Meet The Team
ABBY
owner/Pet visitor
(all areas)
I have always loved animals but growing up did not have any of my own. I loved spending time with friends' pets & watched lots of Animal Planet. When I started college I began as Pre-Vet, but quickly realized that veterinary medicine was not a good fit. I decided to give the Animal Behavior, Ecology, & Conservation Program a chance. It was through this program & related courses that I took an interest in animal cognition. At the end of college, I decided that dog care & training was the way I wanted to use my degree. I've worked in multiple dog boarding, daycare, & training roles over the years, as well as holding team lead positions in each of my workplaces. I am excited to continue that journey with Outta the Doghouse! Outside of pet care, I enjoy board games, hiking, doing scent work, & agility with my German Shepherd Mika & rescue Pomeranian/American Eskimo Rigatoni, playing volleyball, & going snowboarding. I am looking forward to working with all of you and your amazing pets.
LEXI
owner/Pet Visitor
(all areas)
Hello, my name is Lexi! Throughout my entire life I knew I wanted to work in the dog industry. It was an easy decision to major in Animal behavior, Ecology and Conservation at Canisius college. During my semesters at Canisius I interned at the SPCA, where I took part in getting the dogs and cats ready for adoption. I also interned at a dog hydrotherapy center where I learned about health and wellness for dogs. During my journey in the animal industry, I have done pack walks, dog sitting, dog enrichment, doggie daycare - with a specialty in enrichment, and dog training - such as basic obedience, behavior modification and agility foundations. My love for the dog sports is shared with my border collie, Kylo, as he has done barn hunt, scent work and agility with me. I’m committed to enrichment and the positive impact it has on the dogs I work with!
Sandee
Dog Walker/pet visitor
(Getzville, WILLIAMSVILLE, East Amherst)
Hi! I'm Sandee. I have an undergraduate degree in Philosophy and completed my graduate degree in Psychology. After finishing school, I worked as a counselor. At this time, I also adopted a 5-year-old Saint Bernard, who came with some significant behavioral challenges. Working with him reminded me that my heart was really with animals. Eventually, I made the decision to leave the counseling field and pursue my passion; that's when Outta the Doghouse was formed. I have since taken a step back as owner of Outta the Doghouse, but remain on the pet care team! I have grown up around animals my whole life and thoroughly enjoy every second I spend with them. In my spare time, I volunteer at the City of Buffalo Animal Shelter and have been doing so for 11 years. I also take pleasure in playing the role of "foster mom" and have fostered MANY dogs and cats through various rescue organizations in the Buffalo area. My husband and I share our home with our two Great Pyrenees, our Pomeranian and our cats. All "foster failures"! I look forward to working with you and cannot wait to meet your pets!
Cheryl
Dog Walker/Pet visitor
(Snyder, Getzville, WILLIAMSVILLE, East Amherst)
Hi my name is Cheryl. I have been with Outta the Doghouse since 2017. I reside in the town of Tonawanda with my husband and our "foster fail" Pomeranian mix Kramer. We have fostered a handful of dogs over the years and find it to be a very rewarding experience. Before working in the animal care industry, I worked in the beauty industry as a hairstylist for well over a decade. However, I never quite felt fulfilled and have always had a desire to work with animals. I decided to take a leap of faith and change career paths. That's where Outta the Doghouse came in. My love for dogs started at a very young age. I can't remember a time growing up when we didn't have a dog. I've also owned numerous other animals throughout the years including mice, hamsters, ferrets, and fish. I was employed at a local pet store for some time where I learned basic knowledge about reptiles, birds, and small animals. In my spare time, I volunteer at The City of Buffalo Animal Shelter and enjoy learning about animal behavior and dog training. I look forward to meeting you and your pets, and providing them with the best care possible!
Amanda
Dog Walker/Pet VISITOR
(Snyder, Williamsville, Getzville, East Amherst)
Hi! My name is Amanda and I've been a member of the Outta the Doghouse team since 2019. I am a mom of 2 great kids and one big ol’ dog. Ellbie came to us with eleven puppies as a foster and after 5 weeks of raising pups together I couldn’t let her go and she became part of our family. Along with raising my children, I am a hairstylist in the evening and love spending my days walking with all the great dogs of the Buffalo Area. Being with animals is when I feel most content. Nothing is more exciting than watching a dog get ready to leave the house for a walk; it brings me so much joy. I have had the pleasure of volunteering to foster dogs for the past 2 years and have seen how amazing it is to watch a dog transform, learn to trust and find the loving homes they deserve. It is very rewarding and it made me realize that I want to spend my time working with animals. My family and I have learned so much about the important things in life, through caring for our pets. It has become a passion for them as well as for me. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be able to call this my job.
Shea
Dog Walker/Pet VISITOR
(All areas)
Hi, I'm Shea!
I have worked in the pet world on and off for the last 9 years which has provided me with experience in pet sitting and boarding, dog walking, fostering for rescues and training dogs both privately and in a group class setting, and I really love doing ALL of these things. When my family has free time, we can be found gallivanting around outside (rain or shine!) with our two big dogs. Growing up, I was surrounded by critters including everything from bunnies, hamsters and lizards to dogs, a cat and even a pot bellied pig! I'm no stranger to a plethora of pet types and I can't wait to meet you and yours!
Nikki
Dog Walker/Pet VISITOR
(All areas)
My passion is caring for animals of all sizes. Ever since I was a little girl I have always tried to rescue any animal I come across and care for them as if they were my own. From trying to help baby birds to feeding lost kitties and doggies. As I grew up I began adopting pets of my own. To this day I have never been without an animal in my home! My #1 goal is to make sure the animals in my care are happy, healthy and receive unconditional love. From family to friends pets and of course my own, I always make sure they are happy. Especially while their owners are away at work, on vacation or just simply having a night out! I always look forward to working with all of your furry family members!