About
Doggy Haven Resort was established in 2002 to serve the boarding needs of our daycare clients. There was a search for property in south Snohomish County that would enable our daycare clients to not go too far out of their way to see us. Doggy Haven Resort sits on nearly five acres in a quiet valley next to a horse ranch. David and Donnell Boyd purchased Doggy Haven from the founder in 2006 and live nearby in Mill Creek. David and Donnell are lifelong animal lovers who both have a variety of business experience in technology, construction and business services. It is our mission to always do what is best for the dog, because your dog deserves the very best!
Management
Tasha – General Manager
Tasha was part of the Doggy Haven team from May of 2006 to May of 2007. After that she moved to Spokane where she worked at another dog daycare for a year. She missed all things Doggy Haven so much during that year that she ran back, and worked her way up to the general manager position (which she has held since July 2013). Tasha’s fine work as the GM includes (but is not limited to): Hiring, training, scheduling, care of the dogs and facility, and helping our 2 legged clients. She is pet CPR and First Aid certified. Tasha loves her job more than just about anyone ever could, and feels so lucky to be able to say that.
When she’s not at Doggy Haven you can find her spending time with her daughter, hanging out with friends and family (furry or not), and enthusiastically pointing out every dog on the street. She is a huge Mariners fan and goes to as many games as she can, goes to movies and concerts, watches The Walking Dead, is an avid reader and totally crazy for books (it’s more of a sickness really). Writing is as much a passion as reading, and she spends the rest of her time writing for children and young adults. Tasha meets regularly with an amazing writing group since 2012. She’s also a member of SCBWI and AWP, and attends writing conferences and retreats several times a year.
Mary – Assistant Manager
Mary started as a part time resort companion in July of 2008, and has worked her way up to Assistant Manager as of July 2015. She is the nighttime caretaker, and gives our boarding dogs that need it a past-bedtime potty-break. Mary loves being around and working with animals, especially dogs. She is pet CPR and First Aid certified, and has taken most of the training classes Doggy Haven has to offer with her own dogs. The most dogs she owned at one time is 8 when she lived on a farm in Granite Falls. She currently has four dogs. Licorice, her black lab, helps run the barn next door at Ride N Shine Farm. Cedrick her Min Pin, thinks he runs everything. Jasmine and Sparky enjoy getting lots of love and nap time in. When not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Nate, and 2 adult children, catching big salmon, the Seahawks, reading mystery novels, and watching The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. Mary is looking forward to someday being a final refuge home for Old Dog Haven dogs.
Nichole – Training Manager
Nichole TeSelle is a certified trainer who joined Doggy Haven in March of 2017. In December 2019 she became the training manager. Nikki teaches Levels classes, along with providing private lessons on-site and training staff members all about dog training and behavior. Nikki stays current on the latest in positive reinforcement training and theory by attending seminars and workshops throughout the Northwest, she especially enjoys behavioral work with rescue dogs that are getting a second chance at life, and setting puppies up for success with her Puppy Social and Teen Hangout program.
Ever since she was young, Nikki had a passion for animals and knew her dream would be to train animals someday. Growing up as the only child in a family with lots of pets meant she was able to create strong bonds with her animals, who she thought of as her siblings and friends. She transferred this passion into a career by attending the Karen Pryor Academy’s Dog Trainer Professional Program, which is an intense school of canine behavior and positive training methods, once she graduated she earned her Certified Training Partner of Karen Pryor Academy (KPA-CTP). Nikki is also an active member of APDT (Association of Professional Dog Trainers) and the Fear Free program, which creates a positive with vet visits and husbandry care. Nikki has received her CPDT-KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed); and is an evaluator for the AKC CGC (Canine Good Citizen) program.
Team Leads
Jess
Jess started at Doggy Haven in February of 2017 as a Resort Companion, and is now currently a Lead. She has an extensive background in retail, as well as experience working at a vet clinic. Jess has been an animal lover all her life, and spent 10 years in 4-H in her home state of Minnesota raising sheep, goats, and llamas on her grandfather’s farm, as well as hanging out with the various exotic animals he had, including a yak and camel. She also trained and showed her Mini Schnauzer in the 4-H dog training program with great success.
