Excellence Through Friendship at Dogwood Village

Dylan Hale, Grayson Smuthers, and Anthony Alston (left to right)

At Dogwood Village, care goes beyond routine—it’s built on connection, teamwork, and genuine friendship. Dylan, Grayson, and Anthony embody the heart of that culture. Together, they bring positive energy to every shift, creating an environment where residents feel supported, valued, and truly at home.

Their bond is more than friendship—it’s a foundation for exceptional care. Working side by side with people they trust allows them to communicate effortlessly, lean on each other’s strengths, and stay focused on what matters most: the residents. When they’re together, the positivity is contagious, felt not only among staff but reflected in the care residents receive every single day.

Dylan, who has been part of Dogwood Village for seven years, finds the greatest joy in turning a resident’s bad day into a good one. For him, care is personal. He’s motivated by being there to start residents’ days, seeing them as family, and believing that showing up with heart truly matters.

“Seeing residents as someone else’s family fuels my desire to care for them as my own,” Dylan shares.

Dylan believes their friendship sets the tone for each shift. Knowing they have each other’s support means they come in confident, connected, and ready to give their best.

“When you think of Dogwood and teamwork, you think of us. We know we’re going to have a good day together—and that means residents will too.”

Grayson, a dedicated team member for 11 years, describes Dogwood Village in one word: wholeheartedness. To him, the close-knit, family environment is what sets Dogwood apart. He’s motivated by the opportunity to make residents happy—whether that means providing excellent care or simply putting a smile on someone’s face. Grayson believes that working alongside people who share the same passion for caring for others makes each day run more smoothly and ensures residents’ best interests are always at heart.

“Although we all strive to be perfect, we aren’t all of the time. That’s why friendships at work matter. What one person lacks, the other person can step in to support—so residents receive well-rounded care.”

He also emphasizes the importance of support and communication, especially during challenging moments. Knowing there’s someone to turn to when feeling overwhelmed or needing guidance helps keep care thoughtful and balanced.

“Care starts with a clear mind,” Grayson explains—and having teammates you trust makes that possible.

Anthony, who has worked at Dogwood Village for two years, is motivated by the smiles he helps create every day. What drives him to go above and beyond is knowing the care he provides truly makes a difference in residents’ lives.

“No matter the situation, we’re always committed to the job,” Anthony says. “That commitment helps us provide consistent, excellent care.”

Together, Dylan, Grayson, and Anthony help foster the close-knit, family-like environment that defines Dogwood Village. If Dogwood Village could be described in a few words, it would be home, family, and wholehearted care. To them, Dogwood isn’t just a workplace—it’s where genuine connections are formed, compassion leads the way, and residents are cared for like family.