Kids & Pets Issue
In Austin, family often comes with four legs and a wagging tail. This issue celebrates the people and places helping us raise both our children and our pets with the same deep care, intention, and community spirit that makes this city feel like home.
At Rollie Pollies, opening this summer in Cherrywood, founder Brittany McCusker built the kind of screen-free play space she wished existed for her own young family. Themed rooms guide little ones through every stage of childhood — from cozy tummy-time nooks to sprawling jungle gyms — while a full coffee bar reminds parents that showing up for their kids is easier with a great cup in hand.
Just across town, Woof Gang Bakery treats Austin’s fur-babies with the same love and thoughtfulness. What began as one woman’s mission to heal her own dogs through better nutrition has grown into two locations offering organic treats, custom cakes, and a true spa-style grooming experience where every dog is known by name and personality.
At Bell Dental Studio, Dr. Drew Bell carries forward his father’s legacy with a simple guiding principle: treat every patient the way you would want your own family treated. The result is compassionate, relationship-first dentistry that has cared for multiple generations of Austin families.
And Rescue ATX Dogs reminds us that family can grow in the most unexpected ways. As they celebrate two years, their foster-based model helps shelter dogs become truly known — personalities, quirks, and all — before finding the homes where they belong. Every adoption opens the door for another dog to begin their own story.
These stories reflect what Austin does best: showing up for the ones who depend on us most. Whether it’s a child discovering the joy of play or a rescue dog learning to trust again, the businesses and organizations in this issue prove that when we invest in care, the whole community grows stronger.
Here’s to the kids, the pups, and the people who love them fiercely.
JOE KERBY, PUBLISHER @AUSTINLIFESTYLEMAGAZINE
August 2026
PUBLISHER
Joe Kerby | joe.kerby@citylifestyle.com
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Montannah Kerby
montannah.kerby@citylifestyle.com
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The Family Behind the Smiles
Dr. Drew Bell shares his family legacy and patient-first philosophy at Bell Dental Studio
Second-generation dentist Dr. Drew Bell is carrying forward a 40-year legacy at Bell Dental Studio. Here, he discusses growing up in the practice, the Austin community that inspires him, and the family values guiding patient care today.
WHAT WAS IT LIKE GROWING UP AROUND THE PRACTICE YOUR FATHER BUILT, AND WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO FOLLOW IN HIS FOOTSTEPS AND TAKE IT OVER AS THE SECOND GENERATION?
Growing up, the practice was always a part of my life. I watched my father build relationships with patients that lasted for decades, and I saw firsthand the trust people placed in him. What stood out most wasn’t just the dentistry—it was the impact he had on people’s lives and the sense of community he created.
As I got older, I realized that dentistry offered a unique opportunity to combine science, problem-solving, artistry, and personal connection. Taking over the
practice as the second generation felt like both an honor and a responsibility. My goal has always been to preserve the values my father built the practice on while continuing to evolve and improve the patient experience for today’s families.
AS SOMEONE BORN AND RAISED IN AUSTIN, HOW HAS THE CITY — AND SPECIFICALLY THE BARTON HILLS/WESTLAKE COMMUNITY — SHAPED THE WAY YOU PRACTICE DENTISTRY TODAY?
Being born and raised in Austin gives me a deep connection to this community. I’ve watched the city grow and change, but what I love most is that Austin still values relationships and authenticity.
“I try to create the kind of environment that I would want for my own family.”
The Barton Hills and Westlake communities are filled with families, professionals, and longtime residents who genuinely care about their health and well-being. That has shaped the way we practice. We focus on building trust, educating patients, and providing care that is personalized rather than onesize-fits-all. Many of our patients have been with us for years, and caring for multiple generations of the same family is something we don’t take for granted.
YOU’RE A FAMILY MAN WITH YOUR WIFE WHITNEY AND DAUGHTERS HOGAN AND GOLDIE. HOW DOES THAT PART OF YOUR LIFE INFLUENCE THE WAY YOU APPROACH PATIENT CARE OR THE CULTURE OF THE PRACTICE?
