We had the good fortune of connecting with Nicole Packin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nicole, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Starting my own business wasn’t a sudden leap—it was the natural next step after more than 20 years in the pet care industry. Before launching Healthy Hounds Fitness Club, I owned and operated Miami Pet Concierge in Miami, Florida, and later The Packin Method Mobile Dog Gym in Dallas, Texas. Those two businesses gave me a front-row seat to how dogs live alongside their people in very different environments—and yet, the same issues kept showing up.

No matter the city, I saw how many dogs were unintentionally under-conditioned during the week and then expected to perform like athletes on weekends. The love was there, but the structure wasn’t. Over time, I watched that gap lead to preventable injuries, behavioral challenges, and dogs who simply couldn’t keep up with the active lives their owners wanted for them.

When I moved to Colorado, everything clicked. The outdoor culture here is incredible, and dogs are truly part of the adventure—but I realized the need for intentional, consistent conditioning was even greater. I didn’t want to recreate another traditional dog walking business. I wanted to build something informed by everything I’d learned across two decades in the industry.

Healthy Hounds Fitness Club was created from that experience. It’s a more thoughtful, structured approach to canine movement—one that treats fitness as preventative care and supports dogs in living long, confident, adventure-ready lives.

What should our readers know about your business?
Healthy Hounds Fitness Club is built on the belief that dogs deserve the same thoughtful, structured approach to movement that we expect for ourselves. We’re not a traditional dog walking service—we’re a canine fitness company. Everything we do is intentional, from how we condition dogs during the week to how we support the active, adventure-driven lifestyles their people want to share with them.

What sets us apart is that we treat dogs as athletes, not accessories. Our programs are designed to prevent injuries, build strength and confidence, and support longevity—especially for dogs who hike, run, or spend their weekends exploring Colorado with their owners. I’m most proud of the fact that we’ve created a model that prioritizes long-term well-being over quick fixes or volume-based care.

Getting here wasn’t easy. I didn’t wake up one day and decide to start a business—I built this through more than 20 years in the pet care industry, including owning businesses in multiple cities before launching Healthy Hounds Fitness Club. Each chapter taught me something different: how to lead teams, how to adapt to new markets, how to start over when you already know what success feels like. Starting again in Colorado meant rebuilding trust, reputation, and community from the ground up—and that came with plenty of self-doubt and imposter syndrome along the way.

I overcame those challenges by staying anchored in my experience and my purpose. I reminded myself that expertise doesn’t disappear just because your zip code changes. I listened more than I talked, let the work speak for itself, and focused on doing things the right way—even when it was slower.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that clarity beats hustle. When you know who you’re serving and why, you don’t need to be everything to everyone. You just need to show up consistently, with integrity, and stand behind your standards.

What I want the world to know about my brand—and my story—is that this work is deeply personal. Healthy Hounds Fitness Club exists because I’ve seen what happens when dogs are truly supported, and what happens when they’re not. This isn’t about trends or marketing buzzwords. It’s about helping dogs live stronger, healthier lives—and helping the people who love them do right by them.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’ve only lived in the area for about a year, so I’m still very much in discovery mode—but that’s part of what makes it exciting. If a best friend came to visit, I’d show them why I fell in love with Colorado in the first place: the scenery, fresh air, great food, and a laid-back sense of adventure.

A perfect first day would start with a hike at either Eldorado Canyon State Park or Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre. Both are iconic in different ways and give you that immediate “okay, I get why people move here” feeling. After that, I’d head to Pearl Street for lunch—wander, and people-watch. To end the day, nothing beats catching a Rockies game at Coors Field. Even if you’re not a huge baseball fan, it’s such a classic Denver experience.

For the rest of the week, I’d keep things balanced. Another day would include exploring different neighborhoods, finding coffee shops, and fitting in shorter hikes or walks with great views. One night would be dedicated to live music—Red Rocks if there’s a show, or a smaller local venue if not. I’d also leave room for spontaneity: brewery patios, sunset views, or recommendations from locals we meet along the way.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shoutout goes to Dorothy—a five-pound Yorkie who changed the entire trajectory of my life and career.

Dorothy came to me as a foster after experiencing severe abuse. She had been thrown by her owners’ children, breaking her back and leaving her paralyzed from the midsection down. At the time, the rescue planned to euthanize her due to the extent of her injuries. I was asked to work with her briefly, and instead, I chose to foster her for a month—fully aware that there were no guarantees.

During that time, I provided her with daily care, water therapy in my bathtub, and hands-on massage. I focused on what was possible rather than what wasn’t. With the help of a custom wheelchair from Eddie’s Wheels, Dorothy regained her independence, her confidence, and her joy. She didn’t walk again—but she ran toward life in every other way.

Dorothy went from a foster to a foster fail, and ultimately, to my greatest teacher. She showed me what resilience truly looks like and solidified my belief that dogs deserve thoughtful, individualized care—especially when the odds are stacked against them. The work I do today, the way I view canine fitness, and the compassion behind my business all trace back to her.

She wasn’t just part of my story—she helped define it.

Website: https://dogwalkersboulder.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healthyhoundsfitnessclub/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/healthy-hounds-fitness-club/

Facebook: Healthy Hounds Fitness Club

Image Credits
Amanda Ridenour Photography

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