OUR HISTORY

A D.C. success story

District Dogs began as a dog walking business in 2014, with owner Jacob Hensley as the sole employee. Growing with each new client, within two years the business included a team of walkers that covered the majority of Northwest DC. District Dogs gained a reputation as the go-to pet care company for warm, thoughtful, and outstanding service. Our clients will tell you that we pride ourselves on going above and beyond for every dog in our care.

In the fall of 2016, District Dogs opened a storefront in DC’s Park View neighborhood, fulfilling Jacob’s vision of building a full-service pet care company. Spring 2019 saw the opening of our second location in Southeast DC’s Navy Yard neighborhood. In October 2020, we opened our third facility in the vibrant Shaw area. Two more new locations joined the pack in spring 2022—including our flagship training center and largest location to-date in Northeast DC and our first Virginia location in Arlington’s Clarendon neighborhood. Another Virginia facility will open at National Landing in 2023, located in Amazon’s HQ2 development.

Our facilities offer a wide array of services including daycare, overnight boarding, grooming, training classes, and a curated retail selection for dogs and dog-lovers alike. As we’ve grown, District Dogs’ commitment to excellence has been maintained by a dedicated crew of walkers, attendants, and managers.  Our professional and enthusiastic staff is the best at what they do.

Whether you are interested in our daycare, boarding, or walking services, we think you’ll appreciate what District Dogs can do for you!

Meet our founder

After years spent building a successful career in finance, Jacob Hensley still felt that something was missing. Looking towards a career change, his thoughts were constantly drawn to his lifelong passion for and wealth of experience with animals. His time in the demanding world of finance gave Jacob a deep understanding of how important it is for busy owners to know their pets are getting the best possible care, attention, and exercise. Drawing on his experience walking, breeding, and training dogs, Jacob set out to create a pet care company that would blend reliable and professional service with a personal touch. He founded District Dogs in 2014.