We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Laraine Wilkinson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Laraine, appreciate you joining us today. Can you tell us about a time where you or your team really helped a customer get an amazing result?

When I first started the company, I thought we would be providing a fun getaway adventure for dogs stuck in apartments and condos all day. While that is definitely the case, what surprised me is how our services have helped certain pups overcome certain behavioral or physical ailments. For example, one of our hikers was coming out of a double-knee surgery came to us because they were turned down by a competitor. The fact that he would need extra care and attention during hikes didn’t stop us from taking him on and in fact, our time together on the trails was helpful in his rehabilitation. Another client, Mr. Bentley was fearfully reactive toward large dogs, which is obviously a challenge when you’re with a mixed pack of all shapes, sizes and breeds. Because of our small dog-to-handler ratio, we’re always able to properly staff each hike so that dogs like Mr. Bentley can get the guidance necessary in the moment, which ultimately helps them overcome that fear. Now the only reaction we get from Mr. Bentley around large dogs is a positive one! From lack of confidence around other dogs to weight issues, we have the patience, network of professionals and desire to work with all kinds of canines so that as many dogs as possible can get out there and enjoy the great outdoors. Our only requirement is that your pup has basic leash training skills, as we have to be able to manage them in a pack environment.

Laraine, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

The story of Two Chicks and a Pack began in early 2017, during a personally challenging time in my life. I was traveling a lot for a corporate job that was in the midst of a terrible merger, and was burning out quickly. I found myself throwing the dogs in my truck daily to find peace in the woods surrounded by nature. Slowly, these hikes became longer and longer as I experienced the joy of watching them play and saw them using their brain searching for critters and sticks. I wondered; how could I experience this sense of freedom every day? In the evenings, I’d meet up with friends in the dog park and hear from many who were struggling with canine behavioral issues. These owners’ schedules couldn’t accommodate lengthy exercise sessions for their pets, and dog walkers or doggy daycare simply weren’t enough. Dogs are like people, and each requires a different approach to physical, social, and mental activity. While some dogs are content with a daycare environment or a quick jaunt around the neighborhood, others do better outside being active in a structured environment with other people and dogs. I saw an opportunity to combine my love for the outdoors and animals with the need to help other dogs and owners escape the pressures and challenges of their day-to-day lives, too.

And so, Two Chicks and a Pack was born! We are a premier, mobile dog-hiking adventure company for Atlanta’s city-dwelling dogs, picking up and dropping off from homes and daycares in and around the Atlanta area for half-day hikes Monday through Friday each week. We service all areas within the perimeter of Atlanta and have over thirty National, State, and local community parks that we travel to. We are licensed, bonded, and insured, and our handlers are PetTech-certified in Dog CPR and First Aid. Our business is about quality, not quantity. I keep our packs small with a maximum of three dogs per handler. Each adventure is customized based on the dogs that are hiking with us each week. Dog composition, behavior, size, and breed all play a role in who is coming out with us each day. Our philosophy? Let dogs BE dogs out on the trail. It’s their time and we are merely there to make it fun, safe, and enjoyable for each of them. Our goal? Provide as much mental, physical, and social stimulation for each dog, so they go home relaxed, tired, and content!

How did you build your audience on social media?

You would think with all the super targeted ways to reach people on social that paid ads would’ve delivered followers for us in droves—but surprisingly, they didn’t work. What has worked? CUTE DOGS. Let’s be real. Who can resist the appeal of a smiling lab or big-headed bulldog or dainty chihuahua? Especially when they’re caught in the action of a beautiful hike in the great outdoors. Thanks to my camera-friendly customers, we’ve increased our social presence organically over the years and I’m ok with that. There are a few team members who contribute to our content, but for the most part, it’s just me and my iPhone. But, if there are any social media gurus out there that love dogs, I’m looking to hire someone to take over our platforms and continue to strengthen our brand presence online.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Word-of-mouth for us is huge—our happy clients tell their friends who tell their friends. Plus, if you refer someone who then books a hike, you get a free hike on us! We work incredibly hard to earn our five-star reviews, which you can find across every platform (Google, Yelp, NextDoor, Facebook, etc.). To our clients, their dogs are family and we’ve earned their trust to be a part of their routine. If you’re considering options for your furry friend or know someone who could use our services, Two Chicks and a Pack is perfect for pup parents that spend long days at the office, juggle challenging schedules, or just need help achieving adequate exercise.

We also have a lot of clients who work within the film industry, which has exploded here in Atlanta. From actors to behind-the-scenes crew, the convenience and flexibility of picking up and dropping off in different locations—an Airbnb or a production studio, for example—serves them well and makes it easy for them to travel with their pups. Traveling nurses, sales road warriors, and contractors on temporary assignments also find Two Chicks and a Pack an invaluable resource that enables them to have their besties by their sides, no matter where life takes them.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.twochicksandapack.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twochicksandapack/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/twochicksandapack/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/two-chicks-and-a-pack-atlanta?osq=Two+Chicks+and+a+Pack
• Other: We are also on NextDoor and Google.

Image Credits
@phoxtography.net or on IG/FB as the applicable name (Kerri Phox- Owner)