Today we’d like to introduce you to Lara Leinen.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Doggy Social started with a simple question: Why can’t dogs be part of life’s biggest celebrations in a safe, stress-free way?
I’ve always loved animals, but as I watched more couples planning weddings, I kept seeing the same challenge. Their dogs were family, and they wanted them included in one of the most important days of their lives. The desire was there, but there wasn’t really a service dedicated to making it happen safely and seamlessly. Couples were left trying to coordinate everything themselves or asking friends and family to manage their pup, which often meant someone missed out on part of the celebration.
In 2018, I decided to create the solution I wished existed. What started as helping a few couples include their dogs in their weddings quickly grew as more people realized they didn’t have to choose between having their pup present and having a stress-free wedding day.
In the beginning, dog-friendly weddings were much less common. Some venues weren’t sure how dogs would fit into their spaces, and many vendors had never worked alongside a dedicated pet attendant before. Over the years, we’ve helped show that with thoughtful planning, professional care, and a focus on safety, dogs can successfully be part of weddings and other special events. It’s been incredible to watch venues become more welcoming and couples become more confident in including their fur-babies in their celebrations.
Today, Doggy Social is so much more than bringing dogs to weddings. We work closely with couples, venues, planners, photographers, and other vendors to create experiences that are safe, fun, and tailored to each individual pup. Every dog is different, every wedding is different, and that’s what makes this work so special.
Looking back, I’m incredibly grateful for every couple who trusted us with their beloved pup and every vendor who embraced the idea along the way. What started as a simple observation has grown into a business built around helping families celebrate together—and in our world, family includes the four-legged members too.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a perfectly smooth road. Like anything that’s new or a little unconventional, there was a lot of learning, adapting, and sometimes proving the concept along the way.
One of the earliest challenges was simply education—helping people understand what a professional pet attendant actually does. At the time, many venues and vendors hadn’t worked with a service like ours before, so there were a lot of questions around logistics, safety, liability, and how dogs would realistically fit into a wedding environment without becoming a disruption.
There were also practical challenges in the beginning. Many venues weren’t dog-friendly yet, or didn’t have clear policies in place. We’ve had to be flexible, creative, and sometimes start with very limited access—like staying outdoors even when events were happening inside—just to show what was possible when dogs were handled thoughtfully and safely.
Another ongoing challenge has been risk management. Dogs can be unpredictable by nature, and events are fast-moving environments. We’ve had to build strong systems around preparation, communication, and real-time decision-making so we can adapt quickly if something unexpected comes up, whether that’s weather, crowd dynamics, or a dog simply needing a break.
But those challenges are also what shaped the business. They pushed us to refine our processes, deepen our planning with couples, and build strong relationships with venues and vendor teams. Over time, that consistency and professionalism helped build trust, and that trust is what allows us to do what we do today.
So while it hasn’t always been smooth, every challenge has helped define a clearer standard for what safe, thoughtful, dog-inclusive events should look like.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Doggy Social is a pet attendant and dog-inclusion service specializing in weddings and special events, helping couples safely include their dogs in some of life’s most meaningful—and joy-filled—celebrations.
At our core, we focus on creating a seamless, stress-free experience where dogs can be part of the day in a way that feels natural, safe, and intentional. That includes everything from pre-event planning with the couple and venue, to on-site handling, timeline coordination, transport, potty breaks, supervision, and making sure each dog is set up for success based on their personality and comfort level—all while helping couples fully enjoy those once-in-a-lifetime moments with their pup by their side.
What we’re known for is not just “bringing dogs to weddings,” but truly understanding how to integrate them into the flow of a high-pressure, fast-moving event while keeping their well-being as the top priority. Every dog is different, so every plan is customized. Some pups are social butterflies who can greet guests and walk down the aisle, while others are more comfortable being present for shorter moments or specific photo opportunities—and we design around that reality.
What sets us apart is the level of preparation and advocacy behind the scenes. We work closely with couples, planners, venues, photographers, and other vendors ahead of time so everyone is aligned on expectations, logistics, and safety. A lot of what we do is preventing issues before they happen, so the wedding day itself feels effortless for the couple—and fun, relaxed, and full of heart.
We’re also very intentional about redefining what it means to include dogs in events. Dogs are not props or accessories—they are family members. Our role is to ensure they are not only included, but genuinely cared for throughout the experience.
What I’m most proud of is helping shift the industry conversation. When we started in 2018, dog-friendly weddings were still relatively uncommon and often informal or unstructured. Today, more venues and vendors are embracing the idea because they’ve seen that it can be done safely, beautifully, and joyfully with the right support in place.
At the end of the day, Doggy Social is about more than logistics—it’s about connection and celebration. We help people include the family members they love most in the moments that matter most, while making space for all the joy, emotion, and fun that comes with a wedding day.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is that preparation is what creates freedom.
In this work, the goal is always to create a smooth, joyful experience for the couple, their guests, and the dogs. But the only way that actually happens is through deep planning and clear communication long before the event ever begins. When you truly understand the dog, the venue, the timeline, and everyone’s expectations, you’re able to show up on the wedding day with confidence instead of uncertainty.
What I didn’t fully realize in the beginning is how much of the job is actually about prevention. The best outcomes rarely come from reacting in the moment—they come from anticipating needs, identifying risks early, and setting everything up so those risks are less likely to appear in the first place.
I’ve also learned that flexibility is just as important as planning. Even with the most thorough preparation, things will come up that you can’t predict. Weather shifts, timing changes, unexpected guest behavior, or a dog who suddenly needs a break all require quick, thoughtful adjustments. The key is staying calm, present, and focused on what’s best for the dog and the overall experience.
And maybe the most meaningful lesson of all is that when you prioritize the well-being of the dog, everything else tends to fall into place. It shapes better decisions, better communication, and ultimately better events.
That combination—prepare deeply, stay flexible, and always advocate for the dog—has become the foundation of everything I do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.doggysocialwedding.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doggysocialwedding/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/doggysocialwedding/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNTYOk_KTXU1bo5bZ_iEu5w
- Other: https://www.theknot.com/marketplace/doggy-social-or-doggy-social-weddings-hopkins-mn-2068696