Nowadays, Jess enjoys hanging out with her boyfriend and dog (super shelter mutt PJ) and enjoying hikes and nature walks. She also shares her home with two rats (Archie and Billy). Her hobbies include pretty much any craft or art project that strikes her fancy, (crochet, drawing, painting, sewing, taxidermy, cosplay, etc…) going to thrift stores, and playing video games.
Her favorite part of working at Doggy Haven is how well everyone gets along, and how much the dogs love it there. She comes home smelling like dog every day, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. 😉
Lauren
Lauren joined Doggy Haven as a Resort Companion in October of 2018 and has since been promoted to team lead. She hit the ground running since she had previously been a dog walker in Seattle for many years, as well as training her Australian Shepherd mix and Golden Retriever in 4-H since she was 10. She loves her dog, Fisher, a brittany mix. They go hiking and watch squirrel videos on YouTube together. When not at work, she loves hiking, camping, running, cross county skiing, and drawing, but especially loves being surrounded by dogs every day at Doggy Haven. In the future, Lauren would love to continue traveling all around the world, visit Europe and Asia again, and go to New Zealand and Scandinavia, and on her travels maybe find a vegetable farm to settle down on for a while.
Sam
Sam been part of the team since June of 2017 and loves every day of it. She could not think of a better place to work. Sam is also a bather and a team lead. Working with dogs is what she’s always wanted to do. It can be a challenge but it is also very rewarding. She has had many different jobs in the past but this is her absolute favorite. In her spare time Sam loves to go to concerts and just hang out with her husband and their dogs. She has always had dogs and life wouldn’t be the same without them. Sam’s favorite part of working at Doggy Haven is getting to meet new dogs everyday.
Sarah
Sarah joined the team at Doggy Haven in May of 2017 and she absolutely loves it. Sarah is also bather and a team lead. She has TWO chocolate labs, Archer (a huge fan of dandelions!) and Tali. Sarah moved here from Michigan in 2017 and states she has the best job in the world where she gets to see dogs everyday! Working with animals has always been Sarah’s passion, and she would not trade this job for anything. In her spare time she enjoys reading, writing, relaxing, and especially baking.
Shayla
Shayla joined the Doggy Haven team as a Resort Companion in July of 2018, since then, she’s become a lead and most recently began her journey in becoming a dog trainer.
Shayla has always had a passion for dogs, she has always had a dog in her life. Dogs were such a passion that Shayla was a trusted dog walker and sitter for all her friends and family before even joining Doggy Haven.
Shayla is excited to keep up with the latest positive reinforcement training trends and is currently studying for her CPDT-KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer), she teaches Levels classes and loves working with dogs. Most days, you will find Shayla helping staff members learn more about dogs and appropriate play along with training client dogs for Daycare & Train and Board & Train services. Shayla also often helps Nikki with some of her behavioral private lessons which is a huge interest of Shayla’s as well.
When Shayla is not at Doggy Haven, she is most likely at a dog park hanging out with her best friend Franklin (supermutt). Franklin is a rescue from California and loves Shayla almost as much as he loves swimming (which is a lot!). In her free time Shayla enjoys painting, hiking, traveling, and reading training related books.
Groomers
Debbie
Debbie has been grooming professionally since 1995, and she joined the Doggy Haven team October of 2013. Puppies are her passion; she’s so excited to build trusting relationships with dogs and parents resulting in life long clients. The most rewarding grooms for her are the ones where she gets to transform a dog completely. Debbie was born and raised here, and now she’s watching her kids grow up here too. Her kids are always number one. When not grooming, she likes to read, watch movies, and hang out with her four kids (they especially love to be outdoors camping, boating, fishing, and swimming), and all things Seahawks. There has always been a dog in her home, currently a Shih Tzu and an English Cream Golden Retriever. Debbie loves working at Doggy Haven, and likens coming to work every day to coming home. She says the Doggy Haven family is “way too fun!”
