Meet Our Pack

Started at Dog Zone: 2019
Dog: Breesy (Mixed breed dog picked up as a stray on the streets of Shreveport, Louisiana)

Sarah isn’t just the owner of Dog Zone—she’s also one of its biggest success stories. She became a client in 1999 with her beloved (and challenging!) dog, Callie, who introduced her to the world of dog training. After 20 years as a client, Sarah and her husband Scott bought Dog Zone in 2019. Her passion is helping dogs and their humans succeed together. Whether she’s walking Breesy, traveling, or watching her son play tennis, Sarah brings positivity and perspective to everything she does. Her advice? Let Dog Zone help match you with a dog that fits your lifestyle—and set everyone up for success from the start.

Started at Dog Zone: 2003
Dogs: Wiley (Wirehaired Pointing Griffon) and Huxley (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel)

Kelly is all about helping dogs become their best selves. She completed a 4-year degree from Western Michigan University in Animal Behavioral Psychology and has been training dogs ever since. She has hands-on experience in dog sports like agility, rally obedience, and even bed bug detection. Kelly brings expertise and energy to every training session. Her favorite breeds include Wirehaired Pointing Griffons and Cavaliers, though she’s a sucker for any hard working dog. When she’s not training dogs , she’s making cakes, crafting, or spending time with her family. Her best advice? Research your breed, start training on day one, and be consistent—it’s everything!

Started at Dog Zone: 2005
Dog: Joey (Rat Terrier)

Lana has been a pillar at Dog Zone for over 20 years and has more than four decades of grooming experience. Raised on a mink ranch surrounded by working dogs, she knew early on that a life with animals was her path. She’s worked with vets, boarding kennels, and show breeders—often dog sitting while they traveled. A self-taught groomer, Lana mastered breed-standard trims by watching pros at shows. Her grooming philosophy? Introduce dogs to the grooming process at a young age.

Started at Dog Zone: 2007
Dogs: Saul, Blair and Ben (Border Collies)

Ronda brings a lifetime of hands-on dog experience to the Dog Zone crew. Whether she's guiding pups through training or reminiscing about her days running sled dogs, she’s got stories for days. These days, you’ll often find her working dogs on sheep or teaming up with her fellow staff—who she adores. Ronda holds an E-Collar Certificate and encourages all pet parents to check in with Dog Zone before bringing a new pup home. She knows that good guidance up front makes all the difference!

Years at Dog Zone BC: 2009
Dog(s): Bitsy (Miniature Pinscher)

Sharon has been part of the Dog Zone story since 2009—but her connection began way before that, as a client in 2000. Originally drawn in for group training classes, she quickly found joy in learning alongside her dogs. Her pack of Miniature Pinschers (five over the past 35 years!) have all called Dog Zone their second home. Sharon's passion for dog training grew into assisting classes and diving deep into Nose Work, attending trials, seminars, and more. With an Associate’s in Business, a Bachelor's in Psychology, and a Master’s in Organizational Leadership, she jokes that the dogs don’t care much about her degrees—but her experience shows. She’s a cheerleader for both dogs and their people, helping build stronger bonds with empathy and encouragement. Her advice? Appreciate what your dog does well. It'll help you enjoy them more—and tackle the tricky parts with grace.

Started at Dog Zone: 2017
Dogs: Taddy (Bully breed) & Boulder (Bull Terrier)

Lori’s attention to detail and work ethic help keep everything running smoothly at Dog Zone. A graduate of Animal Behavior College’s Veterinary Assistant Program, she thrives on forming strong bonds with every pup she meets—especially bully breeds. Her own dogs are her hiking companions, and she’s completed some seriously challenging treks, including rim-to-rim in the Grand Canyon. Outside work, Lori loves camping, kayaking, reading, and climbing. Her advice for pet parents? Make your dog’s life rich with training, fun, and canine enrichment!

Started at Dog Zone: 2021
Dog: Caesar (German Shorthair Pointer)

Ava started her grooming career right here at Dog Zone. Born and raised in Battle Creek and a Harper Creek grad, she’s a certified groomer through the Michigan School of Canine Cosmetology. Ava spends her days in the grooming room and loves getting to know all of the dogs. When not at work, Ava enjoys the great outdoors: hunting, fishing, and competitive trap shooting across the Midwest. She even coaches youth in the sport and serves on the Michigan Trapshooting Association Hall of Fame board. Her top grooming advice? Brush your dogs—daily!

Started at Dog Zone: 2022
Dogs: Spark (Lab), Storm & Sapphire (Blue Heelers)

Carrie enjoys the family-like atmosphere on her days working at Dog Zone–we are a small, but mighty team. She is drawn to herding breeds and loves watching friendships bloom between pups. Carrie holds an associate’s degree in IT and is also a trained veterinary assistant. When not at work, she enjoys rollerskating with her son and crocheting. Fun fact: she’s a proud Arizona State University alum! Her advice to pet parents? Do your homework—choose a dog that fits your lifestyle.

Started at Dog Zone: 2022
Dog: Zelda (Mixed breed)

Erin contributes to the team as both a groomer and dog handler on the day care side. She’s got a soft spot for puppies and enjoys guiding them through early grooming experiences. A former resident of Florida, she earned her grooming certification at Petco and honed her craft under a talented salon manager. Photography is her other creative outlet—she’s even shot photos for the Air National Guard’s 100th Fighter Wing! Her go-to advice? Start grooming early and keep it consistent!