Entrepreneur Redefines Dog Hospitality With Chicago Daycare and Hotel
Bridget Lyons, the bright mind behind Pooch Hotel has a new venture for puppies in Chicago, and it’s rapidly expanding.
DOG. Hotel | Daycare, is Chicago’s only privately owned, 24-hour luxury dog care facility, and it’s setting a new standard in pet hospitality with the launch of its highly anticipated Lakeshore East location at 345 E Wacker Drive. The 11,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility is designed with canine comfort in mind, offering an elevated experience that prioritizes safety, cleanliness, and personalized care for pooches in the Windy City.
At the helm of this expansion is Bridget Lyons, an out gay woman and a visionary entrepreneur with nearly two decades of experience in the pet care industry.
Lyons’ impressive career began with the development of Pooch Hotel, later acquired by Petco in 2011, where she continued as Director of Operations. Recognizing the limitations of corporate pet care, she set out to create a business rooted in integrity, service, and an unwavering commitment to canine wellbeing. This vision became DOG. Hotel | Daycare, which first opened its doors at 1030 N Halsted St (famously known as a major LGBTQ+ neighborhood) in 2015.
“Our philosophy has never been about rapid growth or selling out to investors,” says Lyons. “DOG. is built on thoughtfulness, quality, and an intimate understanding of what dogs need to thrive. This isn’t mass-market dog care; this is the ‘limited edition Gucci’ of pet hospitality.”
DOG. Hotel | Daycare offers on-site daycare, grooming, and overnight suites. Unlike franchise daycares that lease space post-construction, DOG. Hotel | Daycare works directly with developers to design their facilities into a building’s core infrastructure—from plumbing to power to ventilation. Meaning, DOG.’s facilities aren’t afterthoughts—they’re part of a building’s DNA. Built with acoustic engineering, ventilation systems, and easy-access drop-off corridors, they’re tailored for high-rise living and designed with the same intentionality as gyms or co-working lounges.
The new Lakeshore East location raises the bar for luxury pet care with its meticulously designed, purpose-built facilities. Unlike traditional dog daycares that retrofit existing spaces, DOG. is engineered from the ground up for optimal hygiene, comfort, and functionality. Standout features include 24/7 human supervision, and concierge-level services, including spa grooming, massage therapy, and dedicated pet transportation.
And the innovation extends to humans, too, with free emergency care for healthcare workers and employees. It also supports pet adoption and partners with rescue organizations, helping dogs in need find homes with humans who want to adopt not shop. During the pandemic, DOG. offered emergency daycare for frontline workers—no strings attached. Today, it continues that mission with community outreach, rescue dog programs, and partnerships with local pet-friendly businesses.
Lyons isn’t just a business owner – she’s also an Americana artist currently accepted for Grammy® consideration for Best Americana Album and Best Americana Performance, having performed with an array of renowned musicians from celebrated bluegrass artists to R&B legend Brandy Norwood (aka Brandy). She is also an executive producer of creative projects, including Cheers, Queers, a Dear-Abby-style podcast; Treathound, A Relentless Pursuit, a TV series launching in 2026; Music from Appalachian folk artist Tyler Sjöström.
Despite her wide-ranging ventures, Lyons remains laser-focused on setting a new gold standard for pet hospitality. DOG. Hotel | Daycare is poised to redefine luxury pet care in Chicago and beyond. Make sure you visit the next time you’re traveling to Chi Town with your doggie!
Visit DOG. Hotel | Daycare here.
