***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 as well as a rabbit, that have since passed.
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.
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.
Lynn
Hi everyone, my name is Lynn. I have owned dogs my whole life and just love them to pieces! I currently have a Labrador/Daschund mix named Ginger. I have two adult children and four grandchildren 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! Now, I am also Pet First Aid and CPR certified and have been able to learn so much about pups that I never knew! I love working with your pups and can’t wait to get to work each day.
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 live on my own now and because I couldn’t bring my family dog with me, 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!
Faith
Hello, I’m Faith! Before working at North Shore Doggy Daycare, I worked at another doggie daycare for over six years. I am Pet First Aid and CPR certified and have taken many continuing education seminars on dog behaviors, training, group play, etc. 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!
Katlynn
Hello! My name is Katlynn, but some people call me Kate. I started working at North Shore Doggy Daycare late summer of 2018 and North Shore Pet Connection early Fall of 2018. I love working here and learning about the many personalities of the dogs and other pets. I have cared for pets ever since I was a child. I had many cats, hamsters, rats, fish, and others growing up. I now have two dogs; a Siberian Husky, Blake, and a Staffordshire Terrier, Mary.
I graduated from high school in 2016 and jumped right into Milwaukee Career College’s Veterinary Assistant program. After graduating, I worked as a kennel assistant at a clinic before finding my way to the North Shore Doggy Daycare/North Shore Pet Connection family. I’m in an online Veterinary Technician program.
I am very passionate about your pets. I treat every one of them like I would treat my own. I have wanted to care for animals since I was in kindergarten and my aunt told me all about what she did as a technician. Every time I get to see one of your fur babies I feel so much love and joy.
Sarah
Hello everyone! My name is Sarah and I have absolutely loved all animals, plants, and nature for my entire life! As a child, I was called the “animal person” because animals of all kinds would flock to me. I have had all sorts of pets; including dogs, cats, bunnies, gerbils, hamsters, frogs, toads, and more. I started working at North Shore Doggy Daycare in January 2020.
Prior to that, I worked at the Furpurrsons Pet Resort near Mount Shasta. I have also spent time as an in-home pet sitter. I love spending time with all the pups at North Shore Doggy Daycare and am looking forward to meeting you and spending quality time with your pet!
Meshelle
I’m Meshelle! I am married and have two sons and a Labrador mix named Cindy. They are all the loves of my life! I have worked in the medical field and the banking field, but decided it was time for a change and time for me to do something I have always wanted to do!
After working for Wells Fargo for 11 years, they decided to close the site down. I was finally able to step outside the box and look into working with dogs! Growing up, I always loved dogs and have always had one or two of my own. Not to mention, I come from a long line of dog lovers; my mother, Lynn, also works at NSDD with me! Working at NSDD has given me the chance to be with friends and take care of all of your fur babies. I can’t wait to come to work every day!
Fiona
Hello, my name is Fiona. I was born and raised in Whitefish Bay and currently live in Fox Point. Growing up I was only allowed to have one, caged, rodent in my house because my parents weren’t “animal people.”
My first memory of being fascinated by dogs, is when I was nine years old and we moved to a house across the street from a park where dogs would walk past us all day. I would ask owners to pet their dog and get to know the regulars. Eventually, I got my first job walking an elderly neighbor’s dog down the street. Once I was in my 20’s, friends of the family started asking me to walk their dogs and dog-sit in their houses.
I am so happy that I’ve found my calling and get to have animals, especially dogs, in my daily work life. I started working for North Shore Doggy Daycare and North Shore Pet Connection in March of 2020. Now, I get to go to work and see all the goofy, adorable faces of the dogs I take care of each day!
I am cat and dog First Aid Certified through the American Red Cross and have ten years of experience taking care of numerous dog breeds, including those with special needs. My busy work and lifestyle keep me from being able to have a dog of my own at this time, but I do have two guinea pigs, Frankie and Domino, to keep my company.
Groomer Bios
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.