Erin started working at A DOG'S LIFE Sunnyvale in 2007 after graduating from Santa Clara University, where she studied Psychology. In her search for a "Real Job," she simply could not find anything as fun and fulfilling as hanging out with dogs all day! Before moving to California for college, Erin attended high school on the outskirts of Atlanta, but spent most of her childhood growing up in a small town in Ohio. She would eventually like go back to school to further her education, possibly in the field of animal behavior.

Always an animal-lover, her love of dogs stemmed from the two she grew up with at home, both large mixed breeds, one a lovable rescue, the other an adorable pound puppy. Erin doesn't live with any dogs currently, so she is happy to get her dog "fix" every day at work. Although she enjoys working with all sizes, Erin has a soft spot for the big dogs. "I think I identify most with their personalities. I really love hanging out with them, even if they're just lounging around. And they seem to appreciate my famous back scratches the most!"

Her favorite parts of working at ADL are the friendly, fun environment and the wealth of knowledge she's been exposed to since she started. "The people and the dogs are so intertwined; we know each of their personalities and individual quirks so well, it's like one enormous, mixed up, silly family. And we have such a good time playing and working together."

Erin is an Advanced Certified Pet Care Technician through the Pet Care Services Association and has completed a course in Pet First Aid and CPR.

Marian is an Art and Design graduate from San Jose State University. She gained dog-handling experience by growing up with dogs, going through basic training classes, researching books and articles, and dog-sitting. She first came to Run 'Em Ragged (now A DOG'S LIFE Sunnyvale) back in '05 searching for a job where she could socialize and bring her Rottie puppy, Yogi, to work. After working as a Playgroup Leader for several months, she realized that working with dogs was her forte and became grateful for all the extra knowledge and experience that ADL has given her and continues to give her. "I enjoy meeting new, unfamiliar breeds and wish I could have them all. At least working at ADL gives me the chance to spend time with all the different breeds and learning about them. They've become a part of my life now too!"

In 2006, Marian added a new addition to her family -- a French Bulldog puppy named Bartok (named after the witty albino bat in the cartoon movie Anastasia mainly because of his white color and batty ears). Bartok comes to work with Marian often and is one of our many employee dogs who has had the opportunity to take advantage of the classes ADL has to offer. He even passed the Canine Good Citizen test!

Marian has also spent the past 4 years using her design skills by creating most of our marketing collateral, including daycare party signs, brochures, class schedules, and other promotional handouts. She also took on the task of being the new webmaster and redesigning the new website.

When Marian is not at ADL, she practices and performs Hula and Tahitian dancing with a popular Halau in Fremont. However, she is currently taking a break from dancing since she became a new mommy back in April 2008! She hopes to get back into dancing someday when she can find the time. But right now her main priority is being a mom and working, of course.

Marian is a Certified Pet Care Technician through the Pet Care Services Association and has completed a course in Pet First Aid and CPR.

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Lisa grew up in the bay area. She attended Foothill College and then went to Bryman College and received a degree in medical billing. Lisa's heart has always been with animals, however, and she has worked at a number of places revolving around animals (including three other doggie daycares and a vet clinic). After all of the exposure she has gotten to other doggie daycares, she really feels that ADL is the place for her! She plans on going through our Apprentice Program to become a trainer with us, and she also would love to get involved with our Board and Train program. She says, "This isn't a job to me. It's a career."

Lisa has a yellow lab named Sunnie and a 9 month old kitten named Mayhem, who Lisa says, "eats rubber bands, q-tips, and clothes. She totally lives up to her name!" When Lisa is not rescuing her belongings from her crazy kitten, she loves working out, enjoying great food, and watching all of the animal related channels on TV to learn more about just about anything she can. She also loves taking her pooch to the beach.

When asked what her favorite part of working at ADL is, her enthusiastic reply was, "Everything! …The genuine love and kindness that everyone gives the dogs. The dog's are in a positive environment and that means a lot to me because I've seen what else is out there. The one thing that has really stood out for me is learning what works with a particular dog and what doesn't. I'm learning everyday! I really love that!"

Lisa is a Certified Pet Care Technician through the Pet Care Services Association and has completed a course in Pet First Aid and CPR.

