Dana Kleveland (CPDT, CKO), our General Manager, turned her lifelong passion for dogs into a career when she joined our team in 2003 as a dog handler and customer service staff. Along with our entire team of caring professionals, Dana takes great pride personally ensuring that each canine guest’s stay is safe, and as stress free and enjoyable as possible. Dana is an honors graduate of the San Francisco SPCA Academy for Dog Trainers, an instructor with Sirius Puppy Training, and has earned both her CPDT (Certified Pet Dog Trainer) and CKO (Certified Kennel Operator) credentials. When she’s not working with dogs, Dana enjoys hiking with her human and canine pals, reading, and shopping. Dana and her husband share their home with two incorrigible “yellow dogs” named Sydney (aka Booger) and Ben (aka Beaver), and two kitties (that think they are dogs) named Ike and Grover. All of Dana’s pets are rescues – three were found abandoned at Citizen Canine and one was adopted from NorCal Golden Retriever Rescue.
Alice Hsiung (CKO), our Operations Manager, has a hand in all aspects of your dog’s visit here. Often beginning from the initial consultation with your pup, she continues to monitor progress during outside playgroups and tries to create the best balance of mental and physical stimulation along with rest and relaxation for each guest. She is also in charge of training new staff members to become the most knowledgeable and best possible caretakers for your furry family member. Alice first became interested in dog training five years ago while working to rehabilitate Max, her human and dog aggressive rescue pup. She apprenticed with both Sandi Thompson of BravoPup Dog Training and Bobbi Durston of Naughty Dog Training with private aggression cases, and continues her education by regularly attending training seminars and working with other experienced professionals. She recently earned her CKO (Certified Kennel Operator) credential. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking and training with her buddies Kahuna, a Hurricane Katrina staffybull rescue, and Raisin, a Home-At-Last pitbull mix, and working with bully breed pups as foster dogs, helping them become prepared to be lifelong companions and ambassadors for the breed.
Katy Becker (CPCT), our Dog Care, Behavior and Training Manager, began working at Citizen Canine as a dog handler four years ago. Her hard work and dedication to the dogs helped her quickly earn her CPCT (Certified Pet Care Technician) and become a supervisor and then a manager. She came to Citizen Canine after graduating from the San Francisco SPCA’s Academy for Dog Trainers. Outside of caring for all the wonderful doggy guests here, she also teaches group classes for Sirius Puppy Training and works with private training clients as well. Katy lives in Oakland with her dogs Bodie, a five year old ‘white dog mix’, and Stuart, a little ‘white dog’ street urchin who was found wandering along Hegenberger Road. Katy’s favorite part of working at Citizen Canine is the art of creating playgroups as well as watching clients reunite with their owners upon pick up.
Brittany Magallanes (CTC), our Assistant Dog Care, Behavior & Training Manager and Adventure Hike Leader , started working at Citizen Canine over 6 years ago. She then left for a couple years to pursue further education in the dog behavior and training field. Brittany first became interested in dog training when she received an adopted pitbull pup named Shadie on her 12th birthday. Attending training classes with her canine sidekick to work through some aggression issues left a big impression. Brittany went on to complete and receive certifications from the SFSPCA Dog Training Academy and the DogTec Dog Walking Academy. She also worked for Guide Dogs for the Blind and Doggy Llama before returning to Citizen Canine to reunite with all her old doggie pals. We are thrilled to have her back sharing her wealth of knowledge and education to provide the best care for all our clients both on the trails and onsite.
Sara Klinglesmith (CPCT), our Head of Customer Service, is the friendly voice and smiling face at Citizen Canine’s front desk. She has loved animals all her life and got her first dog at age four. Her other unique animal experiences include working with artic wolves at a nature center in Alaska, and raising prize winning goats and pot belly pigs on homestead in the Ozarks. When she’s not taking care of our canine guests, Sarah enjoys nature photography, perfecting her backgammon game, rocking out on Guitar Hero, and hanging out with her children and her feisty rescue pitbull, Perckles.
