PET PARADISE - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Assistant Manager at Our Jacksonville Airport
- Resort Manager
Abigail discovered her passion for animals when she got her first dog for Christmas in 2nd grade and trained her in agility with the local 4-H Club. In 8th grade, she was able to volunteer at a local grooming shop by helping around the facility and sweeping the floors. As soon as she turned 15, she applied at a small veterinary office as the kennel associate and worked there through her high school graduation. After high school, she was offered a technician position at the veterinary office where she stayed for 12 years. Abigail joined Pet Paradise in 2018 as an assistant manager at our Jacksonville Airport location and is thrilled to be back in her hometown as the Resort Manager for our Amelia location. She looks forward to being able to apply and share all she has learned through the years to ensure all the animals are safe, clean, and having fun! In her free time, she enjoys kayaking and baking. She is the mother of three sweet kids, two sons and one daughter as well as three dogs, Snickers, Rollo, and Baby Ruth.
Abigail joined Pet Paradise in 2018 as an assistant manager at our Jacksonville Airport location and is thrilled to be back in her hometown as the Resort Manager for our Amelia location. She has three dogs, Snickers, Rollo and Baby Ruth.
Adrianna Dixon was born in raised in Florida. She has always had an interest in animals, having both parents working in the animal care industry. From reptiles and amphibians, to dogs and cats, she has always shown a passion for pets of all sorts. After starting at Pet Paradise Ft. Lauderdale, Adrianna found a love in working with animals in a fun and fast-paced environment. Adrianna is thrilled to be in Palm Beach and can't wait to meet all of the furry guests who come to see us.
Adrianna has been with Pet Paradise ever since the Mooresville location opened in 2018, she quickly fell in love with the grooming department and has been in it for three years! Making every dog feel and look their best is what makes her happy! Adrianna has two cats, Jethro and Leroy and loves helping her family with their cattle and horse farm! She has amazing passion, love and respect for all her clients and she can't wait to meet more of you as she continues her career with Pet Paradise!
Aisah joined our team as Assistant Manager Fall of 2020. After being discharged from the Army in 2013, she moved on to work mainly in the food service industry for about 8years. Starting as a waitress with no experience, she worked her way up to management. While she thoroughly enjoyed her job and her customers, she decided it was time for a change. Growing up, Aisah has always been a passionate pet owner and has had a deep love for animals of all shapes and sizes. Pet Paradise offered the perfect opportunity to combine her interest in helping people with her passion for animals. Now, she wakes up eager to come see all of her friends and family at Pet Paradise!
Alex went to grooming school in June 2011 and has been grooming for over 10 years. Her love for animals started at a young age when she would bring home abandoned or stray animals. She grew up with dogs, cats, birds, and fish. Alex used to spend her summers as a teenager volunteering on her Aunts farm and as an adult she volunteered at her local therapy barn helping to groom and maintain the horses. She has been married to her husband Charles for 9 years and they have a wonderful baby boy. They have 2 dogs, a lab mix named Jonah, a beagle/ blue heeler named Anakin and 4 cats. Rosie, Samwise Gamgee, Rooney and Tonks. Her hobbies include: reading, watching documentaries, camping, hiking at the various springs all around Florida, tending to her growing amount of plants, Harry Potter and soccer. Her goal is to provide a positive experience that has your pup leaving happy and feeling good. Alex is excited to be able to bring all of her experience and knowledge here and be a part of the Pet Paradise team!
Alex started her Pet Paradise career in 2021 as an Assistant Manager at our Ballantyne location in Indian Land, South Carolina. In addition to her experience with boarding and daycare, she brings to her role experience in both the grooming and veterinary fields. When she isn't working, she enjoys spending time outdoors, going to concerts, and of course spending time with her own fur baby, Murray. Alex's favorite thing about Pet Paradise is seeing how happy the pets and their parents are after a paw-some day in Paradise!
Alicen joined Pet Paradise in April 2021 as a playtime coordinator! After doubling as a bather, she advanced into management as a Supervisor. What she loves most about Pet Paradise is the relationships she has built with all of her furry clients! She loves welcoming our new guest and helping them get comfortable during their stay, as well as playing with her favorite regulars who love her so much. She has two fur kids of her own, Harper (Lab mix) and Jasper (Pit mix) pictured with her! She is so excited to help new pups gain confidence and learn how to be the best dogs ever!
Alicen has two fur kids of her own, Harper (Lab mix) and Jasper (Pit mix) pictured with her! She is so excited to help new pups gain confidence and learn how to be the best dogs ever!
Hi, my name is Alison. I have always had different pets growing up and wanted to help every animal I saw. I have always had a passion for animals growing up whether it was helping them find a home or donating food to local shelters. I wanted to help every animal I saw. I started at Pet Paradise in November 2021 as an associate and within 90 days became a supervisor. I have been fortunate enough to grow with the company. I enjoy ensuring pets are having fun at the resort and parents are happy with their dogs stay. Watching dogs having fun splashing in the pool or playing tag with their friends in the yards touches my inner child's heart. I can't wait to grow more with the company!
My favorite part about working at Pet Paradise is watching dogs having fun splashing in the pool or playing tag with their friends!
Allison (Allie) has worked in the pet care industry since 2017. Originally from Texas, she moved to Florida in 2020 and has been with Pet Paradise since. Before finding her love for working with animals she got her degree in Culinary Arts and enjoyed living in Australia and traveling the world. She has a miniature poodle named Apollo, a Chiweenie named Thea and a ball python named Snakespeare.
Allison has a miniature poodle named Apollo, a Chiweenie named Thea and a ball python named Snakespeare.
Allison started with Pet Paradise in May of 2018 as a front desk associate. After a little over a year of working front of house she decided she wanted to cross-train in order to better understand the full operations of the facility through and through. Over the next four years, she helped out when and where needed as much as possible before deciding to take the next step and go into Pet Paradise's Supervisor in Training program. After graduating from SIT, she instantly decided to go into the Manager in Training program after noticing all the career opportunities Pet Paradise has to offer! Allison's favorite aspect about being a part of our team is not only ensuring pet parents leave their fur babies with us with the utmost confidence that they will be cared for as though they are our own but also getting to know all the pets and giving them lots of love and top tier care while here in Paradise! Pictured here with Beau, who has also been with us since the beginning!
Allison's favorite aspect about being a part of our team is getting to know all the pets and giving them lots of love and top tier care while here in Paradise!
Amanda started her journey with Pet Paradise in 2020 as a Resort Associate. She has a background as an Assistant Director at a childcare facility for 15 years. With her passion and dedication, she has worked up to being an Assistant Manager at our Peachtree location. Amanda has always had a passion for animals and at home cares for 7 dogs, 2 goats, and 1 pig. She also has a loving husband and 2 kids.
Amanda has worked for Pet Paradise since 2018, starting out as a receptionist working her way up to a Management position. Before getting into and falling in love with working for animals she worked in emergency services. She has 1 dog - Sasha, and two cats - Bear & Charlie.
Amanda has 1 dog - Sasha, and two cats - Bear & Charlie!
Amber started working at Pet Paradise in 2021 and immediately fell in love with the job. She started as a resort associate learning the ins and outs of our standard of care and quickly grew very passionate about her work, including both the care she provides for our furry guests and their pawrents!
Although she doesn't currently have any fur-babies at home she plans on caring for yours as if they were her own. Prior to joining the Pet Paradise team she worked as a pet sitter, for about 10-12 years, alongside other jobs she had through the years to ensure she could spend as much time as possible around pets. Outside of her love for pets and pet care she loves spending her free time with her friends playing board games, hiking, and going to trivia nights!
Amber can't wait to meet you and your fur-babies.
Although Amber doesn't currently have any fur-babies at home, she plans on caring for yours as if they were her own.
Ami is completely obsessed with dogs and just about any animal really. She grew up in north Alabama where she raised St. Bernards and Golden retrievers with her family. She also did a lot of work on the Alabama wildlife rescue squad with her parents doing rehabilitation. She had all kinds of interesting animals. She started in barbering and cosmetology but quickly learned it wasn't for her. In 2018 she figured out she could combine that with her love of animals and started grooming. She relocated to Florida and joined Pet Paradise in 2022.
Andrea Rosello joined the Pet Paradise family in December 2008. With eight years of experience in the pet care industry, Andrea is always ready with a smile and a helping hand. Andrea's hard work, dedication, and willingness to help our guests and staff, makes her a valued member of the Ft. Lauderdale team. She loves and cares for each pet as if they were her own. Outside of work, Andrea enjoys being a mother to her 5-year-old daughter and her 11-month-old rescued terrier mix, Noodles. When Noodles was found left alone in a pet carrier on the door step of Pet Paradise, Andrea opened her heart and home to this sweet little puppy.
Job Titles:
- President, Crane Investment Company
Andy Hackett joined Crane Group in 2002 and has been President of Crane Investment Company since 2014. He and his team are responsible for managing all of the Crane Group private equity, real estate, and marketable securities assets. In addition, Andy and his team are responsible for sourcing new platform businesses for Crane Group.
From 1995 to 1998, Andy worked for the law firm of Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur, where he concentrated on the acquisitions of public and private companies and securities law matters. Immediately prior to joining Crane Group, he worked for the Business Affairs and Corporate Development Group at America Online Inc., where he worked on a variety of acquisition, joint venture, licensing, and interactive marketing deals.
Andy currently serves on the board of directors of Sensit Technologies and Salon Lofts. He is also on the advisory board for Clearview Capital (Fund II and Fund III) and Rockbridge Capital (Fund IV and Fund VI). Additionally, he serves on the board of directors for the Columbus State Foundation.
Andy received his Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from the University of Notre Dame, and his Juris Doctor from Notre Dame Law School.
Angela is from Meridian, MS. She moved to South Florida in 2018 and started her employment with Pet Paradise four months after she moved. Her background is in nursing and customer service but Pet Paradise was her calling. Angela started her employment at Pet Paradise as a Receptionist. She cross-trained to Resort Associate in her first few months of employment. She completed her supervisor training in September of 2021 and her manager training in December of 2022. She is the mother of three daughters and two fur babies. From the moment she walked in the door of Pet Paradise she has felt at home. Angela is very passionate about the pets in her care. She is very excited to turn this part time job into a career and looks forward to many more years of service at Pet Paradise Palm Beach.
From the moment Angela walked in the door of Pet Paradise, she has felt at home and is very passionate about the pets in her care.
Angelica has been with Pet Paradise since November of 2023. She has 10 years' experience in the pet care industry and went to college for Animal Science and Human-Animal Interaction. She has 2 dogs of her own, Russell who is a red heeler mix and Nolan who is a blue heeler mix. On her free time, Angelica enjoys golfing, spending time with family and traveling. Her favorite thing about working at Pet Paradise is getting to know the clients and their pets!
Angelica has 2 dogs of her own, Russell who is a red heeler mix and Nolan who is a blue heeler mix!
Originally from North Carolina, April has spent most of her life in Orlando, FL. After a long career in Culinary Arts, she decided to pursue her true passion of working with animals. Becoming a dog groomer with PetSmart developed her skills and then went on to be a cat groomer as well. April enjoys spending time with all of fur nieces and nephews, cooking, spending time outdoors, and driving her Jeep.
