I’ve been part of Barktown since opening the doors in 2018. I’ve always felt a deep connection to dogs, but I never imagined my life would lead me to working with them in the way I do today. Barktown has given me the opportunity to truly understand dogs on a deeper level and care for them in ways that support their overall wellbeing.
My favorite part of my role is building meaningful connections with both the dogs and the people we serve every day. I also deeply value my leadership role and the ability to support our team in a way that helps Barktown—and the care we provide—continue to grow and improve.
I’m a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT) and certified in Pet First Aid and CPR. I’ve also completed additional certifications in grooming, dog behavior, leadership, and client care. Continuing my education and evolving alongside the dogs and people we work with is something I truly enjoy.
At home, I share my life with four dogs: Daisy, my 13-year-old Basset Hound who is the light of my life; Daphne, a 3-year-old Basset Hound who is clingy and a total goofball; and Suki (4) and Roper (9), my two Shih Tzus who are full of attitude and energy and keep things lively.
I believe the most important part of caring for dogs is truly seeing them for who they are as individuals and understanding their unique needs. Knowing your dog is the foundation for how you care for them, work with them, and create the best life possible.
Outside of work, I love spending time with my son—often fishing together—as well as painting and creating whenever I get the chance. I also enjoy cooking, traveling, and spending time with my family, friends, and dogs.
I’ve been part of the Barktown team for four years, and it has been an incredibly rewarding experience from day one. I’ve always been an animal lover-especially when it comes to dogs -and Barktown gave me the opportunity to turn that passion into a career where I can positively impact their lives every day.
My favorite part of my role is training dogs and watching them grow, both behaviorally and in confidence. I love building bonds not only with the dogs, but with their humans as well, and helping strengthen those relationships through thoughtful, intentional training.
I’m a certified dog trainer and a Pet Tech CPR & First Aid instructor, and I’ve completed courses through The Dog Guru and Dog Handler Academy focused on pet care and handling. Continuing my education is very important to me, and I’m always looking for ways to grow so I can provide the best care possible.
At home, I have quite the crew! Tipsy is my special needs American Staffordshire Terrier who uses a wheelchair, Beo is our older “house hippo,” Laz is our wild child Great Dane, and Katie is our snuggly Lab mix. Each of them has their own unique personality and quirks, and they keep life fun and full.
I believe the most important things when caring for dogs are patience, consistency, and understanding each dog as an individual. What makes Barktown special to me is the way we truly prioritize the wellbeing of every dog through individualized care, knowledgeable staff, and a strong focus on enrichment and structure.
Outside of work, I enjoy crocheting and playing board games. I’m especially excited to continue learning more about working with special needs dogs and finding ways to support them even better.
I’ve been part of the Barktown team since March of 2023, and from my very first day, I knew I had found something special. While I’ve always loved dogs, I never imagined it could turn into such a meaningful career until I was introduced to Barktown—and quickly discovered my passion.
My favorite part of my role is working directly with pet parents and their dogs through training. Watching both people and pups learn and grow together is incredibly fulfilling. Education is very important to me, and I’m grateful to continue learning alongside such an amazing group of women.
I’ve completed four DHA courses and am currently enrolled in CATCH Academy’s Master Class to earn my dog training certification, as well as a Stop Reactivity course through Victoria Stilwell. Continuing to grow my knowledge and skills is something I truly value.
At home, we have three dogs—Gordon, a 3-year-old mixed breed rescue who grew up alongside me at Barktown, Riley, a 5-year-old Redbone Coonhound who will do just about anything for a snack, and Kenyon, a 7-year-old Siberian Husky who keeps us laughing with his goofy personality.
I believe the most important part of caring for dogs is recognizing and prioritizing their individual needs while advocating for them in every way possible. What makes Barktown special to me is the positive atmosphere, the strong connections between staff and clients, and the care we put into creating meaningful experiences every day.
Outside of work, I enjoy running (I’ve completed both a 5k and a 10k!), playing guitar, camping, spending time with my fiancé and family, singing, and binge-watching my favorite shows. I’m especially excited to continue learning how to better support fearful and reactive dogs, and I hope to one day work confidently with aggression cases and explore sports training as well.
I’ve been part of the Barktown team for about five months, and working with dogs has always felt like a natural fit for me. I’ve loved dogs my entire life and truly enjoy caring for them and building meaningful connections.
My favorite part of my role is bonding with the dogs and getting to know their unique personalities—especially watching shy dogs gain confidence once they feel safe and supported. Those moments are incredibly rewarding.
At home, I have an 8-year-old pit mix named Theo who has been my loyal best friend for many years. His calm, gentle nature reflects the compassion that guides how I care for dogs every day.
I believe compassion is the most important part of working with dogs. They communicate differently than humans, and understanding their needs is key to building trust. That’s what makes Barktown so special to me—we truly connect with the dogs and care deeply about their wellbeing.
Outside of work, I enjoy hiking, coloring, and shopping, and I’m excited to continue learning more about training and expanding my skills.
I’ve been part of the Barktown team for nearly two years, and working with dogs has always felt like second nature to me. Dogs were a constant in my life growing up, so caring for them never felt like a chore—it simply became part of my everyday routine. As I got older, I realized how much joy I found in being around them and wanted a role where I could do that every day.
My favorite part of my role at Barktown is the relationships and trust we build with both the dogs and their people. I love seeing how excited the pups are when they walk through our doors—it never gets old.
I’ve completed DHA training and continue learning through hands-on experience every day. At home, I have three dogs who keep life fun and full: Halo, my 5-year-old pit bull with the sweetest personality and the biggest smile; Gussy, a 2-year-old pit bull terrier mix who is goofy, full of life, and always ready for anything; and Earl Swirl, a 1-year-old dachshund with a big personality who loves coming to Barktown to play with his daycare friends.
I believe the most important part of caring for dogs is providing a safe, calm, and clean environment where they can feel comfortable and be themselves, even when they’re away from home. What sets Barktown apart for me is how deeply we care about each dog as an individual. We don’t stereotype by breed or size—we take the time to truly understand each dog so we can offer care that fits their unique needs.
Outside of work, I stay busy with projects around my home, spending time with my nieces and nephews, and watching my dogs enjoy life in the backyard. I’m especially interested in learning more about working with scared or nervous dogs and helping them build confidence in themselves and out in the world.
I’ve been part of the Barktown team since June of 2025, and getting the opportunity to work with dogs every day has truly been a dream come true. I’ve always loved dogs, and being surrounded by them in a caring, supportive environment is something I’m incredibly grateful for.
My favorite part of my role is building relationships with the dogs and getting to know all of their unique personalities. Each dog brings something different, and I love being able to make them feel comfortable and cared for while they’re here.
At home, I have two spunky dachshunds, Cardi and Stella, who are my whole world. Cardi is the “momma” of the house, while Stella is the little sister who keeps us all on our toes. They’ve taught me so much about patience, love, and individuality.
I believe the most important part of caring for dogs is helping them feel safe, comfortable, and loved—just like they do at home. What makes Barktown special to me is how involved and hands-on the staff and owners are, creating a safe and welcoming environment for both the dogs and the team.
Outside of work, I enjoy coloring and spending as much time as possible with my dogs. I’m also excited to be becoming a first-time mom to a baby boy this year. I look forward to continuing to grow, learning more about training, and building special one-on-one relationships with the dogs I care for.