Whole dog care franchise Central Bark announced its first franchise agreement and the upcoming opening of its location in Connecticut, marking the 12th state to enter the brand’s footprint. The first location will be in Danbury, Conn., and is set to open in early 2025 in a location near The Danbury Fair Mall.
Leading Central Bark’s introduction to Connecticut is franchisee Carol O’Donnell Martin, who brings knowledge of community engagement, operational management, finance and a shared passion for dogs to amplify Central Bark’s rapidly expanding national presence.
“A few years back, I started what I fondly called my side hustle – walking dogs in my community,” said Martin. “The dogs that I cared for started to change my wellbeing. I always felt this sense of calm and reduced stress after every walk or play date and I knew Central Bark would provide an avenue to channel my professional skill set alongside my passion for animals. Their approach to whole dog care is exactly what our community in Danbury, and across our state, needs for our beloved pets.”
Central Bark’s whole dog care approach blends dog day care expertise with the latest in canine behavioral science. Enrichment care provides a healthy and balanced blend of exercise, social group play, learning, rest and “TLC” to help dogs be healthy, happy, calm and well-rounded members of the family. Furthermore, Central Bark also offers dog boarding, baths, grooming, a boutique retail market, training and more.
“We are changing the dog care landscape across the country, one new Central Bark at a time. Our approach to enrichment programming, including Puppy Hours, rest periods and low dog-to-enrichment specialist ratio, are differentiators for a reason and that is resonating with new franchisees and our customers alike,” said Tim Weiderhoft, Ed.D., CFE, chief operating officer for Central Bark. “We’re looking forward to introducing the Danbury community to our approach with our first location in Connecticut.”
Central Bark typically features approximately 6,000 – 7,000 square feet of indoor space plus more than 2,000 square-feet of outdoor play area. Activities include small flexible playgroups, group skills work, rest periods, and personalized one-on-one enrichment sessions. Enrichment add-ons give pups the extra attention they love and the freedom to use their senses, safely exploring with their instincts as they engage with interactive toys, puzzles and games.