Hello, I'm April. I have been working at Pet Paradise since our Snellville resort opened in 2021 and started my career here knowing I wanted to be a dog trainer. I have two German Shepherd mixes of my own named Charlotte and Vitani. My love of training started when I saw my dog's eyes light up the moment everything clicked and I knew she understood what I was asking of her. The most rewarding thing about becoming a trainer is helping pet parents' bond with their fur babies through communication, treats and lots of love!
My name is Archie, I have been working at pet paradise for a year. I graduated from high school with my veterinary assistant's degree. I was a vet tech for a year and then found out about the wonderful world of doggie daycare. I was in the doggie daycare industry for 3 years before i fell in love with pet paradise. I became a dog trainer because I love all dogs and believe they are all good baby's who deserve a warm and comfortable home life with their families. I find it extremely rewarding to see the dogs transform into the pets that their parents need from them.
Ashley has loved animals as long as she can remember. She has always had pets and became a groomer 5 years ago. She is mom to 2 dogs and 2 snakes. She loves the connection she makes with the animals she is caring for and pampering pets and making them look good.
Ashley became a groomer 5 years ago. She is mom to 2 dogs and 2 snakes! Read More
Bailey joined Pet Paradise Mooresville in February of 2021 as a play time coordinator. She soon knew she wasn't going to be going anywhere any time soon as she grew in love with all her new four-legged besties. Bailey then became the communications associate, then grew to front desk supervisor and is now your Mooresville assistant manager! Last year she rescued Nala, her pit bull mix, and she has a cat named Fluffy! Pictured with her are Piper and Tater, just one of the many pups she now has a close relationship with! Her favorite thing about being at Pet Paradise is being close with all the pawrents and making sure they all know their dog and/or cat is safe with us and having fun! Bailey can't wait to meet you and your fur baby soon! If you know her already, you know how caring she is for this company and you!
Bailey's favorite thing about being at Pet Paradise is being close with all the pawrents and making sure they all know their dog and/or cat is safe with us and having fun!
Job Titles:
- in 2020 As VP of Veterinary Operations
- Vice President of Veterinary Operations
Ben Cunningham joined Pet Paradise in 2020 as VP of Veterinary Operations to help lead our growing veterinary team in its' commitment to delivering the highest quality of care and wellness. Ben is passionate about developing great teams and striving for continuous improvement.
Before joining Pet Paradise, Ben spent 6+ years in the healthcare environment, working in management roles in the kidney care/dialysis industry. Prior to this, Ben spent over 9 years as a Marine Corps officer, where he held numerous different positions in duty stations across the country and during several overseas deployments.
Ben completed his undergraduate studies at Florida State University and received his Masters of Business Administration from the University of Florida.
Ben lives in Jacksonville, FL with his wife, Jeanne, and son, Will, along with their Boston Terrier and two rescue Chihuahuas - Squiggy, Sasha, and Diablo. Outside of work, Ben enjoys running/fitness and spending time with his family outdoors.
My name is Bettie Wilkins. I have been grooming for over 10 years. I have a bachelors degree in Animal Science with a concentration in K-9 behavior from Suny Cobleskill University. I have several poodles of my own that I do lots of activities with such as: agility, obedience, hiking and therapy. Safety of your companion is my first priority and I am dedicated to making a relaxed, enjoyable grooming experience for each animal.
Bill Joel - Chief Legal Officer, SVP
Job Titles:
- General Counsel
- Secretary
- Senior Vice President
Bill Joel joined Pet Paradise as General Counsel in 2008, after representing the Company as outside counsel for several years. He is responsible for overseeing all legal affairs of Pet Paradise. Bill also serves as the Corporate Secretary for the various Pet Paradise corporate entities.
Prior to joining Pet Paradise, Bill was a shareholder/partner in multiple local and regional law firms, where his practice areas included commercial real estate (transactions, financing, development, leasing, lending and litigation), commercial lending, business transactions and commercial litigation. He also spent four years as in-house real estate counsel for a Fortune 250 grocery chain.
Bill's professional honors and activities include serving as President of the Board of Governors of the Jacksonville Bar Association, President of the Board of Governors of the Young Lawyers Section of the Jacksonville Bar Association, and as a volunteer attorney for Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, Inc. He also holds or has held board leadership positions with several civic and charitable organizations, including Youth Crisis Center, The American Heart Association (Northeast Florida Chapter), Young Life, Washington & Lee University Alumni Association (Jacksonville Chapter), Willing Hands and The Bolles School Alumni Board.
Bill received a Bachelor of Arts degree in American History, magna cum laude, from Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Virginia. He received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Florida College of Law in Gainesville, Florida.
Bill and his wife, Kim, live in the Avondale neighborhood of Jacksonville. They have two grown sons, two adorable grandsons and two three-legged rescue cats. They recently lost their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Pepper, whom they miss very much.
Breanna is originally from Buffalo, New York, where she became a Certified Pet Groomer in 2014. She moved to North Carolina in 2017 and has been grooming with Pet Paradise Mooresville since we opened our doors in May 2018. Breanna adores all dogs large and small, and takes pride in giving quality grooming to every one of them with gentle and caring hands. Her first concern is always the comfort and safety of your pet, working to build up your pup's trust with every appointment! In her free time, she likes to hike, camp, and be outdoors with her husband, son, and fur baby Roman.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Real Estate
Brian Franco has over 27 years of experience in the A/E/C industry and will apply his experience in leading Pet Paradise's new real estate development efforts and overseeing existing resort improvements and maintenance. Over his career, Brian has worked with a wide range of clients serving their design and construction needs in a wide range of roles including project management, project and business development and marketing services. Brian graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor's degree in Vocational Education and from University of North Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Construction Management. Brian is past chairman of the 2015 PLAYERS Championship and has served on other non-profit boards including Ronald McDonald House, Multiple Sclerosis Society of Northeast Florida, Boys & Girls Club and Community Connections (presently).
Brittany has lived in Virginia her whole life and started grooming in 2013. She has a 7 year old pit bull named Lacey. On her days off, Brittany enjoys spending time at home with her boyfriend.
Brittany started her journey with Pet Paradise in January of 2023 as the Front of House Supervisor and has since then worked her way up the ladder to be an Assistant Manager. Brittany has 10+ years of customer service management and has always has a passion for all kinds of animals since her early childhood. She has 4 dogs . 2 bloodhounds - a blue heeler, and a shepsky! Brittany enjoys reading, traveling, and hanging out with her 3 daughters and wonderful husband! She looks forward to coming in everyday and taking care of your wonderful fur family members!
Brittany has 4 dogs - 2 bloodhounds, a blue heeler, and a shepsky! She looks forward to coming in everyday and taking care of your wonderful fur family members!
Hey! My name is Bryanna but you can call me Bry. I have been in Gainesville for almost 3 years and I love it here. I have always had a passion to work with animals but hadn't figured out what I wanted to do yet exactly. Then I got a job at Pet Paradise! I was able to see the behind the scenes of the vet clinic and the grooming salon, and how a boarding and daycare facility runs. After working here for about 7 months at the time I had narrowed my career choice down to wanting to pursue career as a groomer. I fell in love with the thought of creating a difference in the welfare of dogs I see, and learning about all of the the different breeds and grooms that follow. I then was able to go to school through pet paradise and I am now a certified groomer and loving it! I have three dogs myself - Pig, a one and a half year old mix breed, Delilah, a 3 year old Great Pyrenees, and Gemma, a 8 years old Chihuahua.
Casey joined Pet Paradise Winter Garden in the spring of 2019. With 13+ years of customer service, she quickly became a front of house supervisor in October of 2019. Rising to the challenge a year later, Casey became an assistant manager.
Everyday Casey comes to work with a smile on her face and ready to love on all of the fur babies. She has such passion for getting to know all of their quirky traits and personalities.
During Casey's free time, she loves spending time with her family. Her love for animals also follows her home from work as she enjoys spending time and caring for her pets: a Jack/Rat Terrier named Kensey and a Tuxedo Cat named Comet.
Casey has 2 pets: a Jack/Rat Terrier named Kensey and a Tuxedo Cat named Comet.
Casey started her journey with Pet Paradise Coconut Creek in 2020 as a Resort Associate and with hard work and dedication is now the Assistant Manager. She brings with her multiple years of animal experience and many years of customer service experience! Her goal is to always put safety, cleanliness and fun as the top priority for all her guests and is excited to make meaningful connections with each family that visits Paradise!
Casey brings with her multiple years of animal experience and many years of customer service experience!
Job Titles:
- Chief Financial Officer, Crane Group
- Crane in 2013 As Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Chad Utrup joined Crane in 2013 as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and is responsible for overseeing the finance, treasury, accounting, tax, and information technology services of Crane Group.
Chad has more than 18 years of experience in various financial management and leadership roles, and has deep knowledge in the areas of investor relations, information technology, human resources, and operations. Prior to joining Crane Group, Chad worked at Commercial Vehicle Group (CVG) from 1998 to 2013, and served as Chief Financial Officer beginning in 2003. While at CVG, Chad helped lead the company's initial public offering and participated in the negotiation, due diligence, financing, or integration of all of their acquisitions and joint ventures. Before CVG, he worked in various financial roles at Electronic Data Systems.
Chad currently serves on the boards of Screen Machine Industries and Contractors Incorporated, and previously served on the board of Roadrunner Transportation Systems, Inc. and as its Audit Committee Chairman from 2010 to 2015. In 2011, he was selected as "CFO of the Year" by Business First in the "Corporate" category and was also the recipient of the Business First "Transaction of the Year" award in 2011 for his accomplishments in financial restructuring following the economic recession.
Chad received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from the Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University.
Chandre has been a groomer for Pet Paradise since November of 2018. She has been actively grooming for about 10 years in and around the Wilmington area. For five years, Chandre has been training through and for the Animal Behavior College, helping aspiring groomers achieve their certifications. While Chandre has experience in grooming all dog breeds, she has a special love for grooming schnauzers. Chandre does have a dog of her own, a handsome cane corso named Deacon. In addition to grooming, Chandre is also a licensed cosmetologist and has a special love for boating.
Chloe began grooming in 2017. She comes from a long line of hairdressers and has a passion for pets, so when she found out she could make a career out of it, there was no doubt in her mind that this was the best path for her. She has 2 dogs that she loves like children. One of them is a Husky named Draco and the other is a Standard Poodle named Red. She can't wait to meet all your fur babies and groom them like her very own.
Meet Cindy! She is Saint Augustine's First ever groomer hired! Cindy has been grooming for over 20 years and has watched Pet Paradise Saint Augustine grow! Cindy loves all her regulars and has really built strong relationships throughout her years! Outside of Pet Paradise she is known for breeding Cavalier King Charles pups and has a green thumb in her garden! We all love Cindy!
Job Titles:
- Chief People Officer
- Senior Vice President
- Its Chief People Officer
Claudia Sáenz Amlie joined Pet Paradise as its Chief People Officer in 2020. In this role, she leads Pet Paradise's human resources organization which supports our most important asset - our people who care for our clients and their pets.
Claudia built her knowledge and expertise in building high-performing and engaging work environments by having overseen human resources functions in several different industries over the past 20 years. Immediately prior to joining Pet Paradise, she served as chief human resources officer for Acosta Inc., a sales and marketing agency for consumer packaged goods manufacturers and retailers, where she supported more than 25,000 employees in over 100 offices across North America. Prior to that, she was executive vice president and chief human resources officer at EverBank Financial Corp., now known as TIAA Bank, with retail and commercial banking and lending operations throughout the country. She also led the human resources department and served as chief compliance officer and deputy general counsel to Lighthouse Investment Partners, LLC, a hedge fund investment manager with offices in Palm Beach Gardens, New York, Chicago, London and Hong Kong.
