Dogs on 3: All Roads Lead to Success and Dogs!

Some entrepreneurs realize from a young age that entrepreneurship is their calling. This was the case for Tanya Buttinger, the owner of Dogs on 3 in St. Thomas, Ontario. Dogs on 3 offers enrichment opportunities for dogs, while providing boarding services during the day or overnight.  

Realizing that it was the moment to heed the inner voice that had been urging her to pursue her passion, Buttinger made the bold choice to leave her job. With her family’s encouragement, she embarked on her entrepreneurial journey that eventually led her to the Elgin Business Resource Centre (EBRC), a Community Futures Development Corporation. 

Buttinger, who won the 2022/2023 Pitch, an annual community business plan competition hosted by the Elgin Business Resource Centre (EBRC), received $30,000 in cash and in-kind sponsorships from various businesses in Elgin County. With this backing, she began developing “The Pitch Park,” an outdoor park facility on the premises for all the furry visitors named in honour of the fantastic economic development event that assisted in creating this space. 

Dogs on 3 is experiencing rapid growth, with Buttinger continuing to work with the EBRC for support and guidance.  “The support that I have received through the Elgin Business Resource Centre has been phenomenal,” said Buttinger. “Even after the Pitch the support doesn’t end.”  

If you live in the St. Thomas area and are looking for the perfect place for your furry family member to go for a day of play or a week’s vacation, Dogs on 3 is the place for you. 

Community Futures Funding Partner:  

Rural businesses, organizations, and communities are the cornerstone of Canada’s economy. To ensure rural Canadians are positioned for success, the Government of Canada, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), has partnered with the Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) across southern Ontario to provide access to the tools and support these businesses within their communities need to succeed.