Who We Are
At Barks and Recreation, we believe every good day starts with wagging tails, muddy paws, and a whole lot of love. Based in beautiful Richmond, VA, we take full advantage of the city’s parks, trails, and riverfront paths to make sure your pup gets plenty of sniffing, splashing, and smiling time. Whether it’s a quick neighborhood stroll, a cozy overnight stay, or a long-distance pet transport adventure, we’re here to make life easier (and a lot more fun) for both you and your four-legged best friend.
We mix professional care with playful energy—because we know pets thrive when they’re treated like family. Our visits are GPS-tracked and visible through our mobile app, so you can see exactly where your pet’s adventures take them. We pride ourselves on under-promising and over-delivering, often extending visits a little longer as we pick up and drop off furry friends to join the fun. We always bring extra water and treats—just let us know if your pet needs a gentler pace or shorter walk.
At the end of the day, Barks and Recreation isn’t just a pet care service—it’s a pack of animal lovers who care deeply about your pet’s happiness and well-being. We promise to treat your pet like one of our own… and maybe even spoil them a little more than you do. 🐾
🐾 Meet the Founder – Lorne Francis
Hi, I’m Lorne Francis, founder of Barks and Recreation, proudly based in Richmond, Virginia—where dogs (and their people) are never far from a riverside trail, a shaded park, or a friendly neighborhood stroll.
My path back to pet care after a long hiatus in corporate finance was deeply personal. After losing my best friend and co-conspirator of 15 years, Charlie Sheen, I was reminded that life is too short to be cooped up in an office crunching numbers. Before my corporate years, I worked as a veterinary assistant and later at several doggy daycare facilities, gaining a deep understanding of animal behavior and care.
Those early experiences eventually led to my first venture, Saint Paw Street Walks, in Baltimore, MD—where I found my stride wandering city streets in the best company imaginable (canine, of course).
I founded Barks and Recreation in Charlie Sheen’s memory, to give every pet the same devoted care and attention he received throughout his life. I also founded Barks and Recreation for myself—to spend my days outdoors, in motion, and connected to both nature and my community.
Whether it’s a run along the James River, a romp through Byrd Park, or a leisurely neighborhood stroll and belly rubs, every outing reflects our promise to treat your pet like family.
🐾Meet The Team - Ashley Eisenbachner
Ashley joins the Barks and Rec team all the way from sunny South Florida! A recent Richmond transfer, Ashley brings an incredible depth of animal experience to our pack—from volunteering at wildlife rehab clinics to working late shifts in kennels and even whelping litters of puppies. She has seen almost every side of the animal world, but it was her introduction to dog training that truly sparked her passion for helping better the relationships between people and their pets.
With her background in training and behavior, Ashley loves turning every outing into a meaningful adventure. She is dedicated to bringing the joy of long walks and outdoor exploration to every dog she meets, ensuring they stay engaged and happy on the trails.
When she isn’t out adventuring with our clients' pups, you’ll most likely find Ashley out exploring the best of Richmond with her own "ride or die" dog, Laika. Whether they are scouting new river spots or neighborhood paths, she’s always on the move.
We’re thrilled to have Ashley’s expertise and heart on the Barks and Recreation team—and we know your pets will be just as excited to have her on the other end of the leash!
🐾Meet The Team - Julia Vogel
Julia brings an incredible wealth of canine expertise to the Barks and Rec pack! Originally from Northern Virginia, Julia holds a B.S. in Psychology from George Mason University. She beautifully applies her deep understanding of behavioral science to her work with animals—focusing on how dogs learn, what motivates them, and how to use positive reinforcement to build trust and confidence.
Her professional background spans from doggie daycare management to serving as a trainer at a positive reinforcement-based facility. Julia is highly skilled in puppy socialization, basic and advanced obedience, and supporting dogs working through complex behavioral challenges like reactivity. She uses her unique skillset to ensure every dog feels safe, understood, and completely fulfilled during their "recess" time.
