about us
Metro Dogs Daycare Team
The Metro Dogs team is a strong one! We are proud of our staff at Metro Dogs and want you to feel like you’re part of our family. But we’ll be honest, we’re dog people and maybe a little people shy. So we wrote you some bios to help you get to know us more.
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.
Taylor (she/her)
– General Manager
Although new to Metro Dogs in 2021, Taylor is no stranger to the Metro Dogs team. She had worked at our sister company, Dog Days St Paul, for 6 years! Her other professional jobs have included working at an animal shelter for many years, dog training, doggy daycares and boarding facilities, and at a veterinary clinic. Taylor received her Bachelor’s degree in Companion Animal Science from the U of MN. You could say animals have been her actual entire life. Taylor’s favorite part about Metro Dogs is that the goals of the business align with her own personal philosophies on dog care. Taylor lives in Northeast with her partner, her two cats, Ed and Otis, and her golden retriever and CIC Therapy Dog, Dory (@dory_of_mpls). You will often find her with a RAGOM foster pup in tow, too. Taylor spends her time outdoors in any weather (Dory loves them all, rain, snow, or shine), enjoys local restaurants and breweries, and home cooking. Taylor is an approved AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator and AKC Puppy S.T.A.R trainer. She is CPR and First Aid Certified through Pet Emergency Education. Taylor is a Fear Free certified Daycare Pro.
Allison (she/her)
– Office Manager
Allison has been working at Metro Dogs since 2013 and has enjoyed every second of it! From running a dog-sitting business with a neighborhood friend as a child, working at a vet clinic as her first job, and working as Office Manager at Metro Dogs, she has always been involved with dogs in one way or another. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with her 5 cats (yes you read that right) and spending time with her husband, Julian. She loves enjoying Minnesota summers to the max with bike rides, hikes and spending as much time as possible at the family cabin up north. She loves working at Metro Dogs because it feels like a family and treats all dogs who come through the door as her own.
Allison is a Fear Free certified Daycare Pro.
Jason (he/him)
– Assistant Manager
Jason has been with Metro Dogs almost since the beginning. Hired on the 1 year anniversary of MD 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. To Jason, nothing is more fulfilling than forming that bond. He also works with Go Anywhere Dog training and does lots of dog sitting on the side. DOGS! DOGS! and more DOGS!! He loves going on nature hikes with his 12 year old Beagle mix, Maggie, and watching an unhealthy amount of football in the fall/winter. Jason is CPR and First Aid Certified through Pet Emergency Education.
Jason is a Fear Free certified Daycare Pro.
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. 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. Bethany is CPR and First Aid Certified through ProPetHero.
Bethany is a Fear Free certified Daycare Pro.
our pack leaders
Sammie (she/her)
– Overnight Lead & Team Lead
Sammie originally went to school for massage therapy, but later realized dogs were more her passion and changed career paths. She joined Metro Dogs in July of 2021 after working at other dog care facilities. She realized that the honest care and attention to detail Metro Dogs provides the best possible environment for the dogs and jumped on board. You will see Sammie working as a daycare teacher, staff trainer, and team lead! Sammie LOVES the Aussie breed, but you’ll see her loving every dog here. Sammie takes time to get every dog’s personality to blossom. Sammie is so passionate about continuing education so that she can create the most beneficial environment for the dogs here. At home, Sammie has two wonderful cats, Gin and Luna, who love to watch scary movies with her. Her favorite local restaurant is Ono Hawaiian Plates!
Sammie is a Fear Free certified professional.
Chloe (she/they)
– Team Lead & Front Desk
Chloe joined the Metro Dogs team in August of 2022! Chloe always wanted to work with dogs, and when she saw Metro Dogs – the daycare that emphasized kindness, fun, love and care for each and every dog – had an opening, she knew she needed to go for it. Chloe quickly realized this was a true passion, and doesn’t see ever leaving this industry! Chloe says, “My favorite part is the connection I get to make with each and every dog. Every dog is different and it is amazing to see the relationships that I get to develop with each and every one of them.” You’ll see Chloe doing a little bit of everything at Metro Dogs, front desk, team lead, daycare teacher, Puppy Social host, and grooming. Chloe’s two favorite dog breeds are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Golden Retrievers. Outside of dogs, Chloe plays many instruments and crochets! She sells crochet and vintage clothes on Depop!
Chloe is a Fear Free certified professional.
