Tom and Joelle Hilfers helped pioneer the animal industry in Colorado by opening the first dog daycare in the Pike’s Peak Region in 1999. The Hilfers decided to share their successful business model and ideas with others when they rolled out their franchise opportunity in 2005. Due to a national trade-marking issue, the Hilfers were forced to change the business name in 2006.

Their new name of Canine Campus better reflects the wide array of services and the overall experience Canine Campus offers. Canine Campus “Ivy League” innovations include industry-setting standards for interaction between highly trained “faculty” and the canine “students” they supervise.

Each Canine Campus across the country reflects the hands-on personal attention that Tom and Joelle introduced at the start of their venture in 1999. To this day, the Hilfers personally train all faculty members at the Springs Campus and all Canine Campus Franchisees at other campuses across the nation. This training method guarantees a level of service and care found only at each Canine Campus in the U.S.

Tom and Joelle have 3 kids, 2 dogs, 1 tortoise, and a campus of fish. They live in Monument, Colorado. They are originally from Minnesota, but wouldn’t trade Colorado for the world!