Our staff loves dogs as much as you do.

Our staff consists of dog-care professionals, each schooled in the ways of Citizen Canine. Every day they put all their efforts into providing the proper care for our guests. Taking the time to help first-time boarders settle in. Preparing special meals for finicky eaters. Making sure all our guests are comfortable on their beds when it‘s time to turn out the lights.

Our staff knows how to keep pets happy, healthy and safe—not just because they‘re trained in animal care, but because they‘re dog owners as well. Many of our staff members have pursued formal education in dog obedience and behavior, and can help with training if requested.

Staff

Tina Merrill 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 an ABKA 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).

Dana Kleveland, 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 her CPDT (Certified Pet Dog Trainer) credential. 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 Sydney, a pup who’s breed can only described as “yellow dog,” and two kitties (that think they are dogs) named Ike and Grover. All of Dana’s pets are rescues, who were found abandoned at Citizen Canine.

Alice Hsiung, our Behavior and Training 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 four years ago while working to rehabilitate Max, her human and dog aggressive rescue pup. She apprenticed with both Sandi Thompson of Sirius Puppy Training, and Bobbi Durston with private aggression cases, and continues her education by regularly attending training seminars and working with other experienced professionals. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking and training with her buddy Kahuna, a Hurricane Katrina pitbull rescue, and working with bully breed pups as foster dogs, helping them become prepared to be lifelong companions and ambassadors for the breed.

Deaydra Ross has lived with dogs for almost 30 years. Her love for dogs first moved her to volunteer after a dog shelter burned down in Central Florida and she later created a successful housebreaking boot camp. She moved to the East Bay and joined Citizen Canine as a dog handler quickly becoming a supervisor and then Assistant Operations Manager. She is an ABKA Certified Pet Care Technician and is currently in school studying Radiologic Technology. She continues to work at Citizen Canine, calling it her own form of 'occupational therapy' and is mom to four pooches: Kai, Lindsay, Avery and Jackson.

Katy Becker, our Assistant Behavior and Training Manager, began working at Citizen Canine as a dog handler three years ago. Her hard work and dedication to the dogs helped her quickly 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 sees private clients as well. Katy lives in Oakland with her dog Bodie, a three year old “white dog mix.” 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.

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.

Rayel Friesen has been with Citizen Canine since 2006, working both as a dog handler and front desk staff. Rayel has a special knack for helping evening the shyest guest feel comfortable while he more boisterous canines find his ball throwing skills to be the best around. Rayel divides his time between Citizen Canine and doing freelance illustrations, including wall murals, and children’s book illustrations. Check out the lobby at Citizen Canine to see some of his artwork!

Agnes Czaja has had an interest in animals since childhood. While living in San Francisco and attending school, Agnes worked at another doggie day care center while volunteering with the SFSPCA socializing cats. Upon finishing school, she decided to give the shelter dogs some time and volunteered with the SF Animal Care and Control as a dog walker. She also worked full time as a bather in one of the city’s pet grooming salons, grooming both dogs and cats (it was an adventure!). Now Agnes divides her time between the lovely clients of Citizen Canine, freelance illustration, and her two cats, Sasha and Jingle, as well as whiling away any left over free time on videogames and comics.

Sara Pasqualini 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, and hanging out with her children and her feisty Lhasa Apso, Fez.

Moon Frost 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, watching movies, and cooking.

Mo Burke joined the Citizen Canine team after deciding to turn a lifelong passion for animals into a career. She plans to attend veterinary technology school with the goal of working in animal rescue. When not working and playing with dogs, Mo can usually be found reading a book or trying to write one.