Lindsay
Lindsay has been grooming for over 13 years, and she joined Doggy Haven Resort in June of 2016. She specializes in grooming senior dogs that can need an extra patient and gentle touch. At home she has two rescue dogs, Gracie an adorable Havanese, and Bodhi a stubborn but affectionate black lab. When not grooming, she enjoys crime shows, baking, trying new Pinterest recipes, and watching the Seahawks!
Resort Companions
Edan
Edan joined the Doggy Haven team at the beginning of June 2019. Edan has been surrounded by dogs all her life and has grown up pet sitting and dog walking. When she is not working, Edan enjoys being a unified partner for Special Olympics as well as going on hikes and to the dog park with her Aussiedoodle, Ziggy! Edan loves being surrounded by the dogs at work and was extremely excited to start bringing Ziggy so that she could wear out all his bountiful energy!
Jenna
Jenna joined the Doggy Haven team as a Resort Companion in October of 2020. She was born and raised in Washington State and has had an undying passion for all animals, especially dogs, since she was a young girl. As a child, she could be found with her nose buried in any dog book she came across. Jenna began dog sitting for family friends at the age of 9, and then rescued her first dog, Marko, when she was 10. It was love at first sight. Her family also raised a standard poodle, Tessa, who sadly passed away in May 2020. In her free time, Jenna enjoys studying psychology, drawing, and spending time around as many animals as she can (including horses, volunteering at Homeward Pet Adoption Center, and her axolotls, Milo and Gump). She loves the fun, welcoming atmosphere at Doggy Haven and adores being surrounded by wonderful dogs and fellow dog lovers every day!
Kellie
Kellie started working at Doggy Haven September of 2017 as a full-time Resort Companion. When she was young, her automatic reply to the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” was, “A veterinarian!” Animals have always been and will continue to be, a big part of her life. Since the age 13, has been a pet sitter and dog walker for her neighbors and family. She volunteered at PAWS for two years where her duties included: dog walking, cat room cleaning, and being on the Clinic Call Team. For her senior project when in high school, she spent 45 hours job shadowing at VCA Silver Lake Animal Hospital. Throughout her life she has had four cats and one dog. Sadly, about a week after she started at Doggy Haven, her dog of 15 years, Skip, passed away from cancer. She thought it would be difficult to come in and see dogs the next day, but it ended up helping immensely. Different quirks, and physicalities that these dogs have, remind her of Skip and it helps keep the memories alive!
In her spare time, she enjoys reading, playing with her cat, and listening to music. She hopes one day to travel the world — first on her list… Europe!
Kasey
Kasey started at Doggy Haven in September of 2020 as a Resort Companion and Bather. He grew up in Edmonds, Washington with two Border Terriers named Daisy and Libby and has been an animal lover his whole life. Kasey has previously worked in a veterinary hospital and grooming salon where he fell in love with working with animals. He is a graduate of Western Washington University and is always eager to learn about new subjects. When he’s not loving on your pooches at Doggy Haven you can find him exploring the local beaches, out on the golf course, or at home curled up with a good book. He currently has a Border Collie mix named Clifford and a Chiweenie named Sweet Pea who are both rescues. Kasey is very excited to be a part of the team here and will take care of your animals like they’re his own.
Mindy
Mindy started working at Doggy Haven in March 2020.She was born in Alaska, where her real passion for dogs began. Growing up in the wilderness of Alaska, her family bred and raised mushing Huskies. Since then her love of dogs only grew and she knew she wanted to work with them as an adult. Mindy has fostered many dogs throughout her life and currently has a Chihuahua mix of her own named Ryder. Prior to working at Doggy Haven, she was a stay at home mom of two, studying makeup artistry. She loves to be outdoors, travel, garden, and spend time with her family. When she is not doing that, she’s here at Doggy Haven loving on all your pooches.
