Dog Mom Jessica Pegula Reveals How She Balances Her Tennis Journey While Caring for Her Furry Companions

Jessica Pegula Balances Tennis, Travel, and Being a Devoted Dog Mom

Jessica Pegula wears many hats—top-ranked tennis player, Buffalo Bills superfan, and social media queen—but one of her most cherished roles is being a dog mom. With a packed global tournament schedule, Pegula has to find ways to care for her beloved dogs, Tucker, a chocolate Labrador, and Maddie, an Australian Shepherd, even when she’s on the road.

Keeping Her Dogs Happy While Traveling

In a recent interview with Sports Illustrated while promoting her partnership with Maev, a pet nutrition brand, Pegula shared how she ensures her dogs feel comfortable when she’s away:

“I try to do the best I can as far as making sure they stay with other people they know so they don’t have too much anxiety when being separated. Luckily, I have a lot of family and friends around that they are familiar with. Once they realize who is feeding them Maev, they adjust pretty quickly! Haha.”

A Personal Connection to Pet Nutrition

Pegula’s love for dogs extends beyond just being a pet owner—it’s deeply personal. She previously had another dog, Dexter, who sadly passed away from cancer. That loss reinforced the importance of proper nutrition for pets, motivating her to research healthier food options.

“I’ve seen firsthand how much of an impact nutrition has on a dog’s health. One of my dogs struggled with health issues, and I tried everything to help.”

Determined to provide the best for her pets, Pegula experimented with homemade raw food diets, but her demanding schedule made it difficult to keep up. That’s when she discovered Maev—a human-grade, raw pet food brand that aligned with her values.

“Years ago, I even started making my own raw food because I knew it was better for them, but it was time-consuming, and I couldn’t keep up with it. After losing a dog, it became even more clear to me—why would I cut corners on something so important to their overall health and longevity?”

Making a Difference Beyond Her Own Home

Pegula’s passion for dogs extends beyond her own pets. She and her husband, Taylor Gahagen, co-founded A Lending Paw, a nonprofit organization that rescues and trains service dogs for people in need. Through this initiative, Pegula is helping both humans and their four-legged companions.

For Pegula, dogs aren’t just pets—they’re family, and she’s determined to ensure they live the happiest, healthiest lives possible.