Earlier in her career, Claudia was executive vice president and chief administrative officer for a North American paper products sales and manufacturing company, where she was chief legal officer and led the company's human resources and investor relations divisions. She also worked as an associate with the law firms Edwards & Angell, LLP; Foley & Lardner LLP; and Stearns, Weaver, Miller et al., P.A.
Claudia is a graduate of Vanderbilt University and received her law degree from The University of Florida College of Law. She served as secretary and member of the Board of Trustees of Episcopal School of Jacksonville for eight years and is currently on the board of the Jacksonville Public Education Fund.
Claudia grew up in Jacksonville, Florida. She and her husband and two children reside in Ponte Vedra Beach with their dog Mocha, a Tibetan Terrier/Poodle mix.
My dogs Benny and Shelton inspired me to a pursue a career in the animal care industry. I loved them so much and I wanted to care for other people's pets while they were away, so they didn't have to worry about their safety. I have been working with dogs since 2010 and started as kennel tech. I was a manager at a boarding facility until 2022 when I came over to pet paradise in 2023. I started out as an assistant manager but have now transitioned into the dog trainer position. I loved going through certification and learning even more about dogs and their behaviors. I have a heart to help others and being a trainer helps me to ensure that owners and pets are living a more peaceful and happy life together. I look forward to helping you and your pet!
Courtney joined Pet Paradise in February of 2021 shortly after moving from North Carolina and graduating from Western Carolina University with her bachelor's in psychology. She has always had a love for dogs and the job became a "happy accident" when she applied right out of college, not knowing what the next few years would hold for her within the company. She quickly fell in love with her role as resort associate and eventually moved up as supervisor, and now as assistant manager. Courtney strives to care for all our guests and build a strong relationship with them.
Meet the Moriarty Mann Menagerie: Courtney's world is surrounded by her three dogs: Astro, Bazi & Joey. Three cats; Jack, Frankie Jade & Pasta. Two ferrets: Malachi & Jasper.
A Gainesville native, Courtney has worked at Pet Paradise since June of 2017. She worked her way through the ranks and is now proud to be Assistant Manager. She has two dogs of her own, a German Shepherd named Moreta and an Australian Shepherd/Husky mix named Yifa. However that doesn't stop her from treating every single dog that comes through the St. Augustine resort as her own. In her spare time you can find her at the beach walking and photographing, or relaxing at home playing video games. She also has a love for tacos. She looks forward to meeting your pets at St. Augustine!
Courtney has two dogs of her own, a German Shepherd named Moreta and an Australian Shepherd/Husky mix named Yifa!
Hi, my name is Courtney. I joined the Pet Paradise family as an Assistant Manager in June of 2023. Working at Pet Paradise has been an incredibly fulfilling experience for me, as it allows me to indulge in my passion for dogs daily. For me, it feels like a natural fit, especially considering the fact that I share my home with six wonderful dogs. Having them around has taught me patience, compassion, and unconditional love, qualities that I bring to my work at Pet Paradise. The connection I have with these animals goes beyond just a job; it's a genuine passion that fuels my enthusiasm every day. I find immense happiness in being able to care for and spend time with these furry companions, making my work not just a profession, but a heartfelt calling.
Job Titles:
- President / CEO, Mayport Venture Partners, LLC
- President and CEO of Mayport Venture Partners
Dan Rice has served as President and CEO of Mayport Venture Partners, LLC since its founding in 2000. Prior to assuming this position, Mr. Rice was a partner in one of America's premier law firms, McGuireWoods LLP. Before joining McGuireWoods, Mr. Rice was the Chief Administrative Partner at Mahoney Adams & Criser, P.A., a law firm which ultimately consolidated its practice with McGuireWoods. Mr. Rice received a BS in Financial Management from Clemson University in 1984 and both his MBA and JD degrees from the University of Florida in 1987. He is active in various philanthropic endeavors, including service on several not-for-profit boards of directors.
I started with Pet Paradise in June of 2023 after receiving my Pet Trainer certification. I can't remember a time in my life that I haven't had a dog by my side. The last three dogs in our family were all professionally obedience trained. After experiencing the joy of owning a well trained dog, I decided to become a trainer myself and help others become happier dog owners.
Danielle is Louisiana native who has been with Pet Paradise for four years. She is the mother of Titan, Denali, Gizmo and Sierra, her two pits and two cats. An avid outdoorsman, Danielle is quick to take her two boys along with her everywhere she finds adventure. Along with her furry kids Danielle is enthusiastic about rescues and doing whatever she can to help local groups in helping kids find their forever homes. Danielle's future is bright and she can't wait to keep growing with the company - helping make our New Orleans resort the best one ever!
Danielle is the mother of Titan, Denali, Gizmo and Sierra, her two pits and two cats.
Danielle is so happy to be the groomer of our Pet Paradise Bartram Park location. She brings experience, attention to detail and a passion for animals to everything she does as our groomer. She can't wait to send your fur babies home looking clean and beautiful!
I grew up on a small rural farm and have loved a variety of animals over the years. My home is currently full of love (and fur!), from my Sheila (Australian Shepherd), Lady (Cocker Spaniel), and our 3 cats named Luna, Medli, and Momo. In my spare time I enjoy travelling with my husband, playing video games, and watching college football. My passion for pets and experience in pet care and management has lead me to Paradise, where I love to meet our local pets and their parents. I can't wait to meet your furry family members!
Darryus was born & raised in Orlando, Florida. Ever since he was young, he loved animals and feels fortunate to now be able to work with them as his career. He worked as a vet assistant at an animal clinic, as well as pet rescue shelters and dog sitting. His favorite breed is the Dalmation! Music is another passion of his as he loves to sing, even to the pups to calm them down. His favorite hobbies includes traveling, meditating, going to the gym and theme parks.
Deja has a pack of three dogs. They are Loki, a Lab who is 7-years-old, Calliope, a Rottie who is 5-years-old, and Leilani, a Shepard mix who is 2-years-old. She also has a little black tabby who is one-year-old. In her spare time, she loves taking all three of them on hiking trails or going on some type of adventure. Now living in Florida, she likes taking them to the beach to play. She also enjoys taking photos and spending time with her friends and family. Deja started working at the Pet Paradise Plano Custer location in 2016 as a receptionist. She was then crossed-trained to become a resort associate and made the decision to become a leader in July 2017. She started as a back of house supervisor and has worked her way up to Assistant Manager in 2018. She fell in love with the dogs, of course, but also our Pet Paradise clients and team members. Deja made the move to Florida in February 2019 to help open the Winter Garden resort and is now in Georgetown as the Resort Manager. Deja enjoys working in such a positive spontaneous environment and the dogs' personalities just add to it.
Denean loves being a part of the Pet Paradise Oakleaf team! She has been doing grooming for 4 years and has made so many pups beautiful along the way! She has 4 dogs- Fish, Ranger, Seto, and Willow who she loves to keep pampered. When she's not in the groom room, she enjoys spending time with her daughter and horseback riding! She can't wait to meet your fur babies!
Devyn was born and raised in Middleburg, Florida. She obtained her Professional Grooming Certification through Petco in 2017. She continues to further her education by attending yearly grooming conventions and seminars. Devyn's favorite part about grooming is building relationships with not only her furry clients, but their parents as well!
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Resort Training and Customer Service
Dina's previous background has been in Business and Inventory Management. She has been with the Pet Paradise team since 2009 and is currently based in Charlotte, NC. She enjoys building teamwork among associates. She appreciates all her associates and consistently thanks them for their hard work and dedication. She jumps in to assist with any duty in order to accomplish necessary tasks. Dina's family includes her husband, Scott, and her Labradoodle, Cayman and Havanese, Maya.
Donna Hanlin has been working with animals her entire her life. She began her career as a veterinary technician in South Florida. She soon found out that her true love was in grooming. She started out as a bather at the veterinary clinic and slowly learned all the techniques to begin her grooming career. She became a professional groomer in 2003 and has mastered the art of grooming. Donna Absolutely loves coming to work and seeing all the fur-babies at Pet Paradise.
Dr. Clay Hellner brings more than 25 years of experience in veterinary medicine to Pet Paradise and NewDay Veterinary Care, including expertise in surgical, nutritional, therapeutic, and clinical care for small and exotic animals.
Dr. Hellner was a long-time practice owner, caring for thousands of pets. He built successful veterinary teams, coaching practitioners to advance their skills in clinical medicine, surgery, and client communication. His hospital was recognized as the Hospital of the Year among over 700 peer hospitals. He joined the NewDay Veterinary Care team in 2020 as the Sr. Regional Veterinary Medical Director, before moving into the role of Chief Veterinary Officer in 2023.
His philosophy of doing what's right for pets has been at the heart of his medical approach since his early days as a veterinarian. His business approach further optimizes pet care by prioritizing what is right for the veterinary teams caring for pets. He sees veterinary medicine as one of the most noble professions because the daily efforts veterinary teams will make for both pets and people are awe-inspiring.
He is a graduate of the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine and of Loyola University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. He currently lives with his family in the Charlotte area.
Dr. Adlerstein, originally from New York, eventually made her way down to North Carolina where she went to veterinary school. In 2018, Dr. Adlerstein graduated from NC State College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Adlerstein then made her way down to Florida about 3 years ago to be closer to family. She enjoys getting to know her clients and their pets, and providing quality care to them. She also has an interest in shelter medicine as well. In her free time, Dr. Adlerstein enjoys reading, and is also trying to learn how to play piano! Dr. Adlerstein cannot wait to meet all of her clients and patients!
Dr. Adlerstein enjoys getting to know her clients and their pets, and providing quality care to them.
Job Titles:
- Veterinarian
- Member of the American Veterinary Medical Association
A native of Miami Beach, Dr. Zwilling attended the University of Florida (Go Gators) graduating with a B.S. in Animal Science. He then completed his Veterinary degree at Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Z founded and was medical director of his own Animal Hospital in the city of Lauderhill and Tamarac area for many years before coming to Pet Paradise.
Dr. Zwilling is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and The Broward County VMA.
"I plan to continue to use my knowledge and skills in the practice of Veterinary medicine here at Pet Paradise. I can help our clients make medical and surgical decisions in a way that's best for their pets and their family".
A native of Miami Beach, Dr. Zwilling attended the University of Florida and completed his Veterinary degree at Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine
Originally born and raised in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Dr. Hanning has lived in the Jacksonville area on and off since 2004. Growing up with a menagerie of cats, dogs, hamsters, and gerbils, she had wanted to be a veterinarian since she was four years old. Unfortunately for her, Dr. Hanning was found to be allergic to almost everything with fur! Not to be deterred from her dreams, she received two years of allergy injections to build her immunity to the antigens of the furry creatures that she loved. After receiving her Bachelors of Biology with a minor in Public Health, from the University of North Florida, Dr. Hanning was accepted to the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine.
While in veterinary school, Dr. Hanning became enamored with dentistry, cardiology, emergency, and internal medicine. She pursued additional clerkships in reproductive surgery, cardiac imaging, dental surgery, and business management while obtaining her doctorate. Dr. Hanning enjoys fostering pets being able to give back to the community by helping pets in need.