Riley
Riley joined the Doggy Haven team in September 2020. He’s very grateful to be working at Doggy Haven, because he loves working with and being around dogs. He’s owned 3 pugs in his life, one of them had special needs. Riley currently owns a rescue mutt who is the most chill dog he has ever been around. Her name is Mocha. He also has a special place in his heart for animal rescue and has volunteered at Pasado’s Safe Haven. Riley thinks the team at Doggy Haven is amazing and so wonderful to work with.
Ruby
Ruby joined the Doggy Haven team in November of 2019 as a Resort Companion. She has always loved dogs, especially her two childhood dogs, Jetta and Blazer, who would board regularly at Doggy Haven. Now she has her own dog, Derby, a chocolate lab cutie, and two 8-year-old goldfish named after the Finding Nemo characters, Jenny and Nigel. In her free time, she loves to crochet, bake, and cuddle with her dog while watching TV.
Ryan
Ryan started working at Doggy Haven in October of 2018 as a Resort Companion. He loves to go hiking and being outside, as well as spending lots of time with dogs, so working at Doggy Haven is a perfect opportunity to combine his passions! Prior to working at Doggy Haven, Ryan was in construction, but in the future he hopes to provide a foster home for dogs of all types who are in need of a temporary, loving home. Currently he has three dogs at home, Remi a 1 year old chocolate lab who they have had since she was puppy, Macie a long haired dachshund who has been with them from 5 weeks to 5 years, and Nellie a rat terrier/beagle mix, also 5 years, who they’ve had since about 6 months old.
Sarah A
Sarah joined the team in October of 2020. She has loved dogs for as long as she can remember, and they have always been a big part of her life. Her first job was walking dogs at a boarding facility, and she has been volunteering at Homeward Pet Adoption Center since 2015. Her favorite part of working at Doggy Haven is having a great team of coworkers and getting to meet new dogs. She loves getting to know them and their different personalities. She currently has an Australian Shepherd/Heeler mix, Ruby, and a Siberian Husky, Loki. Someday soon she would love to have an English Bulldog! Sarah loves listening to music, hiking, reading, and cuddling with her dogs in her free time.
Sarah Jean
Sarah Jean joined the Doggy Haven team in October of 2020 and says it’s her dream job. Sarah was born and raised in California where she spent most of her spare time at the stables competing in barrel racing with her horse, Ruby, and volunteering at the local animal shelter. She is also an incredibly talented artist and enjoys drawing pets and people with pencil. Sarah grew up having lots of pets in the household and couldn’t imagine life without a dog (or two) and loves working with the dogs that visit Doggy Haven. Sarah and her dog Dolly relocated to Washington in 2014 and there is rarely a time that you don’t see the two of them together. Sarah recently adopted a new dog named Sonny, and Dolly is now spending her golden years showing Sonny the ropes. In her spare time Sarah enjoys cooking, playing guitar, and spending time with her two dogs.
Simon
Simon worked in the movie theatre industry for nearly 10 years eventually becoming a manager. He always planned to be a veterinarian someday (maybe someday, still), and decided to make the jump into the animal industry by joining Doggy Haven in September 2020. Growing up, he had the best dog ever, a yellow lab named Sandy that helped him get through some tough times. When she passed at 18, he was devastated, and had to find a way to get his dog fix in! Simon started volunteering at PAWS then, and still does to this day. It was there that he found and adopted his husky, Natsu. Simon knew immediately that Natsu was “the one”. He was handful at first, but after taking the time to work with him and train him right, Natsu went from a crazy husky that would take himself for runs and kill chickens any chance he got, to a dorky husky that just wants to be Simon’s shadow 24/7.
When he’s not with Natsu, Simon usually hangs out with friends hiking, taking road trips, playing games, watching anime, getting their nerd on, and going to anime conventions or comic con when it’s that time of year. He’s a huge fan of Japanese culture and hopes to travel there someday!