Fun Facts About Julia:
Her Fur Family: She shares her home with a West Highland White Terrier and a Chihuahua.
Dog Sports Enthusiast: Julia and her Chihuahua actively compete in agility and rally obedience, and her pup even holds official trick titles!
Her Philosophy: Combining behavioral psychology and positive reinforcement to help Richmond's pets live their absolute best, happiest lives.
🐾Meet The Team - Curtis Weathers
Curtis comes to the Barks and Rec team all the way from sunny California! Curt brings a calm, steady energy to every visit — the kind that pets instantly trust! With years of hands-on experience working with dogs of all sizes, temperaments, and training needs, he’s known for his patient approach and his knack for making even the shyest pups feel comfortable.
A lifelong animal lover and avid hiker, Curtis is right at home on the trails here in Richmond and loves turning every walk into a mini-adventure.
When he’s not caring for your pets, you’ll probably find Curtis exploring a new park, working on his AMAZING illustrations, or testing out homemade dog treat recipes with his own four-legged buddy Yama.
We’re thrilled to have Curtis on the Barks and Recreation team — and your pets will be too.
Coming Soon
Why Us?
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At Barks and Recreation, we take your pet’s safety—and your peace of mind—seriously. That’s why we’re fully insured and bonded.
Insurance means we carry professional coverage that protects you, your home, and your pets in the unlikely event something goes wrong during a visit. Think of it as a safety net for the unexpected—scrapes, slips, spilled water bowls, or any surprises life throws our way.
Bonding adds an extra layer of reassurance. It protects you against rare issues involving theft or property damage. In short: it’s there to guarantee that if something didn’t go as planned, you’re covered.
Together, insurance and bonding show our commitment to providing responsible, trustworthy, and worry-free care—so you can relax knowing your best friend is in good hands.
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Trust is everything when you’re handing over your keys and your four-legged family member. That’s why every member of the Barks and Recreation team completes a comprehensive background check before joining our pack.
This screening includes identity verification and a review of relevant records to confirm that our walkers and sitters meet our standards for safety, integrity, and professionalism. We only welcome team members who demonstrate reliability, responsibility, and a genuine love for animals.
It’s one more way we make sure your pet—and your home—are cared for by people you can feel confident about, every single visit.
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Your home’s security matters just as much as your pet’s happiness. That’s why Barks and Recreation uses a secure, coded key storage system to keep your keys safe and protected at all times.
Each key is labeled with a unique, anonymous identifier—never your name, address, or anything that could link it back to your home. Keys are stored in a locked, controlled-access location, and only authorized team members can check them out for scheduled visits.
It’s a simple, reliable system designed to give you total peace of mind: safe keys, secure home, happy pets.
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Your home’s security matters just as much as your pet’s happiness. That’s why Barks and Recreation uses a secure, coded key storage system to keep your keys safe and protected at all times.
Each key is labeled with a unique, anonymous identifier—never your name, address, or anything that could link it back to your home. Keys are stored in a locked, controlled-access location, and only authorized team members can check them out for scheduled visits.
It’s a simple, reliable system designed to give you total peace of mind: safe keys, secure home, happy pets.
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At Barks and Recreation, we believe great pet care should come with great perks. Our schedule of discounts and incentives is designed to reward commitment, celebrate community, and spread a little extra joy to the people (and pets!) who need it most.
We offer a 10% recurring schedule discount for clients who book regular weekly services—because consistency keeps tails wagging and hearts happy.
We also proudly provide special savings for rescue pets, public servants, first responders, military service members, and others who make a positive impact every day. It’s our way of giving back to those who give so much.
And because we love to grow our pack through kindness and connection, we offer additional incentives for clients transferring from another pet care service, new client referrals, and social media engagement.
Simple, generous, and community-minded—just the way pet care should be.
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At Barks and Recreation, transparency isn’t just a promise—it’s built into every walk. With our GPS tracking feature, you can follow your pet’s adventure in real time and see exactly where their paws took them.
