If you’re paying attention at some to the more recent discourse on the internet, you might notice a new term swirling around our lexicon – “touch grass.” It’s an idiom with a simple and direct meaning – a recommendation that people get outside, spend time in nature, and reconnect with the world around them. The message is clearly resonating, especially in a world dominated by technology, too much online screen time, and a lack of physical activity now reduced to quick breaks from our desks.

Were we really meant to live this way? 

Those of us at Hike Doggie don’t believe so. Which is why we’ve developed a franchised business opportunity whose central value proposition is to create an unforgettable outdoor experience for dogs, designed to enhance their physical and mental health. And yours, too! Hike Doggie’s business model is predicated on creating a personal work-life balance – a new kind of job where you can actually have fun while working hard. What a concept, huh? At its core, this is an opportunity to take charge of your own destiny, to be your own boss, all while you carve out the necessary time for yourself while loving what you do for a living. 

Your Role as a Hike Doggie Owner

Most of the entrepreneurial-minded candidates we speak with are anxious to discover exactly what this new job entails. Cutting right to the chase – it’s an opportunity for you to become a trained professional dog hiker, the perfect way to express our own love for our four-legged companions and repay the unconditional love they provide. As one of our franchisees, you’ll have a protected territory to operate your own Hike Doggie franchise. The job is simple enough to describe. 

• You’ll meet with dog parents in your protected territory to answer their questions and schedule their doggies for Hike Doggie’s services
• Your workday begins with pickups from our dog parents, where they ride in our snug and safe mobile transportation vehicles – which we commonly refer to as our Big Blue Hike Doggie Bus. 
• Dogs love riding in vehicles, and we believe the trip itself is half the fun! 
• Once you’ve rounded up your charges, it’s off into the great outdoors where we hike for hours under the sun, splash through streams, and stop to let our canine companions sniff their way through scenic nature. Oh, and they also get lots of treats and photos! 
• These hiking excursions are meant to last several hours, concluding when we return our pups safe and sound to their dog parents for some well-deserved rest.

How could we possibly make a day like this more enticing for both our dog hikers and hike doggies?

What Will You Get Out of Traipsing Through the Outdoors?

Are you among those who believe there aren’t any real benefits derived from communing with nature? If so, the U.S. Forest Service would like a word with you. No, seriously! They’ve actually studied this issue in-depth. Listen to this summary from Michelle Kondo, a social research scientist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (which oversees the Forest Service). “The physiological response to being outside in nature is real, and it’s measurable. There are many physical and psychological benefits of nature that scientists have observed, which can better help us understand how nature supports wellness in the body, mind and community.” If you’re looking for the specific benefits to both your physical and mental health, we brought the receipts:

• Physical Health – green spaces support active lifestyles, which motivate people to exercise, enhance overall fitness, and reduce stress, cortisol levels, and muscle tension. This lowers the heart rate and helps prevent cardiovascular disease

• Mental Health – being outdoors is relaxing. It lowers the risk of depression and promotes faster recovery from psychological stress. Communing with nature can restore and even strengthen mental capacity, which leads to increased focus and attention

It Was Always Like This

We aren’t among the first societies to understand and cherish the benefits of the great outdoors, far from it. You may recall from your high school years reading essay excerpts from the book “Walden,” authored by Henry David Thoreau, a 19^th century American author. Much like us, he also experienced the chaos and upheaval of living in times of strife. Before the Civil War broke out, the country was bitterly divided – much like the United States today. In a fit of restlessness, Thoreau made a decision that would change his life – and that of generations to come. He moved off the grid, settling down in a remote cabin by Walden Pond in Massachusetts. Though he only stayed for two years, what he learned during that time would influence the rest of his life. And he left us with one of the most beautiful quotes you’ll ever read about the value of living in harmony with nature:

“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.”

Find Your Walden Pond

If you, like many others, are inspired by this simple and direct reflection, perhaps it’s time you considered your own alternatives. We’ve created the perfect opportunity for dog and nature loving entrepreneurs to make a living doing what they love, not what they hate. Here at Hike Doggie, we’d love to introduce you to the pet industry, as well as the simple steps in our franchise discovery process. But the first step to a more rewarding life begins with you. All you need to do is click this link.

About Hike Doggie

Hike Doggie was founded in 2016 with a mission to “make dogs as happy as they make us”. The business model is predicated on providing a professional and turnkey dog hiking service. Our vision is to create unforgettable outdoor experiences for dogs, ensuring their physical and emotional well-being while fostering a deep bond between them and their human families. Hike Doggie offers a low barrier to entry, quick conversion, and strong retention rates – not to mention extremely happy clients. To date, Hike Doggie has participated in over 50,000 dog hikes and we’d like to have you help us add to that total. Hit the trail to success and explore franchise ownership with Hike Doggie by reaching out to our franchise development specialists at Franchise Evolution Partners to begin your personal journey. Be sure to read our blog, follow us on Instagram, connect with us on LinkedIn, and watch our collection of videos on TikTok.