What types of pets do you have at home and what are their names? I have a white/tan chihuahua mix named Astro he’s my baby, if you google the resort he is the first photo that will pop up. Then we have Sunny, a tan poodle mix my sister and I rescued from next door at Tia rosas. Lastly we have Sunshine our white chihuahua who we consider our old lady. 

Why did you decide to work in the pet industry? Growing up I wasn’t allowed to have pets and whenever I was near one I was always ready to give it cuddles. I grew up wanting to learn about dogs more than any other animal.

What do you like to do in your free time?  In my free time I like going to the lake or up north to the mountains. Indoors I enjoy playing video games and watching documentaries.

If you could be any animal, which would you be? If I could be an animal I’d choose a dragon because of how fierce and strong they are, also because they breathe fire and fly!

What are you passionate about? I’m passionate about nature and scenery, I love exploring the outdoors and its beauty day or night I’m fascinated with what the world has to offer!

What is your secret talent? A secret talent that I have would be my arts and craft side of me. I love drawing and painting I have since I was a kid.

What is your experience, including any schooling? I have been in the pet industry for 8 years. I don’t have any schooling, but I have a ton of on the job training.

What types of pets do you have at home and what are their names? I have 4 dogs at home – Cody, Loki, Petey and Boo Boo

Why did you decide to work in the pet industry? I have always had a love for animals and have been around them my whole life. 

What do you like to do in your free time? I hang out with my dogs and spend time outside.

If you could be any animal, which would you be? I would be a horse, they are so majestic and free spirited.

What are you passionate about? Anything and everything dogs!

What is your secret talent? I have been told that I am the dog and cat whisperer haha.

What is your experience, including any schooling?

I have been grooming for 13 years. Throughout my career, I’ve completed the following certifications to further my skills and knowledge: AKC certification, and I’m certified in the rehabilitation of domesticated animals, show grooming and handling, creative grooming, grooming training, and teaching, and K9 CPR.

What types of pets do you have at home and what are their names?

Catahoula mix named Azi who thinks she’s part cat, and Shepherd mix Luna.

Why did you decide to work in the pet industry?

Growing up I worked in my mother’s hair salon. I realized I enjoyed the idea of working in a salon, but that my real passion is working with animals.

What do you like to do in your free time?

Spend time with my son, cooking, playing animal crossing, and calling my bestie.

If you could be any animal, which would you be?

A hippo. They just always look so happy!

What are you passionate about?

I’m passionate about rehabilitating aggressive dogs, teaching, and grooming of course!

What is your secret talent?

I can sprain my ankle and not even worry bout it.

What is your experience, including any schooling?

Growing up with horses, goats, dogs, cats, and many critters between, taught me about respecting animals and gaining mutual trust. I attended Eastern Wyoming College for Veterinary Technology and Animal Science after graduating highschool in Arizona. I worked in a vet clinic while in high school, and my love for animals quickly became my career. I worked as a veterinary technician in small and large animal practices for 10 years. Grooming started as a new skill to learn, but I quickly discovered how rewarding it is to be able to still make pets feel better. I enjoy working with pets that may need a little extra reassurance.

The most rewarding part to me is working with dogs who start out timid about grooming and seeing them progress to actually enjoy coming into the salon and being happy and calm.

What types of pets do you have at home and what are their names?

I have an 11-year-old Heeler/Aussie named Cody, and a silly Maine Coon named Maverick.

What do you like to do in your free time?

Riding and training horses, re-watching Game of Thrones, and hiking with my dog.

If you could be any animal, which would you be?

A horse

What is your secret talent?

I can turn any conversation into a song. (Not usually a very good song, but a song nonetheless!)

My dog training career began in 2006 in rural Ohio, volunteering for the local humane society, to work with their “unadoptable” dogs, to help them become ready for homes and their lives beyond the shelter. It was there I started to realize my passion not just for working with dogs, but with the change in dogs that happens throughout training.