After each visit, you’ll receive a detailed walk map right in the app, showing the route, distance, and timing of your pet’s outing. Whether your dog strolled the block or explored their favorite sniff spots, you’ll know it all.
It’s peace of mind, delivered with every step—because you should feel connected, even when you’re not there to hold the leash.
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At Barks and Recreation, we believe pet care should be flexible, not stressful. Life happens — plans change, emergencies pop up, and sometimes you just need help right now. That’s why we never charge extra for last-minute bookings or after-hours requests. Whether it’s early in the morning, late at night, or a same-day need, our team is here to support you and your pets without surprise fees. Just reliable care, whenever you need it most.
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Some dogs were born for a little more action—and we’re here to give it to them. Our Trail Hike /Run option is perfect for high-energy pups who need more than a casual stroll to burn off their wiggles.
Whether it’s a steady jog around the neighborhood or a trail-style hike to stretch those legs and senses, we tailor the pace to your dog’s energy level and comfort. It’s exercise, stimulation, and pure joy wrapped into one adventure.
Great for working breeds, young athletes, and any pup who lives for movement, our Hike & Jog visits help keep bodies strong, minds satisfied, and hearts happy.
Because every dog deserves a walk that matches their stride.
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At Barks and Recreation, your pet’s time with us is never just a clocked appointment—it’s quality care, attention, and love. Our Visit Length Guarantee ensures your pet receives every single minute of the visit you booked. No shortcuts, no quick drop-ins, no cutting corners.
And because transparency matters, you’ll be able to see the exact start and end times of each visit right in the app, along with the locations we stopped or explored along the way. You’ll always know how your pet spent their time with us.
If a visit ever falls short of the full scheduled duration, we promise to issue a credit—no questions, no hassle. It’s our way of standing behind the care we provide and honoring the trust you place in us.
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At Barks and Recreation, we believe your pet deserves care from people who feel truly connected to our mission—and to you. That’s why every member of our team is a W-2 employee, not an independent contractor.
What does that mean for you? It means your pet is cared for by trained, supported professionals who follow consistent standards, receive ongoing guidance, and work as part of the same dedicated pack. Our employees are insured, background-checked, and equipped with the tools they need to give your pet safe, reliable, high-quality care.
By choosing to hire staff instead of contractors, we’re choosing stability, accountability, and heart. We invest in our team so they can invest in your pet—because lasting relationships and dependable care don’t happen by accident.
It’s our promise: a team you can trust, supported by a company that puts pets, people, and integrity first.
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Pets thrive on familiarity—and honestly, so do we. That’s why at Barks and Recreation, we’re committed to providing your family with a regular, consistent pet sitter whenever possible.
Your primary sitter gets to know your pet’s routines, quirks, favorite sniff spots, and all the little things that make them who they are. This consistency helps your pet feel comfortable and builds a trusting relationship that grows with every visit.
Of course, life happens. If your regular sitter is ever unavailable, we’ll always send another trusted team member who’s been fully briefed on your pet’s needs and personality. And once your primary sitter is back, your pet goes right back to their familiar friend.
It’s all about reliability, comfort, and connection—because your pet deserves a caregiver who feels like part of the family.
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At Barks and Recreation, exceptional pet care starts with exceptional people. That’s why our team is made up of experienced pet care professionals with extensive backgrounds working with animals—people who have walked, trained, fostered, volunteered, rescued, rehabilitated, and loved pets for years before ever joining our pack.
We believe skill and heart should go hand in hand. Every team member brings real-world experience, a genuine passion for animals, and the kind of instincts that only come from years of hands-on work with pets of all shapes, ages, and personalities.
But we don’t stop there—we’re committed to ongoing professional development. Our staff receives continued training, including Pet CPR and Emergency First Aid certification, so they’re prepared not only for the fun, everyday moments but also for those rare situations when calm, expert care truly matters.
It’s simple: we invest in our team so they can deliver the safest, most knowledgeable, most compassionate care to your pet. Because your best friend deserves nothing less.