Director of Client Experience
I started out as a volunteer waaaay back in 1995. After about 18 months I graduated high school and went on adventures pursuing a Bachelor of Arts at Scripps College (’00 Behavioral Psychology), then a Bachelor of Science at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh (’03 Graphic Design) while working as a horse trainer and then a zookeeper (California Living Museum). I returned to Mountain Aire in late 2002 as Director of Boarding Kennels and Baby Tech just before finishing my second degree.
Since then, I’ve become a familiar face in the hospital itself working my way up to a Senior Technician/Veterinary Assistant and Customer Service Representative. In 2013 I completed courses at Veterinary Allied Staff Education (Veterinary Technician), and in January 2022 became Fear Free Certified. My husband and I opened Los Padres Kung Fu San Soo in Lake of the Woods in December 2015.
If all of that doesn’t keep me busy enough, I’m also the Vice President of the Mountain Memories Association (since 2009). We bring you the annual Ridge Route Run Car Show, Fiesta Days, and Mountain Communities Holiday Faire events each year. You’ll often see me at any community event in very colorful attire accompanied by my senior American bully Vera or Dogo Argentine puppy Penelope pond; both of whom are officially the ‘Public Relations PAWficer’ mascots of our festivals and an ambassa-dog for their breeds. Their lives are very busy wagging tails, shaking hands, and kissing babies….or anyone who’s close enough.
During the spring, summer, and fall months I also help as the snake handler for Rattlesnake Avoidance Training for dogs with Ma’N Paw Kennels.
Last, but definitely not least, I spend one day a week at Shelter on the Hill helping assure our local adoptable pets are as happy and healthy as they can be for future fur-ever homes.