Today we’d like to introduce you to April Henley.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened” – Anatole France
As a corporate professional in the travel industry, I felt tremendously guilty whenever I had to leave my pets. As a pet owner, I have always regarded my pets as family and I knew the importance of having my fur babies in a safe and loving environment. I quickly realized that I was not alone in that desire and with my passion for animals, I began caring for pets. As the requests for my services as a Pet Care Professional grew significantly, so did my confidence in creating a company centered on compassion for both pets and their owners.
In 2003, Dogs On the Run® (DOTR™) was officially born! I continued caring for pets as I had been but now was an insured professional. Caring for pets was a service in high demand, and before I knew it I needed to have a backup plan for my families and their pets. I decided to contract my first Independent Contractor, a valued client and trusted friend to help with the business. Surprisingly without much effort, Dogs On the Run® continued to grow organically through referrals.
My aspiration for my clients has always been for them to feel like the needs of their pets, no matter how challenging or creative, are taken care of 100 percent of the time. So, when we originally began, we offered a variety of services that were tailored to each family’s routine. However, we didn’t stop there. We realized that Dogs On the Run® needed to be even more flexible and so we started bringing pets into our professionals’ homes and continue to progress and add services according to the needs of our clients.
Dogs On the Run® continues to grow and operate with a deep love and concern for animals. Dogs On the Run® understands what our clients’ questions and concerns are before they even ask. Years of experience, attention to detail, and dedication to our clients has put Dogs On the Run® at the top of quality care!
About The Owner – April M. Henley
April was born and raised on a ranch in Northern California where she was responsible for caring for a variety of animals that included cattle, horses, geese, rabbits, birds, goats and more. Her passion for animals, however, didn’t stop there and she also participated in 4H in school and rescue organizations.
As a young adult, April moved to San Diego and attended San Diego State University where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies with a minor in Anthropology. While in college, April pursued her other passion, traveling, by working in the travel industry. Citing her own challenges with finding someone to care for her animals when she traveled, April quickly realized there was a significant lack of professional pet care options in the area. She became committed to changing that and poured her heart, soul and time into creating a premium pet care business for professionals.
In her spare time, April studies animal welfare and has delved into finding ways to educate others on animal health and behavior. In addition to her love of animals, April continues to be an avid traveler and has traveled around the world. She is zealous about helping people and animals in any way she can. Currently, April lives in Carlsbad with her husband, five human children and five animal children.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I have been blessed with amazing clients and professionals. Yes, there is always a challenge, but I have always embraced the journey with my heart and do what I have to do to protect my business, my clients and professionals.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Dogs On The Run story. Tell us more about the business.
In 2003, Dogs On the Run® (DOTR™) was established. We offer private, professional care that can be customized in the comfort of our home or the clients. A few of our popular services include dog walking, pet visits, overnight care, boarding, daycare, pet taxi and more. We strive daily to deliver a high-end boutique option for our clients who have spoiled pets. All of our pet care services can be customized to each families routine.
Dogs On the Run® continues to grow and operate with a deep love and concern for animals. Dogs On the Run® understands what our clients’ questions and concerns are before they even ask. Years of experience, attention to detail, and dedication to our clients has put Dogs On the Run® at the top of quality care!
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Luck? Or passion? I feel blessed to be one of those people who truly loves what I do. I would not call it luck. I have put a lot of love, sweat and tears into Dogs On The Run. I call it passion.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.DogsOnTheRun.com
- Phone: 7605219444
- Email: info@DogsOnTheRun.com
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
