Meet Our Team!
We love dogs as much as you do!
Every member of our staff receives extensive training which includes the Pet Care Services Association certification as a Pet Care Technician, the American Safety & Health Institute’s certification in Pet First Aid & CPR, as well as Citizen Canine’s unique dog behavior and operations curriculum. Under the direction of professional dog trainers from our behavior and training department, each of our staff members spends numerous hours learning to read a dog’s body language. We understand when a dog saying she’s worried, when he’s enjoying himself, when she wants to be petted, when he’d rather be left alone, and anything else a dog wishes to tell us. Our staff are committed to continuing education and consistently work to improve their dog skills through continued on-site training and regularly attending seminars and workshops. Many of our staff members have pursued formal education in dog obedience and behavior, and can help with training if requested.
Staff Bios
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 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.
Sara Pasqualini (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 pitbulls, Percy and Banksy.
Bianca Brown, Consultations, has been working with dogs for over 5 years. She completed the Canine Behavior Academy at the Marin Humane Society followed with many courses at the SFSPCA in areas such as Dog/Dog Aggression, Resource Guarding and Behavior Evaluation. She is a master at teaching recall. Bianca is also certified in Pet CPR and First Aid. She has lived with all breeds of dogs, including a Dalmation, Golden Retriever, American Pitbull Terrier and Chihuahua (not all at the same time). She currently lives with 2 cats, a chihuahua and her daughter.
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), Supervisor, 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!”
Annie Boehm (CPCT pending), grew up working at her mother’s grooming shop in Northern California. After moving to the Bay Area for school, she started to miss being around dogs all the time and began searching for just the right job. After lots of looking, she stumbled across Citizen Canine and knew right away that it was a perfect fit! Although her family consists of four dogs and four cats, Annie’s little chihuahua/tibetan spaniel/jack russell mix, Jacob, is the the love of her life!
Olivia Campos (CPCT), Supervisor.
Nicole Davila (CPCT pending)
Kayla Mogg (CPCT pending)
Courtney Cedillo
Leonela Canseco (CPCT), one of our Dog Care Supervisors, has grown up with and loved dogs her entire life. She currently has one dog – Velma (a chihuahua/dachshund mix) – who she refers to as the love of her life! When not overseeing the excellent care of dogs at Citizen Canine, Leo enjoys running her side business - “ONE” , a line of eco-friendly, handmade pet accessories. She describes herself as “super easy-going” and enjoys activities that reflect these qualities: spending time with family and friends, reading, any kind of art, and spending time outdoors. Whatever the activity may be, Velma is always right at her side.
Moon Frost (CPCT) has been with Citizen Canine since 2005 and is a favorite dog handler among our canine guests. Whether it’s a game of fetch, just hanging out giving belly rubs, or a willingness to give out a treat, all the dogs know that Moon is the go-to guy. When he’s not loving up the pooches of Citizen Canine, Moon enjoys all types of music especially old jazz/blues, watching classic movies, cooking and baking desserts. The entire Citizen Canine staff are willing guinea pigs for all his culinary creations.
Kathy Helmer is the old lady of the crew (her words!). She started as a temp for a couple of weeks in early 2001, loved it and has been here ever since. As Citizen Canine’s head chef and waiter, Kathy is the Citizen Canine staffer our dogs most love to see! Kathy is certified in Pet First Aid. She lives with her sister and her furry niece, Miranda, and she spends her free time cuddling her new grandson, Dmitri.
Erika Padilla (CPCT) loves working with all types of dogs. The thing she enjoys most about working at Citizen Canine is the opportunity to learn about all different behavior types. She acquired her current dog, Rocco, when he was abandoned here as a puppy and is using her newfound knowledge and skills to train him to be a wonderful canine citizen.
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:
David Thompson (CPCT) (CAPCT pending)
Tiffany Weger (CPCT) (CAPCT pending)
Heather Sundermeyer (CPCT) (CAPCT pending)
Brittany Buenvenida
Stephanie Milani
Joshua Hewitt