At home, Dr. Hanning has two adopted mutts, Hazel and Kirby, as well as an elderly adopted cat named Leonard, and a foster-fail cat named Razue. She enjoys feeding the stray cats and ducks in her neighborhood, playing board games, swimming, and watching football; she is an avid Florida Gators and Denver Broncos fan.
Dr. Julie Haas graduated from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2015 after completing her clinical year at NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine.
She believes every pet is part of the family and treats every patient as such. While puppy kisses and playful kittens are welcome, Dr. Haas enjoys making every stage of a pet's bond with their family the healthiest, happiest, and longest possible.
Areas of medicine that she takes special interest in include internal medicine, exotic animals like guinea pigs and bearded dragons, and senior pet care.
In her spare time, she cherishes precious moments with her son and daughter. Some of her fun times include baking pies or muffins from scratch with her son; teaching her African Grey, Winston, how to talk and sing; playing fetch with their dog Oliver; and rollerblading.
Dr. Gregg was born and raised in Rhode Island. She went to Assumption College for undergrad and Iowa State University for Veterinary school. She has had a lifelong obsession with dogs - especially dachshunds and has one miniature wirehaired dachshund, Mr. Cooper, AKA "Mini-Coop!" Her hobbies include hiking in the White Mountains and crafting.
Dr. Gregg has one miniature wirehaired dachshund, Mr. Cooper, AKA "Mini-Coop!"
Dr. Carson earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1999. Dr. Carson is specifically interested in internal medicine and surgery. Dr. Carson's hobbies include tinkering with computers, computer/console gaming and reading science fiction and fantasy literature. He also enjoys spending time with his diminutive but loyal chihuahua, Sassy.
Dr. Carson earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1999 and is specifically interested in internal medicine and surgery.
Dr. Trench was born and raised in Boston, Ma. She obtained her bachelor's degree in animal science from The University of Georgia, before attending and graduating from Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine In 2018. After graduation, Dr. Trench moved back to the metro Atlanta area, where she's practiced small animal medicine. Her professional interests include dermatology and nutrition. While away from the work, Dr. Trench enjoys spending quality time with her family, traveling, and watching/attending Patriot football games. She's excited to see new patients and connect with clients regarding the care of their pets.
Dr. Slotkin graduated from the University of Florida with an M.S. in Animal Sciences before graduating from UF's College of Veterinary Medicine. She is a Fear Free certified veterinarian whose professional interests include preventative medicine, emergency medicine, and soft tissue surgery.
Outside of work, Dr. Slotkin loves cooking, exercising, playing with her dog, and going to Disney with her husband.
Dr. Steve Capron is a third generation, fourth veterinarian in his family. He attended Oklahoma State University and received his BS in Agricultural Economics in 1991 and his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1996. After graduation, Dr. Capron moved to Las Vegas and worked in two practices and managed one of the practices before beginning his studies in veterinary dentistry. He earned his Fellow of the Academy of Veterinary Dentistry in 2006. Dr. Capron is an effective communicator and has a strong passion for dentistry. In addition to general medicine, Dr. Capron offers an array of dental services that includes: endodontics, orthodontics, restorative, periodontics, oral surgery and intraoral radiology.
In his spare time, he enjoys watching OSU Cowboy sports with his wife, Jenny, and son, Cooper. He has a home full of cats - Buzz, Jessie, Bullet, Gracie and Rae
Dr. Cariño is originally from the Philippines where she earned her DVM degree from the University of the Philippines Los Baños in 1998. She started as a large-scale swine farm veterinarian until she moved to the US in 2004, where she gathered diverse experience from working at mixed-animal hospitals, HQHV spay & neuter clinics, as well as animal shelter hospitals. Dr. Cariño is most passionate about providing her patients with the latest gold standard of care in veterinary medicine including soft-tissue surgery, immunotherapy, and regenerative medicine. Outside of work, she loves to paint on silk, gardening, cooking, and spending time with her family and Dagul, their 7-year-old English Mastiff.
Dr. Cariño has been recognized as our 2022 Veterinarian of the Year!
Dr. Cariño is most passionate about providing her patients with the latest gold standard of care in veterinary medicine including soft-tissue surgery, immunotherapy, and regenerative medicine. In 2023, she was recognized as our Veterinarian of the Year!
Dr. Yaritza E Serrano-Laureano (Dr. Serrano), grew up in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, and knew at a very young age that she wanted to be a Veterinarian. She completed undergraduate studies at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez campus, before moving to Louisiana for veterinary school. She graduated from Louisiana State University, School of Veterinary Medicine in 2015. After graduating, she moved to Florida and started working in small animal practice, focusing on pet wellness and preventive care.
When not at work, Dr. Serrano loves spending time with her husband and son, and their 3 dogs. She also enjoys running, skating and salsa dancing.
Liz Elms is excited to be a part of the Pet Paradise Ormond Beach Team as of 2018. She stared her journey here after a 5 day cross country trek with her dog Duke. Liz and Duke are excited to start exploring all of what FL has to offer and excited to be meeting so many new friends here at Pet Paradise Ormond Beach. On their days off they both enjoy lying around and eating treats while someone brushes their hair. Liz is new to the pet industry but comes to us with over 12 years of customer service and service training and management.
Originally from Michigan, Emily moved to Florida and has been with Pet Paradise since June of 2022. She became a supervisor and soon after promoted to become an assistant manager for the Wesley Chapel location. Emily loves building relationships with not only the pets, but the pet parents as well. In her free time, Emily loves coffee dates with friends, creating artwork and spending time with her 2 pitbulls, Buddy and Bella, or her guinea pigs, Maisy & Susan.
Emily loves building relationships with not only the pets, but the pet parents as well. She has 2 pitbulls, Buddy and Bella, and 2 guinea pigs Maisy & Susan!
Emma is our trainer here at Pet Paradise Georgetown. She has been working at the Georgetown locations since opening day as the playtime supervisor before entering the training program. She very excited for this new opportunity because she loves to help pups of all shapes and sized reach their full potential. The most rewarding part for her is seeing the trust and happiness that can come from the training experience for the parents and their fur babies.
The most rewarding part for about being a pet trainer for Emma is seeing the trust and happiness that can come from the training experience for the parents and their fur babies.
Emma is originally from Charlotte, NC. She's been with Pet Paradise since November of 2021. She started as a play timer and has climbed her way up to Resort Manager. She has always had a love for animals since she was little and decided she wanted to make it into her career. She plans to continue to climb the ladder and hopes to have her own resort one day. She has 2 pups of her own, both are rescues - German Shepard named Charlie and a Parson Russell Terrier named Wednesday.
Emma has 2 pups of her own that are both are rescues - a German Shepard named Charlie and a Parson Russell Terrier named Wednesday.
Hi, I'm Erin. I have 3 Australian Shepherds, Cricket, Callie and Cadie, and began working at Pet Paradise in 2021. I am a Dog Trainer and Front Desk Supervisor here at Pet Paradise Cary! From a young age I wanted a career in the pet industry since I grew up around all kinds of animals. I knew I wanted to become a dog trainer after seeing dogs with behavioral problems looked over while working with local pet rescues. I want to be the change for those dogs by helping families and their fur babies have an amazing life together! I cannot wait to meet you and your fur babies!
I have 3 Australian Shepherds, Cricket, Callie and Cadie, and began working at Pet Paradise in 2021. I want to be the change for those dogs by helping families and their fur babies have an amazing life together!
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- President
Fernando's involvement with Pet Paradise began in 2004 when he led L&L Capital Partners (a private equity group) to invest in the company. He subsequently joined the Board of Directors in 2005 and helped refine the company's growth strategy by focusing on new development and acquisition opportunities. In 2007, he joined the team as Chief Operating Officer and later became President and CEO in 2016. Since joining the company in 2005, Fernando has played a key role in accelerating the growth of Pet Paradise from three pet resorts with 45 employees in northeast Florida to more than 1700 employees across 11 states and more than 50 resorts in operation or under development.
Prior to joining Pet Paradise, Fernando spent seven years in Private Equity working with FondElec Group and L&L Capital Partners, two CT based Private Equity firms. Prior to his work in private equity, he worked for BellSouth International in Atlanta where he focused on BellSouth's operations in Central and South America. Prior to BellSouth, Fernando ran several family-owned businesses in Costa Rica.
Fernando serves on several Boards including Community Hospice of Northeast Florida (one of Florida's largest Hospice organizations) of which he serves as chairman. He is also Chairman of the Board of Trustees of The Bolles School, a private college preparatory school in Jacksonville, Florida. Fernando serves on the Board of Advisors at Jacksonville University's Public Policy Institute and is the President of The Acosta-Rua Family Foundation, a family foundation serving the sick and poor primarily in developing countries. In 2021, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Acosta-Rua to the Jacksonville Aviation Authority board where he currently serves as a Board Director.
Fernando received his Bachelor of Science from University of Florida's College of Journalism and Communications, and his MBA from Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
Fernando and his wife, Brooke, reside in Jacksonville and have three children, one dog (Tica) and one cat (Bright Eyes). Fernando enjoys the outdoors, NFL and college football and attending music festivals and concerts.
Job Titles:
- Founder
- Day Spa® Founder
- Founder of Pet Paradise Resort
Fred Goldsmith is the Founder of Pet Paradise Resort. He led an investor team to purchase Pet Paradise Resort in 2002 and was the CEO and driving force behind the growth of the company. After Crane Group purchased a majority interest in Pet Paradise in June 2016, Fred transitioned to a Founder role. Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, Fred received a B.S. in marketing from the University of Miami. He resides in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida and is married with four grown children.
Gabby joined the Pet Paradise Winter Garden family shortly after receiving her Bachelor's in Music Education from Stephen F. Austin State University in Texas. She soon realized that she also shared the same passion for dogs and cats too, so she began working at Pet Paradise in Ft. Lauderdale as a Resort Associate in July 2017. A year later, she transferred to the Orlando Airport location where she quickly stepped into the role as a Supervisor. Her journey then continued once again when she joined the Winter Garden team in 2021 as an Assistant Manager! In her spare time, she loves to make music and also spend time with her German Shepherd/Husky mix named Nukka.
Gabby joined the Pet Paradise Winter Garden in 2019 as the Assistant Manager after graduating from Stephen F. Austin State University in Texas.
Gabriel recently moved back to Florida from Chicago. He has 10 years of grooming experience and 6 years professionally. He has always grown up with all type of pets in his household and now has 5 dogs of his own, Max, Gucci, Flaca, Piper, and Elsa. Throughout his career, he's managed 2 grooming salons that have allowed him to grow his knowledge and experience. This led him to be able to work in a private salon in the heart of downtown Chicago. In his time in Chicago, he had the opportunity to work with several different animals and many celebrity pets. He takes pride and joy in his work. He is very driven and passionate in making sure that your pet has the loving and tender care they deserve, while ensuring they having a magical experience while in his care. During his spare time, he loves spending his days at home with his furry friends or at Disney making magical memories with loved ones.
