Pooches and Smooches pet event Feb. 14 in Long Grove

Posted February 09, 2026 12:17 pm

Submitted by Clearpoint Public Relations

Woofie’s of Barrington-Northwest invites local pet lovers to celebrate Valentine’s Day, and its official grand opening, with their four-legged companions at its Pooches and Smooches pet event from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, at Buffalo Creek Brewing, 360 Historical Lane, Long Grove.

Woofie’s of Barrington-Northwest is a premium mobile pet-care business offering mobile pet grooming, dog walking, and pet sitting to address pets’ unique needs. Its services are delivered by professional, background-checked staff, with access to veterinary telehealth through Pet Vet Connection, to give pet owners added peace of mind. The Woofie’s mobile app allows pet parents to schedule services, track walks via GPS and receive real-time updates, offering transparency while they are away.

The new business is owned and operated by Karen McGovern, a Lake Zurich native, currently living in Kildeer with husband, Brett; 15-year-old son Beckett; and family rescues: dog Max and cat Cougar. McGovern brings more than 25 years of experience working with teams and clients to her role as Chief Wagging Officer of Woofie’s of Barrington-Northwest. Known for her people-first approach, she focuses on building a trusted, well-trained team and listening closely to pet parents to deliver dependable, compassionate care for pets and peace of mind for their owners. A lifelong animal lover, McGovern has deep ties to the local community, working with Chicago Canine Rescue Foundation, Joanie’s Closet, and as a member of Lake Zurich and Barrington Area Chambers of Commerce.

McGovern’s entrepreneurial roots run deep; her mother was a longtime Long Grove business owner, operating Kitchen Boutique and Baby, Baby and More.

McGovern decided to open her own Woofie’s location after connecting with Woofie’s of West Orlando Owner Tara Sobek through a friendship turned mentorship. Drawn to the brand’s collaborative and personalized approach to high-quality pet care and the rapidly growing pet industry, she felt called to bring Woofie’s services to the community she grew up in.

The Pooches and Smooches event Saturday, Feb. 14, at Buffalo Creek Brewing in Long Grove, will include pet adoption opportunities with Orphans of the Storm. Courtesy of Clearpoint Public Relations

Nine months after its soft opening, Woofie’s of Barrington-Northwest is celebrating continued growth with an event bringing people, pets and local partners together. The event will feature tours of the Woofie’s of Barrington-Northwest’s mobile pet spa, Valentine’s-themed photo shoots for pets, pet adoption opportunities, nail trim services for a $12 discounted fee, pup cups, The Farmer’s Dog sample giveaways (while time and supplies last), a local cookie vendor and festive Valentine’s Day fun. Guests can enjoy the dog-friendly space with craft beer for purchase from Buffalo Creek Brewing, and an on-site adoption station with Orphans of the Storm Animal Shelter. Attendees can also participate in a 50/50 raffle with 50% of proceeds going to Orphans of the Storm.

“It’s incredibly meaningful to help meet the need for premium pet care in the area where I grew up. We recognize the demands of busy lives, and that pets are truly cherished family members. Whether it’s tailored care, dog walks, pet sitting, or mobile grooming that comes to you, we’ve got you covered,” McGovern said. “This community means so much to me, and we can’t wait to celebrate with local businesses, rescues doing incredible work and our wonderful neighbors.”

Woofie’s of Barrington-Northwest joins Woofie’s of Evanston-Northshore, the first Woofie’s location in Illinois, which opened last year, in providing mobile pet care throughout the greater Chicago area.

Founded in 2004 and franchising since 2018, Woofie’s is the first and only franchise in the professional pet care services industry to offer combined services of pet sitting, dog walking and mobile pet spa services. Today, there are 70 locations open and operating in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin.