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.
Stephanie
Hi, my name is Stephanie and I have been working at the North Shore Pet Connection and the North Shore Doggy Daycare since March 2014. I am originally from Wisconsin Rapids where my family owns a small hobby farm. We have a variety of animals including horses, chickens, ducks, rabbits, dogs, cats, and Sir Pickles the hedgehog. I moved to Milwaukee to attend school at Milwaukee Career College and graduated in February 2014 with a veterinarian assistant diploma with honors.
When I’m not working I am at home enjoying spending time with my boyfriend Fabian and our two daughters Zoe and Charlize. We have a cat (Keefe), two pit bulls (Smoke and Princess), and a Chihuahua (Rebel).
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!
Meshelle
Hi, my name is Meshelle. I am married with two sons and my little girl Cindy (my puppy). I have had dogs my whole life; growing up I wanted to be a veterinarian, but my life took a different path.
I graduated with an Associates Degree in Medical Office Management. I worked for a couple of medical offices and a dental office, but then found myself working for Wells Fargo in the Servicing Department. I wanted to follow a dream I had for a long time; working with dogs, so I began working at the North Shore Doggy Daycare and couldn’t be happier with my career change!
I started working at the North Shore Doggy Daycare in July of 2015 and I absolutely love it! I get to learn new things about dogs every day and get greeted with so many different furry faces each day! Who wouldn’t love that?
James
Hi, my name is James. I am a Marquette graduate with a degree in Biological Sciences. I have had a love for animals since I was four years old and aspire to attend Veterinary School soon.
I began working at the North Shore Doggy Daycare during the Fall of 2015. Since working at North Shore Doggy Daycare, my knowledge of animal behavior has grown in ways that books never could achieve. I never had dogs growing up, but spending time with all the “furry children” has more than made up for it! I am thankful for a job that allows me to meet so many different people and animals and always look forward to what stories I’ll be able to tell by the day’s end.
Kelsey
Hi, my name is Kelsey. I grew up in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and have always been surrounded by animals! As a child I bonded with my cat, Buddie, which passed away a couple years ago. My family now has 2 dogs–Lily, a white Boxer, and Lilah, an Australian Cattle Dog and Border Collie mix.
I currently attend the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and am studying Biological Sciences and Pre-Veterinary Medicine. My dream is to become a wildlife Veterinarian and work with the conservation of big cats.
Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my furry friends! Luckily, working at the North Shore Doggy Daycare has allowed me to channel my passion for animals into something that makes a positive impact on the lives of all the dogs! Hiking, gardening, fishing, and playing soccer are some of my favorite hobbies as well.
I’ve never loved my job as much as I do now that I get to work with animals!
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!
Clairess
Hi, my name is Clairess. I grew up and still live in Milwaukee. Ever since I was a kid I’ve loved animals. Growing up I always had pets including: cats, fish, birds, lizards, snakes, rabbits and chickens just to name a few. The one pet I always wanted growing up, but never had was a dog. Three years ago I got my first dog and now I have two dogs, one cat, and a kitten who thinks he’s a dog!
I am currently working on my Associate’s Degree in Business Management and hope to one day open up my own business as a Certified dog trainer! I started learning and using techniques from T.V. shows to start training my own dogs a few years ago, and now have such a passion for it. Previously, I worked at another doggie daycare, so I was able to get some great experience working with dogs and knowledge of training while I was there. Having previous experience makes it that much more exciting to be working at the North Shore Doggy Daycare and North Shore Pet Connection. I can’t wait to further my knowledge of dogs, which will only help me in the future with my dream of becoming a dog trainer.
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.
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.