Job Titles:
- Executive Chairman of Acosta Sales
- Executive Chairman, Acosta Sales and Marketing
Gary Chartrand, Executive Chairman of Acosta Sales and Marketing, joined Acosta in 1983 as a Business Manager and subsequently was promoted to Vice President, Regional Vice President of Florida, President, and in 1996, President/Chief Executive Officer. Acosta Sales and Marketing Company, Inc., based in Jacksonville, FL with more than 17,000 employees company wide, is one of North America's largest sales and marketing agencies serving the $700 billion supermarket industry. Gary is a winner of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Award, and was named to the Supermarket News Power 50 list from 2003 to 2009. He is responsible for quadrupling the company's geographic coverage, transforming Acosta into a leading full-service sales and marketing company in the U.S. and Canada. Gary is the author of the recently released management book, Unreasonable Leadership.
Gavin Warpness started with the company in 2021 as a Front Desk Associate and moved up into the management team quickly. Gavin is an Illinois native who moved to Florida in 2013 with his family. Although he can't have animals at home, he finds happiness in being surrounded by fur babies all day in Paradise. He's looking forward to a long career in the Pet Paradise Family and can't wait to have his dream fur family of two cats and one dog. His favorite part of working at Pet Paradise is always having a fur baby to cheer him up when he needs it. His commitment to everyone is to provide a great environment for not only the fur kiddos but the family that love them, too!
Hailley has been with the company since 2020. She started off as a back of house associate. She worked her way up to supervisor then quickly to assistant manager. Hailley went to Santa Fe High School and did the vet assisting program. During her years in high school she showed livestock. Hailley has two dogs of her own. Lucy a 4 year old Chesapeake Bay Retriever and Lazlo a 2 year old Beagle. On Hailleys free time she likes to take her dogs to do dog sports and go on adventures with them. Their favorite place to go is the beach.
Hannah grew up in Hawthorne, FL, with an abundance of animals on a small family ranch. She was drown to animals of all sizes from a young age, and her first groom ever was a show heifer in FFA! After high school, she studied at the University of South Alabama. While in Alabama, Hannah's aunt started teaching her to grooms dogs, where she fell in love with helping pets feel and look their best! Hannah has been working with animals professionally since 2014, and has experience in boarding facilities, rescue work, and veterinary care. After returning to Florida to spend more time with family, Hannah became a member of Pet Paradise team in December 2021. Hannah spends her free time catering to her two cats, Spook and Maize.
Hello! My name is Hayden! I am originally from Maine, and recently moved to Central Florida in 2019. Not long after moving, I accepted an opportunity at PetSmart as a Stylist Apprentice. I would go on to receive my certification through PetSmart's Pet Stylist Certification Program, and have been grooming ever since! I have three Australian Shepherds of my own, who love road trips and outdoor adventures. In my free time, I like to be outside enjoying the sun and swimming with my pups!
I grew up my whole life in the country with pit bulls, cats, horses and lots of other animals. Since a child I have always had a deep passion for taking care of the animals. I now have two Pitbull's of my own and a chihuahua. I started working at Pet Paradise in September 2021 after recently moving to Wilmington. Being new to the area, this job immediately felt like home to me. I started as a playtime coordinator and have worked my way up to assistant manager. I have never had a job I've felt so passionate about. I love the animals like they are my own and know my job matters. I do everything in my power to make sure they are healthy and happy while here and that they leave feeling the same way. I look forward to the upcoming journey the future holds for me!
Isabel joined Pet Paradise in 2023 as our Resort Manager. Isabel has worked in the pet industry for 14 years holding positions such as General Manager, K9 Training Manager, Front of House Manager and Back of House Manager. Isabel has a huge passion of working with dogs and their owners develop wonderful communication skills! Isabel has 5 dogs of her own as well as 2 cats: Adam Bombe (Golden); Cornell (Black Lab); Whiskey (Papillon); Reid (Papillon) and Ocean (Australian Shep/Husky mix). In her free time, Isabel enjoys spending time raising and training Service Dogs for Veterans suffering from PTSD! Isabel is very excited to meet you and your precious fur babies!
Jaclyn is a Florida native and an FSU alumni. She has an unmeasurable love for animals and loves giving all of our pups here in Paradise mountains of attention and affection. Nothing makes her smile more than watching all of the dogs having the time of their lives. Jaclyn has one pup of her own, and they are inseparable! Luna is a 5 and a half year old German Shorthaired Pointer mix who was rescued from a shelter around 3 and a half years ago. Jaclyn and Luna love being a part of the Pet Paradise family!
Jaclyn has one pup of her own, a German Shorthaired Pointer mix named Luna!
Jacob joined the Pet Paradise family in June of 2017 he started off as a Resort Associate at the University location and advanced into the Manager role here at Bartram! His heart is set in making sure all the pets feel safe walking through those doors and like they are truly living it up in Paradise! Throughout his career here at Paradise he has enjoyed getting to be a part of helping up and coming resorts open and Train, as well as being a part of the Jacksonville Jaguars NFL Dog Park! He is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in Business Management at Jacksonville University! Outside of Pet Paradise you can likely find Jacob at car meets, snapping some pictures, or hanging out with his friends! He can't wait to meet all of you and create a bond with your four-legged friends!
Jacquee grew up on a farm and lived there up until the age of 23, so she has quite a bit of experience with all animal sizes. She realized at a young age that she wanted to pursue a career with animals and especially, dogs. With 6 years of dog care experience, she joined Pet Paradise in 2019 and quickly learned she wanted to grow with the company and her skills. Passionate to bring a level of care and security to her clients, she moved up into the supervisor position at Orlando, then transferred to Winter Garden in 2021 to further develop her career, and is now happy to call Lake Buena Vista home. On her spare time, she enjoys going to the gym, going to parks and nature walks, and traveling to new places and learning different cultures. Jacquee has one dog named Luna. She is a seven-pound shih-poo that loves some human cuddles.
Jamie's passion for animals started from a young age with her first Shetland Sheepdog at 5yrs old. She now has two dogs, an American bulldog mix named Parker and a Dogo Argentino named Danika. Both of which, love to swim in the pool at Pet Paradise. She joined the Pet Paradise team back in January 2022 at the Jax Airport location, and now has recently joined the Amelia team as an Assistant Manager.
Jamie has two dogs, an American bulldog mix named Parker and a Dogo Argentino named Danika.
Jamie is so happy to be the groomer of our Pet Paradise St. Augustine location. Jamie brings experience, attention to detail and a passion for animals to everything done as our groomer. We can't wait to send your fur babies home looking clean and beautiful!
Meet Jasmine! She is one of our lovely assistant managers here at Bartram! Jasmine started off as a resort assistant in 2021 at the Saint Augustine location and quickly grew into management from there! She grew up in West Virginia and was always surrounded by animals of all sorts! Currently, she is living in Florida with her three fur babies who she loves to travel with while exploring the outdoors. Jasmine is dedicated in making sure all the animals at the resort are safe, healthy, and most importantly loved!
Jasmine lives in Florida with her three fur babies who she loves to travel with while exploring the outdoors.
Jen has 2 dogs, a German Shepherd mix (Hennessy) and a Cocker Spaniel (Rocky), and a Tuxedo cat (Kaito)!
Jennifer joined Pet Paradise in January 2016 at the Ormond Beach location as a bather. She quickly learned that dogs and cats are her passion in life and wanted to make Pet Paradise her career. Jennifer has managed many of our locations including Sanford, Palm Coast, and Ormond Beach. For the last 3 years, Jennifer was our Central Florida Regional until she decided she wanted to come back to Ormond Beach as the Resort Manager. In her free time, she likes to be out in the beautiful Florida weather either fishing, kayaking, golfing, or going to the Theme Parks. Jennifer also has 3 fur babies of her own, 2 Soft Coated Wheaten Terries named Sassy and Angel Grace. And a high energy Goldendoodle named Bella that she rescued. Jennifer and her fur babies can't wait to meet you!
Jennifer has 3 fur babies of her own, 2 Soft Coated Wheaten Terries named Sassy and Angel Grace.
Jennifer Joined the Pet Paradise family in 2021, she started her career as a Playtime coordinator and helped begin the dog training program within the company being one of the first trainers to get certified through Top Tier K9! Jen is a person who wears many hats, one of which being a dog trainer. She is also knowledgeable in vet medicine and is a mother of 2 beautiful kids, a Doberman named Nitro and a bearded dragon! Jen truly has a passion for dogs and wants to make sure your pup is not only well taken care of at Pet Paradise but leaves being the best version they can be of themselves, and ready to be a respected member of the family! Book an appointment for dog training today!
Jennifer comes from Yulee where she lives with my husband of 22 years. She has 3 kids who are grown and moved out of the house, and also has a 1 year old granddaughter. She has a 6 year old Pomeranian named Harley Quinn and a 5 month old Cockapoo named Kylo Ren. What she looks forward to most about working at Pet Paradise is seeing all the sweet cats and dogs!
Jennifer has a 6 year old Pomeranian named Harley Quinn and a 5 month old Cockapoo named Kylo Ren.
Hello! My name is Jessi! I am a Florida native, born and raised in Apollo Beach. I have 7 years of management experience. I have been a dog mom for 13 years and a cat mom for just over two years. My fur family consists of a German Shepard named Modi, a Labradoodle named Russ, and two rescued orange cats Ollie and Oppie. My family has been in the animal industry for over 30 years and I am so happy to continue the tradition here at Pet Paradise Apollo Beach!
Jessi has a German Shepard named Modi, a Labradoodle named Russ, and two rescued orange cats Ollie and Oppie.
I've been with the company since 2019 starting as a resort associate working my way up to assistant manager and pursued the dog training school to follow my passion. My passion for animals started from taking home strays and working with reactive dogs. I enjoy training when I can see the bond from pet to owner strengthen.
Jessica joined Pet Paradise Winter Garden in 2019 as a resort associate. In 2020, she moved into a supervisor role and shortly thereafter, became assistant manager. She brings her passion for animals to Pet Paradise with over thirty years of animal experience. Currently, she is working on her bachelor's degree in Business Administration and plans to use this dedication and knowledge in providing a better experience for your pets.
Jess joined Pet Paradise in October 2021 as a back-of-house employee. She quickly fell in love with the diverse and meaningful relationships she was building with the pets and pet parents alike. She grew more passionate about cleanliness and assuring your four-legged kids have the best time possible while staying with us, giving her the push to become a supervisor in February 2023. Now that she is an Assistant Manager, she couldn't be prouder of the family, furry and not, that has been built at Pet Paradise Mooresville. She has two furry children of her own, Arson (GSD) and Oliver (Aussie)! She is eager to continue building relationships through Pet Paradise and facilitating individualized care for each pet. From one dog mama to another, she couldn't be happier to know your pets enjoy being here as much as she does!
Jessica has two furry children of her own, Arson (GSD) and Oliver (Aussie)!
My name is Joe Hathaway! Prior to joining Pet Paradise, I worked as a district manager for Big 5 Sporting Goods and have 25 years of leadership experience. I have a strong passion for animal care and can't wait to meet your and your pets! In my free time, I enjoy outdoor activities and having an active, healthy lifestyle.
I can't wait to show my passion for animal care for all types animals and meeting you and your pets!
My goal is to help provide a more harmonious balance in you and your dog's daily life, whether it's being inside the house or doing outside activities. Having dogs growing up without training, I realized how important it is to set boundaries, have a great recall and have knowledge of overall daily routine for dogs. I have a great passion for training and love for dogs and take pride in the work that I do.
Josh started as a play timer and quickly grew into the resort associate role. He always had a love for grooming and often would groom his dog Quincy (mini-Aussiedoodle). He applied for the grooming school, and it has been a perfect match from the start. Josh is excited to bring quality haircuts to all the pups of Paradise.
