Meet The Team

How long have you been at HDB?  April of 2022

What are your favorite things about HDB?  I love all the dogs that come in and the regulars that make my day!  I also love learning about dog nutrition.  I have changed my dog’s diet to a healthier one because of the store.

What pets do you have?  Rainbow Chonk (a staffy mix) & Midge (a tripod staffy mix)

Fun fact – I am studying to be an American Sign Language Interpreter!  If you ever want to sign at the store, come find me!

How long have you been at HDB?  2004

What are your favorite things about HDB?  I love creating a great customer experience.  Plus, I get to bake and spoil the dogs!

What pets do you have?  Rosie (German Shorthaired Pointer), Dash (Black Lab) & Hazel (Senior Beagle)

Fun fact – I am starting to practice my watercolors!  You can often find some of them hanging on my office door.

How long have you been at HDB? July of 2024

What are your favorite things about HDB?  I love the fun colleagues I work with and the adorable dogs I look forward to petting every time I work.  I also love the quality dog treats, cakes, and stews that our talented kitchen puts out daily for our doggie patrons and their discerning palates!

What pets do you have? I have people with severe pet allergies in my family so unfortunately I can’t own a dog – that’s why I work at HDB!  Dogs come in daily and I can pet and pet and pet them, which makes my dog-adoring heart happy!  I also love to spoil my doggie god-nieces any chance I get.

Fun fact – I am a retired high school librarian so if I see you with a book in your hands from the library or Anderson’s, I will usually ask you about them!  I keep a running list of great book suggestions from patrons!

How long have you been at HDB? January 2025

What are your favorite things about HDB?  The best thing about HDB is seeing all the amazing pets walk through the door and pull their lovely companions behind them to the bowl of coveted liver treats!

What pets do you have? I share a dog (Husky) and cat (Orange) with my partner.  They have grown up together and I am grateful every day that they are a part of our family.

Fun fact – I am currently finishing a Master’s Degree in Animal Behavior and Welfare!

How long have you been at HDB? August of 2019

What are your favorite things about HDB? I love seeing all the dogs come in with their owners and developing a relationship with them.  Plus, I enjoy working with all my co-workers!

What pets do you have?  Apollo (Husky/Shepherd mix)

Fun fact – I love traveling every year with my grammar school friends to some place warm!  I also love spending with time my three sons!

How long have you been at HDB? 2004, since the store opened

What are your favorite things about HDB? I love helping customers by finding solutions to issues they may be having.  Knowing we helped a dog brings me great satisfaction!

What pets do you have?  Radar (blind cattledog/collie mix), Paisley, Rainbow Sapphire and Rainbow Buddy (Black labs) and Jessie (black/white cat)

Fun fact – I love volunteering at Hanson Center Barn which is horseback riding for adults and children with disabilities. Horses are my passion (along with the dogs, of course!)

How long have you been at HDB? April of 2019

What are your favorite things about HDB? I love working with my coworkers and getting to see everyone’s dogs!

What pets do you have? Kevin (English Cream Golden Retriever)

Fun fact – I love to travel!  I have been to 5 out of the 7 continents.

How long have you been at HDB? Since 2017

What are your favorite things about HDB? I love that I get to make dogs happier every day. Being a favorite part of a walk or a dog just pulling their owners here makes me so happy!

What pets do you have?  Blitz (Coonhound), Magnolia (Coonhound), Token (black cat), Bean (Guinea pig), Oats (Guinea pig), Bilbo (Russian Tortoise), 2 different types of isopod colonies and 10 chickens!

Fun fact –  I’m really into bioactive environments and creating spaces for bugs and other creepy crawlies! 

How long have you been at HDB? July of 2024

What are your favorite things about HDB? The dogs!  I love getting to help educate and provide healthy food and treat options for the dogs.  Plus, I love working with all my coworkers.

What pets do you have?  2 cats and a dog

Fun fact – I play softball!

How long have you been at HDB? April 2022

What are your favorite things about HDB?  I love being around pets and their people.  They make me smile all day!

