What We're About
The Story Behind BARK U
BARK U, founded by Certified Professional Trainer Christine Egbert in 2015, offers exceptional dog care with a focus on safety, enjoyment, and stress-free experiences.
HOW IT ALL STARTED
The Beginning
BARK U was built from a simple belief: dogs deserve better.
In 2011, shortly after graduating college, Christine welcomed her first dog, Izzy, into her life. While volunteering together at a local nursing home, Christine witnessed the incredible impact dogs could have on people. Izzy brought comfort, joy, and connection to residents, inspiring a passion that would ultimately shape Christine’s future.
Determined to learn everything she could about canine behavior, Christine trained under respected mentor Liz Maslow and pursued extensive education in dog behavior, puppy development, and positive reinforcement training. Through years of hands-on experience, she realized there was an opportunity to create something different—a place where dogs could receive exceptional care in a safe, enriching, and behavior-focused environment.
In 2015, Christine founded BARK U with a mission to redefine what daycare and boarding could be. Instead of simply supervising dogs, she envisioned a facility where every aspect—from thoughtfully managed playgroups to enrichment, training, and personalized care—was designed around each dog’s physical and emotional well-being.
Today, that vision has grown into one of the region’s premier destinations for daycare, lodging, grooming, and training. While BARK U has expanded tremendously over the years, its mission remains unchanged: to provide every dog with a safe, enriching place to play, learn, and thrive while giving families complete peace of mind.
Our journey
From a passion to a place dogs call their happy place
What began as one woman with a passion for dogs has grown into a place trusted by thousands of families. Here’s the story of how BARK U came to life.
2011
Izzy Sparks a Passion
Volunteering with Izzy at a local nursing home revealed the incredible bond between dogs and people. Inspired to learn more, Christine studied under respected trainers and puppy specialists—laying the foundation for BARK U.
2015
THE JOURNEY BEGINS
BARK U began as a one-woman business out of Christine’s home, offering dog walking, pet sitting, training, and personalized care. Every client, every walk, and every lesson helped build the foundation for what BARK U is today.
2018
Our First Home
We opened our first 4,000-square-foot facility in King of Prussia. It became home to countless dogs and families, carried us through the challenges of COVID, and was where BARK U truly began to grow.
2024
OUR NEW HOME
We outgrew our first facility and opened our 19,000-square-foot home in King of Prussia, allowing us to welcome more dogs, expand our services, and continue raising the standard of care.
What Makes Us Different
Why the BARK U Crew
BARK U’s difference is its people. We’ve assembled an amazing team of animal lovers who are trained in animal behavior, play management, socialization and pet safety, all to ensure the health and happiness of our guests. The most important quality our team shares is its love of animals. With that strong bond in common, we go above and beyond to care for your pet every day.
