Dog daycare in Dartmouth, offering more than just a home away from home

Dartmouth-based non-profit LakeCity Works has added another social enterprise to its roster—Woofingtons of LakeCity. Director Sophie Eld, a small dog owner themselves, set out to create a new opportunity with therapeutic and skill-building benefits to LCW participants. From that, Woofingtons was formed.

Woofingtons is a small dog daycare specializing in companionship. Limiting size (30lbs) and attendance (30 dogs) to ensure staff can provide each dog with an exceptional level of care and attention. Their  dedicated team bring a combination of over 40 years of working with animals as well as being dog owners themselves.

As part of the LakeCity Works non-profit, Woofingtons creates employment and volunteer opportunities for individuals living with mental illness.

“When we looked at this opportunity, the benefits were abundant, the most important to me: the opportunity for companionship for both participants and the dogs” says Eld. “Taking a slower-paced approach to dog care gives smaller dogs a safer space, and a space for our participants to be able to engage and learn valuable life and employment skills along the way.”

Located on the upper floor with the administration offices of the 386 Windmill location, Woofingtons indoor and outdoor space provides a custom experience for small dogs to play, eat, sleep, and meaningfully engage with participants.

The daycare is open Monday – Friday 7:30-6:00 p.m. at their Windmill Road location, offering half and full-day care.

“I am thrilled to be part of such an impactful, diverse organization. Having an opportunity to bring a doggy daycare to the community with a mission to provide a slower paced, caring space for smaller pups while giving participants and volunteers a chance to build on their skills and strengths, is like no other. They say dogs are our best friend, I believe Woofingtons will demonstrate this every day!” Lora Tanner, Woofingtons Manager.

LakeCity Works supports people living with mental illness to build on their strengths, take on responsibilities and access work experience, education and employment. As well as their employment support and therapeutic services, they also operate several social enterprises. LakeCity Works is best known for their flagship enterprise, LakeCity Woodworkers, where they produce beautiful solid wood furniture.

Their other ventures are equal sources of pride and include LakeCity Plastics, LakeCity Helpers, Reboot, Bright Firestarters, Vinland,  and now Woofingtons of LakeCity all of which are introduced in more detail on their website www.lakecityworks.ca.

LakeCity Works is an active, entrepreneurial, impact-driven organization and every day they live their vision to empower people to be themselves and thrive.

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