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Laurel has loved animals all her life, particularly dogs, as she claims they “help put a positive perspective back into life.” During high school, she volunteered at the Tri-Valley Animal Rescue and at the SPCA. She also worked for Petco as a dog trainer, teaching both puppy and basic obedience classes. In addition, she is a PIJAC-certified Avian Specialist. Currently, Laurel’s eight-year-old beagle, Amber, comes to daycare at A DOG’S LIFE Milpitas! Her seventeen-year-old tortoiseshell cat is named Pumpkin, and she also has a rabbit named Fizzgig.

After recently graduating from Las Positas College with a degree in Theater Arts, Laurel has now been accepted to UC Berkeley to complete her undergraduate education. She hopes to then pursue a Masters degree in Theater Arts from UC Irvine. Laurel would someday love to perform at the Ashland Oregon Shakespeare Festival and at the Berkeley Repertory Theater! When she’s not acting or helping animals, Laurel enjoys writing, reading, and traveling with her husband.

Laurel is interested in continuing her study of dog behavior and training, so that she can help owners form a special connection with their dogs. She hopes to soon become CGC certified, as well as to enter the Training Apprenticeship program here at A DOG’S LIFE! Laurel really appreciates our philosophy and the way we treat our dogs, saying, “I love the way A DOG’S LIFE truly puts animals first and makes sure they are happy, comfortable, and safe. Dog’s are intelligent, intuitive beings who need love, attention and consistency, and A DOG’S LI FE gives that to them.”

Laurel is a Certified Pet Care Technician through the Pet Care Services Association and has completed a course in Pet First Aid and CPR.

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Kaity comes to A DOG’S LIFE with five years of experience grooming and bathing dogs! It is her nature to approach each pup with gentleness and concern; she says, “My mother encouraged me to be a nurturer of small things early on, and it was a lesson that has stuck with me.” Growing up in Massachusetts, Kaity always had a houseful of cats, dogs, and small animals. She even spent three years helping take care of the other horses living at the stable where hers was kept. Currently, Kaity has three cats: Charlie, Gwen, and Biscuit, the last of which she hand-raised from three days old, after the tiny kitten was brought to Kaity’s grooming salon in a popsicle box! Kaity also shares her life with her boxer, Giacomo, who was himself a rescue dog.

After spending a great deal of time in upstate New York, Kaity welcomes the California sun! In her spare time, she likes to relax, and she loves to spend the day on the beach with a good friend. She also enjoys reading, as well as riding horses.

Kaity is very excited to be a member of the A DOG’S LIFE team! She says that working here provides her with a “new, fresh atmosphere,” different from any that she has experienced in the pet industry thus far. She appreciates the way that A DOG’S LIFE focuses on furthering education, and she says that each day “revolves around making sure the little guys in our care have an enjoyable, productive time— as it should!”

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A native of San Jose, Shelby graduated from Lincoln High School and began her general education at San Jose City College. During middle school, she participated in 4-H club, and she continues to enjoy riding horses. Shelby spent two years volunteering with the Happy Hallow Zoo summer camp, during which she helped educate the public about small wildlife and their local habitat. She calls herself an “all-around animal lover.”

Murphy is Shelby’s two-year-old pug. When Shelby is not at the dog park with Murphy, she spends her time teaching him new tricks; she claims he’s currently learning “speak.” Shelby also devotes a great deal of her time to her three cats: Grace, Leo, and June.

After working for two years as a kennel assistant in a veterinary hospital, Shelby has aspirations of continuing to work with dogs. She hopes to eventually become a certified dog trainer, and she finds that each day working at A DOG’S LIFE is an extremely valuable learning experience. Shelby enjoys having the opportunity to interact with dogs of all sizes, and she likes that the dogs are as eager to learn as she is! Her favorite aspect of A DOG’S LIFE is the great variety of services available, and she says, “I really enjoy working at A DOG’S LIFE because they offer so many different activities for dogs! It’s all so fun and exciting!”

Shelby is a Certified Pet Care Technician through the Pet Care Services Association and has completed a course in Pet First Aid and CPR.

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Yolanda was born in Texas, and moved to Cupertino when she was 3 years old. Her plans for the future are simple: “enjoy life and all it has to offer.”

Dogs have been a part of Yolanda’s life since childhood. She currently shares her life with four dogs: Bebegirl, a Rottweiler/German Shepherd mix who is the queen of the household; Rufus, a Rottweiler/pitbull mix who is the king; Zoey is a little “mix of pure pleasure,” and is the princess. Wrapping up the group is Ravi the dapple dachshund, who Yolanda says is the jester in the house.

