About Us | DEN Urban Dog Retreat

The DEN Story

We're flipping the script on dog care.

"We value an understanding of the perspective of dogs, and we've created a place where we can exist as equals. The relationship between dogs and humans is so much more than Human/Owner."

Lindsay Velez, Founder & CEO

Lindsay Velez

Founder & Wolf Mother

Lindsay created DEN Urban Dog Retreat as an oasis for dogs and their owners. She just celebrated her 10 year anniversary with her dog hiking company, Eastside Hounds, and is looking forward to extending the services she has to offer to the local community of dog people.

Favorite Hike in LA: Elysian Park

FavoriteBook & Author: Beyond Obedience: Training with Awareness for You and your DOG - April Frost

Victorious

Founder & In-House Rockstar

Victorious is a Pack leader who's positive energy, and inspiration helps hold space and support the work done at DEN. "We're on a spiritual mission to shift the whole industry," says Solomon. "We have a healing room, the doors all close up, and we do one on one's with you and your dog in here, so we can connect, and have Breakthroughs." flaunt.com/DEN. DEN is a space where we could nurture the bond between people and their dogs by being present, and in a community that helps inspire and enrich each-other. Everything else is just fluff. Or should I say, "ruff."

Favorite Hike in LA: The full loop @ Elysian Park

Favorite Quote: When I am working on a problem, I never think about beauty but when I have finished, if the solution is not beautiful, I know it is wrong. - Buckminster Fuller

Olivia Rae

Magic Manager & Intuitive Healer

Olivia is an intuitive healer whose personal passion for dogs and the nature realm led her to discover the undeniable energetic connection dogs have with their humans. Olivia is a trained clairvoyant, and uses her awareness of energy to help humans bring healing and mutual connection to the relationship they have with their dog. Through her work as a clairvoyant and healer, Olivia has come to recognize that our dogs mirror the flow of energy we experience in our lives. In her Intuitive Healing sessions at DEN, Olivia uses different modalities like sound and crystal healing to create a more synergistic flow of energy in the dog/human connection.

Favorite Hike in LA: Eaton Canyon

Favorite holistic modality for dogs: "I am always amazed by the huge capacity our dogs have to hold space for humans to heal. My favorite way to support dogs in this sacred mission is by giving them an energetic healing with the support of crystals & sound healing techniques like tuning forks."

Mina Bahadori

Reiki Master

Mina is a powerful KRI certified Kundalini Yoga and Meditation teacher, Reiki Master, Intuitive, and Crystal Healer. She is fascinated by all things esoteric and feels deep in her bones her mission is to level up every day and raise the collective consciousness. Mina currently resides in Highland Park and has a husky mix named Jax who frequents DEN. She adores the energy and the shared values of the space. She teaches events connecting humans and their dogs through Kundalini and gong baths. She is thrilled to hold space and be a channel for Reiki to flow through and move out unsupportive energies and realign her clients & their pups with their peace, power, light and love.

Favorite Hike in LA: Eaton Canyon

Favorite Holistic Alternative for her dog Jax: "I try everything with Jax so its hard to choose! I love CBD and gently blasting him with reiki and doing different intuitive healing visualization exercises. I also recently noticed that he holds a lot of respect for sacred sound - whether it be the gong or Tibetan bowls, he is quite awe-stricken and relaxed by the deep resonance."

Amber Lockspeiser

Certified Animal Massage Therapist

Amber Lockspeiser completed her Animal Massage Therapist Certification through an intensive program at the Ojai School of Massage in California in 2010 where she learned anatomy and physiology, different massage techniques, CPR and First Aid. Her massage practice includes Acupressure, TTouch, Swedish Massage, Myofascial Release, Trigger Point Therapy, and Jin Shin Jyutsu®. Amber is also a Certified Reiki practitioner. Amber trained in Animal Reiki with Magi Loucks who founded the non-profit corporation Emma's Arc in 2009 with the mission to improve the relationship between humans and animals, locally and worldwide. Amber draws on a range of wonderful modalities to provide your pet with a fully integrated and healing session.

Favorite Hike in LA: Fryman Canyon

Favorite Way to Connect with Dogs: "Letting them feel my energy and good intentions and making sure they feel safe, relaxed and loved... If all else fails, then a treat works."