Meet Our Team

Bark Avenue Pet Supply

Meet our team of experts and animal lovers dedicated to helping companion pets with all their food and supply needs!

Managers

Ben

Pet Supply Manager

Ben's Bio

Hi, my name is Ben. I have been working at Bark Avenue since 2015. I have been a volunteer at Friends for Life Animal Rescue since I was five years old. I share my home with two dogs, Petra, a Heeler mix and Geezer, an Aussie Chow mix who is a tripod. They are both much-loved rescues. I played football in High School and now I am currently enrolled at Mesa Community College studying physical therapy and civil engineering. I really enjoy working with pets and their humans at Bark Avenue!

Rick

Assistant Manager

Rick's Bio

My name is Rick. I am from the Chicago area, as are so many of our customers. I graduated from Northeast Missouri State University (now Truman State University). I experienced the wonderful weather and people of Arizona in 1985 when I was invited to try out for the San Francisco Giants. Major League Baseball was not meant to be, but it brought me to Arizona where I have made lifelong friendships and met my wife. I have spent most of my career in Sales and Operations. I started at Bark Avenue in 2000 and it has become more of a calling versus a job. I have a passion for nutrition and its importance in helping our pets lead a happier, healthier and longer life with us. There is an overwhelming amount of misunderstanding and faulty information about pet food, so I am honored when I am able to partner with our pet parents in identifying the most appropriate food for their pets. My wife Barb and I share our home with Maya, a 6-year-old Shepherd Mix. Come see us at Bark Avenue. I look forward to meeting you and your pet and learning more about how I can help!

Sales Associates

Martin

Stock and Sales Associate

Martin's Bio

Hi! I’m Martin and I have worked at Bark Avenue Pet Supply since 2015. In my free time, I camp and snowboard in Northern Arizona. I also enjoy video games, movies, and singing (sometimes off-key). I share my home with my two cats, Millie and Smudge. I am the “cat guy” in the store. I look forward to helping you and your pets!

Jamie

Sales Associate

Jamie's Bio

Hi, I’m Jamie! I am originally from New Hampshire but have also lived in Colorado, California, and now Arizona. My love of animals started as a young girl and has only grown since then. I began volunteering with Boxer Luv Rescue in 2010 where I found my passion for helping animals. Over the years I have fostered and adopted many Boxers. I recently returned to school to become a Certified Veterinary Technician, I have a special interest in holistic animal care and nutrition. I share my home with my husband and our two Boxers, Zinc and Bohannan, and our cat Mosie.

Alissa

Sales Associate

Alissa's Bio

I’m Alissa and I am an Arizona native. I am currently going to school and studying physical therapy with a focus on animals. I have been showing my Australian Shepherds for eleven years and the animals are definitely a very big part of my life! I currently have three and one miniature American Shepherd all of who I love dearly. I have been involved in the pet food business since 2016 and am excited to further my knowledge here at Bark Avenue.

Bonnie

Sales Associate

Bonnie's Bio

Hi! I am Bonnie and I work here at Bark Avenue as a part-time sales clerk and dog trainer. After spending 12 years as a Vet Tech and Financial Coordinator at a large emergency veterinary hospital, and 15 years managing my own pet sitting business in the East Valley, I now love having the opportunity to help pet owners find the best care for their furry companions with high-quality supplies, nutrition, and training here at Bark Ave! My husband and I share our lives with 6 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels! We all enjoy camping, boating, outdoor adventures, and any activity involving “the dogs,” particularly AKC competitive events including confirmation, obedience, rally, and therapy work.

Heidi

Sales Associate

Heidi's Bio

What is your experience, including any schooling? I graduated from Mountain View High School in 2018 and have been attending Scottsdale Community College to attain my associates in film editing.

What types of pets do you have at home and what are their names? At the moment, I have one Cocker Spaniel named Maxwell. He is 12 years old and very sassy for his age. I have also had a bearded dragon, other dogs, a bunny, and a couple of dwarf hamsters.

Why did you decide to work in the pet industry? I love animals and the idea of being there to help owners find the perfect food for their companion sounded amazing! It is also great to give all the dogs and cats that come in some treats and love.

What do you like to do in your free time? I love to read, edit videos, and hang out with my friends.

If you could be any animal, which would you be? Definitely a tiger (it is my favorite animal)

What are you passionate about? I am passionate about my love for animals and film.

What is your secret talent? Awkwardly dancing at work.

Sheryl

Sales Associate

Sheryl's Bio

What is your experience, including any schooling? I have 12+ years experience as a Veterinary Assistant. I also have a Degree in Culinary Arts and was a Pastry Chef in my previous life.

What types of pets do you have at home and what are their names? I have 2 dogs, Sullivan and Loni

Why did you decide to work in the pet industry? I love animals and it is gratifying to help people choose the best food for their pets.

What do you like to do in your free time? Hang out with my dogs and watch movies.

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

What are you passionate about? Animals and nutrition

What is your secret talent? Baking

Directors

Dr. Ryan Ainsworth

Owner & Veterinarian

Dr. Ainsworth's Bio

My name is Dr. Ryan Ainsworth, I attended Arizona State University and received my undergraduate degree in Agribusiness with a pre-vet concentration in 2004. I then graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 2008 and went on to complete a 1-year internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the VCA Animal Referral and Emergency Center in Mesa. I started working in general practice in 2009 and in 2014 I decided to purchase my very first practice, Mesa Northeast Animal Hospital, I then went on to purchase Noe’s Ark Animal Hospital in 2016, and then purchased Bark Avenue Animal Hospital, Bark Avenue Pet Resort, and Bark Avenue Pet Supply in 2018. A very exciting time! I became interested in Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) and became a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist in 2012. I am an integrative practitioner, meaning I practice both Western and Eastern medicine. I currently see dogs, cats, reptiles, and small mammals including ferrets and rabbits.

Ron Sosa

Director of Operations

Ron's Bio

My name is Ron, I have been working in the veterinary field since 2002. I have a special interest in skin diseases of companion animals and spent 7 years working with various dermatologists. I am also a member of the Arizona Veterinary Health Care Team where I keep up with continuing education and perform monthly veterinary dermatology lectures for peers across the country on VSPN (Veterinary Support Personnel Network). I traveled all the way from New York to Arizona in 2010 and now live with my spouse. 2 boys, and two pups Victoria, a Tibetan Terrier mix, and Albert, a wirehair Jack Russell Terrier!

Maintenance

Joe

Facility Maintenance

Joe's Bio

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.