Health Care Professional and Marine Corps Veteran Unite to Train PTSD Service Dogs with Dog Training Elite

Lara Simpson, a health care professional with 30 years of experience, had always been intrigued by entrepreneurship but wasn’t sure what to do with that interest until she came across Dog Training Elite* (DTE). After her position was eliminated at a previous company, Simpson decided to reflect on her career path. When a franchise consultant reached out to her, she realized it was the perfect opportunity to chase her entrepreneurial dreams. 

Simpson and her husband, Jason, are looking forward to combining their passions through this business ownership opportunity. Jason is a Marine Corps veteran and is particularly excited about the brand’s work with PTSD service dogs and its efforts to support veterans. Simpson, who is also a dietitian, looks forward to bringing her expertise to Dog Training Elite in Central Oregon to help families care for their pets. 

Simpson took the time to chat with 1851 Franchise to discuss all of this and more. Here’s what she had to say.

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Lara Simpson: I worked for 30 years in health care, and I’m still working as a consultant in the field. About a year ago, I was laid off when my position was eliminated. That experience made me reflect on what I truly wanted to do with my life. Around that time, a gentleman from The Entrepreneur’s Source reached out to me and asked if I had ever considered business ownership. During my MBA program, I was always drawn to the idea of owning a business but never knew what that might look like. We explored various franchises, and although Dog Training Elite wasn’t initially on the list, I started doing my own research and got really excited about it. The idea of owning a business that didn’t feel like work — it sounded fun — was very appealing to me.

In health care, I’m a registered dietitian and have managed food service departments in hospitals for half of my career. After earning my MBA, I transitioned to supply chain management and worked in logistics during the pandemic, which was exhausting. Now, I’m working as a consultant for a great organization, serving as an improvement advisor for a health system in California.

1851: What was your perception of franchising before becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?

Simpson: Before starting this journey, I didn’t fully understand the opportunities or benefits of franchising. Like many people, I only thought of fast-food franchises. I was surprised by the variety of options available. The more I learned, the more excited I became about the level of support provided and how much of the business infrastructure was already in place. It seemed like someone with passion and drive could find success relatively quickly. I particularly enjoyed interviewing other franchise owners, and those I spoke with at Dog Training Elite were happy, appreciated the flexibility in running their businesses, and had been quite successful.

1851: What made you choose this brand? What excites you most about this company?

Simpson: We fell in love with the people and the work when we visited the corporate office. My husband is a veteran who served in the Marine Corps during the Desert Storm era, and we were both impressed by Dog Training Elite’s work with PTSD and their charitable efforts through the Malinois Foundation. Jason  got really excited about making a difference in the lives of fellow veterans by working with PTSD dogs and helping place them with people who could benefit from them.

The range of training they offer also inspired us — while obedience training is the core of the program, the potential for diabetes alert dogs and therapy dogs resonated with my background as a dietitian. The people at DTE headquarters were incredibly welcoming, treating us like family from the start, and the level of support they provide was a significant factor in our decision.

1851: What’s your number one goal in your first year with Dog Training Elite?

Simpson: Our primary goal is to find a solid trainer to cover the areas on the other side of the mountain range that separates us from the bulk of our territory. We also want to meet the requirements for the number of dogs we need to train before we can start the PTSD and therapy dog programs that my husband is so passionate about. Additionally, we want to start networking with veteran and health organizations to identify where our advanced training services can make the most impact.

1851: What advice do you have for aspiring franchisees?

Simpson: Be willing to explore new ideas and allow yourself to be vulnerable and hopeful about what you want. One thing I learned through coaching was that the perceived security of a nine-to-five job can hold you back from pursuing your dreams. Believing in yourself and being open to new possibilities is crucial.

Jason and I always felt that we worked so hard for others; it would be nice to put that effort into something of our own. Also, it’s worth noting that not everyone needs to quit their job to start a franchise. We’re taking a slower approach, balancing my current job with the new business, which adds another layer of risk but works for us. Fortunately, Dog Training Elite was willing to accommodate this approach, unlike some other franchises that required full-time commitment from the start.

ABOUT DOG TRAINING ELITE

With more than four decades of experience in dog training, Dog Training Elite is one of the country’s leading obedience and specialized training franchises. Offering a comprehensive suite of customizable training programs, Dog Training Elite works with dogs and owners to meet any and all training needs, including therapy dog training and advanced service dog training for PTSD support, psychiatric support, mobility support, autism support, diabetic alert training and an array of other services. In addition to the wide breadth of services offered, Dog Training Elite differentiates itself from competitors through a uniquely human-focused approach to dog training, which focuses on helping owners and their families learn to effectively and consistently support their dog’s training needs. To learn more about franchising with the Franchise 500 Dog Training Elite, visit https://dogtrainingelite.com/franchise.