Our Story

Jason and Lisa have been married over 20 years and have 3 grown human kids, as well as 9 dogs (who now occupy the kids old bedrooms). In 2014, while making some major life changes, they got into dog rescue by fostering for MARF (Madison Animal Rescue Foundation). That adventure began when Lisa suggested they stop at an adoption event and bring home a puppy. Jason’s response was “Maybe we should foster”. Since November of 2014, over 150 dogs have been fostered in their home. 

After spending a few years working with a couple different groups, they learned there was a gap in the services and support available in the community for more challenging rescue dogs. Lisa cofounded Hard Knocks Rescue & Training, Inc. in February of 2018. HKRT focused on being a community resource offering donation based training (private and group classes), rehabilitating “unadoptable” dogs, and working with other groups to provide assistance with safer socialization protocols, enrichment, and behavior assessments. 

In January of 2023, Jason and Lisa decided it was time to focus more time and attention on each other and their own crew of misfits. The Grounded Pooch, LLC came to be in March of 2023 after a dear friend called to ask who she should board her dogs with. Lisa missed working with challenging dogs and their dedicated humans and Jason was looking for a new career path, so they jumped in with both feet. Now, they work together from home caring for dogs who may have special behavioral needs or need extra TLC while their people are away. 

In addition to boarding and drop in pet sitting visits, Jason and Lisa offer in home behavioral assessments, shelter/rescue support, pet loss and euthanasia doula services, and Reiki. Their passion is helping humans and dogs learn to live cooperatively together in a peaceful environment. From their years of rescue and training experience, they have seen firsthand that many dogs need a village to care for them and their humans need resources to feel empowered. Jason and Lisa want to be part of the team these dogs and people need to stay happily together.