Meet our team!

I’m with my smiley Sophie in the picture above.  She is my almost-constant companion who comes to work with me every day.  Sophie used to love spending her days in daycare, but is a senior now with a few physical issues and can’t keep up with the busier dogs anymore.  She has spent time in our seniors’ daycare, but it’s often full, so she hangs out with her mama in our offices upstairs.  With Kathe’s dogs and Sophie lying on the 3 dog beds under my desk, I just lean in any direction and I have a dog happy to receive some petting.  What an awesome way to spend the day!

I’ve owned Countryside Boarding since 1986 when Countryside was really in the country.  Trussler Road has gone from a tree-lined gravel road to the busy road we have today.  Who could even imagine doggie daycare would ever be a ‘thing’? 

I have spent these years building a safe environment with a wonderful, dedicated staff for boarding, grooming and daycare pets.

It has been an incredible journey

Of my four dogs, 2 are blind and 2 are my agility partners, or perhaps I should say I’m their partner.  Mac and Cali, blind since birth, manage very well and will even fetch a bounced ball.  Bryar and Wren are my speedy kids who love, love, love the agility course. These 4 go with me everywhere. 

Growing up in a family of hunters, I tend to be a gatherer…of animals.  I have had indoor and barn cats, horses, donkeys, cattle, ducks, chickens, turkeys and generally anything with legs.

I have been working at Countryside for 13 years now.  My favourite part about working at Countryside is taking pictures of all your furbabies; also, getting to cuddle the little puppies. 

I currently only have one furchild, Macy.  She loves playing in daycare!

When I’m not at Countryside, I can be found working at the horse farm I live on.  My favourite thing to do is horseback riding.  I enjoy spending my days off helping my coach exercise her horses. 

Either way, I spend all my time with animals!

I recently adopted Gizmo from National Service Dogs, after raising him for 8 months.  Gizmo loves daycare so he comes with me whenever I work, to play with friends.  I have another dog; Max is a 7-year-old Lhasa Apso who enjoys soaking up the sun with his cat brother, Bailey.

I love to play and coach hockey and spend time with family.

It will be 3 years, this summer that I have worked at Countryside.  My favourite part of working at Countryside is meeting new dogs and learning about different breeds.

This is Spirit, my angel in heaven.  My mom says I was a dog in another life…I’m guessing I was a St. Bernard because they hold a special place in my heart.

I’ve been at Countryside since the ‘dawg’ of time…okay, since 1988, so…almost.  I’d like to say I was 10 years old when I began working here, but that’s not quite true.

I love greeting the pets who come into reception and their people, mostly in that order.

After 13 gruelling years of figure skating training, naturally, I became a pet groomer.  Actually, I love my doggy friends at Countryside and my own two, Zelda & Cash.  I’ve been grooming on the Countryside team for 11 years and though my arms get sore some days, I will keep grooming until they fall off, or I retire, whichever comes first.  As much as I love my furry friends, my son is my (heart emoji).  My hobbies are ice skating, crafts, nail art, reading & tattoos.