Becoming a husband and father changed my perspective in a lot of ways. When you’re a parent, you think differently about trust, comfort, and the experience your family has when receiving care.
At Bell Dental Studio, I try to create the kind of environment that I would want for my own family. We want patients to feel welcomed, respected, and cared for from the moment they walk through the door. Whether we’re treating a young child, a busy parent, or a grandparent, we try to make every visit feel personal and comfortable. Family also reminds me how valuable people’s time is, so we work hard to provide efficient, high-quality care while never making patients feel rushed.
THE PRACTICE HAS BEEN “EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS FOR OVER 40 YEARS.” HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE GUIDING PHILOSOPHY YOU AND THE TEAM CARRY FORWARD TODAY — ESPECIALLY THE BALANCE OF ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY WITH GENUINE, PERSONALIZED RELATIONSHIPS?
Our philosophy is simple: provide exceptional dentistry while treating people the way we’d want our own family treated.
We invest heavily in technology because it allows us to deliver more accurate diagnoses, more comfortable treatment, and better long-term outcomes. But technology is never the goal—it’s simply a tool that helps us serve patients better.
The heart of our practice is still relationships. We take time to listen, understand each patient’s goals, and develop solutions that fit their needs. The combination of modern dentistry and genuine personal connection is what allows us to continue exceeding expectations.
YOU HAVE A STRONG FOCUS ON BUILDING LASTING RELATIONSHIPS. CAN YOU SHARE WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE DAY TO DAY, OR A GENERAL EXAMPLE OF HOW THAT APPROACH HAS MADE A DIFFERENCE FOR PATIENTS?
One of the most rewarding parts of dentistry is seeing relationships develop over time. We often
care for multiple generations within the same family, and over the years you get to celebrate milestones alongside your patients.
Day to day, relationship-building means remembering what’s important to people. It’s asking about their kids, their careers, their vacations, or significant events happening in their lives. It means taking the time to truly know the person behind the patient.
When patients trust you, they’re more comfortable asking questions, sharing concerns, and actively participating in their care. That trust leads to better experiences and often better long-term outcomes. Those relationships are one of the things that makes dentistry so fulfilling.
WHAT BRINGS YOU THE MOST SATISFACTION IN YOUR WORK THESE DAYS?
The most rewarding part of my work is helping people feel more confident and improving their quality of life.
Sometimes that’s restoring someone’s ability to chew comfortably, helping a patient overcome years of dental anxiety, or creating a smile they’re proud to share. Other times it’s simply seeing patients return year after year and knowing we’ve earned their trust. The relationships we’ve built over the years and the opportunity to positively impact people’s lives continue to be the most meaningful part of what I do.
Baking Love for Austin’s Fur-Babies
Woof Gang Bakery blends healthy treats, spa-style grooming, and deep community
care across Austin and Georgetown
Woof Gang Bakery has become a beloved part of Austin’s pet scene, blending homemade treats, gentle grooming, and genuine community care. We sat down with the owner to hear how personal loss sparked a passion that now serves dogs and their families across Austin and Georgetown.
How did you come to own Woof Gang Bakery here in Austin? What drew you to this work, and what has kept you passionate about it for more than a decade?
I was a stay-at-home mom for 25 years before opening my Georgetown store in May 2023. The opportunity to acquire the iconic Woof Gang Bakery in Austin, founded in March 2011 as the first location in Texas and renowned for its homemade dog cakes and cookies, was a natural extension of this passion in September 2025. This store holds a special place in my heart and truly embodies the spirit of Austin’s pet-loving community.
I first became interested in animal well-being and nutrition after losing our 6-year-old Maltese, Bitty, in 2015 to a seizure disorder, and watching another dog, Zeke, diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor at age 5. I began changing everything about his diet and eliminated toxins in his environment. Zeke went on to live an additional 7.5 years, fully restored to the vibrant dog he had been. It was a true miracle. To this day, we will not use certain products in our home or yard due to the toxicity they can cause in pets.
