Dogtopia of Bakersfield proudly gives back to its local community through the Dogtopia Foundation, a nonprofit that has a mission to enable dogs to positively change our world. The foundation represents a collaborative effort between Dogtopia leadership and individual franchisees. 

 

“We wanted to give our entire network of Dogtopia daycares a meaningful way to give back and live out our shared purpose of positively changing our world,” said Liz Meyers, Dogtopia Foundation Executive Director.  

 

Since 2017, the Dogtopia Foundation has raised over 5 million dollars and sponsored over 850 service dogs.  

 

“When we were searching for franchises, one of the things that attracted us to Dogtopia was the ability to give back to the local community. The Dogtopia Foundation makes that possible. It felt like a more meaningful way to start a business,” said Dogtopia of Bakersfield Owner Elizabeth Giesick. 

  

The three pillars of the foundation include Service Dogs for Veterans, Employment Initiatives for Adults with Autism, and Therapy Dogs for Students. “Because dogs already bring so much joy and connection to our lives, we focused on areas where dogs and people can make an extraordinary difference together,” stated Liz. 

 

The Dogtopia Foundation is committed to funding service dog training for military veterans returning home with physical and emotional challenges. Dogtopia of Bakersfield helps this effort by its Hero Dog Program, donations, treat days, as well as special events. 

 

General manager Quinn Giesick states, “We have daily opportunities to donate and support the foundation.”  

 

“Our in-store events are an inclusive way for our pet parents to support the foundation and give their pups a special treat,” said Dogtopia of Bakersfield owner Elizabeth Giesick.  

 

“Everyone's favorite day is Foundation Friday, especially the pups. We cook and sell turkey bacon for the pups, and the money we raise goes into the foundation bucket,” said Quinn Giesick.  

 

In addition to in-store events, Dogtopia of Bakersfield participates in community events for foundation support. One such event is Big Give Kern, which is part of Kern Community Foundation’s Nonprofit strengthening initiative. 

 

“2024 was our first year participating, and we got such an outstanding welcome from the community. That was a very successful and exciting feeling knowing we had the community's support,” said Quinn Giesick.   

 

“We also help fund research led by Dr. Maggie O’Haire at the University of Arizona to better understand how service dogs affect veterans’ mental health, independence and quality of life,” said Liz Meyers.  

 

Dogtopia Foundation's involvement in the Maggie O’Haire Serves Study includes 161 veterans with PTSD, 88 with a service dog and 73 without a service dog, with a total of 2,613 cortisol samples analyzed. It has so far concluded that veterans with service dogs had stress hormone patterns more like those in healthy adults without PTSD.  

 

Dogs are uniquely positioned to unlock confidence in a struggling reader or bring healing to a returning veteran in need. “A service dog can help a veteran regain independence, confidence, and a sense of safety. Depending on the veteran's needs, the dog may interrupt anxiety or nightmares, retrieve medication, turn on lights, provide stability, or create space in a crowd,” said Liz Meyers.  

 

Service dogs reshape stress physiology in veterans with PTSD. “I have veteran friends who have received service animals. When they get their dog and start to bond with them, it changes the brain chemistry of both the dog and the veteran. It's very rewarding to watch the veteran's relationships grow in the community they live in,” said Quinn Giesick.  

 

Organizations like America's Vetdogs, Canine Companions, and K9 For Warriors train and place service dogs with veterans at no extra cost while providing ongoing support.   

 

Dogtopia of Bakersfield is committed to empowering adults with disabilities to learn, grow, and build their careers. “Locally, we have partnered with Independence Through Grace Foundation to help provide employment opportunities,” said Elizabeth Giesick. 

 

Dogtopia of Bakersfield and the Dogtopia Foundation are proud to provide employment initiatives for adults with autism. The unemployment rate for adults with autism is twice as high as that for those with other disabilities. “In our first year, we have hired four people from our local community who are on the autism spectrum. We have been able to provide them with a safe work environment that allows them to feel connected with the community, while also learning valuable life skills and getting paid!” said Quinn Giesick.  

 

The foundation also funds programs that incorporate registered therapy dog teams who encourage and support young children learning to read.  

 

Quinn states, “It is vital for our youth and local students to have a therapy pup because it allows them to build relationships with dogs, build confidence around animals, and overall allows the students a judgment-free, stress-free environment.” 

 

To support Dogtopia of Bakersfield and give back to the Dogtopia Foundation, go to fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/DOGTOPIA/team/bakersfield or Text DOGTOPIA2180 to 71777. 

 

For more information about the Dogtopia Foundation, visit Dogtopiafoundation.org