How One Rescue Dog's Confidence Journey Inspired Dogtopia's Expansion to Ashburn

Longtime Northern Virginia Dogtopia Owners Open Second Location, Celebrating Grand Opening on September 18

ASHBURN, Va., Sept. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- What began with one rescue dog's journey from fear to confidence has grown into nearly two decades of helping dogs and their families across Northern Virginia.

Dogtopia, the nation's leading dog wellness franchise, has opened a new location in Ashburn and will celebrate its Grand Opening on September 18. Located at 43800 Metro Center Drive, Suite E110, Dogtopia of Ashburn – Loudoun Station provides award-winning dog daycare, boarding and spa services to dog parents throughout the community.

The new location marks the second Dogtopia for longtime owners Art Prediger and Taylor James, whose journey into dog daycare began with an experience much closer to home: a rescue dog named Zoe.

One Rescue Dog Changed Everything
Years ago, Taylor adopted Zoe, a rescue dog with a difficult past who was fearful of new people and unfamiliar experiences. When Zoe began attending dog daycare, Taylor watched her gradually come out of her shell. Through positive experiences, socialization and time spent around other dogs and people, Zoe began building the confidence that had once been difficult for her to find.

"Watching Zoe come out of her shell taught us just how powerful daycare can be—not just for socialization, but for a dog's overall confidence," said James. "We wanted to bring that same experience and transformation to more dogs and families."

Inspired by Zoe's journey and the impact daycare had on her life, led to Taylor becoming an early believer in the dog daycare lifestyle and she and Art opened Dogtopia of Dulles in 2008.

The two had originally met while working together at AOL, where they built careers across customer experience, marketing and technology. They later brought that same adaptable, people-first mindset to their Dogtopia business.

Now, nearly two decades after opening their first location, Art and Taylor are expanding their commitment to dog wellness with Dogtopia of Ashburn – Loudoun Station.

"People in the Ashburn community have been asking us for a location closer to them for quite some time," said Prediger. "The demand has been there, and we're incredibly excited to bring Dogtopia to this community and welcome new dogs and families."

Bringing Dog Wellness to Ashburn
Dogtopia of Ashburn – Loudoun Station provides personalized care in a fun, enriching and safe environment designed to support dogs' overall wellness. Dogtopia's approach centers around three key benefits: socialization, exercise and education. Dogs enjoy exercise and play with like-minded dogs while developing important social skills under the supervision of professionally trained Canine Coaches.

With safety at the forefront, dogs are grouped by size and play style in indoor, climate-controlled playrooms featuring compressed rubber flooring designed to reduce the impact on dogs' paws and joints.

Grand Opening Celebration Set for September 18
Art and Taylor will celebrate the Grand Opening of Dogtopia of Ashburn – Loudoun Station on September 18 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a day of festivities for the community and their canine companions.

The celebration will feature a day-only exclusive Grand Opening Day enrollment offer where new parents can choose to enroll in unlimited daycare for one year; a two-day-per-week daycare package with one bonus day each week for the first three months; or a three-day-per-week package with one bonus day each for the first three months.

The event will also include a gift basket raffle, local vendors, light bites from restaurants in Loudoun Station, treats from a local dog bakery and face painting for kids. Attendees will also have the opportunity to support the Dogtopia Foundation, with prizes awarded for donations made throughout the celebration.

Dogtopia also operates the Dogtopia Foundation, a nonprofit organization with a mission to enable dogs to positively change our world. The Foundation supports three worthy causes: service dogs for veterans, therapy dogs for students and employment initiatives for adults with autism. One hundred percent of funds raised are donated directly to the organizations it supports. To learn more, visit www.dogtopiafoundation.org.

Dogtopia of Ashburn – Loudoun Station is open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For more information, call 571-403-2220 or visit https://www.dogtopia.com/virginia-ashburn-loudoun-station/.

About Dogtopia:
Founded in 2002, Dogtopia is an early pioneer and innovator in the dog daycare industry, offering an experience focused on wellness, quality of care, safety, and transparency in the market. The ultimate destination for improving the physical and mental wellbeing of dogs and pet parents, Dogtopia helps our furry friends live long, healthy, and happy lives with services that address canine wellness in a holistic manner. Pet parents have the assurance of leaving their beloved furry family members in the hands of highly trained professionals in an environment created with the safety of dogs in mind, including spacious playrooms assigned by size and play style, comfortable rubber flooring to reduce impact on joints and paws, and webcams for pet parents to check in on their pups. For more information, visit www.dogtopia.com

Media Contact: Ashley Corona, PR Coordinator, Fishman Public Relations, [email protected], 847.945.1300 ext. 276

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SOURCE Dogtopia