about us

Meet the Metro Dogs Team

Our dedicated Metro Dogs team of pet care professionals is proud to be Fear Free Certified, ensuring that every interaction is rooted in compassion and understanding, minimizing stress and anxiety for our canine companions. With a collective expertise in dog behavior and well-being, the Metro Dogs team are committed to providing a supportive, enriching environment tailored to meet the unique needs of your beloved pets. Meet the faces behind the exceptional care at Metro Dogs, and discover how we strive to create a safe, joyful experience for every dog we serve.

Wendy-Harter-owner-Metro-Dogs

Wendy (she/her)

– Owner

Wendy has surrounded herself with dogs, cats, and horses, her whole life. After several years in the corporate world, including a stay at 3M as a packaging engineer, she decided to sniff out a different career, so to speak. 

With the purchase of Dog Days in 2004, Wendy has been able to realize her passion for helping dogs and the people who love them. Wendy purchased Metro Dogs in February 2018. She actively oversees both companies while maintaining a great management team that runs the day-to-day operations. 

Her three previous Wheaten Terriers initially helped drive the business, but have passed over the Rainbow Bridge. Wendy is now the proud dog mom to Luke, a Goldendoodle rescue, to Olivia, a Wheaten Terrier, and to Crosby, a 3-legged cat who thinks he’s a dog.

Bailey Schwichtenberg - Metro Dogs

Bailey (she/her)

– Co•Manager

Before taking on a manager role at Metro Dogs in January 2025, Bailey started working at our sister company, Dog Days, in 2015. Over her 9 years she took on various roles starting out as a handler, working up to team lead and front desk coordinator, and eventually taking over as the assistant manager.

Her tenure at Dog Days was marked by fostering positive relationships with both dogs and clients, and mastering playgroup management. Her personal experiences with  her own dog, Bowser (a 7 year old boxer mix), and many daycare dogs have driven her to continue learning and advocating for better, safer spaces for dogs.

Outside of Metro Dogs, Bailey can be found tending to plants in her greenhouse and garden, caring for her cats,Gizmo, Taco and Soot Sprite, as well as her many fish tanks!

Allison (she/her)

– Front of House Manager

I joined the Metro Dogs team in 2013 and have truly enjoyed every second of it! As the Front of House Manager, I will do everything I can to ensure all the pups and their parents have a smooth and positive experience.

I treat every dog that comes through the doors as my own and strive to create a warm and friendly environment for everyone. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my husband, Julian, and our 5 cats: Jellybean, Leo, Meep, Butters, and Gus!

Allison Hays - Metro Dogs manager

Beth (she/her)

- Head Trainer

Beth has been with Metro Dogs since September of 2021 as a daycare handler, and took over as trainer for Trick of the Month and Puppy Pre-K in April of 2022. Since then, she has helped expand the training program, adding day training services, private training, classes, and our Puppy Academy program!
She has spent her entire life surrounded by all kinds of dogs, but most frequently herding breeds(breeds that she now adores!). Growing up in the Chicagoland area and then attending the University of North Dakota for her undergraduate degree, Beth is no stranger to cold, snowy winters!
Beth adores working at Metro Dogs because of how rewarding it is to get to build bonds with each dog that comes in, whether it be in group or training one-on-one. She is currently a Minneapolis resident that lives with her AHS rescue, Pete(an Aussie / Coonhound mix, not-so-surprisingly!) and adores spending most of her free time with him by her side. As of June 2023, Beth earned her CCDT, graduating with distinction from Catch Canine Trainers Academy, and also earned her Family Dog Mediation (FDM) certification in February of 2024. Bethany is CPR and First Aid Certified through ProPetHero.
 

Beth is a Fear Free certified professional.

 

Sydney (she/her)

- Trainer

Sydney has been working with dogs since 2017, but she has always had an affinity for animals for as long as she can remember! She has spent the last three years exclusively pursuing her love for dog training. This transition helped spark her passion for not only teaching, but also helping create a healthy bond between dogs and their pet parent!

Sydney is currently in the process of earning her degree in behavioral psychology and plans to continue her educational journey within the dog training community, as well. Sydney believes that it is critical to keep current on the ever-changing science and techniques used within the dog industry in order to best set pet parents up for success.

Sydney is a Fear Free certified professional.

 

Sydney the Metro Dogs Trick of the Month Trainer Works with Phil a Mini Aussie
Sydney the Metro Dogs Trick of the Month Trainer Works with Phil a Mini Aussie

Jason (he/him)

– Confidence Club Manager

Jason has been with Metro Dogs almost since the beginning. Hired on the 1 year anniversary of the company opening, in 2012. Making a decent living in the private security field he drove by Metro Dogs one day, parked, walked in and 2 hours later was hired. He hasn’t regretted it for one second. His favorite thing about this job is the big dogs and the shy and scared ones, which is why Jason was the integral piece starting our enrichment daycare, Confidence Club. Nothing was more fulfilling than forming that bond with the shy pups and watching them grow. Long and short, DOGS! DOGS! and more DOGS!! You’ll catch Jason watching an unhealthy amount of football in the fall/winter, with his rescue pup Zach by his side.

Jason is a Fear Free certified professional.

