2023 Staff Spotlight: Kathleen
Q: What Certifications/Education do you have?
A: CPACP, Fear Free Certified, Certified Family Dog Mediator, Pest Frist Aid
Q: What are your pronouns?
A: She/Her
Q: What is your preferred name?
A: Kathleen
Q: When did you start?
A: September 2018
Q: What made you apply for this this job?
A: I moved to MA when I was in my 20’s and lived with friends who owned a dog training and boarding business. I didn't know many people, so I went to their training classes a few hours every week! I assisted at home with puppy raising and training exercises, and I fell in love. Since then I have worked at other daycare facilities, but there wasn’t much emphasis on training and education. The Dog Den promised both, and has done more than live up to that promise!
Q: What is your favorite part of daycare?
A: I absolutely love having so many friends who are SO HAPPY to see me every day!!
Q: What is your favorite part of training?
A: I love helping break things down so they are easy to practice. I also love helping people understand their dogs body language and learn how to communicate better! It’s so wonderful to see things click with the dogs and their people!
Q: Favorite thing about your team?
A: I love how everyone communicates and is aware of how others communicate differently. They are always there to make me laugh, lend a hand, or share a great story! We are made up of so many different people from so many walks of life, and it works beautifully!
Q: Favorite thing about the clients?
A: I absolutely LOVE hearing stories about our friends out of daycare! (Probably the stories of our friends being sassy the most) It’s so fun to share our different perspectives and learn all the facets of our furry friends
Q: Favorite thing about the dogs?
A: I absolutely love all the cuddles and wiggles and happy greetings (and kisses)! It’s been so fun knowing some of them from the Puppy Den and watching them grow into the Dog Den. I love when I start assisting a new class, and my daycare buddies are in it!! I love working on fun group training exercises during the day (like a big group sit!!)
Q: Something unique about you – not related to the dogs
A: I have been in Irish Dancing since I was 4 and taught for 15 years!
Q: Something you’d never guess I’d do/peg me for
A: I love playing video games, reading sci-fi and fantasy books, and comics!
Q: Which dog breed are you based on this quiz:
https://play.howstuffworks.com/quiz/what-dog-breed-are-you?utm_source=share-copy&utm_medium=referral
A: Labrador - You are a strong, fierce, intelligent person with a strong playful streak. You can be naughty and rambunctious, but your loyalty is until death. You are extremely social and gregarious and you love to swim and to run with your friends. You love to work hard at your job, and nothing makes you happier than a good snuggle with your boo.
Q: Which breed did you grow up with?
A: I grew up with a Yorkie named Murphy, a German Shepherd named Scruffy, a Black lab mix named Shamrock, and a Wheaten named Fiona (all at different times!)
Q: Tell us about the pets that you live with now?
A: I have one dog named Fergus who we adopted from the DCHS. He was listed as an Irish Terrier, but we did a DNA test and he turned out to be a Rottweiler, Airedale Terrier, Treeing Walker Coonhound mix 😂 We also live with three rescue cats two of which are polydactyl named Feyd Ruatha and Yours Truly Princess Nellodie, and a big fluffy orange boy named Fudo Meow.
Q: Favorite color
A: I love bright blues!!
Q: Share a boring fact about yourself
A: I’ve moved 16 times in my life (some just down the road)
Q: If you were a candle, what scent would you be?
A: Apple! It’s my favorite room spray too!
Q; If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
A: I’d love to fly! I love to travel so this would just make it quicker and safer!
Q; What ice cream are you?
A: I’m gonna go with Chocolate Shoppe Exhausted Parent! (Though he’s 22 now, so it’s really about the flavors and not the name!)