What’s the story behind the Lamar location and the decision to open in Georgetown as well? How do the two spots complement each other or reflect the neighborhoods they serve?
“
“Pet parents are trusting me with their fur-babies, which is a huge responsibility. I firmly believe each and every pet should be treated with love, kindness, and patience. The dogs become family to them, and it shows when they return for grooming and can’t wait to see their groomer.”
Both stores are completely unique and cater to very different customers who unite in the fact that they are all pet lovers. The Georgetown store is much larger and home to 9 full-time groomers and serves a large retirement community. The Austin store has the cool Austin vibe and is home to 4 full-time groomers and a bather. We offer a true spa experience where we use calming music and aromatherapy to soothe the dogs’ senses and provide a calm and relaxing grooming experience.
Do you have pets of your own? If so, how has that personal connection shaped the way you approach grooming, product selection, or customer care?
I currently have two dogs. Pippa is a 9-year-old bichon frise/shih tzu mix. Piper is a 5-year-old poodle/shih tzu mix whom we rescued. She was extremely neglected and required extensive medical intervention the first few weeks we had her. They are the joy of my life and bring my husband and me much laughter and love on a daily basis. They are pampered pooches and go with us everywhere we are able to take them. We actually choose our restaurants based on whether they have pet-friendly patios or rooms where the pups can be part of what we do.
How would you describe your guiding philosophy around grooming and pet care — especially the emphasis on love, kindness, and making the experience feel personal rather than transactional?
Pet parents are trusting me with their fur-babies, which is a huge responsibility. I firmly believe each and every pet should be treated with love, kindness, and patience. My groomers are highly trained, with most holding higher certifications in breed-specific cuts, senior dog grooming, CPR and first aid, and AKC Safety in the Salon. We understand grooming can be stressful for some dogs, so we operate by appointment and give each dog the love and care they deserve. If a dog becomes stressed, we offer breaks, lots of belly rubs, and kisses until they are ready to proceed. Both my teams are huge animal lovers, which makes it easy to stay personal rather than transactional. The dogs become family to them, and it shows when the dogs return for grooming and can’t wait to see their groomer.
What guides your choices when selecting the foods, treats, and products you carry? Are there any Austin or Texas makers you’re especially proud to support, or nutrition principles that matter most to you?
I look for organic, non-GMO, limited-ingredient foods and treats made in the USA. Most dog foods are made with less than quality meat, which is why they use high-heat extrusion that strips nutrients, especially A, C, E, and B-complex vitamins. Chemical byproducts from high heat are linked to chronic inflammation and accelerated aging. My philosophy is to feed my pets the same way I feed myself. My personal choice for my pups is the local Austin brand A Pup Above, one of the only human-grade certified dog foods on the market. They use healthy proteins, fresh nonGMO veggies, add bone broth, and cook it sous vide at low temperature to retain vital nutrients. We also carry Nulo and Bones & Co, which are local to Austin. We support small businesses and carry other trusted brands such as Fromm Family Foods, a fifth-generation family-run business, Vital Essentials, and Saint Rocco’s.
Custom cakes and special-order treats seem to bring a lot of joy — what’s the story or process behind creating those, and why do you think they resonate with pet families?
Our custom cakes are baked on site using dog-safe and organic ingredients whenever possible. The recipe is essentially a peanut butter banana bread with a yogurt-based frosting. The cakes are fan favorites and resonate with pet families because pets become fur-babies who are considered like children to many owners. Pet parents, especially in Austin, tend to be health conscious, and it brings them joy to know they can offer their pets a special treat that is also healthy and safe.
What brings you the most joy in running these two locations day to day?