Courtney (she/her)
– Team Lead & Front Desk
Even though Courtney is one of our newer staff members, she is not new to working with dogs! After working at a different dog daycare, Courtney realized she loved working with dogs, but not the environment she was previously in. Courtney found Metro Dogs! After a year of working with us, she is extremely proud to be at a Fear Free facility. Courtney has two senior dogs, Frankie and Bug, who you may meet behind the front desk! As a teenager Courtney convinced her mom to foster Shih Tzus (the only breed her mom would allow), and since then has been dedicated to working with animals. She is especially fond of senior dogs and loves to advocate for them. Outside of work, Courtney can be found knitting, cross stitching, or out hunting agates with her partner Chieu.
Nicole (she/her)
Nicole comes to Metro Dogs with a variety of experience! She graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Animal Science and has worked at a handful of different animal related jobs, including working at our sister company Dog Days! Nicole also works part time as a Fear Free certified veterinary technician at Vet Partners Minneapolis. Nicole has a chow chow mix named Beau and a dwarf satin rabbit named Mango. Nicole’s favorite part about working with the dogs is learning their unique personalities and building bonds with them and earning their trust. She enjoys showing them that she’ll have their backs. When asked why she chose Metro Dogs, Nicole said “Metro dogs creates a wonderful and positive environment for the dogs to exercise their unique social needs at all stages of their lives and was the first Fear Free certified daycare in the Twin Cities area and that was something that I wanted to be a part of.” In her spare time, you’ll find Nicole running, collecting records and trying out local breweries. Say hi if you catch her at Indeed!
Nicole is a Fear Free certified professional.
Matthew (he/him)
Matthew was feeling burnt out working at a mall job and felt the need to reconnect with animals, which he always felt passionate about. Matthew found Metro Dogs and fit right in! Matthew has two rats, Ducky and Mouse. In his spare time, he draws and paints, as he went to school for studio art at UW Stout. He mainly works in ink and gouache. He loves drawing animals and people with a surrealist approach. He also loves traveling with his boyfriend and his favorite local restaurant is Vegan East! Since starting at Metro Dogs, Pomeranians have stolen Matthew’s heart. But not just that, Matthew said “My favorite thing about working with dogs is working with the anxious ones! Seeing a dog go from anxious to goofing around makes my heart so full and is the reason I work with dogs. I love to be a part of that transformation.”
Metro Dogs Daycare Team
The Metro Dogs team is a strong one! We are proud of our staff at Metro Dogs and want you to feel like you’re part of our family. But we’ll be honest, we’re dog people and maybe a little people shy. So we wrote you some bios to help you get to know us more.
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.
Taylor (she/her)
– General Manager
Although new to Metro Dogs in 2021, Taylor is no stranger to the Metro Dogs team. She had worked at our sister company, Dog Days St Paul, for 6 years! Her other professional jobs have included working at an animal shelter for many years, dog training, doggy daycares and boarding facilities, and at a veterinary clinic. Taylor received her Bachelor’s degree in Companion Animal Science from the U of MN. You could say animals have been her actual entire life. Taylor’s favorite part about Metro Dogs is that the goals of the business align with her own personal philosophies on dog care. Taylor lives in Northeast with her partner, her two cats, Ed and Otis, and her golden retriever and CIC Therapy Dog, Dory (@dory_of_mpls). You will often find her with a RAGOM foster pup in tow, too. Taylor spends her time outdoors in any weather (Dory loves them all, rain, snow, or shine), enjoys local restaurants and breweries, and home cooking. Taylor is an approved AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator and AKC Puppy S.T.A.R trainer. She is CPR and First Aid Certified through Pet Emergency Education.
Taylor is a Fear Free certified Daycare Pro.
Allison (she/her)
– Office Manager
Allison has been working at Metro Dogs since 2013 and has enjoyed every second of it! From running a dog-sitting business with a neighborhood friend as a child, working at a vet clinic as her first job, and working as Office Manager at Metro Dogs, she has always been involved with dogs in one way or another. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with her 5 cats (yes you read that right) and spending time with her husband, Julian. She loves enjoying Minnesota summers to the max with bike rides, hikes and spending as much time as possible at the family cabin up north. She loves working at Metro Dogs because it feels like a family and treats all dogs who come through the door as her own.
Allison is a Fear Free certified Daycare Pro.
Jason (he/him)
– Assistant Manager
Jason has been with Metro Dogs almost since the beginning. Hired on the 1 year anniversary of MD 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. To Jason, nothing is more fulfilling than forming that bond. He also works with Go Anywhere Dog training and does lots of dog sitting on the side. DOGS! DOGS! and more DOGS!! He loves going on nature hikes with his 12 year old Beagle mix, Maggie, and watching an unhealthy amount of football in the fall/winter. Jason is CPR and First Aid Certified through Pet Emergency Education.
