Loss Of Precious Pup Inspires Owners To Open Hounds Town Columbia

COLUMBIA, MD — Pet owners, rescue organizations, veterinarians and animal lovers gathered Thursday to celebrate Hounds Town Columbia.

Located at 8940 Route 108, Suite A, in Columbia, Hounds Town Columbia is an interactive doggie daycare, pet boarding facility and spa treatment center owned by Jennifer and Sean Chappell. The couple works at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel as engineers, but fell in love with the Howard County site for their business.

"We love the Columbia area," Jennifer Chappell told Patch.

The Chappells have been lifelong pet owners and fully embrace the concept that dogs aren't just pets, they're family members.

"That personal passion is what inspired us to open Hounds Town Columbia and create a place where pet parents can feel completely confident leaving their dogs in our care," Jennifer Chappell told Patch.

The couple currently has four dogs and four cats as part of their family. In fact, the inspiration and motivating factor behind Hounds Town Columbia was their beloved dog Luna.

"Several years ago, while we were on vacation overseas, Luna was being cared for by a boarder. She was accidentally lost during her stay, and despite months of searching, hiring professional tracking teams and exhausting every possible lead, we were never able to bring her home," Jennifer Chappell told Patch.

"That heartbreaking experience changed us forever. It also gave us a very clear mission: to create the kind of daycare and boarding facility where safety isn't just a priority, it's the foundation of everything we do," she said. "Every policy we've implemented, every member of our team we've trained and every safety protocol we've put in place is driven by one question: 'Would this be good enough for our own dogs?' We never want another family to experience the uncertainty and heartache that we did.

"Today, we share our home with four wonderful dogs and four cats, and they remind us every day why this work matters. At Hounds Town Columbia, every Townie is cared for with the same level of love, attention and commitment that we'd expect for our own family," Chappell added.

Natural pack play

Hounds Town Columbia is know for its inclusive approach, allowing all dogs regardless of size, breed or background. The business officially opened in September 2025, but waited until this summer to celebrate their opening once they had a fully trained team in place and Chappell recovered from surgery.

"At Hounds Town Columbia, everything we do is built around one simple philosophy: we do it for the dogs. Our facility was designed specifically with dogs in mind, not people, creating a safe, enriching environment where they can socialize, play and simply be dogs," Chappell said.

The Columbia facility offers six spacious indoor playrooms and one outdoor play area, which offers enough space for staff to create specialized playgrounds based on each dog's size, temperament, energy level and play style.

"Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, we carefully match dogs with compatible friends, creating a safer, less stressful and more enjoyable experience for every Townie," Chappell told Patch. "We specialize in all-day, natural pack play. Every dog completes a temperament evaluation before joining the pack, allowing us to place them in the group where they'll be the most comfortable and successful."

Extensive training, evaluations

The team at Hounds Town Columbia undergoes extensive training in canine body language, pack management and safe intervention techniques to ensure every dog has a fun and secure experience, Chappell said.

"Safety is at the heart of everything we do. In addition to Hounds Town's hands-on training program, our staff complete the franchise's Dog Management Certification, providing them with a strong foundation in dog behavior, body language, group play management and safe handling techniques. We maintain strict health and safety standards, require current vaccinations and continuously monitor playgroups throughout the day," Chappell told Patch.

Once pups have completed their evaluation and becomes an approved Townie, no reservations are required for daycare or spa services moving forward.

"We also make life easier for busy pet parents. Whether your schedule changes unexpectedly or you decide your pup could use a day of play or a refreshing spa treatment, simply bring them in during our business hours. We believe exceptional care should be convenient, flexible and fit your lifestyle and not require weeks of advance planning," Chappell said.

Hounds Town hangover

Dogs can enjoy both all-day daycare and overnight boarding, whether it's for a single night, a weekend getaway or an extended vacation.

"One of the things that makes Hounds Town unique is that our boarding dogs spend their days enjoying supervised pack play with their friends instead of being confined to a kennel for most of the day. By the time bedtime rolls around, they're happy, tired and ready for a good night's sleep," Chappell told Patch.

"We even like to joke with pet parents about the 'Hounds Town Hangover.' After a full day of running, wrestling, playing and making new friends, many of our Townies head home happy, exhausted and ready to spend the evening napping on the couch. It's one of our favorite compliments when pet parents tell us their dog slept the entire ride home."

Extra services available

While staying at Hounds Town Columbia, pups can take advantage of a wide range of spa services, making it convenient for pet parents to pick up a "happy, clean and refreshed pup" at the end of the day.

"Our spa menu includes baths, de-shedding treatments, nail trims, ear cleaning, teeth brushing, blueberry facials, brush-outs and other wellness add-ons designed to keep your dog looking and feeling their best. We stop just short of coat clipping and styling, focusing instead on the services that help maintain a healthy coat, skin, and overall cleanliness," Chappell told Patch.

"One of our most popular services is adding a bath before a boarding dog goes home. After days of running, wrestling and making new friends, it's the perfect way to send them home clean, fresh and ready for plenty of cuddles. And just like our daycare, no reservations are required for spa services once your dog is an approved Townie. Simply let us know at drop-off, or even give us a call while they're here and we'll do our best to fit them into the schedule."

Pet parents also appreciate Hounds Town Columbia's efforts to keep them abreast of what's happening each day at the center.

"We post photos and videos of our Townies throughout the day, so while you're at work or away on vacation, there's a good chance you'll get to see your pup having fun, making friends and enjoying their stay. It gives our families peace of mind and lets them share in their dog's adventures, even when they can't be here," Chappell said.

"We're also proud to be more than just a daycare. We strive to become an extension of your family by getting to know every dog as an individual. Whether your pup is joining us for daycare, boarding or a spa day, they'll be cared for by a team that genuinely loves what they do and treats every dog like one of our own," she added. "At Hounds Town Columbia, your dog isn't just another customer, they're a Townie."

Cat boarding option

Although Hounds Town is known for its dog daycare and boarding, they also offer cat boarding in a quiet, comfortable space that's completely separate from canine guests.

"We understand that cats have different needs than dogs, so we've created an environment where they can relax, receive individual attention and enjoy a low-stress stay while their families are away," Chappell told Patch.

"One of the things we're especially proud of is that when our cat boarding suites aren't occupied by guests, we partner with local rescue organizations to foster cats in need of temporary homes. It allows us to provide a safe, caring environment for cats waiting for their forever families while making the most of our space. It's just another way we live our philosophy: We do it for the dogs... and the cats, too."

Hounds Town Columbia also plans to be involved in the community.

"From themed Pawty Days and fundraising events to partnerships with local rescues, veterinarians and businesses, we're committed to creating a place where dogs, their families and our community can thrive together," Chappell said.

Photo courtesy of the Chappells