LakeCity, a non-profit organization based in Dartmouth, Halifax, has launched a unique dog daycare called Woofingtons. This small dog daycare not only provides care for pets but also serves as an employment and volunteer opportunity for individuals living with mental illness, helping them gain valuable work experience and develop essential life skills.
The daycare’s Director, Sophie Eld, who is a small dog owner herself, envisioned creating a space that combined therapeutic benefits with skill-building opportunities for LakeCity Works participants. From this vision, Woofingtons was born. The daycare offers a safe and loving environment tailored specifically for small dogs, limiting both their size (30 pounds or under) and the number of dogs (to 30 at a time) to ensure individualized care. The facility is staffed by a team with over 40 years of combined experience in animal care, many of whom are also dog owners.
As part of LakeCity Works, Woofingtons provides meaningful employment and volunteer opportunities for individuals living with mental illness. Sophie emphasized that the slower-paced approach to dog care not only creates a safer environment for small dogs but also offers participants a supportive setting to build confidence, learn new skills, and experience companionship.
Located on the upper floor of 386 Windmill Road, Woofingtons offers indoor and outdoor areas where dogs can play, eat, sleep, and interact with volunteers and staff. The daycare operates Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., offering both half-day and full-day care options.
Lora Tanner, the Manager at Woofingtons, expressed her enthusiasm for the daycare’s mission, highlighting its dual purpose: creating a nurturing space for dogs and empowering individuals with mental illness to develop critical skills and confidence.
LakeCity Works has long been dedicated to supporting individuals living with mental illness, helping them build strength, take on responsibilities, and access education, work experience, and employment. In addition to Woofingtons, the organization runs other social enterprises such as LakeCity Woodworkers, LakeCity Plastics, and LakeCity Helpers.
By combining community care with personal growth opportunities, LakeCity Works and its ventures, including Woofingtons, continue to make a positive and lasting impact on individuals and their community.
Source: City News
