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An animal welfare advocate and former veterinary tech has channeled her love for animals into an eastside dog ice cream parlor and pet boutique that specializes in locally made clothing and accessories.

Celena Santa Cruz opened Bark ‘n Berry earlier this month, across the street from Park Place mall in the space formerly occupied by Cones for Bones.

Santa Cruz’s journey to opening Bark ‘n Berry started during the pandemic, when she worked as a veterinary technician. Inspired by her passion for animal health, she launched Luna Zen, a line of CBD products for dogs, cats and humans designed to ease pain and arthritis.

After selling her products at local markets around Tucson, she’s now able to sell Luna Zen inside of her very own store. 

For the past eight years, Santa Cruz has been giving her own dogs CBD to help with inflammation caused by Valley Fever, a disease common in the Southwest that can affect dogs and humans.

Her experience with her dogs has fueled her drive to provide natural products that support health, but with her new boutique, she’s able to expand her offerings.

Bark ‘n Berry stocks a variety of locally crafted items, including dog- and cat-themed earrings from Tucson-based businesses like Desert and Stone and locally made dog apparel and accessories.

Another curated offering is the shop’s sugar- and lactose-free ice cream, specifically made for dogs and available in four flavors including pumpkin, bacon, prime rib and peanut butter.

One of the store’s most eye-catching features is the “Dogs of Tucson” wall. Pet owners can pay $20 to have their dog's photo displayed, with half of the proceeds supporting local animal shelters. 

Santa Cruz was presented with the opportunity to open a shop of her own after serving as a vendor at Cones for Bones. When the owner decided she was ready to sell, she approached Santa Cruz to see if she’d be interested in taking over.

Santa Cruz was able to rebrand and transform it to match her vision of a pet-friendly haven. The store’s first event, a Paint Your Pet Night, took place March 8.

Santa Cruz plans to host monthly adoption events and a spay and neuter day aimed at addressing the issue of pet overpopulation. 

“The older I get, the more I care about animal welfare and what’s going on in our community as far as overpopulation,” Santa Cruz said. “We have dogs being euthanized daily and how we can prevent a lot of that is through spaying and neutering our pets.”

Each month, tips collected in the shop will be donated to rescues and charities across the city. 

“Bark ‘n Berry is all about giving back… every month we choose a different rescue to donate to,” Santa Cruz said. 

She encouraged all dog owners to bring their dogs, regardless of their temperament. 

“Just like people, all the dogs have different personalities, so we love them all,” she said. “Even if you have an aggressive baby, bring them during the week when it's slower.”

And for community members who don’t own dogs of their own, Santa Cruz said Pima Animal Care Center’s day-trip program, which lets people take shelter dogs on short outings, is a great opportunity to stop by her shop for a fun visit. 

“As a pet owner and a pet lover, having a safe place to go with your pet is so important,” she said. “Tucson is becoming so pet friendly and there’s a comfortability that people have when they come here. They call it an experience, which I love.”

Looking towards the future, Santa Cruz hopes Bark ‘n Berry will become a cornerstone of Tucson’s pet-friendly community and one day even become a franchise across Arizona. 

“I think about going back into the field, but I think I’m better suited to serving ice cream,” she said with a laugh.

Isabela Gamez is a University of Arizona alum and Tucson Spotlight reporter. Contact her at gamezi@arizona.edu.

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