Learn More About The DFHA

Our Story

The Dog Friendly Hotel Association (DFHA) was born in 2024 in response to the growing demand for genuinely dog friendly travel options. We were founded to unite hoteliers that share a passion for providing warm, welcoming spaces where dogs and their owners can feel at home. We are dedicated to nurturing this connection through resources, advocacy, and a supportive community.

Our Mission

We are committed to elevating the standards of dog-friendly hospitality in the hotel industry. Our mission is to support and empower hotels that embrace canine-inclusive practices by providing them with the resources, research, and advocacy they need to succeed. We are building a community of hoteliers dedicated to delivering exceptional experiences for dogs and their owners.

Our Values

The DFHA is driven by a commitment to excellence in dog friendly hospitality. We value welcoming inclusivity, ensuring every guest, human or canine, feels at home. We prioritize safety and comfort, creating environments where dogs and their owners can relax and enjoy their stay. Finally, we believe in community and collaboration, bringing together hotels, dog owners, and their local communities.

It all started in 2024 with a simple belief: dogs are family, and they deserve the same love, care, and hospitality when traveling as they do at home. We knew the joy of finding a hotel that genuinely welcomed our furry friends, not just tolerated them, and we wanted to spread that experience far and wide until it became the norm.

So, we created the Dog Friendly Hotel Association (DFHA) for people like us—hoteliers and dog lovers—who understand that a truly memorable stay is one where every guest, human and canine, is treated with warmth and hospitality. We’re a community built on shared values and a passion for making every journey together, one worth wagging a tail about. Whether you're a hotelier striving to create a perfect dog-friendly environment or a traveler seeking a welcoming haven, DFHA is here for you.

After all, we’re all just people who love dogs and believe in making their travel experiences as special as ours.

THE DFHA were the first ever dog friendly hotel association, and their values and mission closely reflected our own here at the Rosemary, so we were thrilled to become founding members and help them develop the DFHA over time.

Sally Deaton • General Manager at Hotel Rosemary

Joining the DFHA was a natural fit for us at The Golden Oaks Inn. Their commitment to dog-friendly hospitality perfectly aligns with our mission to create a welcoming environment for all our guests, two-legged and four-legged alike. We're proud to be part of this forward-thinking community..

James Thornton • Owner at The Golden Oaks Inn

We were drawn to the DFHA because they share our passion for making every guest, including our canine companions, feel at home. Their resources and support have been invaluable as we continue to enhance our pet-friendly services.

Erika Lawson • GM at The Riverbend Lodge

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