Our story began long before the first pack hike.
A life with dogs. A promise to keep moving. A philosophy of Training with Awareness.
Learning to listen
In an April 3, 2018 interview with VoyageLA, founder Lindsay Velez described her childhood connection with animals. She recalled learning to listen to dogs, working with horses in 4-H, and later living with her dogs on 14.5 acres of Maine woodland, where nature became central to her understanding of animals.
A promise that shaped the trails
Lindsay also shared that she broke her back at age eleven and faced uncertainty about whether she would walk again. She promised herself that if she recovered, she would run up mountains. Her recovery and determination helped shape Eastside Hounds' focus on nature, movement, and uphill hikes.
Training with Awareness
Inspired by April Frost's Beyond Obedience and mentorship from trainer Marisa Lahman in Colorado, Lindsay developed a dog-training approach based on observation, communication, and respect for each dog's individual needs. In Los Angeles, training grew into ongoing exercise and neighborhood pack hikes.
Eastside Hounds began in 2009 and became known for collecting dogs across the Eastside for guided adventures in local parks. Experienced pack members could help newer dogs—whether young puppies or rescues building confidence—develop their social skills and a sense of belonging.
From Eastside Hounds to DEN
By 2018, Lindsay was transforming a warehouse into DEN, then described as Dogs Exercise Nutrition: a holistic dog wellness center bringing together daycare, hiking, training, nutrition, grooming, and other services. Today DEN Urban Dog Retreat is a separate sister brand, while Eastside Hounds continues to focus on outdoor adventures, pack hikes, and home pickup and drop-off.
Meet Lindsay Velez of Eastside Hounds in Silverlake, Los Feliz and Echo Park — VoyageLA ↗
Read Lindsay's original interview in her own words. Historical contact information and offerings in the interview reflect 2018.