***All staff has medical backgrounds; veterinary technicians, veterinary assistants, and first aid training certifications***
Claire
Hello, my name is Claire. I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in December of 2011 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration-Marketing. However, my passion since a very young age has been working with dogs and other animals; and I adore nothing more! I started by doing mid-day walks and taking care of dogs and other animals while families were away or at work for long hours. Since then, it has turned into the best career for me. I have had animals since the day I was born-two yellow Labrador Retrievers that have since passed, but forever hold a special place in my heart, and also have had many different kinds of fish. Today, I still have a mixed breed rabbit named Peanut.
In December of 2010, I began working at the North Shore Doggy Daycare. I love working here; I learn something new every day, see a new furry face-everyone is so different than the next-and I get to play and take care of dogs as my job! What more could I ask for? Thanks to Diane, she also allowed me to take a class for Pet First-Aid, which has come in handy and taught me so many things that I can use at work as well as at home with my own animals. I have also had the pleasure of working at the North Shore Pet Connection, which has improved my experience with special needs animals as well as caring for other animals such as cats, ferrets, and birds!
In June of 2012, Diane promoted me to manager of the North Shore Doggy Daycare and now I not only do I get to care for dogs, I also get to interact one-on-one with customers, give customers tours, market the doggy daycare and many other exciting things. My managerial position has also allowed me to utilize my marketing degree, enhance my computer skills, and learn new managerial-type skills such as payroll. I am eager and happy to come to work every day and thank goodness I have a job with so many different facets and opportunities.
Christine
Hi, my name is Christine and I am the manager at the North Shore Pet Connection. I began working at the North Shore Doggy Daycare in February of 2011 and the North Shore Pet Connection in May of 2013. I live in Glendale, but am originally from Menasha, Wi. In 2009, I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology from UW-Milwaukee. In 2013, I earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, also from UW-Milwaukee. Besides dogs, I love reading, knitting, listening to music, and adding to my large shoe and handbag collection.
My family has included seven dogs thus far in my life; five of them have been from 75-100+ pounds (three Bouviers, one Bouvier Mix, and one Giant Schnauzer.) The other two I consider my furry children. My 14 pound Brussels Griffon/Cairn Terrier Mix (male) and 16.5 pound Bichon/Shih Tzu Mix (female) are my ultimate pride and joy. In December 2013, I adopted the female one from one of our ill and elderly customers. Now and then, my babies can be seen hanging out with the other dogs in one of their cute little outfits.
I love getting to work with such a variety of dogs. Whether they are diabetic, geriatric, blind, or just plain happy and healthy, I love taking care of them all. Getting to take care of the occasional cat, rabbit, bird, or fish at the Pet Connection is always a neat experience. I always like learning more about the care for other animals.
My favorite part about working at NSDD and NSPC is being greeted everyday by my enthusiastic furry friends. When I come in, I make sure to say “hi” to every dog individually. It makes me feel good when I make a new dog feel welcome; it’s important to me to make sure all of the dogs staying with us are comfortable and happy. I like to dance silly to the radio for the dogs’ entertainment and sing to them, a bit, out of tune. It takes a lot of patience and love to work in this business, and when it comes to animals, I have plenty of both. I’ll do whatever is needed to take care of your furry family member. Every dog that comes through our door is special and you can be sure they will know it.
Desi
Hi, my name is Desi. I am a Certified Veterinary Technician. I have worked with Diane for many years now. I started out as a volunteer at The North Shore Pet Connection at the age of thirteen. When Diane opened up the North Shore Doggy Daycare in July of 2008, I started working here! It has been such an honor to work with and learn from someone who has such passion for animals and is so full of knowledge. I am animal CPR certified and have learned a lot about animal behavior just from working at North Shore Doggy Daycare. I have had other jobs before such as waitressing and retail, but none of those compare to the enjoyment I get from NSDD. I have grown with this facility and its’ furry friends and continue to gain so much from working with each and every one.
Lisa
Hello, my name is Lisa. I have worked at The North Shore Doggy Daycare for over six years. I have been an animal lover all of my life. Since childhood, I have had dogs, cats, rabbits, and horses. I have learned a lot about animals and their behavior in my years as being a pet owner along with being animal CPR certified. I recently lost my yellow lab of 13 years and coming into work and seeing all of the wonderful dogs, definitely helped me fill that void. It has been such a rewarding experience getting to know all of my fury friends and their wonderful owners.
Emily R.
Hello, my name is Emily. I am from Simi Valley, California and now I attend Marquette University as an elementary education and psychology major. Diane is my aunt, and I am very glad to have the opportunity to work with family at North Shore Doggy Daycare. I grew up loving animals just like Diane, and I loved visiting her and playing with all the animals at NSPC and NSDD. I had a dog at home for fifteen years: a white German shepherd and dingo nix Dena. Now I have an eight year old border collie named Sage. I love my dogs so much and I am so happy that I get to work with so many every day at NSDD!
Emily H.
Hi, my name is Emily. I am currently a student at UW-Milwaukee studying photography. When I’m not working on schoolwork and photography, I love spending time with my German Shepard/Basset Hound mix, Eleanor. We enjoy being outdoors going for runs and hikes!
I have owned family dogs since I was a child and have dog training experience through training and competing in 4-H. “The 4-H Dog Project encourages youth to develop good character, discipline, and a feeling of self worth, while learning about canine care, responsibility and the sport of dog showing.” (perdue.edu) I have a passion for learning about dog behaviors and training!
