Donna and Nova
Welcome back to the Unleashed Blog! This month, we're thrilled to shine our employee spotlight on Donna, a fun and fun-loving member of our team at Off Leash MKE. Continue reading to dig into the details and learn more about the amazing person behind the leash!
Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how long you've been a part of our team?
A: I've been a dog lover my whole life, and after leaving Corporate America, I joined the Off Leash MKE team in September '23. While I'm not a huge fan of the occasional rainy weather, I have loved every day and I think I have the coolest job ever! Prior to Off Leash MKE, I was also a professional photographer and I love taking "glamour" shots of our canine clients.
Q: Share a memorable or heartwarming moment you've had with a client's pet.
A: I have so much love for all our clients and thoroughly enjoy playing the role of "aunt" to our four-legged friends. There's nothing quite like the feeling of opening the door and being greeted by those wagging tails and excited barks as they rush over to shower me with love and affection every single time.
Q: Do you have a favorite pet or client story you'd like to share?
A: We have this adorable pup named Nova who was a bit shy at first. It took me a few services to earn her trust and build her confidence before she was fully comfortable with the leashing process but now, whenever I pull into the driveway, she's already waiting at the window, eager for our adventure! We even have this little wave-and-sing routine before I get out of the car. When I finally greet her at the door, it's like a big love fest! Every time I see her, my heart gets a fresh burst of joy, and I can feel all the love radiating from her. Her parents think I'm her favorite person and while I'm not sure if that's true, I'm definitely doing whatever I can to be the coolest aunt ever.
Q: Besides working with animals, what are your hobbies or interests?
A: I've got a wide range of hobbies. Back in 2020, I bought a home in Washington Heights and I've been busy tinkering around with home improvement projects ever since. On top of that, I'm a maker; I love crafting leather items, building cabinets, TV stands, and pretty much anything else I can dream up. Keeps me busy and creative!
Kodi and Maddie, Donna’s Dogs
Q: Do you have any pets of your own? If so, tell us about them.
A: At any given time, I've got between two to five dogs hanging out with me! My crew includes two lovable rescue mutts: Maddie, a 15 lb scruff muffin, and Kodi, a 60 lb energetic powerhouse. Kodi's my training buddy, getting me ready for all those miles I clock walking with our clients. Plus, Kodi's got her own bestie, Frank, who's a regular visitor. And to top it off, my tenant has two labs who often join us for the day. It's a full house, but I wouldn't have it any other way!
Q: Are there any favorite dog parks or pet-friendly spots you recommend in our area?
A: I love strolling around Havenwoods State Park and taking in the scenic ridge walk around the retention pond at the county grounds.
Q: What's your go-to tip for clients looking to provide the best care for their pet?
A: Here's my top tip for clients: Every pet is unique. The connection between you and your furry friend is special, and you're the expert on your pet. The more time and energy you invest in nurturing that bond, the stronger it becomes. My dogs and I have developed a language of our own because we've put in the effort to build that bond.
Q: How would you describe the teamwork and camaraderie among our pet care team?
“Does this mud bring out my eyes?” -Stanley
A: Working on our team is like being part of a sled dog crew. Each of us brings our strengths, knowing when to take the lead and when it's cool to just chip in. Our fearless leader, Lori, keeps us all on track. One of my absolute favorite parts is our fun pictures channel where we share adorable and hilarious snapshots from the field. As an added bonus, our team is great at coming up with witty captions to add to the pictures. One photo and caption that really had me in stitches is this one of Stanley covered in mud – “Does this mud bring out my eyes?”
Q: What do you appreciate most about working with our company?
A: What I really dig about our company is how we're all committed to giving our clients top-notch care. Yeah, there are tons of other pet care outfits out there, but the collective expertise we bring to the table is huge, and we're always lifting each other up.
Thank you, Donna, for your hard work, dedication to the job, and positive attitude each day!
Interested in learning more about the Off Leash MKE team? Be sure to check out past posts in our Behind the Leash series as well as our post from Dog Walker Appreciation Day!
In honor of National Dog Bite Prevention Week, this blog post breaks down the behavior behind dog bites including ways to prevent bites and tips for advocating for your dog.