Episode 32. Building a Community of Pet Parents with The DogHood

While Purvi and Ruchi both grew up in India, it was just 2 years ago, while living in the San Francisco area that dogs brought them together.

Purvi shares her story of growing up afraid of dogs and never thinking that she’d one day be a “dog person” after giving in to her husband’s & sons’ desire for a dog. Purvi jumped right into the deep end with Oreo, a sheepadoodle they got as a puppy. Being a first-time dog owner, Purvi had many questions about what was “normal” dog behavior. And this is where Ruchi brought the peace of mind.

Ruchi shares with us her childhood and how her & her husband decided to become pet parents first, before having children. Ruchi’s 20+ years as a pet parent has led her in many directions from photography (after her son wasn’t interested in being her subject) to boarding dogs. Ruchi’s Dog Mom Wisdom has helped many of her friends and neighbors over the years.

Seeing so many first-time Pet Parents struggling during COVID-19, Purvi & Ruchi’s idea for The DogHood was born. The DogHood app connects you with Pet Parents in your neighborhood as well as globally. From questions about your dog’s behavior to planning dog park meet-ups to sharing your adorable pet pics, the DogHood is a one-stop app for dog owners by dog owners.

Purvi, Ruchi & I discuss:

Purvi’s & Ruchi’s experiences with dogs while growing up in India
How Purvi ended up with a 75 lb Sheepadoodle
From counter-surfing to leash-pulling – the challenges Purvi faced with Oreo
How Purvi became a “dog person”
Ruchi’s background
How Ruchi became a “dog person”
How Ruchi’s dog became her photography muse
How Ruchi started boarding dogs
How Purvi & Ruchi met each other
Bringing peace of mind to the concerns of new pet parents
How the idea for the DogHood was born
The importance of the DogHood’s “Ask” Community and dog owners paying it forward by helping others
Creating an app for dog owners by dog owners
Hosting dog events in your community with the DogHood app
Halloween with the DogHood
Being women in the tech industry
The vision and future for the DogHood