Jason is a Fear Free certified Daycare Pro.
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. 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. Bethany is CPR and First Aid Certified through ProPetHero.
Bethany is a Fear Free certified Daycare Pro.
our pack leaders
Sammie (she/her)
– Overnight Lead & Team Lead
Sammie originally went to school for massage therapy, but later realized dogs were more her passion and changed career paths. She joined Metro Dogs in July of 2021 after working at other dog care facilities. She realized that the honest care and attention to detail Metro Dogs provides the best possible environment for the dogs and jumped on board. You will see Sammie working as a daycare teacher, staff trainer, and team lead! Sammie LOVES the Aussie breed, but you’ll see her loving every dog here. Sammie takes time to get every dog’s personality to blossom. Sammie is so passionate about continuing education so that she can create the most beneficial environment for the dogs here. At home, Sammie has two wonderful cats, Gin and Luna, who love to watch scary movies with her. Her favorite local restaurant is Ono Hawaiian Plates!
Sammie is a Fear Free certified professional.
Chloe (she/they)
– Team Lead & Front Desk
Chloe joined the Metro Dogs team in August of 2022! Chloe always wanted to work with dogs, and when she saw Metro Dogs – the daycare that emphasized kindness, fun, love and care for each and every dog – had an opening, she knew she needed to go for it. Chloe quickly realized this was a true passion, and doesn’t see ever leaving this industry! Chloe says, “My favorite part is the connection I get to make with each and every dog. Every dog is different and it is amazing to see the relationships that I get to develop with each and every one of them.” You’ll see Chloe doing a little bit of everything at Metro Dogs, front desk, team lead, daycare teacher, Puppy Social host, and grooming. Chloe’s two favorite dog breeds are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Golden Retrievers. Outside of dogs, Chloe plays many instruments and crochets! She sells crochet and vintage clothes on Depop!
Chloe is a Fear Free certified professional.
Courtney (she/her)
– Team Lead & Front Desk
Even though Courtney is one of our newer staff members, she is not new to working with dogs! After working at a different dog daycare, Courtney realized she loved working with dogs, but not the environment she was previously in. Courtney found Metro Dogs! After a year of working with us, she is extremely proud to be at a Fear Free facility. Courtney has two senior dogs, Frankie and Bug, who you may meet behind the front desk! As a teenager Courtney convinced her mom to foster Shih Tzus (the only breed her mom would allow), and since then has been dedicated to working with animals. She is especially fond of senior dogs and loves to advocate for them. Outside of work, Courtney can be found knitting, cross stitching, or out hunting agates with her partner Chieu.
Nicole (she/her)
Nicole comes to Metro Dogs with a variety of experience! She graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Animal Science and has worked at a handful of different animal related jobs, including working at our sister company Dog Days! Nicole also works part time as a Fear Free certified veterinary technician at Vet Partners Minneapolis. Nicole has a chow chow mix named Beau and a dwarf satin rabbit named Mango. Nicole’s favorite part about working with the dogs is learning their unique personalities and building bonds with them and earning their trust. She enjoys showing them that she’ll have their backs. When asked why she chose Metro Dogs, Nicole said “Metro dogs creates a wonderful and positive environment for the dogs to exercise their unique social needs at all stages of their lives and was the first Fear Free certified daycare in the Twin Cities area and that was something that I wanted to be a part of.” In her spare time, you’ll find Nicole running, collecting records and trying out local breweries. Say hi if you catch her at Indeed!
Nicole is a Fear Free certified professional.
Matthew (he/him)
Matthew was feeling burnt out working at a mall job and felt the need to reconnect with animals, which he always felt passionate about. Matthew found Metro Dogs and fit right in! Matthew has two rats, Ducky and Mouse. In his spare time, he draws and paints, as he went to school for studio art at UW Stout. He mainly works in ink and gouache. He loves drawing animals and people with a surrealist approach. He also loves traveling with his boyfriend and his favorite local restaurant is Vegan East! Since starting at Metro Dogs, Pomeranians have stolen Matthew’s heart. But not just that, Matthew said “My favorite thing about working with dogs is working with the anxious ones! Seeing a dog go from anxious to goofing around makes my heart so full and is the reason I work with dogs. I love to be a part of that transformation.”