Kade was raised here in St. Augustine his whole life and has been with Pet Paradise for about 7 years. He's very excited about being one of the new Assistant managers.
Kade is very excited about being one of the new assistant managers at our St. Augustine location!
Karen Dixon joined the Pet Paradise family in 2001, working in the very first Pet Paradise facility located in St. Augustine, FL. Karen has over 13 years of experience in the pet care industry and has assisted in the opening of 9 Pet Paradise facilities in various states. In 2008, Karen and Nip, her 11-year-old Jack Russell Terrier, settled in Ft Lauderdale, opening the first Pet Paradise in South Florida!
Katie has been a certified pet groomer for going on 13 years. From a young age, she knew animals were her calling. She worked at several pet hotels/daycares and volunteered at local shelters through high school. She started her grooming career in college. Throughout her career, she has also worked in the vet field and is a trained vet tech. She has 2 beautiful fur babies, Kip and Rogue, who adore the Pet Paradise staff and love their day camp friends. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her 5 year old son, husband, and dogs exploring parks in Central Texas.
Katie has been a certified pet groomer for going on 13 years. She has 2 beautiful fur babies, Kip and Rogue, who adore the Pet Paradise staff and love their day camp friends. Read More
Kayla was born and raised in upstate New York, moved to South Carolina in 2011 and found her new home in Jacksonville in 2018. Growing up, Kayla has always had dogs, and now has a pack of her own. Her senior Pitty Max and her water loving Rottie Briggs.
She spent most of her employment in the restaurant industry working her way from a server to a manager over the years. Always having the passion for animals, she set out to find a career that she loves and has succeeded! She started her career here at Pet Paradise Bartram as an assistant in 2020, moving onto Resort Manager Pet Paradise St. Augustine! Kayla has come full circle and is now back at Bartram as the current Resort Manager! She has been working towards a goal to show that no matter the breed, they will always have a safe, clean and fun environment and will never be judged solely on breed!
Job Titles:
- COO
- Senior Vice President of Finance
Kevin English was born in Pensacola and grew up in the small town of Gulf Breeze in the Florida panhandle. After graduating from Gulf Breeze High School in 1987, Kevin attended the University of Florida, where he received a B.S. in Accounting. In the fall of 1992, Kevin moved to Jacksonville, Florida and started his professional career with Deloitte and Touche LLP as a Certified Public Accountant. After four years with Deloitte and Touche, Kevin joined PSS World Medical, Inc. During his 17 years with PSS World Medical, Kevin held several senior management positions, including his last position on the executive management team as the Chief Sourcing Officer. Following his departure from PSS, Kevin joined One Call Care Management as its Chief Financial Officer.
Kevin has been involved with several community and charitable organizations in Northeast Florida, including The Players Championship. Kevin has volunteered with The Players Championship PGA Tour golf event for eight years. His current role is first vice chairman and Kevin is in line to become the tournament Chairman in 2017.
Kevin and his wife, Debbie, live in Ponte Vedra and have three children - Morgan, Brooke and JP.
Kevin is a California native who moved to Florida in 2021. He is passionate about dogs and has been working at Pet Paradise in Oakleaf since he moved to Florida. He is always looking for ways to grow his knowledge and understanding of dogs, and he is excited to share his love of these animals with others.
In his free time, Kevin enjoys spending time with his own dogs, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier Mix named Carmen and a Min Pin Mix named Pico. He also enjoys nature walks, seeing new sights, and spending time outdoors.
Kevin is a kind and compassionate person who is always willing to help others. He hopes to make a positive impact on the lives of dogs and their families.
My name is Kim Mroczko and I have been grooming for a little over fifteen years. Growing up, I always had a passion for animals. I was raised in South Florida but moved to New Jersey where I worked my first kennel position at a Golden Retriever facility. That position only sparked my passion for animals deeper. After two years, I moved back to South Florida and got a job as a bather and then I was taught how to groom. I have been grooming dogs for fifteen years and grooming cats for nine years. My favorite thing about grooming is all of the four-legged friends I have made on this incredible journey as well as meeting pet parents too. I look forward to working with you and making your fur babies beautiful!
Job Titles:
- Board Member of the Ritz Chamber Players
- Vice President of Marketing and Communications
As part of our executive leadership team, Kristen spearheads all marketing and branding strategies for Pet Paradise and NewDay Veterinary Care. This includes all advertising, creative development, customer experience, public relations, and digital marketing (website, app and social media). Kristen also leads pricing strategies and messaging, philanthropic initiatives and crisis communications.
A 25-year industry veteran, Kristen has an extensive background in marketing, public relations and brand management. Her leadership experience includes traditional and digital media, digital strategy, loyalty program strategy, field and local restaurant marketing, cause marketing, social media strategy and product development. With a fervent passion for brand marketing, positioning and messaging, Kristen excels at strategically honing conceptual ideas into impactful, measurable and profitable brand actions.
Notably, Kristen previously served led as senior vice president of marketing for Firehouse Subs, where she led the entire marketing function. Here, she helped grow the brand from a regional Jacksonville-based restaurant chain to a billion-dollar franchise operation with more than 1,200 locations in the U.S. and Canada. Over the course of her 15 years at Firehouse Subs, she was instrumental in developing their marketing and brand strategy for their national promotion rollouts, customer loyalty program and philanthropic support of first responders and public safety organizations. Prior to that, Kristen worked for nationally renowned public relations, advertising and strategic firms such as Edelman Worldwide, Leo Burnett and IA Collaborative.
A graduate of the University of Missouri with a bachelor's degree in journalism, Kristen is a board member of the Ritz Chamber Players in Jacksonville. Previous board memberships include five-year tenures at WJCT Public Broadcasting and Theatre Jacksonville, where she served as Board Chair.
Kristen and her husband reside in Jacksonville with their Corgi mix named Marco Polo
Kyle grew up in Northern New York and always had a passion for dogs. When he moved to the area he found pet paradise, became a playtime coordinator, and moved his way up over the past 2 years. He has a trio of female pups named Lucy, Artemis, and Nixie. The girls love Pet Paradise as much as him. Lucy will meet your pups in the pool while Kyle greets you at the door.
Kyle has a trio of female pups named Lucy, Artemis, and Nixie. The girls love Pet Paradise as much as him.
I grew up in a house fostering dogs, and I adopted a Pitbull at 11, and years later got a Landseer, who's now one. In a house with a family of Veterinarians, I've been receiving guidance to properly care for dogs and recognize the behaviorisms they portray. I've always known my passion was training dogs, and I've worked my way up to a Certified Dog Trainer from my start as a playtime coordinator at Pet Paradise in April, 2022. Ultimately, my desire is to work with dogs and give them the second chance every dog deserves, and making the bond with your dog stronger. I've been working with and around dogs since I can remember, I hope you can trust me with yours.
Lani has been with Pet Paradise since Spring 2014, originally from the Gainesville location as a resort associate before she was promoted to a supervisor. Lani went on to be a supervisor for the Wesley Chapel location and soon after promoted to become the assistant manager for the Lakewood Ranch resort, and is now back as an assistant manager at our Wesley Chapel location. Lani loves building relationships with pet parents and each pet that walks in the door. When not at work she loves to spend time with her Shih Tzu, Mr. President, and Plot Hound, Maui. Lani is excited to be part of the Odessa resort and can't wait to meet you and your pets.
Lani has been with Pet Paradise since Spring 2014, originally from the Gainesville location as a resort associate before she was promoted to supervisor.
Laura is from Tarpon Springs, FL and has moved to the area with her husband Clayton, Violet the Chihuahua, Keanan the big goofy hound mix, Clover the Maine Coon, and Millie, Goldie, and Frieda, their three spoiled Mille Fleur d'Uccle chickens. Laura has her Bachelors of Science in Environmental Science and Policy as she cares for the environment just as much as she cares for animals. She has been working in the animal industry for nearly 17 years as she has worked in kennels, shelters, rescues, vet hospitals, big brand pet stores, grooming salons and even worked with exotics at the zoo. She became a groomer 4 years ago because her older Yorkie, Lily, was special needs and needed love and care to make her look her absolute best. She now enjoys giving that same care and special attention to detail to other dogs and cats in grooming who need it too. On her time off, Laura volunteers and fosters for the local animal shelter. She gives baths to shelter dogs helping them get adopted by making them clean and happy.
Lisa Fiorentino, originally from Illinois, is now here at Pet Paradise Cedar Park as a pet stylist/groomer! Lisa, an avid animal lover, has been grooming for 28 years and has a whirlwind of knowledge and experience with dogs and cats alike. With almost 3 decades of grooming experience, Lisa brings both classical grooming techniques, and hip, modern, contemporary styles to the table (the grooming table that is, haha ). She is very excited to work with you and your fur baby, to bring you both the experience and CATwalk ready look that fits your fashionable lives.
Madison joined our Cedar Park team in October 2022 as a Supervisor! She then moved up to our Assistant Manager role, and we are now welcoming her in as our K9 Behavioral Specialist. Madison has three dogs of her own, and is always finding the joy in fostering dogs! She has been in the animal industry since graduating High School in 2019! Madison looks forward to extending her knowledge in K9 Behavior, and looks forward to specializing in helping dogs with Major behavioral issues!
Makayla joined Pet Paradise in June of 2021 as a play timer. Dog training has been a passion of hers that she has spent countless hours pursuing since she got her Dutch/German Shepherd, Dixie. In her free time Makayla loves taking Dixie out hiking and entertaining and enriching Dixie in sports. She can't wait to meet you and your fur baby, as well as help both of you grow to your full potential!
Dog training has been such a passion of Makayla's that she has spent countless hours pursuing since she got her Dutch/German Shepherd, Dixie.
Mariah's passion for animals started as a young child. Throughout the years she has owned multiple cats and dogs ranging from all different breeds and sizes. Mariah strived to work in the pet care industry so when she was offered the opportunity to work for Pet Paradise, she knew she couldn't pass it up! Mariah started with Pet Paradise in November of 2016 as a Resort Associate who was quickly cross-trained to a Play Time Coordinator. Mariah was then given the opportunity to become a Front Desk Associate while also training on becoming a Communication Specialist. Mariah's dedication, motivation, and determination to the company led her to be our Resort & Play Time Supervisor in October 2019. Mariah is now stepping into her new role of the Pet Paradise Palm Coast Assistant Manager!
Mariah's passion for animals and hard work helped her grow from starting as a Resort Associate to eventually becoming an Assistant Manager!
Meghan joined our new Birmingham team as a certified dog trainer. Meghan is originally from Minnesota and moved down to Alabama in 2020. She has 5 years of training experience. In her free time she enjoys volunteering with a variety of nonprofits. Her passion for training began after spending several years volunteering as a Puppy Raiser for a service dog nonprofit. Her favorite thing about training is watching the owner's and pups succeed by encouraging, empowering, and supporting them throughout the process.
Meghan has 5 years of training experience. Her favorite thing about training is watching the owner's and pups succeed by encouraging, empowering, and supporting them throughout the process.
Since I was very young, I have had a passion to work with dogs and became determined to make my career with them. Growing up with animals, I learned early that I loved teaching them new commands and behaviors. This led me to become a canine trainer. Currently have three fur babies, and I also foster for local rescues to help others get adopted!