Taniko Chono-Gray (CAPCT), Supervisor, stumbled upon Citizen Canine by accident. She had been looking for a job involving animals at the SPCA, but went to the wrong door! A week later, she started working at Citizen Canine and couldn’t be happier. She says, “[This] is a very rewarding job and gives me the feeling of having a hundred pet dogs! Working at Citizen Canine was the best mistake I ever made!” She currently lives with her dog “Hunter” who she rescued as a stray and her 3 cats who beg, bark and fetch just like dogs!
Jessica Davila (CAPCT), Supervisor, started out as a handler at Citizen Canine, but was quickly promoted to supervisor due to her organizational skills, calm demeanor, and genuine love for dogs. She also expects to graduate in 2010 from the University of San Francisco with a major in psychology. Jessica has grown up in the Bay Area and currently lives with 2 dachshund girls – Lina (1yr) and Jazzy (3yrs) and a cat named King. Jessica loves working at Citizen Canine so much that she has recruited two friends and her sister to work here too!
Chris DeLauder (CAPCT), Consultations & Front Desk, was toiling for years in other fields until he finally discovered that he could actually get paid to PLAY with dogs! After working at Citizen Canine for a few months and earning his CAPCT (Certified Advanced Pet Care Technician), he realized that he had found his calling and began apprenticing with Sirius Puppy Training in group class settings to become a trainer. In his spare time, he also hones his skills at the Benicia/Vallejo Humane Society assisting in their temperament testing department and helping to develop their dog play program. After work, he devotes even more time to his own dogs, Rupert (a Hopalong Lab mix rescue) and Nibbler (an incorrigible beagle), taking them on romps at Pt. Isabelle. His life truly has “gone to the dogs!”
Amber Acridge (CPCT pending), worked at Boulevard Pet Hospital most of her teenage/adolescent years. Her mom, stepdad and sister are all veterinary technicians while her other sister is a sea lion & penguin trainer. Clearly a profession in the animal field runs in the family! Amber has grown up with no less than 10 furry animal friends at a time – currently she lives with 2 dogs, 5 cats, 2 turtles, a bearded dragon, hedgehog and a toad. In her spare time, she loves to read, write, critique movies and most of all, go camping!
“I love that Citizen Canine is so highly regarded and recommended. It makes me proud to be a part of something so impressive; and I LOVE playing with the pups! I fall in love with a different dog almost daily – my current crush is Lulu Blackmore!”
David Thompson (CPCT) (CAPCT pending), Adventure Hike Leader, Supervisor and Front Desk, has been living with dogs and other animals his entire life, including reptiles, birds, rodents, ferrets and cats. He was the child that would always be able to tell you what an animal wants or is ‘saying’. His house is currently home to 3 dogs (Sandy, Rocky & Potpie), 3 cats (Mr. Kitty, Tigger & Angel), 2 snakes (Youth & Asia) and Bob, the fainting goat. Citizen Canine was obviously the logical choice for his career. David loves helping new dogs forget that they are being boarded and turn the whole experience into something fun and positive so that they want to come back to visit again!
Olivia Campos (CPCT), Supervisor.
Nicole Davila (CPCT pending)
Kayla Mogg (CPCT pending)
Tina Merrill (CPCT), Owner, founded Citizen Canine in 2000 after realizing the need for an alternative boarding service for her own dogs. She has been active in local animal rescue efforts as a volunteer and board member. Tina received an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business. She is a PCSA certified Advanced Pet Care Technician and certified in Pet First Aid. She and her husband spend their time being entertained by the antics of Sam (the toddler) and Maggie Moo (the dog).
Bios and pictures coming soon:
Stephanie Milani
Sean Specht
Kelly McDonald
Cody Murnen
Christine Gumlia
Tabitha Taylor-Weber
