Jose Mateo was inspired to open a business that involved his love for animals, and OnPoint Community Credit Union jumped at the opportunity to help

Paul Valencia
ClarkCountyToday.com

One door closed. A doggie door opened.

So to speak.

Jose Mateo had been walking his parents’ dog just about every day along Vancouver’s new Waterfront Park. A social guy, he would say hello to passers by and became friendly with a lot of familiar faces.

Eventually, some of them asked him if he could walk their dogs, too, from time to time.

That was the genesis of the idea.

Then, when Mateo lost his full-time job in the manufacturing business, he took it as a positive sign, inspired to make a go of it on his own as an entrepreneur.

Jose Mateo now owns his own business, He Walks Dogs, and he got a boost from OnPoint Credit Union for being a longtime client.

The OnPoint Vancouver Waterfront Branch showcased He Walks Dogs with its Business Spotlight program, and Mateo’s business grew.

These days, Mateo can be seen walking dogs along the Waterfront Park, or Ellsworth Park, or Esther Short Park, or even the LaCamas Creek Trailhead in Camas. 

“The thing about dogs is they are just like kids. They don’t like to be stuck indoors, and they like to explore,” Mateo said.

Some of his clients are senior citizens who can’t always take their dogs on long walks. Others are full-time employees who want someone to take their dogs in the middle of the day. 

Mateo has had a love for animals for decades. He wants them to thrive, too.

“Sometimes as dog owners, we believe having a backyard to run around is enough exercise,” he said.

He disagrees, though. Dogs should be able to stretch their legs a little more. And he understands that not every dog owner has the time to make it happen on a regular basis. That’s where He Walks Dogs can help.

“I feel for the dogs when they are in small apartments or stuck in the house all day and they don’t get their exercise,” Mateo said. “They sometimes get aggressive, even with their owners. These are simple corrections. They just need a little more exercise.”

The business plan is a win-win for Mateo. He gets to hang out with dogs, give them what they need, plus he gets a physical and mental boost from his job.

“If I’m feeling anxiety or stress, any dog will take that away,” he said.

Then there is all that walking.

“There are days when I only have one or two clients, and I’ll walk four miles a day. Sometimes I have six clients in a day, and I’ll end up walking 18 miles. It’s fun,” he said.

Clark County Today interviewed Mateo as he was walking Bambou and Tambou in Camas. They met when he was walking dogs in Vancouver. When Bamou and Tambou’s owner moved to Camas, she asked if Mateo could continue walking her dogs. Absolutely, he said.

“They’re baby teddy bears,” he said. “That’s how cute they are.”

Mateo said every dog has its own personality.

The mission statement on the business website says: “During the time your beloved pet is in our care, they won’t just be walked. We’ll study their behavior, provide training, and give them the same level of love and attention that they would receive from you.”

The business plan is more than just dogs, too. The plan has evolved into drop-in clients, to feed cats, for example, and to take care of litter boxes. One client, who travels for work and is out of town more than he is not, has fish and plants that need care. Mateo is there.

So yes, He Walks Dogs, also waters plants and feeds fish.

In business for almost nine months now, Mateo said his client list is growing. And his relationship with OnPoint Community Credit Union has been key.

OnPoint did not loan Mateo any money for this venture. There was no business loan. Instead, Mateo was a longtime customer of the credit union. One day, he told Sam Ikebe, a member service representative at the Waterfront branch, about his plans to open a small business. She jumped at the opportunity to help.

“He is amazing. He is so enthusiastic,” Ikebe said.

Ikebe and colleagues at OnPoint helped Mateo register his business with the state and found a partner to handle payment transactions. They gave him advice on taxes. Once He Walks Dog was up and running, Ikebe asked if Mateo wanted to take part in the Business Spotlight.

A poster for He Walks Dogs was displayed in the branch along with dog treats and business cards. Mateo received several inquiries.

“We’re so excited for him and to see his success and to see his business booming,” Ikebe said.

This is all part of OnPoint’s business plan, too.

“At OnPoint, we feel very, very passionate about small businesses in our community,” Ikebe said. “Everything we do, we try to give back to our community.”

The partnership is appreciated.

“They put people first,” Mateo said. 

Just so happens that in Mateo’s business, dogs come first. 

Note: For rates and more information on Jose Mateo’s business, go to: https://hewalksdogs.com/

He can also be found on Instagram: @hewalksdogsllc