Job Titles:
- Crane Group in 1989 As General Counsel
- President, Crane Group Companies
Mike Crane joined Crane Group in 1989 as general counsel and was named to his current role in 2007. As President, Mike manages Crane Group's operating business units.
Previously, Mike served as President of Crane Performance Siding. Prior to joining Crane, he practiced corporate law in Columbus with the law firms of Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur and Schottenstein, Zox and Dunn (now Ice Miller).
Mike is an active corporate volunteer, currently serving on the board of directors of White Castle System, Inc., and on the Campaign Leadership Committee for Franklin Park Conservatory. He previously served on the boards of the Columbus Academy, Capital University, the Ohio Manufacturers' Association, and the US Bank Advisory Board (Columbus), and is a past board President of The Buckeye Ranch.
Mike received his Bachelor of Arts in Government from Harvard College, and his Juris Doctor from the Moritz College of Law at The Ohio State University.
Hi my name is Mina and I am originally from Miami, FL. I found my passion for animals when I was in the third grade. From then on, I studied zoology and veterinary science. After graduating, I moved to Yulee. I started working with Pet Paradise in March 2022 and got the opportunity to become a certified dog trainer. I'm so excited to work with you and your pup and help them become the best version of themselves!
Miranda started her journey at Pet Paradise in 2017. Miranda started as a Resort Associate and with hard work is now a Resort Manager. Miranda brings with her many years of customer service experience and multiple years of animal experience including working with chimpanzees and African elephants! Miranda is so excited to start at Pet Paradise Peachtree city and looks forward to forming new connections with all the pets as well as their owners! In Miranda's free time she enjoys reading and talking walks with her little dog, Gimli.
Miranda started her journey at Pet Paradise in 2017. Miranda started as a Resort Associate and with hard work is now an Resort Manager.
I have been with Pet Paradise for a few years and absolutely love training. I genuinely didn't know what I wanted to do with my life and having this experience and opportunity has changed my life. I consider this a calling of mine, as it comes so naturally to me. I enjoy every second when I'm able to train the dogs in our care. I find it rewarding seeing these dogs leave with a totally different mentality and behavior and seeing how excited the parents are when they pick up.
I am from New York but have lived in North Carolina for 11 years. I've been with Pet Paradise Lake Norman since 2018. I have a passion for learning more about dog behavior. I have 2 fur babies Creed (Hound/Husky mix) and Coco (Boston terrier/Pitbull mix). I love cruise vacations and trying new restaurants. My favorite thing about working at Pet Paradise is being surrounded by people who are equally passionate about animals.
Monique has 2 fur babies Creed (Hound/Husky mix) and Coco (Boston terrier/Pitbull mix)!
Naja has loved animals since childhood. She grew up with a cocker spaniel name Smokey who was the love of her youth. After growing up she took her love for animals to school where she expanded her knowledge while pursuing a degree in Biology. She currently has two loving dogs, Rico (5 years) who she adopted and Sasha (13 years) who she rescued. Naja joined Pet Paradise in 2018 and fell in love with working in the pet industry and saw no other job like it. Prior to, she was a manager in the restaurant business for 6 years. Nowadays while not at work she enjoys spending time with her family and most importantly her son Grayson.
Nick was originally born in Ecuador but grew up in South Florida. He is bringing his previous management experience and love for pets to our facility. In his spare time he loves playing with his three dogs Leo, Maverick, and Bolt.
Nick and his 5-month-old Belgian Malinois Echo are delighted to lead one of the most dedicated, loving, and passionate teams in pet care. Starting as a resort associate in 2021, Nick found his core values aligned perfectly with Pet Paradise and quickly worked his way up, leaving no stone unturned when it comes to watching over your babies. Nick is ecstatic to serve the people and pets of Tallahassee and looks forward to meeting every single one.
Nicole is a native to Jacksonville Florida. In 2017 Nicole started as one of our resort associates at the Pet Paradise University location. Wanting to take her career to the next level Nicole enrolled in grooming school. Showing off her skills, she worked at Petco as a groomer for 2 years. In the beginning of 2022 Nicole became one of the groomers at Pet Paradise Bartram. Nicole's favorite part about grooming is transforming the pups into her works of art.
Nicole has been grooming for 3 years. Her favorite part about grooming is transforming the pups into her works of art.
Originally from Michigan, Nikki moved to Florida back in 2015. She's been with Pet Paradise for 3 years. She started out at the Wesley Chapel location as a Playtime Coordinator, then was promoted to Supervisor, before landing at the Apollo Beach location to take on the Assistant Manager role. In her free time, Nikki likes to hang out with her rescue pittie mix Benji and go for hikes. She can't wait to meet all the different pets that come through the resorts doors!
Noah has been in the pet industry for a collective eight years strong! He's worked in different fields of the pet industry ranging from various grooming Salon settings to working at several animal hospitals within the Triangle. He is now a part of the Pet Paradise Family! He is the first graduate from the Paragon Online Grooming Academy that Pet Paradise sponsored, and he looks forward to be able to continue his passion for beautifying each pup that comes into the salon!
Olga spent her whole life dreaming about working with pets. Unfortunately, in Soviet Union, where she grew up, they did not have jobs with animals unless you worked for a circus. Little did she know, she was one step closer to that dream when her family immigrated to the United States in 1995. By 2000, she was learning to groom dogs and living the dream in Indiana. Her husband, son and her have been living in the West Orlando area since 2010. They have a Chihuahua named Layla and three cats: Kisa, Niva and Jada. In her free time, Olga enjoys rollercoasters, being in nature, yoga and weight lifting.
Hello! My name is Omar Almonte prior my arrival to Pet Paradise, I worked in the hospitality industry for nearly 18 years in San Antonio and Austin. As a supervisor I managed upscale hotels in the area of Security, Safety and Asset Protection. My passion has always been for the love of animals. What I enjoy more than anything, is to see happy Fur Babies. I thrive in bringing them joy and happiness and to ensure they are "Living their Best Life". I look forward for this new chapter and bringing my experience to our Fur Babies and Pet Parents for a memorable and enjoyable experience, while exceeding expectations. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family, friends, gardening, and my very own Fur Babies.
Omy graduated from Animal Behavior College in October 2017, and has been with us since November 2017. She has been in love with dogs for as long as she can remember and has three of her own: Levi, Amir, and Jerry, who all range in size from a chihuahua to a rottweiler. She has been nothing but a joy to have on our team, and our customers love the work she does!
Paige started working at Pet Paradise in 2015 and immediately fell in love with the job we have here. She instantly knew she wanted to be a bigger part of the company and was willing to learn anything to run her own resort one day. With more than 2 years of managing experience at our Woodstock location, Paige is happy to take on Pet Paradise Birmingham! She has 4 years of customer service prior to Pet Paradise, so she is just a passionate about giving great customer experiences to Pet Parents as she is about treating your babies as her own. She does, however, have 3 rescue fur babies of her own that are her life. Squirt, a dachshund, was abandoned near by the resort and Paige knew she would be a perfect fit for her family. Bruce, a mix, was a shelter dog that Paige just couldn't live without. Iris, a dachshund, was in a rough craigslist situation and Paige just knew they had to save her. All 3, really saved Paige though. She already feels like so many of the animals and people she has met through Pet Paradise are like family. She can't wait to meet you and watch the family grow!!!
Paige Hess started as a Pet Paradise resort associate in 2015 and immediately fell in love with the work we do with Pet Paradise.
Paige has been with Pet Paradise since September of 2022. She was a dog groomer for six years previously and drove a dog taxi at a resort in Georgia. She has three dogs of her own Archie, Appa, and Waldo. Paige enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her son in her free time. Her favorite thing about working at Pet Paradise is getting to know each and every client and new doggie friends.
Paige has three dogs of her own: Archie, Appa and Waldo.
Paula has been grooming dogs for 23 years & it has been her passion since completing her very first dog bath in December 2020. Paula attended Paragon Grooming School in October 2021 & has perfected her skill in creating beautiful dog haircuts, ensuring each pup leaves feeling fresh, clean & stylish. Paula takes pride in her work & has a true talent displayed with each pup she works with.
Rachael has been with Pet Paradise since May of 2021, as Playtime Coordinator during the opening of the Fleming Island location! She enjoyed growing within the company, from a supervisor to a Resort Manager, and the opportunity to visit numerous resorts. Rachael is an avid animal lover of all animals, and you may even see her lab mix, Lola, and tripaw'd pup, Kovo, when visiting Mooresville!
Rachel was born and raised in sunny South Florida. When she moved to Tallahassee to attend Florida State University, she discovered Pet Paradise and fell in love. Starting as a Playtime associate, Rachel quickly realized after graduating that she wanted to take her career with Pet Paradise to the next level. She's worked her way up to Resort Manager and is very thankful for the opportunity to serve all people in the beautiful state of Florida. Rachel & her three-year-old pit-mix Remmi are eager to meet all of you & your furbabies!
Rhonda started at Pet Paradise in 2019 as a receptionist and her passion for our Pets and Pet People drove her to move up in the company to make a bigger difference. She has 2 dogs of her own, Jupiter (a Doberman) and Ruckus (Jack Russell Mix). They are her whole world so she can relate to how parents feel when they trust us with the care of their kids. Her passion for dogs started early in her life, but only grew when she volunteered at Mostly Mutts. This opened her eyes to how much she wanted to work with dogs full time and when she found Pet Paradise it was a match made it heaven. Rhonda is our resident enrichment enthusiast and can give you great advice for how to keep your pets mentally engaged at home. When she is not at Pet Paradise, she spends her time outdoors with her husband and her dogs. Rhonda can't wait to meet your fur-babies and spoil them like her own.
Rhonda has 2 dogs of her own, Jupiter (a Doberman) and Ruckus (Jack Russell Mix).
Roderick joined the Pet Paradise team in June 2023 after moving back to his home town of Atlanta, Georgia from Los Angeles, California. He has been grooming for 16 years and owned his own mobile grooming company in LA for 9 years. He looks forward to continue working with dogs and clients to help achieve a happy and healthy pet life.
Meet Rose! She's been at the Mooresville resort since it opened in early June 2018 as a resort associate, and quickly worked her way up to a Back of House Supervisor within a year. Rose's passion for dogs has grown so much that she pursued her dream in becoming a dog trainer. She not only loves dogs, but she also has a love for exotic pets as well. Rose has a four-year-old Holland Lop rabbit, (Waffles) a 36 gallon tank with a clown fish, (Tom Hardy) and a three-year-old Coton de Tuluer (Kodi). Her favorite thing about Pet Paradise is that she is able to work with dogs as well as educate their parents to enhance their Pet Paradise experience. Rose can't wait to meet you and your pup!!
Hey guys! My name is Ryan and I am a certified K9 behavioral specialist here at Pet Paradise Bartram. My love for dogs brought me to Pet Paradise over 4 years ago. I have had the pleasure of working in may resorts around Jacksonville and many positions with in the resort. My favorite by far is K9 training, I have been through one-on-one training mentored under a master K9 trainer with Top Tier K9. My favorite thing about training is helping the dogs become their best selves and grow to their full potential. The most rewarding part of this position is watching the pawrents and their pups grow closer and stronger throughout the program.
Meet Ryan, one of our assistant managers at Pet Paradise Kyle! His favorite thing about working at Pet Paradise is the way every day brings something new. He loves spending time with senior dogs and cuddling with them. He is originally from Boston and moved to Kyle with his fiancé after falling in love with the area. A fun fact about Ryan is that he has traveled to every state in the U.S. except Hawaii and Alaska. Featured in this photo is Scotch, a very cuddly three-year-old pit bull mix, which is one of Ryan's favorite breeds.