After becoming immersed in training as much as I could in Ohio, I made the long journey to Arizona, to really kick off my career. There is so much more to dog training than teaching behaviors or tricks. Training is a way of life. Training a dog can and does change lives. I founded a Phoenix-based, nonprofit service dog organization, Lifeline Assistance Dogs Inc., and although I hold numerous certifications, I continue to study, attend seminars, and further my skills on a constant basis. Training is a field that is constantly evolving. Trainers must continue to enhance and further their skills. I strive to stay up to date with the most recent research, and accurate information available to me.

I have been fortunate enough to see that change first hand, not just with my work with service and therapy dogs, but throughout work with my personal dogs. I am the proud owner of several Rottweilers, including my main demo dog and sidekick, Aero the Rottweiler. Aero has been on the front door of major pet retailers, in several commercials, and dozens of print ads. My dogs and I compete in numerous venues and perform well. But no ribbons or accolades in the world mean anything without a good relationship. We have all seen the owners or competitors who may have “well trained” dogs, but the relationship is broken. Their dog is working, not because of the excellent relationship between a dog and its human, but because the dog feels it has to. That’s not okay. Instead, each owner, each competitor should strive for an exceptional relationship together. Strive for a dog who not only understands implicitly what you are asking of them but performs beautifully because they want to. Because they are a team.

With every dog I work with, my focus first and foremost is relationship and trust. Without that, there is no point.

I consider it an honor to work with each dog who’s leash passes through my hands. Thank you, for trusting me with your dog. It’s my honor to help you on this dog training journey.

What is your experience, including any schooling? I have had dogs and cats all my life. In the past, I have trained them and bred them. I love animals so much!

What types of pets do you have at home and what are their names? I have two Pit Bulls named Rigby and Rollo.

Why did you decide to work in the pet industry? My passion is for animals, I love them and want to be around them all the time. Animals are the best!

What do you like to do in your free time? Mostly spending time with my dogs, playing or training them, or reading.

If you could be any animal, which would you be? I would be a mouse.

What are you passionate about? I am passionate about animals and making sure they are well taken care of. I am also passionate about baking, cooking and reading.

What is your secret talent? A useful one would be being able to stay very calm in most situations and I ‘think’ I am a pretty fast learner.

What is your experience, including any schooling? I previously worked in a retirement home and as a receptionist at a nonprofit. I also have my Bachelor of Arts Degree from Pacific University in Oregon.

What types of pets do you have at home and what are their names? I lived with a chihuahua/pug mix named Chico. He was my roommate’s, but everyone thought he was mine because I would always walk him.

Why did you decide to work in the pet industry? Four legs, good. Two legs, bad.

What do you like to do in your free time? I like to go to the movies, eat Italian food, and read Sigmund Freud.

If you could be any animal, which would you be? A bat.

What are you passionate about? Movies and philosophy…you know, the important things.

What is your secret talent? I can name any movie with just one frame.

What is your experience, including any schooling? I have my High School Diploma and am a Certified Dog Walker and Handler.

What types of pets do you have at home and what are their names? I have two Chihuahua/Dachshund Mixes named Bella and Gucci, a Lab Terrier Mix named Mickey and a Chocolate Lab named Buster.

Why did you decide to work in the pet industry? I have always wanted to work with animals professionally.

What do you like to do in your free time? Camp, hike, jeep off-roading, and anything outdoors really.

If you could be any animal, which would you be? I would be a dog, but I love all animals.

What are you passionate about? Caring for animals.

What is your secret talent? Getting dogs to trust me and feel comfortable.

Anything else you would like to mention? Working with animals has always been my career goal!

What is your experience, including any schooling? I grew up with animals of all kinds and I currently go to school for veterinary technology and health.

What types of pets do you have at home and what are their names? Cats: Dobby, Chester, Gandalf. Dogs: Desmond, Penny, Padfoot. Russian Tortoise: Captain

Why did you decide to work in the pet industry? I have always loved animals.

What do you like to do in your free time? I foster kittens and cats for a rescue.

If you could be any animal, which would you be? I would be a spirit bear (white, black bear)

What are you passionate about? Cat rescue and animal education.

