 | A Splash of Inspiration What started as a simple question—why should dogs only get to swim once a year at the Pooch Plunge?—turned into one of West Toledo’s most unique new businesses. After years of loving the annual Labor Day tradition in Sylvania, owner Millie Hopes saw an opportunity to bring year-round aquatic enrichment to dogs in the Toledo Region. The result is Caninballz, an indoor dog daycare and waterpark designed to support dogs’ physical, mental, and emotional well-being. |
“Thirty minutes of swimming equals a two-hour walk for dogs,” Millie explains. “It’s incredible for their health—and watching them have fun in the water never gets old.”
Caninballz is still evolving, with Millie actively listening to customer feedback and refining offerings to meet the community’s needs. The response so far? Dogs—and their humans—are loving it.
| Owner: Millie Hopes Established in the Toledo Region: November 4, 2025 (Opening Day!) Number of Employees: 11 What Motivates Millie |  |  |
 Company Culture As a small business owner, Millie believes culture starts with people. Caninballz is built around four core pillars: - Reliability - Dependability - Communication - Ownership “A positive work environment and excellent customer service are everything,” she says. Did You Know? Caninballz offers 10% discounts for service dogs and senior dogs. Senior dogs, in particular, benefit from swimming as a gentle, therapeutic activity—and Millie is proud to honor their loyalty and service.  What Caninballz Offers Caninballz is an all-weather destination for dogs and their owners, especially valuable during Northwest Ohio’s extreme temperatures. Services include:
Millie intentionally located the business in West Toledo, an area with limited pet daycare options, and partners with local veterinarians, pet-focused businesses, and nonprofits to strengthen the regional pet community.  Challenges & Real Talk Like many entrepreneurs, Millie admits that marketing and finance keep her up at night. “Everything is digital—passwords, algorithms, social media—and it can feel overwhelming. Balancing a budget while expenses keep rising isn’t easy.” Life Outside the Business When she’s not at Caninballz, you’ll find Millie golfing in a weekly summer league, camping across Ohio and Michigan, or enjoying nature walks in the Toledo Region’s Metroparks. Advice for Fellow Entrepreneurs Millie self-funded her business and jumped in quickly—something she now reflects on with honesty. “Slow down,” she advises. “Talk to multiple advisors and mentors. It’s easy to get excited and run with an idea, but understanding the long-term pros and cons is critical. The struggle is real—but hindsight is powerful.” |
Industry Insights
The pet industry continues to grow, but building trust takes time.
“Referrals, word of mouth, and positive reviews are everything,” Millie says. “You have to reach the right demographic and earn the community’s confidence.”
Giving Back
Giving back is a core value at Caninballz. Millie recently hosted Planned Pethood for an adoption event, became a foster parent (helping place Marley with her forever family!), and donated food and supplies to Nickens Family Rescue and Sanctuary.
“It feels good to do good,” she says—and the community agrees.
The pet industry continues to grow, but building trust takes time.
“Referrals, word of mouth, and positive reviews are everything,” Millie says. “You have to reach the right demographic and earn the community’s confidence.”
Giving Back
Giving back is a core value at Caninballz. Millie recently hosted Planned Pethood for an adoption event, became a foster parent (helping place Marley with her forever family!), and donated food and supplies to Nickens Family Rescue and Sanctuary.
“It feels good to do good,” she says—and the community agrees.
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