Sabrina has been a groomer for 8 years and has explored every avenue of the industry. She also has 3 dogs of her own. Sabrina's main focus is making sure the dogs feel safe and comfortable. She can't wait to make your fur babies beautiful in the future!
Saffy has been with pet paradise since summer of 2017. She started out as a back of house associate and slowly started to move up from playtime coordinator to a communications associate. She instantly knew she wanted to grow with the company and proceeded to apply for Supervisor in training and transferred to Palm coast in 2020, graduated the program in 2021 and shortly transferred back to Ormond beach to apply for Manager in training. January of 2022, she graduated the MIT program and went up to Assistant manager. On her days off, her two furbabies, Archie and Shyloh, love going to the dog beaches and enjoy going to the dog parks as well to play fetch! She is also a makeup artist outside of work along with a professional dancer.
On Saffron's days off, her two furbabies, Archie and Shyloh, love going to the dog beaches and enjoy going to the dog parks as well to play fetch!
Meet Sam! She is an Iowa native that recently relocated to Alabama about a year ago. Her passion for animals started in high school when she began volunteering at Animal Shelters and has only continued since moving to the Birmingham area. She is heavily involved with many non-profits that specialize in injured cats and dogs. She volunteers and goes out of her way to do what she can personally to ensure these babies end up in safe, loving forever homes. She took in a mother cat and 7 kittens on her own and adopted out 4 of the kittens. She kept the mother cat and 2 of the babies as her very own. Sam is looking forward to transforming her passion of helping animals in need in order to ensure that your pets receive the best possible care and everything they deserve while they are staying in Paradise.
Samantha has always felt a strong connection with animals. Their innocence, loyalty, and unconditional love have captivated her heart. This passion led her to adopt two incredible dogs, Gnocchi and Brooklyn. Both are rescues.
Professionally, She has spent the past seven years honing her skills in retail management with SeaWorld Parks. She is also an Automated Photographer in her spare time, spending her weekends off working at car shows and drift events.
Samantha is excited to welcome your pets to the resort with open arms and a smile.
Savannah is a Louisiana native and has been with Pet Paradise for over 2 years. She has two German Shorthair pointer mixes, Copper and CJ. She loves to take them out for runs and fishing during their free time. Savannah is currently in school to further her education in the Funeral Services industry and is a member of the Louisiana National Guard. Savannah loves working for the company and in the future, wishes to grow in her position and travel to assist in opening other resorts.
Savannah has two German Shorthair pointer mixes, Copper and Cj, and loves to take them out for runs and fishing during their free time!
Scott loves meeting all of our guests, both 4-legged and human! He looks forward to providing every guest with the best experience possible! Scott has his own pup, Archie, who has been Scott's best friend for 7 years now!
Sheryl‘s love of working with animals came from her mom, who was a veterinary technician and that's where Sheryl began her career with animals as well. She has over ten years' experience in the animal medical field, specializing in emergency animal medicine. Sheryl joined the Pet Paradise team as a Communications Associate in March 2019 cross training as a front desk receptionist. Sheryl's ambition & dedication to this field led her to the Front Office Supervisor position just a few months later & continuing to grow with the company, became Palm Coast resort's Assistant Manager in October 2020. Sheryl didn't stop there. As of April 2021 she is now the proud Resort Manager of Pet Paradise Palm Coast. In her free time, Sheryl enjoys outdoor activities such as fishing, four-wheeling, camping, and the beach with her 2 children. She has 3 loving dogs - a German Shepherd/Hound mix named Piston, a Chihuahua mix named Ace and a Black Lab name Chevy.
Skye joined the Pet Paradise team in 2022. She has over 9 years of grooming experience and has even owned her own grooming salon. Skye loves to use her experience to ensure healthy, happy, and safe pets. Her goal is to make grooming stress-free for the dogs in her care as well as the pet parents. She loves the grooming process because it allows her to completely transform the pet and provides the care and happiness that they deserve. When she is not grooming, she loves to hang out with her Bernese mountain dog, Sunny, who you can find playing outside with the big dogs when she is working.
Susan was born in Ft. Myers and came to South Florida in 1990. She has worked in the animal industry for 23 years. Starting as a kennel technician, she moved up to a vet technician role (outside of Pet Paradise). In 2002, she graduated from grooming school at Pet's Playground. She has worked in a corporate setting, private shops and the last 15 years as a mobile groomer. Susan has a kitten names TJ and a 7-year-old red-headed chihuahua. She is a step mom to a beautiful 17-year-old daughter and a mom to a 14-year-old handsome son.
Sydney first started working with Enchantment Pet Resort & Spa in August of 2008 as a resort associate and in June of 2015 joined Pet Paradise at the Rio Rancho location in New Mexico. Throughout the years she has learned and expanded her knowledge in each area including Resort associate, Front of House associate, Communications associate, House bather, and now currently a supervisor for Back of House.
In May 2023 she was selected to become a certified dog trainer for the resort. She has two dogs of her own: Alvin, an 11-year-old Doberman mix and Cali (pictured), a 4-year old boxer. Sydney's favorite part about being a part of Pet Paradise is getting to play with the dogs as well as educate and strengthen relationships with paw-rents to ensure their pups have a great experience when they come to Pet Paradise.
Sydney is a seasoned groomer, with nearly 5 years of experience in salons in the Johnston/Wake County communities. Having worked in the pet industry for 3 years prior to grooming, she is extremely dedicated and passionate in providing a knowledgeable, safe, and loving service to every furry friend she works with.
Job Titles:
- Director of Personnel
- President and CEO of Crane Group
Tanny Crane, President and CEO of Crane Group, joined the family business in 1987 and was named to her current role in 2003. As President and CEO, she provides the company with overall strategic direction and leadership development.
Upon joining Crane Plastics in 1987, Tanny became the Director of Personnel. In 1992, she became the Vice President of Sales and Marketing, and in 1996, she was named President of Crane Plastics. Prior to joining Crane Plastics, Tanny worked for five years in product management at Quaker Oats in Chicago, with her final position as Product Manager of Cap'n Crunch Cereals. Prior to Quaker Oats, Tanny worked as National Sales Manager for AT&T in Chicago.
Tanny serves on several boards including Huntington Bancshares, Inc., Columbus Partnership, Fisher College of Business Advisory Board, Ohio Business Roundtable, The Ohio State University Foundation, and OhioHealth. Additionally, she serves as Board Chair for I Know I Can, the Reeb Avenue Center, and the Early Childhood Education Council of Future Ready Columbus. Tanny has previously served as Board Chair of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, and as Board and Campaign Chair of United Way of Central Ohio and Action for Children.
Tanny received her Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Finance from The Ohio State University, and earned her Master of Business Administration from Northwestern University.
I joined Pet Paradise as a supervisor in May of 2022. When the trainer position opened up, I knew I found my calling! My love for dogs and my belief in how important giving them mental and physical stimulation has created such a passionate drive to help as many dogs and owners as possible! It is incredibly rewarding to get to know so many owners and their pups, and be able to help them get the most out of their lives!
Taya has extensive pet resort experience, as she has spent the nearly five years advancing internally and garnering knowledge and expertise along the way. Previously, she held positions as receptionist supervisor, kennel tech supervisor and ultimately as manager on duty. She also handled all marketing for that resort location. She recently graduated with her bachelor's degree in Tourism & Hospitality Management from Middle Tennessee State University in December 2022.
A Murfreesboro native, Taya has three dogs: Kato, a Boston Terrier mix; Leela, a beagle; and Nibbler, a 7-month-old Terrier mix puppy. When not at work, you can find Taya engaging in several creative projects that include painting and drawing. Her creative side is expressed through music as well, as she has played the clarinet for 9 years.
A Murfreesboro native, Taya has three dogs: Kato, a Boston Terrier mix; Leela, a beagle; and Nibbler, a Terrier mix puppy.
Taylor has been with Pet Paradise since August 2022. She started out as a supervisor and was quickly promoted to Assistant Manager. She has 10 years of experience in the pet field; from working in shelters, helping groom, studying dog behavior, getting her training certification, to working in daycare and boarding. She has a passion for pets and though she is new to management she is using that passion and drive to make Pet Paradise the best spot around.
Tessa Thomas was born and raised in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. She has maintained a lifelong interest in animals. Tessa has explored many aspects of that interest, including participating in the zoo program at Busch Gardens and traveling to Nicaragua on a research trip to study Howler monkeys. She attended college in Boston before returning to the sunny south and completing an associate degree in business at Santa Fe State College in Gainesville, FL. While living in Gainesville, Tessa began working at Pet Paradise Gainesville where she found the career she truly loves. Tessa has worked hard to advance within the company, and has previous experience as resort supervisor. She is passionate about both dogs and cats and makes sure they feel comfortable and content, and she treats each animal like her own beloved pets. Tessa has three pets: Buckley, her rescue dog who is now 80lbs and growing, Layla, a chocolate lab mix, and Lucy, a five-year-old orange tabby cat who has been with her since Boston.
Tori has been with Pet Paradise since late 2018. As an animal lover in general, she loves to care for all the dogs and cats and create special bonds with them. In Spring of 2023, Tori made the decision to become a canine behavior specialist to not only help families with ill-mannered pups, but to also educate about their dog's behavior and how to communicate with them appropriately. When she isn't working, Tori enjoys having her nose in her bible with a cup of coffee (especially on rainy days), drawing, and spending time with her two cats Smokey and Suki.
Trevor joined the Pet Paradise family in 2020 as a Playtime Coordinator. Since then, he has advanced into the Manager role at the Bartram location. Trevor has a degree in Criminal Justice from the University of West Florida. He has worked in many criminal justice and customer service roles, but decided to work at Pet Paradise because he is a pet person at heart. He is adamant about all pets having a safe and fun environment while visiting Pet Paradise. Throughout his career at Pet Paradise Trevor has enjoyed making bonds with all the animals and pet parents. He has two pets of his own, a cute miniature dachshund named Pip and a big black cat named Saxton. When outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife and family, playing video games, and going to skateparks. He can't wait to make sure your pet has a vacation of their own here at Pet Paradise!
Trevor has two pets of his own, a cute miniature dachshund named Pip and a big black cat named Saxton.
Trey's heartfelt journey has revolved around his love for animals since his earliest memories. With a bachelor's degree in biology, he's diligently forging his path towards mastering his field.
His odyssey began within the welcoming embrace of Pet Paradise which ultimately led him to embrace the gratifying Pet Paradise Dog Grooming program. Trey found himself enriched beyond measure and cherishes every connection in the salon. His latest addition, Nova, graces his story with boundless energy, a furball that joyously dances between the waters of the resort's pool, exuding an infectious spirit that mirrors Trey's own passion for life.
Trinity has been with Pet Paradise since April 2022 and has loved every second of it! She has always loved animals ever since she was a kid. Her favorite part of the job is getting to spend time with all the pets- she loves them all as if they were her own! Trinity has a dog, a border collie mix named Cowboy, as well as a cat, a ginger tabby named Oliver. On top of taking care of your sweet fur-babies while you're away, Trinity is a full-time student at the University of Houston, and is pursuing a B.A. in Psychology. In her free time, Trinity loves to read and write.