Our Story

Head Receptionist and Professional Pet Groomer

LaNae has been part of the Happy Tails family since our original location, bringing with her over a decade of grooming experience and a natural gift for customer care. These days, she’s the friendly face that greets clients at the front desk, offering a warm welcome and personal touch that makes everyone feel at home. LaNae knows nearly every pet and owner by name and consistently goes above and beyond to make lasting connections. She lives out the core values that make Happy Tails so special—always guided by her love for animals, strong faith, and devotion to family. Her presence is far more than just a role—it's a big part of what makes our place feel like home.

Canine Behaviorist, Professional Pet Groomer

Hunter has been an essential part of the Happy Tails family since 2018, joining us during our very first year in the new building. Over the years, she’s done it all—boarding, daycare, and now shines as one of our most trusted and talented groomers. Her calm energy and gentle approach make her especially gifted with dogs who struggle with grooming or have behavioral challenges. Hunter has a natural way of helping them feel safe and understood. Outside of work, she lives on a farm full of dogs, cats, goats, cows..you name it. A true animal lover through and through, Hunter’s heart for animals is felt in everything she does.

Canine Behaviorist, Trainer, Doggy Daycare Specialist, and Training Operations Team Leader

Sara is a graduate of the LEAD Academy for Dog Trainers focusing on Canine Behavior &  Dog Psychology, and The Highland Canine School for Dog Trainers focusing on Basic Obedience &  Manners. Sara is  the heart and soul behind our daycare and training programs, ensuring every dog receives structured care, enrichment, and guidance tailored to their needs. A true team leader, Sara brings passion and purpose to everything she does—whether she’s mentoring fellow staff members, supporting clients through training goals, or helping a dog find their confidence. Off the clock, you’ll find her exploring the outdoors with her daughter or cooking up something delicious in the kitchen, always surrounded by family and her pack of playful pups.

Canine Behaviorist, Trainer, Doggy Daycare Specialist

Sadie is a graduate of the LEAD Academy for Dog Trainers focusing on Canine Behavior &  Dog Psychology, and The Highland Canine School for Dog Trainers focusing on Basic Obedience &  Manners. Sadie is a key leader in our structured daycare program. Her days are filled with everything from training and socialization to enrichment and, of course, plenty of belly rubs. Sadie has a true passion for helping dogs thrive—whether that means building confidence in a shy pup or guiding a group through healthy, balanced play. When she’s not at Happy Tails, you can find her curled up with a good book or snuggled up with her own fur kids at home.

Boarding Operations Team Leader, Canine Behaviorist, and Pet Care Attendant

Brandi’s journey from healthcare to Happy Tails has been guided by her deep compassion and unwavering dedication. As the leader of our boarding program, she goes above and beyond to ensure every dog is cared for like one of her own—spoiled, pampered, and deeply loved. Brandi forms strong bonds with each pet, helping them feel safe, secure, and right at home. But her care doesn’t stop with the animals—she’s a true team player who lifts up everyone around her, always the first to offer help both on and off the clock. Brandi’s heart and leadership are at the core of everything we do.

Professional Pet Groomer

Always ready to crack a joke, Alana brings laughter and positive energy to our grooming salon every day. She has a true talent for helping pets look and feel their absolute best no matter what kind of day they’re having. But her heart for animals goes far beyond the grooming table. Alana is deeply passionate about both the pets she cares for and the people who love them. She goes above and beyond to help wherever she’s needed and is a true team player we can always count on.

Full Time Team Member, Canine Behaviorist, Pet care attendant, Weekend Boarding Team Leader

A supermom and lifelong animal lover, Brittany seamlessly blends her family life with her passion for caring for pets. She has a special gift for connecting with dogs who are nervous or unsure, helping them feel safe, loved, and confident during their stay. One of Brittany’s greatest joys is earning a dog’s trust—and her number one goal is to make best friends with every pup that walks through our doors. Her dedication and heart make her an invaluable part of the Happy Tails team.

Professional Pet Groomer

Jenna brings warmth, energy, and a whole lot of heart to our grooming team. She’s been part of the Happy Tails family since high school and has grown into a phenomenal full-time groomer, known for making every pet feel like a star. Jenna especially loves working with Golden Retrievers and takes pride in helping all her clients look and feel their absolute best. Her own pup, Gus—a sweet Golden himself—is a regular in our daycare and just as much a part of the Happy Tails crew as she is.

