Courtney has been building relationships with dogs long before Pups Will Play had a name. Her first dog, Gracie, ran alongside her through high school and college, teaching her first hand how movement, adventure, and good company shape a dog’s life. When Gracie passed, that energy didn’t disappear; it rerouted into the pups she cared for next.

Pups Will Play made its debut in 2005, starting as a pet sitting service for families in South Orange County. Over time, the work expanded in a way that felt natural; from sitting to walks, and eventually to daily adventures built around trails, beach runs, and outdoor enrichment. What began as care became a community rhythm led by movement, stimulation, community, and pups who came home tired in the right way.

Courtney doesn’t just walk dogs… she pays attention. To their quirks, their confidence, their anxieties, their favorite smells, and the way they finally settle once they’ve had enough movement and stimulation for the day. If something’s off, she’ll tell you. If your pup made a friend, pushed a boundary, or got spooked by something new, you’ll hear about that too.

If you spot a VW around South Laguna, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano or coastal San Clemente there’s a good chance it’s full of pups headed toward a trail or the beach. The buses were just Courtney’s thing at first — old Volkswagens, salt air, long drives — and then the dogs made it clear they were coming along for the ride. At a certain point, the VWs became part of the story.

Today, Pups Will Play exists for dogs who thrive with movement, nature, and small-group adventure, and for humans who want care that feels personal, attentive, and a little like having a friend in the neighborhood who happens to love your pup as much as you do.