I love connecting with my customers and the pups. Nothing brings me more joy than to see the pups run into my arms as they
enter the store and then run to me to give kisses, say goodbye, and show me how amazing they look on the way out. My Georgetown customers have become family and have supported and encouraged me to keep spreading the Woof Gang love as I expanded into Austin. My Austin pet family is growing quickly, and we are looking forward to adding another groomer and increasing our grooming capacity. I also have a third store under development in Leander.
Another area that brings me great joy is knowing I have created a safe, welcoming, and prosperous work environment for my staff. I have been blessed to offer medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as a 401K. Many of my employees had never had these benefits before, and it brings me great joy to know they and their families are protected medically and able to plan for their future retirement.
Kids Being Kids
Austin’s newest indoor play space is giving families 9,000+ square feet of screen-free wonder.
This summer, a 9,000+ square foot sanctuary for wiggles, giggles, and childhood wonder is opening its doors in Austin's Cherrywood/Mueller neighborhood and it was built by a mom after she couldn't find anything like it anywhere else for her family.
Rollie Pollies, opening late Summer at 3822 Airport Boulevard, is an indoor play destination for children from newborns through age 10. Founder Brittany McCusker spent years traveling with her young family, searching for a play space that was truly safe, stimulating, and screen-free. She never found it, so she built it herself.
The result is something Austin hasn't had before. Themed rooms take children on a journey through early childhood development like a cozy tummy time nook for infants, a make-believe world of gardening and pretend play for toddlers, a sensory-friendly retreat for children who need a quieter moment, and a sprawling
ARTICLE BY CARA CAULKINS
jungle gym structure for the big kids who need to burn it all off. Dance and gymnastics studios round out the programming, and murals by Austin artist Chris Rogers give every inch of the space a vibrant, welcoming and locally rooted soul.
And because parents deserve something great, too, a full coffee bar anchors the entryway because showing up for your kids is a lot easier with a great cup of coffee in hand.
McCusker, who runs Rollie Pollies alongside an all-mom team, designed the space to feel like a community from the moment you walk in. Day passes and memberships will be available at launch, with school field trips and birthday party bookings opening this fall.
Rollie Pollies opens this summer at 3822 Airport Blvd. For more information, visit rolliepolliesatx.com or follow @rolliepolliesatx.
The Good That Grows
Rescue ATX Dogs celebrates two years of helping Austin’s shelter and street dogs find families
One of the most beautiful parts of foster-based rescue is getting to know a dog in their foster.
At Rescue ATX Dogs, many dogs arrive with little to no history. Some come from the city shelter with an intake note, a medical record, and a few photos. Others are found on the streets with no known past, just a need for safety, care, and someone willing to give them a chance.
In foster homes, those dogs become known.
Their fosters learn the little things: who loves toys, who wants to be close to their people, who is great with kids, who enjoys walks, who prefers a quiet couch, and who is secretly the easiest dog in the house. Those details matter because they help adopters see more than a rescue story. Those details help match each dog with the family most likely to love and understand them.
As Rescue ATX Dogs celebrates two years, the organization is proud to be
one of the city shelter’s rescue partners helping dogs move from the kennels into homes. The work is not just pulling dogs from the shelter. It is medical care, foster support, adoption marketing, thoughtful matching, and the everyday love that helps a dog feel safe enough to bloom.
Right now, RAD has wonderful dogs ready for adoption, including seniors, family-friendly dogs, and foster dogs with pages of notes from the people who know and love them. They are not mystery dogs. They are dogs with routines, personalities, favorite spots on the couch, and foster families cheering them on everyday.
And every adoption creates room for the next dog. When one RAD dog goes to their forever home, another Austin shelter dog can get their chance to be safe, loved, and known.
Learn more at rescueatxdogs.org or follow on social @RescueATXDogs
ARTICLE BY CARA CAULKINS
Right now, RAD has many wonderful dogs ready for adoption.
