Tara Lipinski Says She’s a ‘Crazy Dog Mom’ and Proud of It (Exclusive)

Jordan GreeneThu, April 9, 2026 at 1:00 PM UTC

0

Tara Lipinski as Dutch's Chief Pet OfficerCredit: Bettina Bogar/Dutch -

Tara Lipinski calls herself a “crazy dog mom” and says her new role as Chief Pet Officer with Dutch feels like a perfect fit

She leaned on the service after being displaced by the L.A. wildfires, saying it helped her continue caring for her dog Sullivan and manage his anxiety

Lipinski also reflected on her late dog Dublin, and even revealed she once planned a full glamour photoshoot for him before surgery

For Tara Lipinski, being a dog mom isn't just part of her life — it's something she fully embraces.

"I am a crazy dog mom," Lipinski tells PEOPLE with a laugh. And thanks to her new role as Chief Pet Officer with pet telehealth company Dutch, she's leaning into that identity more than ever.

"I feel like this is maybe the best title I've ever had," she says. "Just surround me with dogs and call me a pet chief officer, and I've won in life. Like, 100%. This is peak."

The partnership, she explains, came at a time when she needed it most.

After being displaced during the Los Angeles wildfires, the Olympic figure skater, 43, found herself away from her home, her vet and her usual routines — all while trying to care for her flat-coated retriever, Sullivan.

According to Dutch's Pet Care Gap Report, an estimated 75 million pet parents have skipped or declined veterinary care due to cost or access barriers, highlighting opportunities for virtual care to improve access and outcomes for pets nationwide.

"It was life-saving for us, and it was a way that we could keep pet care going for Sullivan in a time where otherwise we wouldn't have been able to," Lipinski says.

Tara Lipinski for DutchCredit: Bettina Bogar/Dutch

Now, she relies on the service to supplement his care — something she says has made a noticeable difference.

"Any question I have about his behavior, about his health, about what I should be doing next, anything is sort of just right at my fingertips," she explains. "They make it too easy. They're probably like, 'Oh my God, Tara is calling again.'"

Lipinski adds that the accessibility has helped her better understand Sullivan's needs — including managing his anxiety.

"We had noticed he's anxious, you know, and he's really noise sensitive," she says. "We put Sully on some meds that really seemed to be working, and he seemed so much happier and relaxed."

For Lipinski, the experience is also deeply personal — shaped by her bond with a previous dog, Dublin, who was with her through a difficult chapter of her life.

"He was my first adult heart dog," she says, recalling how he supported her during her infertility journey.

Dublin was later diagnosed with an aggressive cancer, leading to a long and emotional period of treatment for a year and a half before he died.

Tara Lipinski and her dog, SullivanCredit: Bettina Bogar/Dutch

Looking back, Lipinski says she wishes she had access to telehealth tools during that time.

Advertisement

"What I really wish is that I had Dutch in those moments where, at home, I could have been in touch with a vet," she says. "The nights that I didn't sleep well because of a symptom he was having… that would have been life changing."

Now balancing a busy career, motherhood and frequent travel, Lipinski says the added support has become essential, especially in unexpected moments.

While she was away filming The Traitors, her husband had a scare when Sullivan got into chocolate at home.

"He's like, 'What do I do?'" she recalls. Lipinski told him to call Dutch.

The situation ultimately turned out fine, but it reinforced how valuable that immediate access to pet health experts can be.

"At the end of the day, he was totally fine," she says. "But I was like, oh my goodness."

Tara Lipinski and Sullivan the flat-coated retrieverCredit: Bettina Bogar/Dutch

Even amid the chaos of work, from reality TV to Olympic commentary, Lipinski still finds joy in the everyday moments of being a pet owner.

And sometimes, that love shows up in big, memorable ways.

— sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Before Dublin underwent surgery to have his leg amputated, Lipinski planned a full-scale photoshoot in wine country.

"We did a full-on glamour photo shoot for him," she says. "We have these crazy, like, wedding portrait photos of him, which are so good."

For Lipinski, moments like that are simply part of loving her pets deeply.

"I don't think it's that over the top," she adds with a smile.

After all, being a "crazy dog mom" is a title she's more than happy to own.

on People

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Entertainment”