What pets do you have? Barney (Chocolate lab), Willy (Fox Red lab) and Abby (German Shorthaired Pointer)

Fun fact – I was a teacher in Downers Grove for many years before coming to the Barkery.

How long have you been at HDB? June of 2019

What are your favorite things about HDB? Aside from petting dogs, working in a retail setting that creates fun and positive experiences for the customers and their pets!  I also love being a part of this awesome team that make this possible!

What pets do you have?  Peanut (Wirehair Dachshund), Cowboy (Wirehair Dachshund) & Elf (grandcat)

Fun fact – I love to paint! I also make all my bread from scratch using my Grandma’s old recipe!

How long have you been at HDB? June 2024

What are your favorite things about HDB? I love getting to interact with everyone that comes in, two-footed or four-footed (sometimes, even three).

What pets do you have?  Luna (long hair black cat) and Rainbow Doctor Cobra (long haired cat)

Fun fact – In my free time, I enjoy knitting and playing Magic the Gathering.

How long have you been at HDB? April 2004 

What are your favorite things about HDB? The dogs, of course!  But also the people: Beth, my coworkers and our customers are all lovely, supportive people who enrich my life.

What pets do you have?  I’m a sucker for seniors so I have a wonderful pack waiting for me at the Rainbow Bridge.  (Pictured with Rainbow Dog, Oliver, thanks to Furry Expressions)

Fun fact – I loved working up front, but I really found my stride in the kitchen!  I can whimper like a puppy, convincingly enough to confuse mother dogs.

How long have you been at HDB? September of 2023

What are your favorite things about HDB?  I love the ability to connect to our customers and their pets on a personal level.  Since we are a small business, we can really get to know the customers and their dogs, cats, and even a pig that comes in.

What pets do you have? I have 5 pets!  One dog named Maggie (Mini Aussie) and four cats: Darcy (Tabby), Stella (Tabby), Sadie (Tabby), and Rosie (Tuxedo).

Fun fact – I live and breathe dogs, cats, and hockey. I LOVE hockey but cannot ice skate for the life of me 

How long have you been at HDB? July of 2023

What are your favorite things about HDB?  I love getting to help people find the perfect foods, treats, and toys for their pets!  There are so many different options out there that a lot of people haven’t heard about.  Plus I love getting to work with the Barkery team!

What pets do you have? I don’t have any yet :( But I’d love to rescue any dogs or cats someday!)  My dream dog/cat is one of those misunderstood breeds and colors so I can help spread awareness on how great they are!

Fun fact – Outside of Happy Dog, I do Marketing freelance work for my Uncle/Grandma’s bar and work with three sports teams during their seasons!  During the Hockey season, I work with the Chicago Steel (owned by the Chicago Blackhawks) and the Lewis University Hockey Team.  During Baseball season, I work with the Windy City Thunderbolts (managed by two former Chicago White Sox Players, Bobby Jenks & Toby Hall).  I love to keep busy!

How long have you been at HDB? May of 2022

What are your favorite things about HDB? I’m surrounded by great coworkers, dogs and customers!  We build each other up to keep the pups happy!

What pets do you have? Ellie (Cattle Dog), 3 cats (Ringo, Rainbow Norman and Dash), 2 Ball Pythons, 2 Salamanders and some goldfish in my pond!

Fun fact – I love to garden in my free time!

How long have you been at HDB? August of 2020

What are your favorite things about HDB? I love being around dogs all day and getting to give out treats and lovies!  We are so lucky to have many regular customers who count us among their dog’s best friends.  I also love learning and educating people on nutrition and new products that we carry in store.  And of course, my coworkers who all share my passion for animals!

What pets do you have?  I have two Golden Retrievers, Emmett and Maizie and Cats, Brie, Ziggy and Rainbow Mr. Pig.

Fun fact – Many people do not know that I am a Deadhead at heart. Since college, I have been all around the country following the Grateful Dead and have met some of my best friends at these concerts.  I am happiest when surrounded by my family,  animals and/or at a Dead show!!