience with Oreo, coupled with her background, made her see the potential to have a platform to create a better life for dogs and dog owners.
Ruchi Co-Founder & CPO
Dog Passionate & Chief Puppy Officer of theDogHood
- Ruchi is a textile designer with years of experience in trading & marketing in South East Asia. She moved about a decade back to the US with her family and decided to spend her time at home volunteering and taking care of her second fur child Nessie.
- She is passionate about dogs. Taking dog pictures & understanding their different personalities is her hobby & calling.
- She loves to board & take care of dogs. Known in her neighborhood somewhat as a “Dog Expert” she is often called upon for advice.
- Understanding this need to connect between the dog owners, she built a thriving, active local dog community.
- She loves to organize dog-focused events and get-togethers to create a better social life for dogs & their owners.
Our Inspiration
The local thriving Dog community
As much as you or I need socialization to relax and have fun, so do our dogs. Come 4pm, and our dogs start whining to go and hangout with their friends at the local park. The happiness we see on the dogs’ faces while they run off-leash with their buddies, welcoming new puppies chasing each other and making new bonds every evening – is priceless. Not only is this is fun for the dogs, it’s also very relaxing for the owners. They hang out on the side, laughing at their dogs antics, stress of the day slowly ebbing away, being in the moment & ending the day at a high note…and of course, relieved that finally the dogs will go back home, happy & tired and catch zzzz’s…
Benefits of these meet-ups are seen by everyone.
Here are some testimonials…
“ As a first time dog owner, I really benefited from being part of our local dog group. It helped me find resources easily, schedule playdates near our home, and I could trust other members' advice. The group also motivated me to spend more time with my puppy, as I see other members go to nearby trails and hikes and send us pictures. I even found an off-leash trail through the group which I keep going most weekends now!”
Ghazal, mother to the super happy 1.5 year old Toffee
“ Huxley is our first dog and I always have lots of questions. This group is my support and always the first place I turn to for help. I love our get togethers (pre-COVID) and am grateful Huxley has a group of doggie friends to hang out with. He loves his buddies even though it seems like he’s only after his ball! "
Azita , mother to an energetic 4 year old pooch Huxley.
“Our puppy group has provided a great sense of community for me, which has been so wonderful, especially during the pandemic. Alfie has gained so much from this group! He’s been well socialized through other puppies he has met through the group- and a bonus is that I’ve met some wonderful neighbors as well. The group is a great resource and I can always count on members to give advice when I need answers or suggestions.”
Tina, mum to sweet, tiny 5 month old Alfie
“ Our dog group is our extended family. As we are raising our little fur babies, we are learning so much and supporting each other for their physical well being and socializing. I love that we celebrate our fur babies' birthdays together. All our dogs want is to be with their friends and run around and chase the a ball. Also another benefit I found was that we have together raised funds to help out animals far and near. Our group is made up of very kind and generous people. I love being part of our dog group”
Shinku, mum to 3 year old cutie Louie.
“Bixby loves meeting his friends at the park and I love seeing him play. The group is a great resource as a first time dog owner, it’s great to know there is always someone to give you advice.”
Yvonne, mother to a rambunctious 5 month old Bixby.
“ Casper has found lots of fur-friends thanks to this wonderful group of dog lovers. We meet often and the initial bonds made due to dogs has now deepened to friendships. We share pics, tips and share many laughs at our pup's antics.”
Varsha, mother to the gorgeous 1 year old Casper.
“ Being a part of the local dog group has been such a beneficial experience for my entire family as a whole. My dog loves it but so do I and my children. We’ve met people in our neighborhood that we wouldn’t have normally encountered. We’ve developed relationships with people that we normally wouldn’t just due to the circumstances of our busy lives. The dog group has provided that missing connection enabling us to feel more connected with our community. The dogs provide a happy bridge connecting us all together.”