They say the perfect job doesn’t exist, but Arat Montoya begs to differ.
The West Linn, Oregon small business owner always knew he wanted to work with dogs some day. He grew up in Mexico, where his parents worked as bakers. When the time came for him to choose a career path, he ditched the dough and grabbed a leash instead!
“My family are bakers, and my dad wanted me to be a baker,” he said. “I said, ‘I’m sorry Dad, I love dogs.'”
Arat started out working for a dog daycare in Linn, but they went out of business. He kept in touch with some of the dog owners and started walking dogs, pet-sitting, and boarding out of his house. When his wife got pregnant with their first child, he decided to take the business to the next level. He started by adding some flair to his car, turning it into a miniature yellow school bus for dogs.
All Arat had to do was park the car at the end of his driveway for some free advertising! Within a week, he’d gained 16 customers who were eager to send their dogs to daycare in style.
Arat’s Doggie School Bus now operates five days a week. The $30 a day cost includes drop off and pick up within a 5-mile radius of the daycare facility. Once there, the dogs can play and frolic in a 5-acre fenced-in yard all day long. They have the time of their lives and come home exhausted!
These days, Arat welcomes about 20 dogs per day, but some packs can get up to 30 strong depending on how everyone gets along.
The Doggie School Bus was such a big hit that Arat eventually purchased a larger van. One of his customers made a video of their dog getting ready for school and running out of the house onto the school bus, and the clip went viral online.
The sudden influx of views meant even more business for Arat, whose client base is now around 300 happy dogs and their humans. Arat couldn’t be happier to have achieved his life’s mission of working with dogs every single day, and he’s glad to be enriching their lives.
“I’m the happiest man in the world doing what I’m doing,” he said.
How adorable is this idea? Arat found a way to experience sheer joy every single day! We’d definitely use his services if we lived in Oregon.
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