Meet the Staff

Paula Krause - Owner

Several years ago Paula decided to make a dramatic change in careers and follow her life's dream:  She left the investment banking business to become a veterinary technician.  With that leap of faith, she embarked on a course that would change her forever.  

Veterinary nursing introduced Paula to the emerging field of canine behavior.  The more dogs she met at the veterinary hospital where she worked the more she realized that the need exists for professionals who can offer sound advice on behavior problems such as socialization, separation anxiety, dominance and just plain good manners.  In her quest for more knowledge in the field, she started formal studies and began attending numerous lectures and seminars.  One seminar in particular was hosted by Maritime Pet Kennel in Tarpon Springs, Florida.  Bill and Kelly Ann Conway, the owners of Maritime and pioneers in the doggie daycare business, were eager to share their extensive experience with Paula in helping with the establishment of a similar facility here in Georgia.  It has been proven that day care for dogs is successful in curbing certain behaviors such as anxiety, shyness and even fear of humans and other dogs and that appealed to Paula's interest in solving behavior problems as well as providing dogs with an alternative to crates, ties and lonely backyards.  Two years later, it became a reality!

Betty Moore

Betty came to Doggie Day Care within the first week of opening its doors.  She attended the first Open House with her then 6-month-old Border Collie, Phoebe, and liked it so much she filled out an employment application.  Within no time, business was brisk enough to add more personnel, so Betty came on board.  Betty is now our General Manager.  It is her friendly face and Makinney's wagging tail you see when you walk through the door.  Betty not only manages the front office, she keeps things running smoothly with the staff as well.

A long time volunteer with the Fayette County Humane Society, Betty brings to DDC a genuine caring and compassion for every dog she meets.  Every dog who walks in the door instinctively knows that if he wants cuddles and "lap time", Betty's their gal.  She is absolutely incapable of resisting any dog's pleading eyes.

Sharon Grove

Sharon began working at Doggie DayCare in March 2005.  It wasn't long before everyone realized that she was an absolute natural with the dogs.  They follow her as if she's the Pied Piper of Dogdom, and we call her our very own "dog whisperer".  We think it's her even temperament that the dogs identify with and that trait is certainly what keeps our facility running smoothly.  In addition to her "whispering" tasks, she is also our Facilities Manager.  No matter how daunting the task of keeping the place spic and span, Sharon never gets flustered. 

Tari Dunton

Climbing on board the Doggie Day Care staff in September of 2005, Tari immediately fell in love with her roll in taking care of dogs. As our assistant manager she helps maintain the facility and makes sure the tasks around the facility are getting done. Tari grew up helping her dad out on the farm during the summers. That is when animals became her life. She always enjoyed feeding the chickens or petting the goats out in the open fields. There has not been a single day where she has not had a dog roaming around her house (Meatball the cocker spaniel was her first dog at five years old). Adopting Deanna and Yahtzee over this past year, her two children from the humane society, has been a great gift to her. You always see her rubbing Deanna's belly or giving kisses to Yahtzee. She continues to grow and thrive and has made Doggie Day Care a fun place to work and an enjoyable place for your dogs to stay.

Donna Wilson

Donna joined Doggie Day Care in the fall of 2003.  Having grown up with Great Danes, this diminutive fireball is no more intimidated by a Bull Mastiff than by a Chihuahua. She wanted to work with animals, but never dreamed of finding such a wonderful job. Her love for dogs is apparent when you see her playing chase with dogs twice her size or when she carries around a 70 pound Weimaraner like a baby. She walks in with a smile first thing in the morning and out with one dirty outfit by the end of the day!    

Amby Jordan

Before joining the crew at DDC, Amby worked at Lafayette Center Animal Hospital for a several years. She started work at DDC in 2006 and has loved it ever since. Amby has always loved dogs no matter the shape, size or color. You can never catch her outside in the yards playing fetch without a smile and she absolutely adores Jack Russell's. Owning two herself, Skooter and Gracie, you know that a pair of jacks is a full house, but her level-headed personality keeps them well mannered and behaved. 

Ashley Washington & Sara Butler

Sara began working for Doggie Day Care in December of 2005. You won't see Sara's face much because she works mainly weekends. She is studying to be a Vet Tech at Tuskegee University. Sara has a great compassion for dogs and is thrilled to see dogs on a regular basis. She brings joy to the dogs when they get their 10 minute belly rub.

You also will see Ashley mostly on the weekends because she too is in school. Ashley throws the meanest fast ball known to man, which is the best thing according to the dogs. She will spend hours upon hours jogging around and throwing the ball across the entire yard. You will sometimes see her dog Athena running around and helping her clean. Ashley is a great asset and the dogs lover her because she can throw the ball 100 feet.  

Amanda Fuller

Amanda loves all dogs, but mutts will always have her heart. She absolutely cannot resist the dogs that have their own "story." Amanda grew up with dogs, always mutts, and now has four adorable pound puppies of her own - all with their own story. Amanda comes to Doggie Day Care with several years' experience in the animal care-giver field. It is obvious to everyone, both human and canine, that dogs are her passion.

Erin Fitzgerald

Erin is the cheerful face you see at the reception desk bright and early. She joined us in the fall of 2007 after she moved back home from Valdosta, where she had been a full-time student at Valdosta State University. While working at a doggie day care in Valdosta, Erin came across Pierce and Molly, fell in love with them and became their new Mommy. There is no question that Erin saved Molly's life -- she had been abandoned and was very sick when she adopted her. Erin's love for dogs and people is evident in her interaction with both.

Karol Padgett

Karol Joined our staff in the Fall of 2007. Growing up she had few dogs, but later in life wanted a challenge. She decided to get a Neapolitan Bull Mastiff and sooner than later Zeb won her heart. She brought Zeb to DDC for a few visits and after that loved it so much she put in her application. Only a few days into her job she adopted Teddy from the Fayette County Humane Society and took him home. Her love and dedication to the dogs has made a tremendous impact to our staff and dogs. 

 Kelsey Fiveash    

Kelsey recently joined the staff and immediately fell in love with the job. After having family dogs most her life she wanted a job where she could relax and have fun playing with dogs. Each time she is in the yards you will see her, tennis ball in hand, running around playing fetch. She brings her lab Jax to play and it is a beautiful site when you see both of them playing with their friends.  

Jessica Cobb                                                            

Jessica grew up with dogs all her life. She wanted a change in her career and after moving to Georgia she thought it would be an enlightening experience to work with dogs. She discovered Doggie Day Care in the Spring of 2008. Her kind and gentle manner goes great with this job because she takes the time to love on and pet every single dog. She really enjoys it here.

Jen Eads

Jen arrived at Doggie Day Care looking for a fun job in which she could love on dogs all day long. Before starting at DDC she helped her mom and dad out in their kennel, which features Mastiffs and Bulldogs. Jens' personality goes hand in hand with the dogs. There is so much TLC that she shows the dogs that it is hard for anyone not to smile around her.

Karen Lewis

Karen life was full of animals. She grew up with everything, well except birds. She lived in Massachusetts for quite some time and volunteered at the Buddy Dog Humane Society. Working in the corporate world did not enthuse her much so she decided make a big change and move to Georgia where her family lives. She wanted a job that would be fun and involve animals so she came knocking at out door. She has a wonderful personality and is terrific with the dogs.