Tori’s tale: How autism and animal care created Fetch

Photo: Fetch Cares

The story of Fetch is also the story of Tori. Located between Park City and Kamas, Fetch is the premier dog boarding and day care facility in the Wasatch Back, owned and operated by one of the most innovative, most intuitive, and most knowledgeable animal caregivers, Tori. Fetch is a family business that operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year.

Naturally, that’s a tough schedule to maintain, but Tori explained, “I love the dogs whole heartedly. I work hard for them.”

Tori found her calling in college. Like many students, transitioning into college was difficult. For Tori, a diagnosis with autism made it even more challenging. “I know it’s taboo to talk about suicide, but I was, at that time, contemplating it,” Tori said. To overcome feelings of isolation and loneliness, Tori started volunteering at the local SPCA. Working with animals saved Tori, and she wants to share her story.

The animals helped heal Tori, and she did the same for them. She spent so much time volunteering, that the shelter hired her. After working for the SPCA, Tori spent 7-½ years working as a veterinary assistant. Tori honed her skills in caregiving and behavior during this time. “I think that autism helps me connect and understand dogs better in a lot of ways,” explained Tori. “They are very straight forward, honest, and raw with their emotions and things that they communicate, which is the same with me and other people on the spectrum.” 

While autism is a strength that supports the connection with dogs, Tori acknowledged that it makes it more challenging to run a business. As noted, it is often easier to understand the straightforward way dogs communicate. However, since both her clients and staff share an intense love of the dogs, it makes person-to-person communication easier.

Since Fetch is family owned and operated, Tori is grateful to her brother, Tony, and mom, PJ, who are both skilled at working with people. Fetch plays to everyone’s strengths.

With over twenty years in animal care, Tori noted, “the biggest, most important, and time consuming ways we ensure that Fetch provides a safe and comfortable environment for dogs and staff is with our strict cleaning/sanitizing protocols.” This involves routine cleaning with products designed for dog specific germs.

Tori’s years of experience make her a gifted behaviorist, too. For Tori and staff to guide and interact with the dogs effectively, they must understand dog behavior. “Having 60 dogs is just like having 60 toddlers running around and playing,” said Tori, “Most of the time they get along great, but sometimes they will annoy each other.” Tori and staff read the behavioral cues and catch situations before emotions escalate.

She continued, “The difference between toddlers and dogs is that dogs communicate a lot with their mouths which have teeth in them that are literally designed to rip flesh. So even if the dogs aren’t trying to physically harm another, they can still be dangerous, including towards the staff. Almost all dog bites to humans are a result of the humans misunderstanding the dogs’ behavior or accidently getting in the way of the dog’s mouth.”

The job is, according to Tori, “constantly cleaning and being professional pooper scoopers.” In addition, she compares staff to “lifeguards and preschool teachers” monitoring and providing behavior instruction.

It is this dedication to safety and the unique understanding of dog behavior that sets Fetch apart from other daycare and boarding facilities. In addition, at Fetch, dogs are family. Staff is present and attentive 24/7. This means dogs are not kenneled for long periods of time, medications can be monitored effectively, and health conditions can be managed. 

Fetch dogs have couches and chairs, extra large dog doors, and the ability to spread out. It truly is a home away from home.

Another reason Fetch is successful is because staff is family, too. Tori said, “This isn’t just a job for any of us. We have the love of dogs in common.”

Answering the question, “What do you want people to know about you?” Tori said, “I think I’d like for people to know that I have a story and I’m committed to the dogs and my family.”

“This isn’t just a job for me. I didn’t get into the dog business to make money. This isn’t an easy glamorous life. It’s hard and exhausting. I do it for the dogs. I want to provide a place where dogs can be dogs,” Tori said.

From Tori’s passion and love of dogs, came Fetch. Under her leadership, Fetch built a culture based on love and respect for dogs and the people who love them. Fetch’s clients, the dogs, and their families know that when dogs visit they are safe, well cared for, and loved.