About Us
Congratulations to our PCSA certified employees! The PCSA (Pet Care Services Association) is an international non-profit trade association that provides education, accreditation and information to the boarding kennels and the public. Camp K-9 of Marin is proud to be a member of the PCSA and to have our staff become certified as pet care technicians based on the highest standards in our industry.
Camp Greeters
Steve Holloway
Front Office Manager Certified Pet Care Tech Level 1
Steve was born and grew up in Marin County and comes to us with a strong background in accounting, management, and most of all-a great love for dogs! He was raised by several German shorthaired Pointers and a Boxer. Over the years he has had many different dogs and he is currently owned by two Whippets. For Steve, the best part of working at Camp K-9 of Marin is the fact that it allows him the opportunity to interact with many wonderful people and then go play with their dogs!
Monica Schindler
Front Office Greeter
Monica grew up in Marin, spent years working for the airlines and traveled around the world. She has always loved dogs and had many in her day. Her dog Roxy, a rat terrier mix, has been a camper with Camp K-9 of marin for over five years. After her youngest child went to college she decided to go back to work and surround herself with doggies and dog lovers. Monica is a great addition to our team.
Barbra Fogt-Aster
Camp Greeter
Barbra has a degree in Interior Design and as flight attendant had the opportunity to travel all around the world. Eventually, she settled down in Marin County, raised two children and currently lives with two wonderful dogs and a bird. She loves her dogs and her bird, but wanted more dogs without more dog responsibility! She was a Camp K-9 of Marin customer and decided that if she worked with Camp K-9 of Marin she could be around more dogs and have the best of both worlds. Barbra loves meeting our great doggie parents and their outrageously wonderful dogs. She thinks that it doesn't get any better than that. If a greeter asks you to spell your last name -- even if it's Smith, you're talking with Barbra!
Camp Trainers
Allyson Stoops
Camp Trainer
Ally is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and her training philosophy is simple but effective -- improve relationships between people and their dog based on trust and cooperation. Since moving to the Bay Area in 1990, she's put this adage to the test with great results at the Peninsula Humane Society and then with her own training business, No Bones About It! Originally from Maine, Ally now "rests her dogs" locally in Mill Valley and loves spending her time actively training (and being trained...) by three children, two dogs and one husband.
Camp Counselors
Kristin Borello
Operations Manager Certified Pet Care Technician Level 1
Kristin has been a part of the doggie daycare industry for over ten years and has worked at Camp since opening its doors in 2003. She recently graduated from The California College of Arts with a BFA in photography. In her spare times Kristin enjoys her own dog pal, Cash, a ridgeback mix. Together they like to go to the beach and play in the waves. Cash also adores Camp K-9 of Marin and playing with his fellow campers. Kristin is co-founder of Dogs at Heart Art, a fun project capturing the campers at play. It incorporates her two favorite activities, dog play and photography. In the future, Kristin hopes to learn more about dog psychology and their non-verbal communications.
Cyril Ackerman
Camp Counselor Certified Pet Care Technician
Cyril is a Marin County native living in Fairfax. He graduated from Sir Francis Drake High School in San Anselmo, and is continuing his education at the college level. Cyril has a dog of his own named Dreamer and he truly enjoys taking excellent care of all the campers here at Camp K-9 of Marin!
Trisha Barnes
Lead Counselor Certified Advanced Pet Care Technician
Growing up, Trisha spent countless hours in 4-H and volunteering with animals, including a 15 year stint at the Marin County Fair Agricultural tent. She's a skilled animal handler that has grown up around, lived with and learned much from dogs, cats, rabbits and a plethora of critters since she was "knee-high to a Pug". Trisha currently lives in Marin, recently graduated in 2004 from Sir Francis Drake High School and loves chasing, cuddling and caring for the Campers here.
Tiffany Garner
Camp Counselor
Tiffany doesn't remember a time when she wasn't surrounded by animals, and has recently added an American Foxhound puppy, Bobby, to her clan. The clan also includes a white shepherd/golden mix named "The Taffinator" and a ferret called O'Blio. Tiffany is a Bay Area native with extensive travel overseas - everywhere but China and Thailand; every continent except Antarctica! She now calls Mill Valley her home.
Kim Molloy
Camp Counselor
Kim was born and raised in Marin County, CA. She spent most of her time doing art and other craft projects. Kim grew up with a little shitzu and then in her teens she raised Guide Dog for the Blind puppies. One of which is working in Colorado with a graduate. Kim has since been persuing her interest in art at the College of Marin.
Rachel Pater
Lead Counselor
Originally from San Diego County, Rachel moved to Marin County as a child. Animals have always been a major part of her life. Growing up she had an assortment of dogs, cats, birds, and fish. Working with dogs has been a lifelong aspiration for Rachel, so becoming a counselor at Camp K-9 of Marin is a dream come true. Rachel currently lives in Novato with her three dogs, a Yorkie, a Chihuahua, and an Irish terrier mix. She also enjoys spending time riding and training her 4 year old Mustang, Scarlett.
Melissa Philipson
Camp Counselor
I grew up in West Marin surrounded by all sorts of animals. Dogs, cats, goats, pigs, horses, cows and chickens, Oh my! I have loved working with, training, playing with and taking care of animals my entire life. I have over a decade of experience working with dogs and horses and have been involved in the doggie day care world for the past few years. I am excited to be spending my days here playing with dogs of all shapes, breeds and sizes.
Chris Planinshek
Camp Counselor
Chris lives in Novato with his mom and two younger sisters. He was born in Maryland, and grew up in Idaho. He moved to California about 7 years ago. He is a carpenter by trade but just loves the doggies here at camp. He tends to be a family orientated guy and enjoys all kinds of outdoor activities. Chris doesn’t have any pets at this time but hopes to get a doggie of his own soon.
Helen Tyrell
Lead Counselor Certified Advanced Pet Care Technician
A long time animal lover, Helen made a career change from market research in high-tech companies to animal care and management. Following a zookeeper apprenticeship working with lions, tigers, camels and elephants, she joined Camp K-9 of Marin. To further her education in animal behavior, Helen has completed level 1 and 2 of Marin Humane Society’s Consultant/Instructor Training Academy (CITA) and is an Advanced Pet Care Technician. She is the proud parent of a German Mittel Spitz and a Pomeranian mix and she fosters rescue dogs awaiting their forever homes.