BODYBAR Pilates on South Lamar
TREY & KATIE KENNEDY
ON MARRIAGE, KIDS, AND THE COMEDY OF REAL LIFE
Trey Kennedy makes a living finding comedy in regular life. Marriage. Toddlers. Yoga pants. The Thursday-night scramble between school dropoffs, soccer practice, and whatever has to be done by morning. Twelve years in, it shows: millions of followers across every platform, three stand-up specials, a sold-out Relatable Tour, and a style of humor fans send each other captioned, “Are you watching me?” He delivers the kind of comedy that travels because everyone’s living some version of it.
Katie, his wife of six years, is a former biomedical engineer who also built a modeling career. She’s now raising their kids and co-hosting Correct Opinions alongside Trey — the show where the two of them swap takes on marriage, parenting, and whatever came up that week.
Trey has been at this longer than people realize. An Edmond, Oklahoma kid who grew up playing basketball described himself as a “shy kid who never thought he’d be an entertainer.” He started making videos while attending Oklahoma State University. After building millions of followers on Vine before the platform shut down, he gave himself six months on Instagram and Facebook to see whether he could rebuild from zero. He did. Stand-up soon followed. His first special, Are You For Real?, streams on YouTube; the second, Grow Up, on Amazon Prime; the third, built around the Relatable Tour, wrapped earlier this year. “I’ve been trying to be funny every week for like twelve years now,” he says. A slow climb, made one bit at a time.
ARTICLE BY KALI KASPRZYK PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES
“I’ve been trying to be funny every week for like twelve years now.”
Most of what Trey writes lately starts in his own kitchen. Thomas is three and a half, and he is, in his father’s words, “a movie.” He narrates his own life from the moment his eyes open and mispronounces words in ways his parents now repeat to each other because no one else would believe them. His younger sister, Eva, is what Katie calls “the calm one.” With a third now in the mix, the Kennedys are officially outnumbered.
After six years of marriage, Trey and Katie have learned that the partnership runs best when it gets its own time on the calendar. So once a week, they leave the kids with a sitter and go out for coffee. “You need a system,” Katie says. “It’s about taking time to look each other in the eye. Not the kids. Not the cameras. Just each other.”
The same instinct shapes the work. Most of Trey’s trial and error happens onstage or on Instagram, but the first read is always Katie’s. “There’s only been one time ever I’ve had to be like, ‘you’re not doing that,’” she says. The rest of the time, she just laughs first.
FEATURING TREY & KATIE KENNEDY
Trey and Katie talk about marriage, parenting, and the moments that don’t make the Instagram feed.
Watch or listen to the full conversation wherever you get your podcasts.
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Homemade Dog Food
ARTICLE BY AMY TINNIN PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
My two pugs are more than pets—they’re part of the family. That’s why I started making their food at home, and it’s been one of the most popular posts on my blog. You may be surprised just how easy this recipe is. I add all the ingredients to my slow-cooker to cook, and my dogs love it. If you decide to try this recipe for your pet, please consult your veterinarian. Every dog has different needs based on age, weight, and any health issues. You can even share this recipe with your vet to see if any changes are needed. The ingredients are flexible and can be easily swapped to substitute the turkey for chicken or beef, and even try different dog-safe vegetables. Making dog food at home isn’t hard—it just takes a little planning, and my dogs love it.
Slow Cooker
Homemade Dog Food
INGREDIENTS:
• 3 lbs ground turkey (85% lean)
• 1¼ cups frozen sweet potatoes
• 1½ cups frozen peas and carrots
• 1 cup frozen spinach
• 1½ cups uncooked brown or white rice
• 4 cups water
DIRECTIONS:
1. Add all ingredients to a slow cooker.
2. Break up the ground turkey and mix all the ingredients.
3. Cover and cook on High for 3–4 hours or Low for 6 hours, stirring occasionally.
Note: My dog food was ready in 3½ hours on High. Let cool completely before serving. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freeze for later use.
Recipe from Amy Tinnin - A Cup Full of Sass
