Virginia to Texas: A Dog House Delivered with Gratitude

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In November 2024, Amy and her father, Al, embarked on a heartfelt journey from Virginia to Texas to deliver a custom-built dog house as part of the charity event Be a Hero for a Hero. For the team behind the Instagram account @doghouse2heroes, the trip—planned in collaboration with the Dogtopia Foundation—was more than just miles on the road; it was a mission of honor, connection, and gratitude.

The destination: Command Sergeant Major (Ret.) Gretchen Evans, a veteran who has dedicated her life to service. Along with the dog house, Amy and Al delivered dozens of letters of gratitude collected from Dogtopia locations along the route. The team also raised over $7,000 to sponsor a service dog for a veteran in need, adding an enduring impact to the charitable mission.

As Amy drove and Al rode shotgun, they stopped at Dogtopia centers across the country. Team members and pet parents contributed letters thanking Gretchen for her service and sacrifices. The @doghouse2heroes Instagram account documented the journey, sharing updates, photos, and the growing collection of letters that would be delivered with the dog house.

Reflecting on the experience, Amy said, “We are incredibly thankful for this amazing opportunity. Being able to take this journey, meet some amazing Dogtopians across the country, all while sharing a common goal: enabling dogs to positively change our world by supporting the Dogtopia Foundation and sponsoring service dogs to Veterans that need them. These dogs really do save lives, and being able to spend time with Gretchen and hear firsthand how these pups have helped and saved the lives of so many is beyond inspiring. Thank you, Gretchen, for all you have done for our country and continue to do to inspire, change, and even save the lives of so many. It was a true honor to spend time with you, Bob, and your amazing pups. An experience we will never forget and are better because of it.”

For Amy and Al, the trip became a father-daughter bonding experience, a cross-country adventure with purpose. Each stop, each mile, and each letter collected became part of a story centered on honoring a veteran, celebrating the human-animal bond, and helping provide a life-changing service dog to a veteran in need.

Though the event concluded months ago, Amy noted, “We will continue to fetch it forward and support the Dogtopia Foundation in our daycares and throughout the community.”

Dogtopia locations across the country continue to host in-store events to raise funds for the Dogtopia Foundation, supporting service dogs and the veterans who need them. Please consider joining this cause by donating HERE.

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