Outside of work, Yolanda enjoys going to the beach, reading and watching movies at home. And spending tine with her dogs, of course!

Yolanda says, “I love working at ADL because I love to see the different breeds and how lovable some of them are. I love that a dog loves you no matter what and they are very loyal and are so very happy to see you!”

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Born in Shanghai, China, Beverly came to the United States when she was two and mainly grew up in the Bay Area. She now lives in Fremont with her six-year-old Papillion, Mocha, and her three-year-old Chihuahua mix, Sugar. After graduating from Heald Business College with a degree in Computer Business Administration, she earned her degree in Mass Communications from Cal State Hayward. Prior to coming to A DOG’S LIFE, she worked at a marketing agency as a copy writer.

Beverly has a wide range of interests outside of work! She enjoys theater— musicals especially, but also operas and plays. Her love of cooking led her to run a small catering business and she likes trying out lesser-known restaurants and bars. A social person, Beverly enjoys being around people, and she couples this interest with her desire to be active by playing softball, volleyball, and a variety of other sports.

While in college, Beverly worked at the Tri-City Animal Shelter, and she now feels as though animals might continue to be a career focus for her. She appreciates the thorough and continual training process for the A DOG’S LIFE staff, and she also says that she respects the way A DOG’S LIFE promotes, “responsible ownership and education.” About being a member of the team, Beverly claims, “A DOG’S LIFE has a great attitude toward the wellbeing of dogs and I'm proud to be a part of it.”

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Caitlin Brown
Playgroup Leader, CPCT

Caitlin grew up in Modesto, and then attended college at Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont. She graduated in May of 2009 with degrees in Communications and Theatre Arts, as well a minor in Dance. Outside of her time spent at work and at school, Caitlin enjoys taking additional dance classes, working on her writing, and gaining experience in Theater.

Dogs have been a part of Caitlin’s life ever since she was little, when she spent a great deal of time with her family’s pets, and with those of her friends. Throughout both high school and college, she volunteered at local animal shelters, including Modesto’s Animal Services Auxiliary and the Peninsula Humane Society in San Mateo. She mainly helped out by providing special care and attention, as well as by giving the dogs a much-needed break from their kennels. In the future, she hopes to continue her career with animals and to utilize her Communications degree, working in either Public Relations or Marketing, by speaking on behalf of the animals.

As a member of the A DOG’S LIFE team, Caitlin loves meeting all of the dogs and learning about their unique and sometimes, humanlike personalities. She claims also that working with dogs is a “therapeutic experience” for her, partly because of the dogs’ abilities to give such unconditional friendship. About dogs, Caitlin describes, “they are incredibly honest and are not afraid to show their love for you!”

Caitlin is a Certified Pet Care Technician through the Pet Care Services Association.

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Marika Minehart
Playgroup Leader in Training

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Samantha Genho
Lobby Host, Playgroup Leader in Training

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Melissa Hill
Groomer, CPCT

Melissa was born in Mountain View, but grew up in San Jose with her grandparents, mom, dad, younger sister, her first German Shepard, Hiedi, and her first cat Mr. Strawberry. She attended Branham High School and graduated in 1979. Melissa has two great kids—one punk rocker starting his junior year at Branham High School and mechanical studies at CCOC, along with an academic overachieving daughter who is a 1L at University of San Francisco Law School.

Melissa started her pet career grooming her parents Lhasa Apsos and then started her formal grooming career at the Foxy Hound in Los Gatos in the late 1970s. A groomer for over 30 years, Melissa has worked for private grooming shops, mobile grooming companies, corporate and private veterinary clinics, and even owned her own shop in Las Vegas, Nevada, where she lived for almost ten years.

Melissa has worked for ADL in the past and is incredibly pleased to be back! She was Palo Alto's lobby host from January 2008 until May 2009, where she was also able to groom! Her favorite dog is still Steve, the Corgi/Shiba-Inu mix at Palo Alto, but looks forward to meeting the dogs of Milpitas! During the week, Melissa works at Microsoft as a cashier but is really excited to be a Sunday groomer for Milpitas. Dogs continue to be her greatest passion and she hopes to bring her years of knowledge to the grooming clients of ADL and HSSV!

Melissa is restarting her life and she is trying to find her way and knows that the animals will lead her in the right direction.

Melissa is a Certified Pet Care Technician through the Pet Care Services Association


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Ashley DeMay
Playgroup Leader in Training





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Ana DaCosta
Playgroup Leader in Training





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