This man makes $200K a year by taking dogs on daily excursions – and the money isn’t even the best part about his job

There are many reputable professions in the world, but none as fulfilling as what this man does. An Instagram influencer, Gabriel DeSanti (@gabriel.desanti) stumbled on a dog hiker for Bark and Burn (@barkandburn) in New York and uncovered the extraordinary pet services they offer while earning a lucrative income. As the dog hiker, identified as Chad, was loading up his van full of pups, the creator asked him about his yearly income from the seemingly humble job he was doing. Chad's response blew his mind, while the internet admired the unique pet services that ensure the freedom of dogs. 

When asked about his annual payout, the Bark and Burn hiker replied, “Last year, we cleared just under $200,000.” DeSanti insisted on tagging along for the day to get a glimpse of the dog hiker’s daily routine. An affirmative response from the dog walker kicked off their day, starting with a light stroll across the streets. Chad handles 15 to 25 dogs regularly and transports the pups to and from the hiking spot to their homes in a pet-appropriate van. The dogs are out for excursions without leashes and participate in a range of activities like swimming and running, all off-leash. “Let dogs be dogs again,” the hiker said.  

The duo reached the destination and unlocked the van to let the dogs out. The pups immediately took a plunge into a nearby puddle while Desanti and the dog hiker kept an eye on the dogs. However, navigating the fairly big group of dogs was easier with a tracking device that the hiker had attached to every dog collar. “That is the GPS collar that has beep tracking. The beep, which I use for recall,” Chad noted. He emphasized that knowing every dog’s personality helps him understand and train them better while out on these leash-free excursions. 

The average cost of dog excursions without packages is usually $100, he revealed. Besides the monetary profits, Chad explained that these excursions are beneficial for the dogs’ health and keep them calm at home. “At the end of the trip, they’re so calm. Parents can leave them home, their dogs not barking, pacing. They need this type of thing,” the dog hiker added. For the day, the dogs did 3.4 miles of hiking and were super tired and calm in the van. Recounting his long expertise in the field of dog walking, Chad shared that he started the off-leash excursions in 2020. Back then, he worked as a freelance photographer and took up the job as a side gig. 

The positive feedback from the pet owners encouraged him to do more of it. “There was no intent to start a dog walking business. I just loved being with the dogs, being outdoors,” the Burn and Bark founder stated. The post collected 195,000 likes and dozens of comments about the good work he was doing. “This man has a gift! No leashes! No wonder the owners are willing to pay top dollar!” said @borghinvilla_jamaica, and @shannonrenaetaylor, a former client of his, shared, “Chad is the best, he took such wonderful care years ago of our beloved dog, Dexter. Still sing his praises and recommend him whenever we can!”

You can follow @gabriel.desanti and @barkandburn on Instagram for more videos.