About Central Bark Rochester, MN
Lenny Hoisington is the owner and franchisee of Central Bark Rochester, MN and a proud Rochester native. After graduating high school, Lenny moved to Milwaukee to attend the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business and marketing. He later completed his MBA while working for a family-owned steel company, gaining valuable leadership and operational experience.
Lenny’s lifelong love of animals deepened after adopting his pit bull/Foxhound mix, Baxter, in 2016. Baxter’s unique needs led Lenny and his wife, Emily, to become customers of Central Bark while living in Milwaukee. Seeing firsthand the positive impact of enrichment-based care, socialization, and structure on Baxter was a turning point—and ultimately what inspired Lenny to pursue opening his own Central Bark.
After marrying in 2017, Lenny and Emily returned to Minnesota to build a business rooted in trust, compassion, and community. Central Bark Rochester, MN opened in June 2019. Today, they are raising their two children alongside their dogs, Baxter and their pit bull mix, Zoey. Emily works at Mayo Clinic as a nurse and house supervisor and is Lenny’s biggest supporter. Lenny is proud to serve the Rochester community and lead Central Bark Rochester, MN with passion, compassion, respect, and integrity
“We welcome you to join our Central Bark family.”
Lenny Hoisington, Central Bark Rochester, MN Franchise Owner
Meet The Team
Abby Buck
General Manager
Abby Buck has been with Central Bark Rochester, MN since April 2019—before the doors even opened—and has helped shape the culture from day one. As General Manager, she is the driving force behind the team, leading with passion, compassion, respect, and integrity. Abby is deeply committed to whole-dog care, team excellence, and ensuring families feel confident and informed when hearing about their dog’s day.
Katie Hayward
Store Manager
Katie Hayward is the Store Manager, resident photographer, and proud pug-lover at Central Bark Rochester, MN. She joined the team in September 2020 as a Canine Care Assistant and grew into her role through a deep commitment to dogs and people. Katie is passionate about creating welcoming experiences, capturing joyful moments, and building trust with families through clear communication and thoughtful care.
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
I can’t thank Lenny and Central Bark enough for their incredible support with my 15.5-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer, Max. After a tough journey with vet-recommended medications and a shot that led to severe seizures, I was at a loss. The seizures were heartbreaking, and I thought I might lose Max. A friend connected me with Lenny, who went above and beyond to help care for Max while I was at work, showing genuine compassion and dedication.
On Lenny’s recommendation, I tried Central Bark’s Senior Comfort Chews. Within a month, Max stopped having seizures, stopped whining, and started sleeping better—giving us both much-needed peace. These chews aren’t a cure-all, but they’ve transformed our quality of life. Lenny’s kindness and expertise make Central Bark a gem. I’ll be back soon for more chews and highly recommend them to anyone with a senior dog!
Frequently Asked Questions
We have a team of very qualified individuals here at Central Bark®, including managers who are certified in Canine First Aid and CPR.
Even with such a proactive approach to safety as described above, scuffles between dogs can and do happen from time to time. Although this is a rare occurrence, dogs are animals and don’t always talk about whose tennis ball it is. If a scuffle does occur, staff are trained to intervene immediately by making a loud noise and separating the dogs involved as quickly as possible. For most dogs enrolled in our program, this is enough to stop the situation. If needed, we are also equipped with squirt bottles and a hose. Any dog involved in a scuffle will receive a cursory body check and play break to calm down.
Our dog socialization day care is built on a unique system of “flexible playgroups” to ensure a safe and positive social environment for every dog. We carefully match your dog with friends based on their age, personality, size, and play style, creating a balanced and stress-free environment. This is especially beneficial for day care for dogs with anxiety or shy puppies, as it provides a low-pressure way for them to build confidence and have a great time.
Yes! We love to celebrate our dog friends’ birthdays. You can rent space in our facility to celebrate, then bring in your treats and decorations. Or you can have us plan and run your entire event.
Contact us to schedule your dog’s party!
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.
