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Our Story

PAWCHEL began with a simple idea: to make life with dogs easier, safer, and more connected through thoughtful technology. We are a pet-tech startup creating wearable gear that helps dogs and humans communicate more naturally. Our products are designed to feel comfortable for dogs, intuitive for people, and beautiful enough for everyday life. We are currently in the prototype and development stage, designing and testing smart harness systems and companion accessories. This website is our way of inviting you into our journey and sharing what we’re building.

Dogs play extraordinary roles in our world, like guiding, rescuing, comforting, and protecting. Yet, many everyday dog owners still face challenges such as miscommunication, leash accidents, safety concerns, or accessibility barriers. We believe everyone deserves to feel confident and secure with their companion. That’s why our mission is to create inclusive pet tech that supports dog owners of all ages and abilities, strengthening the bond between humans and dogs without adding complexity.

This site is a place to explore our story, see prototype previews, read about working dogs and innovation, and join a growing community of pet lovers and early supporters. PAWCHEL is still in its early chapters, but our vision is clear: a future where technology quietly enhances the human-dog relationship rather than getting in the way. Thank you for being here at the beginning. We’re excited to grow together.

Meet the Team

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Founder & Product Designer

Rhoven Macalino

Rhoven Macalino is the founder of PAWCHEL, a pet-technology startup developing intelligent wearable systems that enhance communication and safety between dogs and their owners.

Rhoven brings over 12 years of experience in healthcare and 10 years of experience across business operations and management. She is currently studying Production Management at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), with a specialization in product development, manufacturing, and supply chain systems.

 

At PAWCHEL, Rhoven leads product design and development, combining real-world operational experience with user-centered design to build practical and thoughtfully engineered pet-tech solutions.

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Lead Software Developer

Al Bondad, 

Al Bondad is a software developer with over five years of experience building digital products and tools that improve how people work and interact with technology. He currently serves on the engineering team at The New York Times, developing internal systems and user-facing features for large-scale news platforms.

 

At PAWCHEL, Al leads software development, applying his technical expertise and problem-solving mindset to build the digital systems that power PAWCHEL’s smart wearable technology

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Contact

I'm always looking for new and exciting opportunities. Let's connect.

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