Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Hays.
Hi Lauren, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
DogFriendlyNash started in 2020 after we rescued our dog, Dottie, and suddenly became those people asking, “Wait…can dogs go there too?”
What started as me sharing random patios, coffee runs, walks, and places around Nashville that we loved, quickly turned into way more than I ever expected!
Now 6 years later, we have an amazing community of dog owners following along, making Nashville feel more dog friendly than ever before!
This has turned into such a fun little corner of the internet for us and for people who just want to bring their dogs everywhere too and we absolutely love it! 🐾
Plus, we are huge on rescue and encourage people to visit and learn more about dogs available at a their local rescue or shelter, hoping others can start their own dog friendly adventures and save a life in the process ❤️
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Between working a full-time job and just life in general, finding the time to consistently create and put together content can be really challenging.
A lot of it happens in the margins—late nights, quick edits on my phone, and trying to make everything feel helpful and intentional for those using the page as a daily, weekly or monthly resource!
There are definitely seasons where it feels overwhelming, where I compare myself
too much to others, or like I’m just behind, especially when I want everything to feel really high quality but don’t always have the time I wish I did.
But what keeps me going is the response from people and my absolute obsession for dogs. When someone DMs saying they found a new favorite spot, or that the page made it easier to navigate Nashville with their dog, or even that it inspired them to adopt—that’s when it all feels completely worth it. Those moments are what make the effort behind the scenes feel extra meaningful.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I run @DogFriendlyNashville, a platform focused on helping people explore Nashville with their dogs in a way that feels easy, fun, and actually doable in real life. I share dog-friendly restaurants, patios, coffee shops, parks, events, and everyday spots around the city so people can confidently bring their pups along instead of having to overthink where they can and can’t go with their furry friends!
The content is very real-world based—places I’ve personally been with my own dog or places I’ve discovered while out and about—so it’s less about “perfect” recommendations and more about what actually works when you show up with a dog in tow. That’s what people seem to know me for: honest, relatable, no-stress recommendations that feel like a friend texting you a spot to try out!
What sets it apart is that it’s built in the middle of real life. I work a full-time job, I’m married, and this is something I’ve grown over time on the side. So the content isn’t overly polished or staged—it’s created in between everything else, which I think is why it resonates. It reflects how most people are actually living, trying to fit in good moments with their dogs wherever they can.
What I’m most proud of is the community that’s formed around it. Hearing from people who found a new favorite place, feel more comfortable going out with their dog, or were even inspired to adopt because of the page—that’s the part that means the most. It’s turned into something much bigger than just recommendations; it’s become a shared space for people who want to include their dogs in everyday life.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I love most about Nashville is how it still feels like a real community while constantly growing and evolving.
There’s always something new opening, but it still holds onto that easygoing, welcoming energy that makes it feel like home.
As a dog owner, I also really love how naturally dog-friendly the city is becoming. More patios, more outdoor spaces, more places that genuinely welcome you to bring your pup along—and some even making events solely for the dogs!
But honestly, it’s the people and the little moments that stand out the most. The mix of creativity, small businesses, live music and connection is what makes Nashville special to me.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @dogfriendlynash
- Facebook: @dogfriendlynash
