Today we’d like to introduce you to Devin Deapen
Devin, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I graduated from Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi in August 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in Communication and a minor in Public Relations. After working in my field for a few years in Corpus Christi, I moved to Austin in 2023. Not long after the move, I found out my aunt had started an amazing dog training business that had recently expanded into rescue work. Knowing my background in marketing and events—and my love for dogs—she reached out for help.
At the time, one of the big goals was to make the rescue side official by becoming a registered nonprofit and growing its presence in the community. I jumped in to support that mission, and I’m proud to share that we officially received our 501(c)(3) status about a month ago. Now, I focus on helping spread the word about The Dogslanding House through marketing, events, and community engagement—bringing together my passions in a way I never expected, but absolutely love.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
This mission has been incredibly rewarding, but it hasn’t come without its challenges. Getting to attend events, meet our amazing community, and introduce the world to our rescue dogs has been such a positive experience. There’s truly no better feeling than seeing a dog find a foster, or even better, a forever home.
But on the hard days, we face the reality of what many of these dogs have been through. I’ve had to learn so much about behavior and training—almost becoming a dog trainer myself—because of how many broken, fearful, or reactive dogs we’ve taken in. On top of that, the constant cycle of overcrowded shelters and weekly euthanasia lists is heartbreaking. It can feel overwhelming, but that’s also what fuels us to keep going.
Every time we have space at our facility, we look at who’s at risk and pull whoever we can handle. That urgency, that purpose, is what keeps us motivated to keep saving lives and providing the best care and training possible for the dogs we bring in.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
When it comes to Dogslanding, I truly do a bit of everything—and I love it that way. I’m an independent contractor, and I use all of my skills to support both the business and nonprofit sides of our mission. My goal is to help give the dogs, the staff, and our community the best possible experience.
On the Dogslanding Play & Train side, I manage marketing, event planning, client coordination, and everything behind the scenes that keeps the business running smoothly. That allows Danielle, our head trainer, to stay focused on the hands-on training and care that our dogs and clients depend on.
But I’m not just behind a computer—I’m just as involved in the physical side of the work. I’m the one taking our dogs to adoption events, walking and bathing them, helping with training, getting them to vet appointments, and stepping in for whatever wild rescue missions come our way. It’s demanding, but incredibly fulfilling.
I also serve as the head rescue coordinator for The Dogslanding House, which means I manage fosters, adoptions, medical care, transports, out-of-state rescue placements—you name it. It’s a lot, but I’ve always thrived in organized chaos. Even back in college, I was the person taking heavy course loads, juggling internships, and working part-time. I like having my hands in many things, especially when it’s for a cause I care so deeply about.
One day, I hope to expand and support other rescues or shelters with their marketing and event efforts, because every dog deserves the spotlight—and a chance at a better life.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
What makes me happy is knowing I’m making a positive impact—for both animals and people. There’s already so much chaos and negativity in the world, and I never want to add to that. If I can bring even a little light by showing up for dogs, supporting my team, and pouring love and care into our community, then that fills my cup. Education, compassion, and connection are at the heart of everything I do—and that’s what truly makes me happy.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dogslandingco.com/rescue
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/thedogslandinghouse
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/thedogslandinghouse
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DogslandingCo.
- Other: https://tiktok.com/@dogslandingco