 

Meet the Metro Dogs Team

Our dedicated Metro Dogs team of pet care professionals is proud to be Fear Free Certified, ensuring that every interaction is rooted in compassion and understanding, minimizing stress and anxiety for our canine companions. With a collective expertise in dog behavior and well-being, the Metro Dogs team are committed to providing a supportive, enriching environment tailored to meet the unique needs of your beloved pets. Meet the faces behind the exceptional care at Metro Dogs, and discover how we strive to create a safe, joyful experience for every dog we serve.

Wendy-Harter-owner-Metro-Dogs

Wendy (she/her)

– Owner

Wendy has surrounded herself with dogs, cats, and horses, her whole life. After several years in the corporate world, including a stay at 3M as a packaging engineer, she decided to sniff out a different career, so to speak. 

With the purchase of Dog Days in 2004, Wendy has been able to realize her passion for helping dogs and the people who love them. Wendy purchased Metro Dogs in February 2018. She actively oversees both companies while maintaining a great management team that runs the day-to-day operations. 

Her three previous Wheaten Terriers initially helped drive the business, but have passed over the Rainbow Bridge. Wendy is now the proud dog mom to Luke, a Goldendoodle rescue, to Olivia, a Wheaten Terrier, and to Crosby, a 3-legged cat who thinks he’s a dog.

Bailey Schwichtenberg - Metro Dogs

Bailey (she/her)

– Co•Manager

Before taking on a manager role at Metro Dogs in January 2025, Bailey started working at our sister company, Dog Days, in 2015. Over her 9 years she took on various roles starting out as a handler, working up to team lead and front desk coordinator, and eventually taking over as the assistant manager.

Her tenure at Dog Days was marked by fostering positive relationships with both dogs and clients, and mastering playgroup management. Her personal experiences with  her own dog, Bowser (a 7 year old boxer mix), and many daycare dogs have driven her to continue learning and advocating for better, safer spaces for dogs.

Outside of Metro Dogs, Bailey can be found tending to plants in her greenhouse and garden, caring for her cats,Gizmo, Taco and Soot Sprite, as well as her many fish tanks!

Allison Hays - Metro Dogs manager

Allison (she/her)

– Front of House Manager

I joined the Metro Dogs team in 2013 and have truly enjoyed every second of it! As the Front of House Manager, I will do everything I can to ensure all the pups and their parents have a smooth and positive experience.

I treat every dog that comes through the doors as my own and strive to create a warm and friendly environment for everyone. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my husband, Julian, and our 5 cats: Jellybean, Leo, Meep, Butters, and Gus!

Bethany the Metro Dogs head Trainer with Pete her Aussie/Hound Mix with the Minneapolis City Skyline in the Background

Beth (she/her)

- Head Trainer

Beth has been with Metro Dogs since September of 2021 as a daycare handler, and took over as trainer for Trick of the Month and Puppy Pre-K in April of 2022. Since then, she has helped expand the training program, adding day training services, private training, classes, and our Puppy Academy program!
She has spent her entire life surrounded by all kinds of dogs, but most frequently herding breeds(breeds that she now adores!). Growing up in the Chicagoland area and then attending the University of North Dakota for her undergraduate degree, Beth is no stranger to cold, snowy winters!
Beth adores working at Metro Dogs because of how rewarding it is to get to build bonds with each dog that comes in, whether it be in group or training one-on-one. She is currently a Minneapolis resident that lives with her AHS rescue, Pete(an Aussie / Coonhound mix, not-so-surprisingly!) and adores spending most of her free time with him by her side. As of June 2023, Beth earned her CCDT, graduating with distinction from Catch Canine Trainers Academy, and also earned her Family Dog Mediation (FDM) certification in February of 2024. Bethany is CPR and First Aid Certified through ProPetHero.
 

Beth is a Fear Free certified professional.

 

Bethany the Metro Dogs head Trainer with Pete her Aussie/Hound Mix with the Minneapolis City Skyline in the Background

Sydney (she/her)

- Trainer

Sydney has been working with dogs since 2017, but she has always had an affinity for animals for as long as she can remember! She has spent the last three years exclusively pursuing her love for dog training. This transition helped spark her passion for not only teaching, but also helping create a healthy bond between dogs and their pet parent!

Sydney is currently in the process of earning her degree in behavioral psychology and plans to continue her educational journey within the dog training community, as well. Sydney believes that it is critical to keep current on the ever-changing science and techniques used within the dog industry in order to best set pet parents up for success.

Sydney is a Fear Free certified professional.

Bethany the Metro Dogs head Trainer with Pete her Aussie/Hound Mix with the Minneapolis City Skyline in the Background

Jason (he/him)

Jason has been with Metro Dogs almost since the beginning. Hired on the 1 year anniversary of the company opening, in 2012. Making a decent living in the private security field he drove by Metro Dogs one day, parked, walked in and 2 hours later was hired. He hasn’t regretted it for one second. His favorite thing about this job is the big dogs and the shy and scared ones, which is why Jason was the integral piece starting our enrichment daycare, Confidence Club. Nothing was more fulfilling than forming that bond with the shy pups and watching them grow. Long and short, DOGS! DOGS! and more DOGS!! You’ll catch Jason watching an unhealthy amount of football in the fall/winter, with his rescue pup Zach by his side.
 

Jason is a Fear Free certified professional.