ABOUT | Zoomies Chicago

Our
Story

The Idea for Zoomies was Born

It all started in June 2019 when we adopted Ruby from Wright-Way Rescue in Morton Grove, IL. From the moment we saw her, with her little purple cast on her broken leg, we knew she was meant to be part of our family. Ruby, our spirited Goldendoodle, has brought us endless joy and, as it turns out, a lot of muddy adventures. With a nose for every puddle in the park, Ruby makes it her mission to roll around and bring half of the park home with her. And while her muddy escapades have added a few extra loads of laundry to our routine, they’ve also filled our lives with laughter and love.

Fast forward to July 2022, when we decided it was time to add to our pack. That’s when Lily came into our lives. She’s a sweet and energetic soul who fit right in from day one. Watching Ruby and Lily play together has been a beautiful reminder of why we started dreaming about Zoomies—a place where dogs can run, play, and just be dogs, no matter the weather.

Like so many dog parents, we found ourselves spending countless hours at the local dog park, rain or shine, snow or sleet. As full-time professionals, this left us with precious little time to relax and unwind. We knew we weren’t alone in feeling this way. Taking care of your dog shouldn’t mean sacrificing your own well-being. And so, Zoomies was born out of our desire to create a space where dogs and their humans can enjoy quality time together without the hassle.

In August 2024, I decided to take a leap of faith and leave my corporate job to pursue Zoomies full-time. It was a scary decision, but one that felt right. I knew that if we could make this dream a reality, we could make life a little easier—and a lot more fun—for dog parents like us.

We’re not just building an indoor dog park; we’re building a community. A place where dogs can play and socialize, and their humans can connect, share stories, and support each other. We believe that caring for your dog should be a joy, not a chore. With Zoomies, it doesn’t have to be.

So, welcome to our journey. We can’t wait to see you and your furry friends at Zoomies, where the zoomies never have to end!

-Devon

The Founders

CEO

Devon Brown

Devon is the founder of Zoomies — and also a longtime dog mom, former corporate program and product manager, and someone who cares deeply about building things that work. She spent a decade leading enterprise-wise continuous improvement and technology initiatives.

Devon lives in Skokie with her husband and their two dogs. She’s driven, a little stubborn, and totally dog-obsessed — which is probably why she couldn’t stop thinking about building a place like Zoomies until it actually existed.

COO

Matthew McCaffer

Matt is a big-picture thinker with a sharp eye for what makes businesses run smoothly — and a natural leader who builds great teams. He’s spent his career growing companies from the inside out, helping people do their best work while keeping things efficient and scalable.

From systems and operations to team culture and member experience, he’s focused on building a strong foundation that helps Zoomies deliver on its mission every single day.

Mission Statement

We’re here to help dogs live their best lives — and make it easier for their humans to do right by them. At Zoomies, we create safe, joyful spaces where exercise, socialization, and connection come naturally.

Our Vision

Zoomies was founded with a core belief: that well-exercised, mentally stimulated dogs live longer, happier lives—and are more likely to stay in their forever homes. That belief drives our commitment to supporting shelters and rescues through tangible, flexible, and high-impact partnerships. We’re especially focused on tackling pet-related challenges—the leading cause of dog surrenders—through behavioral education, structured play, and socialization opportunities that help dogs thrive at home.

We also know that in dense, urban settings like Chicago, owning a dog can feel out of reach for many. Our goal is to remove barriers by providing a clean, safe, and enriching environment for city-dwelling dog owners—empowering more people to adopt responsibly and confidently. By increasing access to year-round, off-leash play and expert support, we aim to reduce adoption hesitancy and help more dogs find and stay in loving homes.

Core Values

High Quality Service

We hold ourselves to the highest standards so you and your dog can relax, have fun, and trust that you’re in good hands every time you walk through the door.

Tailored Care

We treat every dog like our own and every member like they belong.

You’re not just a visitor here; you’re part of the pack.

Continuous Improvement

We stay curious, adaptable, and focused on making every visit better than the last — because great experiences don’t happen by accident.

Our Story