I love coming into North Shore Doggy Daycare and being greeted with wet noses and wagging tails. Taking care of pups is extremely rewarding for me and I love nothing more than interacting with both you and your dog, each day!
Lynn
Hi everyone, my name is Lynn. I have owned dogs my whole life and just love them to pieces! I currently have a 3 year old Labrador/Daschund mix named Ginger and a 14 year old Cocker Spaniel named Sasha. My daughter, Meshelle, works here at North Shore Doggy Daycare and I also have three grandkids that I just adore and spend a lot of my time with.
Before joining the North Shore Doggy Daycare family in Spring of 2017, I worked in childcare for over 30 years.
I have met so many wonderful people here, including staff and clients…and of course many 4-legged friends! I love working with dogs and can’t wait to get to work each day.
Rachel
Hey there! My name is Rachel and I currently live in Milwaukee with my boyfriend Justin. I have two wonderful dogs at home; a terrier mix named Willow and a Pit Bull/Bassett Hound mix named Harley. I also have Ball Python named Noodle!
I graduated from Milwaukee Career College as a Veterinary Technician in 2015 and have been working with animals for many years now. I couldn’t be happier to be a part of the North Shore Doggy Daycare and North Shore Pet Connection team!
Ellie
Hi! My name is Ellie. I have always loved animals and have lived with them my whole life. Ever since I was a little girl I knew I wanted to work with them! I recently moved into my first apartment and since I couldn’t bring my family dog, I treat the dogs that I work with as if they were my own. I am also a Certified Veterinary Assistant and am trained in Pet First-Aid and CPR. In 2016, I worked as an intern for an animal clinic, and then later graduated from Milwaukee Career College. My favorite part about this job is getting smothered in kisses and getting to know each dog. I can’t wait to meet yours!
Laura
Hi there, my name is Laura and I am very much looking forward to working with all of your pups!
I decided after 14 years working at a Physical Therapist Clinic, that it was time for me to try something new. That’s when I thought it would be so much fun to work at North Shore Doggy Daycare.
This has not only been a positive change for me, but a chance for me to take on something totally different and new. I have always had a strong love for animals and especially dogs, but never had this awesome opportunity to work with them. I am truly an animal lover of all kinds; grew up with dogs and cats and was taught to care for them at a very early age.
My husband and I have an 8 year old Boston Terrier named Lilly. Lilly is just considered to be one of our 6 children!
Faith
Hello, I’m Faith! Before working at North Shore Doggy Daycare, I worked at another doggie daycare for over six years. Before that, I worked in retail as well as in the Equestrian and pre-school program, at camp Minikani.
I have loved all kinds of critters for as long as I can remember. I grew up on a small hobby farm with a pony, dogs, cats, rabbits, chickens, and ducks–always bringing home strays and trying to mend the injured. I guess it’s easy to say…I sure love animals!
I joined the army after high school and served overseas during my tour. I then attended Hesser College in New Hampshire and took courses in Psychology.
My husband and I are both army veterans, have been married for over fifteen years, and have four children–all grown and living on their own. We currently live in Germantown with our Alaskan Malamute, Timber, and two domestic cats named Jasper and Butkus. Timber is CGC Certified and also a certified therapy dog. I am also a huge horse lover! So, we have two–Encore a Mustang that we adopted from South Dakota and Bear a Paint horse with many medical issues.
My hobbies include: traveling all over the country with my Paint horse, Bear, to learn how he and I can become a better team, going for hikes with our dog, and taking our Harley out for long rides on a beautiful day!
I look forward to working with all of your family pets!
Groomer Bios
Traci
Hi there. My name is Traci. Before my life was all about the dogs, I was a mortgage loan underwriter. Having lost my position due to massive downsizing, I found there was a whole other world outside the office just waiting for me; one that I could make a new career out of and play all day!
I then started working at North Shore Doggy Daycare and North Shore Pet Connection and haven’t missed the office a bit. Happy with my decision to spend my days with dogs, I decided I would go to grooming school. I graduated as a certified groomer in 2010 and have spent the past 6 years grooming for another facility. In 2017, I decided I wanted to come back to North Shore Doggy Daycare to continue grooming and make some new friends!
My personal goal is to work with each pet so they feel comfortable and loved throughout their grooming experience.
Ashley
Hey! I’m Ashley. I was born and raised in South Carolina. In 2003, at the age of 17, I started my career as a hair stylist working with my aunt who owned a salon. Every day on my way to work I passed a pet grooming school and one day something told me to stop in and check it out…. and I never looked back! I became a certified pet stylist in November of 2005.
I started out working at a grooming facility in South Carolina for 5 years until I met my boyfriend and moved to Wisconsin, where he was born and raised. Since meeting my boyfriend, I transferred to the same grooming facility here in Wisconsin for another year before finding a position at another facility for 7 years. We now have two children; a son named Coen and a daughter named Cora and five dogs, one cat, a turtle, and a frog.
I think I have finally found my home here at North Shore Doggy Daycare since I started in May of 2017! I am extremely passionate about what I do and love nothing more than making your best friend, cat or dog, look and feel their very best!
Rhonda
Hello, I’m Rhonda. I am a certified groomer at North Shore Doggy Daycare and North Shore Pet Connection. I have 16 years of experience working with dogs and cats in various grooming businesses. I have worked for the Wisconsin Humane Society, Petland, and as a caretaker for horses at The Ranch and Erin Meadows Farm. Put simply, I love all animals…any size, age, temperament, or special needs.