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
We have also done the stay & play on days I had long hours for work, and Poppy had the best time! The staff there all love their job and the dogs so deeply.
Highly recommend for your grooming and day care needs!!
Frequently Asked Questions
Before your dog’s first day, make sure required vaccination records and account information are up to date. Bring your dog on a regular leash with the collar and identification requested by your local Central Bark. Your local team can confirm any additional items needed for your dog’s visit.
Central Bark provides a balanced day of play, learning, rest, and love. Dogs in Enrichment Day Care practice social skills and Group Play Skills, while additional enrichment can engage their minds through activities that encourage learning, problem-solving, exploration, and appropriate use of their senses. Optional services such as Training Tutor and One-on-One Enrichment can provide additional mental stimulation.
Dog day care provides a structured environment where dogs can receive supervised social experiences, enrichment, activity, learning, and rest throughout the day. A dog walker typically provides a shorter period of exercise and individual attention, while staying home offers a quieter environment with more time alone. The best choice depends on your dog’s personality, routine, health, and individual needs.
Enrichment Day Care at Central Bark includes a balanced routine of supervised play, Group Play Skills, scheduled rest periods, relaxing enrichment, and opportunities for learning and fun. Each dog’s experience is shaped around their individual needs so they can enjoy an engaging day with healthy periods of activity and recovery.
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.