What is your experience, including any schooling? I have experience with my own dogs and the puppies my boyfriend’s dog had.

What types of pets do you have at home and what are their names? Chihuahua – Dutches

Why did you decide to work in the pet industry? I want to become a Veterinarian.

What do you like to do in your free time? I like to paint.

If you could be any animal, which would you be? A tiger.

What are you passionate about? Animals.

What is your secret talent? I can rollerskate.

What is your experience, including any schooling? I have spent the last ten years in customer service and have been in the hospitality industry for the past seven years. I have always loved helping and serving people, but felt my passion was really with animals. I have a BA in Psychology from Grand Canyon University located here in Phoenix, AZ!

What types of pets do you have at home and what are their names? I am a forever dog mom to Lana and Zenon. Lana is my sassy Pittie/Boxer and Zenon, a beautiful Sharpei/Lab, who is always with me in everything that I do.

Why did you decide to work in the pet industry? While I have worked with people for so many years I felt I reached a point where I know I have excelled at it. I have always wanted to be an advocate for animals and contribute to the community in any way I could ever since I was a little girl. Being a part of any animals life serves a bigger purpose to me. I’m excited for what the pet industry has in store for me!

What do you like to do in your free time? Going to concerts with my close group of friends who have become my family and playing hide and seek with my pups!

If you could be any animal, which would you be? I would be a tiger, so fierce

What are you passionate about? My other half, my family, anything to do with animals and watching Jersey Shore.

What is your experience, including any schooling? I went to college to become a vet assistant. I learned a lot including physiology, nutrition, animal behavior, and a lot more. Over the course of the year, I have had the opportunity to do externships in two different animal hospitals, which taught me a lot of hands-on skills. I am continuing to learn new things.

What types of pets do you have at home and what are their names? I have a black, white, and grey great dane named Midas. Then I have a siamese cat named Sammy. Last I have a black and white tuxedo cat named Chance.

Why did you decide to work in the pet industry? I have wanted to work with animals ever since I was a little kid and that is the ultimate reason I went to school I wanted to learn everything I could about the pet industry.

What do you like to do in your free time? In my free time, I love going off-roading and camping. I also really enjoy playing video games and watching movies.

If you could be any animal, which would you be? If I could be any animal I would be a lion because there are fierce creatures and they are intelligent.

What are you passionate about? I am passionate about animals. I enjoy working with all types of animals.

What is your secret talent? A secret talent I have would be that I can play the guitar and bass.

What types of pets do you have at home and what are their names? I have 4 dogs at home and an iguana. A 2-year-old pit bull named Azul, two Morkies 9 and 6 named Molly and Pebbles, and a 10-year-old Maltese named Bam Bam.

Why did you decide to work in the pet industry? I’ve always had a love for animals, I want to get certified in behavior and training for dogs.

What do you like to do in your free time? In my free time, I like to go to the lake and spend time with my dogs at home watching movies.

If you could be any animal, which would you be? If I could be any animal I would be a bird so I could travel and see the world.

What are you passionate about? I’m passionate about animals – they really pull at my heartstrings.

What is your secret talent? I don’t really have a secret talent but I was a competitive dancer and played softball until the age of 18. So I guess my secret talent could be my athleticism!

What is your experience, including any schooling? Repair and improvements of residential and commercial properties. Project management, purchasing negotiation aircraft maintenance, cost estimating.

What types of pets do you have at home and what are their names? Right now we have a female cat named Baby.

Why did you decide to work in the pet industry? The animals

What do you like to do in your free time? Accepting this position gave me a way to combine two things I love which is building/facilities management and animals of all species.

If you could be any animal, which would you be? Our one and only dog was a Jack Russell Terror…I mean Terrier. I loved his energy. 

What are you passionate about? Life and all it has to offer and all sports, especially baseball, which I played for 16 years.

What is your secret talent? I can sing with the best of them on karaoke night…after a few beers.

Anything else you would like to mention? My wife and I are originally from Chicago. We relocated to Arizona in 2008 to be with family. Karla (my wife) and I have been married for 26 years and have no children.