Today we’d like to introduce you to Lorna Lea.
Hi Lorna, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
In the fall of 2024, I made the decision to move to Florida without knowing anyone outside of my son and his family. After a 17-year career with Abbott, I stepped into a completely new season of life. One that required faith, courage, and a willingness to start over again in a new location.
For years, I had carried a desire to build something of my own. To build a legacy I could one day leave for my grandchildren. While living in Orange County, I had the opportunity to help a friend with her pet care business, and through that experience, along with a lifetime of loving and caring for my own pets I discovered something deeper – a passion.
I wanted to build something meaningful, something rooted in love, trust, and excellence. That’s when Dog Gone Walking Florida was born.
What began as a fresh start has grown into something incredibly special. Through this journey, I’ve learned that this business is about so much more than pet care. It’s about relationships, reliability, and creating peace of mind for families who trust me with their beloved pets and homes.
I’ve been blessed to build connections with loyal, faithful clients who have truly become a part of my journey. Their trust and support have helped shape Dog Gone Walking into a boutique, high-end standard pet care service that is rooted in passion and integrity.
It’s a calling for me. A reflection of who I am and what I love. Every visit, every walk, every moment spent caring for a pet matters deeply to me.
And at the heart of it all is Sadie, my own beloved dog who reminds me daily why this work is so meaningful.
Dog Gone Walking Florida is more than a service. It’s a promise of care, connection, and excellence built with passion, love and integrity.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One of the biggest challenges I faced was starting from the ground up in a completely new state. Moving to Florida without any established network meant I had to build everything from scratch – relationships, brand awareness, and trust within the community.
Another challenge was learning how to navigate a highly competitive pet care market. There are many options available to families, which pushed me to really define what makes Dog Gone Walking Florida different. I had to be intentional about creating a boutique, high-standard experience that reflects reliability, professionalism, and genuine care.
Marketing was also a learning curve. Understanding how to reach the right clients, communicate my value, and build a brand that resonates with families who love and care deeply for their pets as part of their family.
This season of starting over also required a great deal of personal resilience, which ultimately strengthened my ability to build something meaningful and lasting.
My most important take away is the importance of making God your CEO.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Dog Gone Walking Florida operates under a higher standard-God is the CEO, and I simply steward the vision. That’s why our care is intentional, elevated, and deeply rooted in purpose. Additionally, my 17+ years with Abbott Laboratories shaped a deep foundation of professionalism, integrity, dedication, and operational excellence. Throughout my career, I learned the importance of delivering exceptional service at every level, no matter the role or responsibility.
I believe what sets us apart is that we operate as a boutique concierge-style pet care service. We intentionally cater to each client’s unique needs, building customized schedules around their life style to provide a seamless, dependable experience.
Today I bring the balance of corporate experience and heartfelt passion into every aspect of my business, ensuring both pets and their owners receive exceptional care.
I’m most proud of creating a boutique, concierge style pet care service that prioritizes trust, personalization and excellence. Building strong, lasting relationships with my clients while starting from fresh in a new state has been incredibly rewarding and is at the heart of everything I do.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Included in my business model is my creation of the PupsCuterie Box! I’ve attached photos – first client was the Casa Monica in St Augustine! Outside of my business and in my early morning time, I have a passion for writing. In this season, I’ve been quietly working on a devotional that reflects on my past and the life lessons that have come from it. My hope is to encourage other women who may struggle to find the courage to begin again, and take that leap of faith.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.doggonewalkingfl.com
