The Poop Valet Origin
From corporate career to disability to entrepreneur.
A journey powered by purpose.
From Disability to Founder
For Rick Couchman, life wasn't supposed to be this way. After building a career in social service work, a part-time reporter covering the Toronto Maple Leafs, and communications positions at Rogers Radio Group and a local Health Unit, a series of mental health challenges put that future on hold.
"I was on disability for 14 years for significant mental health, depression, and anxiety," says Rick. "I just couldn't hold jobs for long because I catastrophize everything. I always thought even if I made a small mistake, they were going to fire me. The anxiety was horrible."
That depression kept him in a pattern of isolation and despair—until his wife, Sherry, encouraged him to do something radical: get off the couch and become an entrepreneur.
The Spark
What started as a brainstorming session became the moment everything shifted. Rick and Sherry were enjoying an evening around a campfire with family and friends when the idea appeared—almost by accident.
"There were a bunch of dogs running around and they were doing their thing when my brother-in-law said, 'I wish somebody could pick up this poop for me,'" laughs Rick. "I started wondering if there was a company that does that, and it got me thinking."
A quick search revealed hundreds of dog waste removal companies across the United States. But around the Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge-Guelph area? Nothing. That gap in the market, combined with his wife's encouragement, crystallized into a business idea.
"I did some research and found out there were hundreds of companies in the U.S. that do this, but around here it's just not a thing so I saw a niche and thought why not grow it?"
Growing Up Fast
"This was only supposed to be a couple of mornings a week, just to get me off the couch, but it just took off," says Rick. What began as a part-time hobby exploded into unexpected demand when a local news article about the new venture was published.
The company welcomed its first client in December 2022 and quickly built a following. Sherry, who works for the Region of Waterloo, joined the effort part-time, handling administrative work, client communication, and even scooping yards on evenings and weekends. The couple successfully implemented a CRM system to streamline onboarding, optimize route density, and improve their communication and payment processes.
Industry leadership
Rick's hands-on experience now reaches beyond the yards The Poop Valet serves. Over the past two years, he has been invited to teach live online sessions for new pooper-scooper business owners on how to start, operate, and scale a professional pet waste removal company.
Teaching the industry
Rick has taught Zoom sessions through three online communities serving pooper-scooper operators, sharing real-world lessons in startup planning, daily operations, route growth, and scaling.
Podcasts & video
Rick has appeared on podcasts and YouTube programs to discuss pet waste removal, entrepreneurship, business growth, and the personal journey behind The Poop Valet.
National recognition
Rise honoured Rick with its national 2024 Rotman Family Entrepreneur of the Year award, recognizing his business achievement and resilience after overcoming significant personal challenges. Rise was established through the Rotman family with the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management and CAMH.
5.0 average rating on more than 250 five-star reviews across Google and Facebook, as of August 2026.
“An amazing company. Thank you.”
Ronda F“Very happy with the service and price.”
Juliana“Great people, great service.”
Tyler Pilecki“Amazing service! Super professional, safe and always do a great job.”
Julie Bowen“Fast, reliable, and my yard is always spotless.”
Ainsley Warden“Great communication. Work completed as promised!”
Kathleen Robert“They come weekly and do a thorough job.”
Mike McComb“Your yard is left clean and spotless.”
John Mackenzie“Rick and his team are amazing!”
Gabby Jansen“Highly recommended. Efficient and thorough.”
Joe Cormier“Another wonderful experience. Thank you!”
Catherine Elrick“It was honestly so simple.”
Chevonne“A clean yard means 2 happy pups and less work for me!”
Sarah Albrecht“Best decision ever!”
Erica Garner“Awesome experience.”
Sheli Anderson“It's very convenient with my busy work schedule.”
Nextdoor neighbor“Great reliable thorough service.”
Nextdoor neighborBeyond the Scoop
Rick credits his mental health journey with shaping The Poop Valet's values. The company actively supports causes important to him, including regular donations to service dog organizations that provide trained dogs to assist those living with mental health issues.
"We donate gift baskets regularly to dog rescue organizations or charities that are specifically pet related," says Rick. "We actively support the Humane Society of Kitchener Waterloo & Stratford Perth."
Rick and Sherry also dream of expanding sustainable employment opportunities to people living with mental health issues—giving others the same second chance that The Poop Valet gave to Rick.
Beyond the mental health mission, Rick and Sherry are committed to protecting the environment. They recognize the real health risks posed by accumulated dog waste in yards—toxins that contaminate soil and create unsafe spaces for families.
"I think of the impacts of what happens if you don't have a clean yard," says Sherry. "One of the things I've learned through all this is how much bad stuff (toxins) is in dog poop and why it really needs to be cleaned up, especially if you're wanting to have your family out in that space."
The company responsibly disposes of approximately 1.5 tons of dog waste per month, creating a cleaner, healthier community one yard at a time.
The Road Ahead
Today, The Poop Valet operates from Rick and Sherry's Hespeler home with two trucks, serving well over 100 clients weekly or biweekly, plus many one-time service calls. The company is expanding into commercial services—installing and maintaining pet waste stations for property management companies.
"I would say about one per cent of dog owners in our area know about us," says Rick, "so that means there is a ninety-nine per cent chance for growth opportunities." He sees potential expansion into Orangeville, Fergus, Elora, and London, and dreams of hiring and mentoring others who've faced similar mental health challenges.
Rick's journey from 14 years of isolation to running a thriving, purpose-driven business proves one simple truth: sometimes the best ideas come from the simplest conversations—and sometimes the best cure for personal struggle is building something that helps others.
Join the local families Rick and Sherry clean up after every week.
Get Started TodayClean Paws Guarantee • No contracts • Off-site waste removal • Background-checked crew • Locally owned
