Where Every Dog Finds a Home: My Journey Leading K9U as Chicago’s Trusted All-Inclusive Dog Care Center
When I think about K9 University Chicago, one truth guides everything we do: all dogs are welcome. Whether shy, reactive, high-energy, or misunderstood, every dog deserves enrichment, structure, and compassion. For over 25 years, that belief has been our north star, and it’s earned us the trust of more than 14,000 Chicago families who count on us daily for daycare, boarding, training, and grooming.
The all-dogs-welcome philosophy (Clip)
For many Chicago pet parents, the hardest part of dog ownership is finding a place that truly understands their dog. Too often, families with shy, reactive, or high-energy pets feel stuck, told their dog doesn’t “fit” the standard daycare model. At K9U, we remove that barrier with our guiding principle: all dogs welcome.
Our founder, Ruby Madrigal, built K9U on the foundation of welcoming dogs others turned away. I am proud to carry her mission forward as CEO, and I know from personal experience just how much it matters. My own dog has been a challenging case at times, and that has given me a deep understanding of what many owners go through—the frustration, the worry, and the need for a place that won’t give up on them.
That perspective fuels everything I do. At K9U, we create individualized care plans that meet every dog where they are—whether that means thriving in group play, finding comfort in one-on-one enrichment, or receiving expert guidance from our behavior-savvy trainers.
The result is powerful: families who once felt desperate for a solution now feel relief, trust, and joy in knowing their dogs belong.
Why behavioral expertise matters
Dog care has changed a lot over the years. When K9U first opened, many facilities simply let dogs run together and hoped for the best. Today, we know better. Dogs, just like people, have complex needs, and it takes structure, science, and empathy to help them thrive.
That’s why our team of 40 staff members receives ongoing training in areas like group play, emotional regulation, and reactivity management. When a dog comes into our care, we work not just to supervise them, but to guide them in the way they need. And the difference shows. Our clients often tell us about the transformation they see at home: calmer walks, improved focus, and happier, more balanced pets. Reviews call it our signature—the “perfect tired dog” who is not just worn out, but fulfilled.
Trust that spans generations
In the years welcoming thousands of dogs, the thing I am still most proud of is seeing how many families keep coming back for care. Some clients are now bringing their third generation of dogs to us, a loyalty that speaks not only to the trust we’ve built, but to the lasting role K9U has in their families’ lives.
I hear it in the feedback we get every day: parents love the detailed report cards, the daily photos, and the fact that our staff members know their dogs by name. Over 150 staff members have been mentioned by name in reviews, which proves to me that our clients don’t just trust K9U, they trust the people behind it.
That trust has carried us through challenges, including the pandemic, when our community stood by us because they knew we would always stand by them.
Looking ahead
As I look toward the future of K9U, my vision is simple: continual improvement. With more than 600 reviews averaging 4.6 stars and recognition as Chicago’s leader in inclusive, behavioral-first care, I know the responsibility we carry. Growth matters, but what matters even more is impact, deepening the quality of care, expanding our enrichment models, and strengthening communication so every owner feels complete peace of mind.
Because at K9U, we don’t just provide care. We transform lives—four paws at a time.
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