The word dog lover hardly begins to capture Lila’s lifelong connection with dogs. Nicknamed “Woofie” as a child, she grew up surrounded by Rottweilers, Golden Retrievers, Australian Shepherds, and rescue dogs—along with an impressive collection of dog stuffed animals that hinted early on at a deep, intuitive bond with animals. From the start, Lila understood dogs not simply as pets, but as beings with emotional lives, social needs, and unique personalities.
Before founding Doggie Stays and Getaways, Lila spent seven years working with at-risk youth in California, Colorado, New Zealand, and Fiji, followed by another seven years in corporate fitness management and education in Colorado and Texas. Though humans and dogs are different species, she quickly recognized that many of the same principles apply: leadership, consistency, clear communication, emotional regulation, and the power of a supportive group. These insights became foundational to her work with dogs and later shaped the philosophy behind DSG.
In 2016, while living in Boulder Heights, Lila was asked to rehabilitate a German Shepherd with severe leash reactivity and aggressive tendencies. Through structured exercise, calm leadership, and gradual exposure, the dog learned to walk peacefully—both on and off leash—through the neighborhood. Word spread quickly, and soon Lila was working with multiple dogs, helping families restore balance and trust. By the end of the year, she relocated to Lafayette and intentionally built what would become Doggie Stays and Getaways: a thoughtfully designed, home-style retreat offering highly personalized dog boarding, daycare, training, and enrichment with 24-hour on-site supervision provided by a trusted, trained care team.
The program grew rapidly, becoming Lila’s full-time vocation. In 2017, she became certified in Dog CPR and First Aid through Pet Tech Training and expanded her vision by launching the Adventure Getaway program—offering small-pack adventures and off-leash hikes throughout Boulder County designed to meet dogs’ physical, mental, and social needs in a balanced, fulfilling way.
In 2018, after working with hundreds of dogs and families, Lila was selected as one of just 35 people worldwide to train directly with Cesar Millan at the Dog Psychology Center in Santa Clarita, California. There, she deepened her understanding of pack psychology, rehabilitation through structured socialization, and the role of exercise, mental stimulation, affection, and clear boundaries in creating stable, confident dogs.
Shortly after returning home, Lila was invited to foster and rehabilitate dogs for the SaveRescue Coalition in Houston, Texas—dogs deemed unadoptable due to severe behavioral challenges such as aggression, extreme anxiety, destructive behavior, and repeated escape attempts. Through careful assessment, structure, and individualized training, every dog fostered by Lila successfully found a permanent, loving home in Colorado.
In 2022, Lila returned to the Dog Psychology Center for an advanced seminar focused on extreme behavioral and physical cases. Inspired by the collaborative model she experienced there, she launched the Trainer Exchange Program at DSG, welcoming other trainers to learn, teach, and co-train. Cesar’s son, Andre Millan, was the first visiting trainer to participate. By 2023, Lila began traveling nationally to mentor and coach other home-based dog boarding and training businesses, sharing best practices while learning from diverse, heart-centered programs across the country.
In 2025, Lila traveled to Mexico to work hands-on with socially unfit dogs at the SULA rescue outside Puerto Vallarta. There, she focused on helping dogs achieve emotional balance, social stability, and improved adoptability—supporting their transition into permanent homes in the United States and further deepening her commitment to rescue, rehabilitation, and ethical rehoming.
Today, Lila remains deeply involved in every aspect of Doggie Stays and Getaways, overseeing and shaping all programs including its Boarding and Daycare Camp, Adventure Getaways, Board and Train, Socialization Training, and Offsite Training. Her long-term vision includes offering community education and classes on loose leash walking, leash reactivity, and conscious pack leadership—continuing her mission to elevate the standard of care, connection, and well-being for dogs and the people who love them.
At Doggie Stays and Getaways, Lila believes dogs thrive when their physical, emotional, and social needs are met in thoughtful balance. Her approach blends calm leadership, structured exercise, intentional socialization, and individualized care—creating an environment where dogs feel safe, included, understood, and fulfilled. The result is not just better behavior, but happier dogs who are able to show up as their best selves—at DSG and at home.
Kay Funk
Doggie Daycare Specialist
Micheal Sanchez
Doggie Daycare Specialist/Apprentice Dog Trainer
Hi my name is Michael and I’m an apprentice trainer here at DSG and also assist with daycare and boarding. I’m a fervent dog lover and lifelong student of canine psychology. I’m also passionate about training dogs, understanding their minds, and building unshakable bonds through trust and adventure. Adventure is my second language and I speak it fluently with my amazing beloved wife Renee and our loyal sidekicks Boogie and Lola our dogs. Whether we’re carving through mountain trails in our trusty Toyota 4Runner Dixie (4Runner enthusiast here!), setting up camp under a sky full of stars, or chasing remote horizons overlanding into the wild, we live for the muddy trails, breathtaking mountain lake views and beautiful wild adventures. I'm zealous about hiking paths less traveled. When I’m not off-roading or hiking to a new summit, you’ll find me cooking up something delicious, at my favorite restaurants, going to concerts, working on Dixie our Toyota 4Runner, fishing a quiet riverbank and keeping a little piece of nature at home through my ever-growing plant collection. For me, life is about connection—whether it’s with nature, dogs, or the people you love most (especially the furry ones).