Full Tme Team Member -Daycare & Boarding Pet Care Attendant

Taylor brings a calm, gentle presence to every corner of Happy Tails. From feeding time to playtime, she pours love and care into each moment, making sure every pet feels safe, seen, and pampered. Taylor has a special talent for capturing picture-perfect moments and creating thoughtful, detailed report cards that give pet parents peace of mind while they’re away. She’s especially wonderful with our feline guests, offering quiet comfort and attentive care that cats truly appreciate. Taylor’s soft spirit and steady hands make her a cherished part of our team.

Professional Pet Groomer

Katelyn finds joy in every transformation she creates—watching pets leave her grooming table not only looking their best, but feeling their best too. One of her favorite moments is seeing the happy reunion between a freshly groomed pup and their proud owner. Kind, gentle, and detail-oriented, Katelyn treats every pet like family. At home, she’s a devoted mom to her two rescued fur babies, Sadie and Roscoe, who keep her heart full and her days lively.

Grooming & Bathing Specialist

Nikki grew up in a grooming salon, and caring for dogs has been part of her life for as long as she can remember. With years of hands-on experience, she brings both knowledge and heart to every bath and grooming session—making sure each pup feels safe, spoiled, and pampered.

When she’s not at Happy Tails, Nikki loves traveling, hiking with her dog, and catching live music at a bluegrass festival.

Part-Time Team Member- Daycare & Boarding Pet Care Attendant

Kaytie has been a beloved member of the Happy Tails team for over three years, and though she now works part-time while pursuing her degree in education, her presence is always felt in the calm, caring energy she brings to every shift. Sweet-natured, dependable, and deeply compassionate, Kaytie has a natural way with animals that makes every dog feel safe and loved.

When she’s not caring for our furry guests, she’s studying hard to become a school teacher and spending time training her own dogs at home. We’re so lucky to have Kaytie on our team—her heart, patience, and dedication make her one of a kind.

Part-Time Team Member- Daycare & Boarding Pet Care Attendant

Since joining us this summer, Gage has quickly become an essential part of our boarding team. His natural connection with dogs is truly something special—he takes the time to build individual relationships, making each dog feel safe, seen, and cared for. Whether he’s calming a nervous pup or capturing frame-worthy photos for report cards, Gage puts his whole heart into everything he does. With a great eye for detail and a calm, confident energy, he brings both compassion and creativity to the Happy Tails team—and we’re so lucky to have him.

Part-Time Team Member – Daycare & boarding Pet Care Attendant

Caitlin brings a quiet confidence and steady presence to our daycare and boarding team. Whether she’s helping an excited pup settle into group play or offering gentle reassurance to a nervous newcomer, her calm energy makes a big impact. With a natural way with animals and a thoughtful approach to care, she’s a valued part of our Happy Tails family. When she’s not playing sports, studying, or competing in CrossFit competitions, Caitlin enjoys relaxing with a good book and the cozy company of her Yorkie, Twix.

Part-Time Team Member- Daycare & Boarding Pet Care Attendant

Madeline may have officially joined the Happy Tails team this past summer, but she’s been part of our story from the very beginning. At just two years old when Happy Tails first opened, she grew up in the grooming salon, learning the ropes and lending a hand with boarding dogs alongside her mom. Today, as a Pet Care Attendant, Madeline brings that lifelong experience and love for animals into her work in daycare and boarding. A self-proclaimed cat lady, she especially enjoys spending time in our cat room, making sure our feline guests feel just as loved and comfortable as the pups. Her familiarity with our routines, gentle nature, and deep connection to the business make her a true asset to our team—and a special part of the Happy Tails family.

Owner – Operations & Client 

Relations 

Will Dowdy, co-owner of Happy Tails and husband to Page, has been a constant source of support since the very beginning. From the early days of boarding dogs out of their home to building the business they have today, he’s always been ready to lend a hand, offer encouragement, and share in the work that makes Happy Tails possible. These days, you can usually find him up front greeting clients, checking in boarding dogs, scheduling appointments, keeping the building in top shape, and sneaking in plenty of time to love on the four-legged guests. After retiring from the restaurant business, Will shifted his focus to helping with the business side of things, making sure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. His dedication, easy-going nature, and genuine love for animals make him an irreplaceable part of the Happy Tails family.