PET FRIENDLY University of Pennsylvania UPenn

We particularly love pet-friendly UPenn because of its veterinary school, Penn Vet, which includes the Penn Vet Working Dog Center, a national research and training center for detection dogs. The expertise of the dogs trained at the center ranges from explosives detection to diabetes alert to bed bug detection to search & rescue to cancer detection. Check out their website, which allows you to meet their dogs, both alums and current dogs in training.

UPenn is located in West Philadelphia, where there is plenty for you to do with your student and your pooch, including a visit to see the Liberty Bell.

Also, if you'll be in Philly anytime from the end of April to the end of September, check out the schedule for Parks on Tap. This partnership with Philadelphia Parks and Recreation brings pop-up beer gardens to public parks all over Philadelphia. Comfy seating is provided, as well as beer on tap, wine, and snacks (you can pay by card or cash), and dogs on leash are absolutely welcome! In fact, several of beer gardens will be held at dog parks (Barks on Tap).

There are several individual dog parks that are also big on socializing. Mario Lanza Dog Park sponsors mostly Yappy Hours, where you and your pup can meet up other pet owners and their pooches over a libation. If your student is at UPenn during the summer, be sure to swing by Seger Dog Run, which sponsors Woofstock every Tuesday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., complete with live music and food trucks.

For other pet friendly eating options in Philly, we like Rouge 98 in Rittenhouse Square, with its sidewalk cafe and bistro-style menu with selections like Green Goddess Veggie Burger, Steak Frites, and oysters on the half shell. Water bowl and dog treats are available upon request.

Another favorite is farm-to-table White Dog Cafe, whose menu is built on foods produced within a 50-mile radius of the restaurant. We love their Smokey Macaroni & Cheese and Butternut Squash Ravioli topped with Rosemary Pesto.

And if you're just in the mood for a drink, nothing beats the Trestle Inn, with tons of beers on tap, an admirable collection of whiskies to choose from, a creative cocktail program, a pet friendly patio, and a welcoming bowl of water for your buddy. Eats are limited to snacks like Rosemary Parmesan Popcorn and Old Fashioned Drunk Nuts. But sometimes that's enough!