Staff Profiles and Information

Colin Horton Owner , Office Manager, Groomer, and Kennel Technician.
I grew up in Fruita Colorado with a managerie of animals. I participated in 4-H for many years: showing horses in 4-H as well as open horse shows for 7 years, dogs for 4 years, and pet rabbits for a few years. I also helped with raising our Bummer lambs and breeding (My dad would not allow me or my sister to show market sheep). The experience of 4-H taught me responsibility to the fullest!

I had a variety of pets that included parakeets, box turtles, guinea pigs, fish, cats, and more. With that came repsonsibility, the onslaught of vet bills and a few litters of kittens and puppies. I wish we knew now what we knew then about the pet over population problem and that spaying and neutering your pets, and yes, even rabbits, is one of the basics of pet ownership and an absolute must!

I obtained my first Vet Tech job in 1995 at All Pet's Center and that was my calling! I found I loved the medical field of animals and then decided to attend Colorado Mountain College in 1996 where I enrolled in the 3 year Veterinary Technician Program. All of our instructors were licensed veterinarians and they did not take our school work and education lightly. It was a great challenge and I graduated in 1999. I did my internship at Amigo Veterinary Clinic.

In 1999 I worked at Orchard Mesa Vet and at that time I started my pet sitting business. I worked at Orchard Mesa vet for over a year but with my clientel building, I spent my mornings, lunch breaks, and evenings caring for pets. I found I was having to make a career choice, so I chose to build my pet care business.

I needed a part-time job and landed a fabulous job at Roice-Hurst Humane Society as a veterinary technician. My job responsibilities there began as a kennel tech, receptionist, and for a little while, as a supervisor. I also learned to groom dogs and cats at this time. At the shelter, we put dogs into play groups or "packs" daily of up to 10 dogs in a group so they could play with each other and stay happy. This is where I learned so much about dog behavior and working with dogs in an off leash pack environment.

My client base for in-home pet sitting rapidly expanded and after almost 2 years working at Roice-Hurst Humane I decided it was time to move on and hit my pet sitting business full swing! I did overnight pet sitting, regular mid-day visits and started to build up my pet grooming clientel as well.

I then was asked by many of my clients if they could board their dogs in my home and started to do in-home boarding, taking in only a few dogs at a time. This is when I realized the need for Doggy Day Care and boarding in a non-traditional setting was so important to people and their loving pets! We moved to the country setting and opened up the Grand Valley's first Doggy Day Care and Overnight Dog Camp. I quit in-home pet sitting to care for animals here on our property and hired wonderful team members to do in-home pet sitting and overnights.

Our facility is located on the property where we live. I live with my husband, my 2 children, dogs, cats, rabbits and parrots. I have my 2 horses close by at the barn down the road.

Vanessa, Care Staff has been a team member since September 2009. She currently helps with office work, the doggy day care and dog boarding camp, and does in-home pet sitting visits as well. She has a deep knowledge of both dogs and horses. She grew up in Gilbert, Arizona with horses and dogs and with her love of animals, worked in an animal hospital as a veterinary assistant and a kennel technician in the boarding section of the veterinary hospital. Vanessa has ridden and shown horses for 11 years in the hunter/jumper discipline, been an assistant trainer, given riding lessons to children and trained horses. She has been attending Mesa State College as a full time student and is a Seinor this year studying biology/pre-vet and plans to attend Veterinary School. Vanessa has a competitive edge and plays many sports from soccer to rugby with Mesa State, she is a runner and works out daily, she takes many of The Animal Nanny client dogs out for hikes, bike rides and jogging to expel energy from those active breeds! She currently has one dog, a huskey/wolf mix named Neptune, which she rescued from an animal shelter back in Arizona. She has an amazing thoroughbred gelding named Atticus and together they competed in the highest level of Hunter Juniors and was Arizona's Reserve Champion Equitation rider in 2006.

Danielle, Care Staff has been on staff since October of 2008 and covers the Sunday shift each week as well as extra shifts when needed, while during the week she works at a dentist office. From time to time she also spends her time as an in-home pet sitter for The Animal Nanny where she visits homes to care for pets while their owners are away. Danielle is very active and knows the importance of exercise, disipline and affection; all important aspects for a well balanced dog. Molly, the boston terrier pictured with her, was a rescue dog suffering from behaivor problems, she rehabilitated her with tons of exercise, socialization, and love and as a result has become a well rounded and balanced dog! Her other bully dog is a show dog and he has graduated from trick classes and is completing the last level of the advanced class in obedience training. He is also now working on his Canine Good Citizenship award! In addition to her dogs, she also has one house cat.

Austin, Care Staff is a Grand Junction native, born and raised. He grew up with many animals ranging from dogs, cats and a rabbit named Mr. Bunny that was a house rabbit that loved chocolate! Austin has been on staff for 2 years and he provides great service support to all the animals that we care for. His main job is loving on the dogs and he loves to play ball with the active, high energy group. He also does maintenance and customer service.

He currently lives with 3 little dogs all less than 15 pounds. Kasie is his 'baby' and is pictured with him. Kasie is 1 1/2 years old and she comes to doggy day care 5 days per week to 'Supervise Austin' with all his chores! She is only 8 pounds and is sitting on his shoulders alot, we call her his little parrot. He also has a rescued dachshund named Queenie and a special needs dog named Honey. Honey is completely blind from birth and Austin has made his home customized for her with ramps going outside and onto the bed so she can get around better.