Helping Our Community One Project & Pup at a Time
At Dome Construction, we’re lucky to have the opportunity to help transform spaces for organizations that hold a special place in our hearts. Today, we are thrilled to highlight one of those organizations, Muttville, and the role we played in bringing their new Forever Home to life.
Our story with Muttville started back in 2014 when Dome CEO, Rob Lynch and his wife Carmen, began volunteering with the organization to honor their late pup Dolby. Rob shared that although Dolby never got to grow old with them, they could honor his memory by supporting an organization that gives senior dogs the love and care they deserve. With its first in the nation no cage environment, focus on healthcare, and commitment to finding forever homes for older dogs, Rob & Carmen connected deeply with their mission.
Rob and Carmen’s first visit to Muttville was unforgettable. The energy was electric – volunteers were bustling, dogs were lounging, and the atmosphere was one of pure love and dedication. What started as a one-time visit turned into regular “date nights” where they’d volunteer at Muttville and then head out for dinner. They fell in love with not just the dogs, but the incredible community of people dedicated to making a difference.
In 2015, on Memorial Day weekend, they decided to foster a dog named Louise, who needed a place to stay because Muttville was overflowing. That weekend turned into forever as Louise became part of their family, earning the new name Geese La Weese. She crawled her way right into their hearts and their home, solidifying their commitment to Muttville’s mission.
In 2015, on Memorial Day weekend, they decided to foster a dog named Louise, who needed a place to stay because Muttville was overflowing. That weekend turned into forever as Louise became part of their family, earning the new name Geese La Weese. She crawled her way right into their hearts and their home, solidifying their commitment to Muttville’s mission.
Rob & Carmen Celebrating Geese Louise’s Birthday
After adopting Louise, Rob and Carmen continued volunteering and supporting Muttville in any way they could. Rob noticed that while the organization was doing incredible work, their building didn’t fully reflect the dignity and care they gave to these senior dogs. He saw an opportunity for Dome Construction to step in and help elevate the space to match the organization’s mission.
In 2019, Muttville’s founder, Sherri Franklin, reached out to Rob with news that they had purchased a new property and needed help turning it into their dream Forever Home. Without hesitation, Rob said yes, and Dome joined the team, guiding the project from preconstruction through to its completion. Despite facing countless challenges—from permit delays to pandemic hurdles—the Muttville team’s unwavering positivity and determination made every obstacle worth tackling.
Reflecting on the project, Sherri spoke about how Dome’s mentorship was invaluable as this was her first experience leading a construction project of this scale. She appreciated how Dome not only helped identify design issues that could have been overlooked but also brought in an acoustical engineer to address sound abatement, creating a more comfortable environment for both dogs and staff. Sherri emphasized that Dome was always a trusted partner, especially when navigating tricky energy parameters and the ongoing challenges with PG&E. She also gave a special shout-out to Assistant Project Manager, Jordan Guerrero for his calm, collected approach that kept everyone on track during stressful moments.
Sherri’s satisfaction with the final product was clear—she described the new Forever Home as even more beautiful than the renderings, a space that everyone at Muttville is proud of. While there are still a few details to wrap up, the building has already made a significant impact, exceeding expectations in how it supports the dogs and enhances the overall community experience.
This new Forever Home is more than just a building; it’s a symbol of the compassion and care that Muttville brings to every senior dog they rescue. It’s a place where dogs are treated with the love they deserve, setting a new standard for animal shelters everywhere. We’re grateful to have had the opportunity to help Muttville create a space that not only serves as a sanctuary but also celebrates the lives of these incredible dogs who just need a little extra love in their golden years.
A special thank you to our trusted trade partners who helped make this project possible, including McMillan for electrical, Allied for mechanical, LJ Kruse for plumbing, Surber for framing, and Lloyd Aubrey for steel. We also extend our gratitude to our design team, held under Dome, with SmithGroup as engineers, Estructure for structural, and TannerHecht as architects.
A final thanks to our photographer, Garry Belinsky, for capturing the space so beautifully in these final photos. Your work truly captured the heart and spirit of this special organization!
Meet Jordan Guerrero
Dome's Assistant Project Manager on the Muttville Forever Home Project
Working on the Muttville Forever Home project came with its challenges, but also a lot of memorable moments. We faced issues like contaminated soil that threw a wrench into the schedule, logistics, and permitting process. Plus, we had to deal with the building's structural concerns to make sure it could handle seismic events without sinking into the ground! There were some unexpected changes within our team, too, but those turned into opportunities for fresh ideas and new ways of thinking.
One of the biggest lessons we took away from this project was the importance of stepping into the role of a coach rather than just a player. Our job was to bring all our experts and resources together and make sure everyone was working in sync, with a positive attitude that set the tone for the whole project.
Looking back, there were plenty of moments that made us smile, but one really stands out: two years ago, Sherri, Muttville’s CEO, handed me a piece of flooring tile and told me to take a sniff. At first, I thought, "This is kind of weird," but I went along with it. To my surprise, the tile didn’t smell like anything at all! Sherri then laughed and let me in on the secret—it had been soaked in dog pee for four weeks as a test! It was proof that we were creating a space that was not only beautiful but also practical for our four-legged friends.
We were thrilled to host the grand opening of Muttville’s new Forever Home! After much hard work and tail-wagging excitement, they finally opened the doors to welcome the community into this fantastic forever home for senior dogs. This new home is the ultimate space where these special pups can feel safe, loved, and cared for.
Check out the heartfelt video captured by the talented, Jeffrey Frisk, to get a peek at the space. Thank you, Jeffrey!