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"It's  All About the Dog"
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WELCOME

Meet our staff!

These lovely Groomers were Voted by the Step Saver Observer in 2008 & 2009 "The Best Grooming Shop in Southington!"

We all take pride in keeping a healthy, happy and clean facility!


Lisa Unwin ~ Groomer

Lisa has been with Country Dog since 2005.  She prides herself on doing a thorough job with all breeds.  She's been grooming now for over 12 years.  She works part time on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.  She is married to Brian and they have two children.  (Carley is the Bichon mix in the picture)


Allison Garceau ~ Groomer

Allison has been with Country Dog since 2007.  She has been grooming for over 10 years.  She is married to Seth and they have two children.  She left to have her second child and now is back working part time on Thursdays and Fridays. 


Barbara Hayes ~ Professional Trainer

 

Barbara is a great positive motivational trainer.  She brings many ideas and new energy to our training staff.

For over 20 years, Barbara has worked in the pet grooming, training and kennel industry.  Graduating from The Pedigree School of Dog Grooming (Lynn, MA) in February 1990.  She began her career as a groomer but quickly became interested in the dog’s mind.  She self-taught for years by attending training classes and seminars. 

In March 1997, Barbara enrolled in the Professional Dog Trainers Course at CT K-9 Education Center (Newington, CT).  She quickly excelled and, upon graduation, was offered a position teaching public obedience classes at the school.  She taught six classes a week: puppy through advanced obedience and performed behavior evaluations until 2000.  She was then offered the position of Director of Training.  In this capacity, Barbara was responsible for the entire training department at CT K-9 and was the instructor for the state accredited Professional Dog Trainers Course. For the next 7 years, Barbara graduated over 30 students. 

In 2007, Barbara was offered the position as instructor for the Professional Dog Grooming Course at CT K-9.  In this capacity she was able to work in both of the fields she feels so passionately about!  While teaching this course, she felt it was vitally important to teach her students CPR and First Aid so she became a certified instructor through PetTech.  Also, Barbara was very involved in the rescue program Save-A-Pup.


Cassie Marko ~ Professional Dog Trainer and Daycare Counselor

Cassie has been here for three years.  She brings Country Dog great knowledge of animals.  She graduated from SU in New York with an Associates Degree in Animal Science.  Sometimes she is the first person you will meet early in the morning when dropping off your dog for daycare or grooming.  Cassie teaches Puppy Kindergarten and Beginner 1 classes.


Lea is our newest Camp Counselor.  She has worked with dogs most of her life.  She is a senior in High School and also attends Tunxis Community College for extra credit.  She wants to be a Teacher.  Lea owns a Great Dane named Roxy and two cats.


When I hire people to work here at Country Dog, I don't just pick anyone.  I'm looking for an individual that has a "Passion" for dogs.  Someone that has invested their time in learning about animals!  - Cheryl Swarts Owner/Manager