About Central Bark Rochester, MN
Lenny is a native of Rochester, growing up in the community. After highschool, he left Rochester to go to college at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in business and marketing. He worked for a family owned steel company in the Milwaukee area for 6 years and obtained his MBA while working during that time. Lenny met his (now) wife in Milwaukee and learned they were both from Rochester!
During their time in Milwaukee, Lenny and Emily fostered a dog, and had two cats before adopting their pit/Foxhound Mix, Baxter, in 2016. They had both been animal lovers their whole lives, and Baxter presented some unique “challenges” that quickly got them into learning about dog behavior, training methods, and overall dog care. It was at that time that they began bringing Baxter to Central Bark – Westside in Milwaukee and fell in love with the program and what Baxter was gaining from his time there.
After they were married in 2017 the time came for them to make the decision to move back home to MN. With Lenny’s passion for animals and desire to be a business owner, he set his sights on opening a doggy day care in Rochester. After learning Central Bark was a franchise and exploring the different options, he knew that Central Bark was the only fit for him and aligned with his and Emily’s passions and love for dogs whole care. They have been open since June of 2019!
“We welcome you to join our Central Bark family.”
Lenny & Emily, Central Bark Rochester Franchise Owners
Meet the Team
Abby
Store Manager
Hi! My name is Abby and I have been the store manager with Central Bark since April of 2019 (before we even opened!). Although I came to Central Bark with a retail background professionally, I have always had a passion for dogs and caring for them. I absolutely love seeing all the happy pups walk through our door with excitement to start their day along with sharing details of their day during pick up. Watching our staff build relationships with our dogs is something I look forward to each shift. I have a beagle rescue named Maybelline (May for short). She is the sweetest and most loving dog. When not at Central Bark I enjoy spending time with May, frisbee golfing, fishing, making plans with friends/family to celebrate special events or vacation and watching football (Go Vikes!).
Katie Hayward
Assistant Manager
Hi there! My name is Katie, and I am the Assistant Manager, resident photographer, and pug-lover of Central Bark Rochester. I started my time here in September 2020 as a Canine Care Specialist and moved my way up until I eventually landed myself in the best job ever! I have the pleasure of snapping pictures of all the wonderful dogs in our care everyday and posting them on our various social media accounts (that you should totally go and follow)! Along with that, I also write the report cards for Dog Boarding, Stay-n-Plays, and Enrichment Sessions/Training Tutors. You may have also heard me on the radio talking about how great of a place Central Bark Rochester is!
My favorite part about working for Central Bark Rochester is getting to make so many new furry friends! I have a very genuine and strong love for each dog that I meet and would move the Earth for them (or at least give them a little extra peanut butter in their Kong). I have always been my happiest when I’m with animals and Central Bark has given me so many incredible opportunities to show my love for them.
At home, I have a little Pug named Twila and a cat named Luma. They’re my favorite girls and I love them with my whole heart! We’re pretty much attached at the hip and I couldn’t imagine doing life without them. I hope to have many more furry (and amphibian) friends in the future! Until then, I’m thrilled to be taking care of yours.
Awards & Achievements
KTTC TV’s 2021 Fan Favorite for Pet Services
Central Bark® Certified
Enrichment Dog Day Care
Pet CPR Certified
Our Family Photo Album
Central Bark – Rochester, MI
I had a fantastic experience with Central Bark! The staff was professional, friendly, and clearly passionate about caring for my dog. It was such a relief knowing she was in good hands. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a safe and loving place for their pup!
Frequently Asked Questions
Dog day care gives dogs a fun place to play with their friends while their owners are busy at home and work.
At Central Bark®, doggy daycare is our specialty, and nobody does it quite like us. We don’t just give dogs a place to play. We create a personalized program of activities that optimize your dog’s whole health – their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Central Bark goes beyond a traditional doggy day care with our unique Whole Dog Care philosophy. Our personalized approach helps enrich your dog’s whole health and well-being throughout their entire life so you can enjoy a healthy, happy, and loving life together.
The heart of our whole dog care approach is our Enrichment Doggy Day Care program. We combine Central Bark’s industry-leading doggy day care expertise with the latest dog behavior science. Our mission is to give dogs a balanced blend of exercise, social group play, learning, rest, and TLC. To help your dog be a healthy, happy, calm, and well-rounded member of your family.
With a variety of training solutions available, training costs depend upon what kind of training you and your dog need.
Central Bark® offers everything you need to help you train your new puppy or older dog. Including group classes and Training Tutor sessions that can take place during day care. Our expert training and classes help you, and your dog learn and bond together.
Yes. We offer sleepovers to puppies and dogs enrolled in our Enrichment Day Care. Sleepovers at Central Bark® provide your dog a calm, relaxing sleepover in a place they can feel comfortable and loved. Because they’re in a familiar place, they can feel less stressed about being away from home (and so will you). A full day of Doggy Day Care is complimentary with your sleepover stay.
Central Bark® has plenty of Kongs®, tennis balls and other toys for everyone. The dogs could ask for nothing more!
Central Bark® Whole Dog Care
Our whole dog care approach offers a full range of fun and personalized products and services. To promote your dog’s physical, mental, and emotional health and happiness throughout their entire life.
Let’s get started
- Click Request Appointment
- Register Online
- We will contact you and schedule your first visit