About Us

Dog Walking, Pack Hikes, & Doggy PlayDates

Trusting someone to come into your home and care for your pet is no small thing, which is why we go above and beyond to ensure our team has the best training available and is ready for anything. Each team member goes through these steps before they become a Pet Care Specialist

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7 step interview process to ensure only the most dedicated animal lovers join the team

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8-10 hours of online training before they see a pet

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12-15 hours of training with a Team Trainer before they are alone with your pets

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Monthly continuing education

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State and Federal Background Checks, and drivers records before they are hired

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Certified in Dog Walking and Pet Sitting
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Pet First Aid & CPR Certified
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Insured and Bonded

Meet The Team

With the Barks and Rec crew of Pet Care Specialists at your fingertips, your fur babies are always in good hands. If one member can’t make it, another seamlessly steps in, ensuring your pet’s care never misses a wag. Detailed instructions in your account, plus our consultation recordings, guarantee a consistently paw-some experience for your pets with every team member! 🐾✨

 

Elizabeth Cosentino

She/Her
Owner

Emma R

She/Her
Pet Care Specialist

Rebekah L

She/Her
Pet Care Specialist

Barbara C

She/Her
Pet Care Specialist

Karen O

She/Her
Pet Care Specialist

Juliana B

She/Her
Pet Care Specialist

Melissa B

She/Her
Social Media Manager

Melissa L

She/Her
Pet Care Specialist

Halley

She/Her
Pet Care Specialist

Tom

He/Him
Pet Care Specialist

Ashlee

She/Her
Pet Care Specialist

Jenni

She/Her
Pet Care Specialist

Kathryn

She/Her
Pet Care Specialist

Abby

She/Her
Pet Care Specialist

Amelia and Hazel

The Real
Pack Leaders

Elizabeth Cosentino

Elizabeth Cosentino

She/Her
Owner & CEO

Hometown:

Norwich, CT

Pets:

Amelia, Hazel, Sirius, Misty and whatever foster animals she is loving until they find their forever homes

Interesting Fact:

She played roller derby for 7 years

Biography:

Elizabeth’s love for animals started with her first kitty, Bubbles, who she trained to open doors, “speak” and to stop attacking her feet under the covers! She attended an agricultural high school and groomed dogs for 6 years before joining corporate America. She spent 15 years working for a large company before landing her dream job at a non-profit animal rescue. She spent the next few years learning everything she could about animal behavior, training, enrichment techniques, vaccine protocols, and animal health and nutrition. Elizabeth enjoys using those learned skills in conjunction with her natural intuition with animals while providing company and exercise for your fur babies!

Emma R

Emma R

She/Her
Pet Care Specialist

Hometown:

Bozrah, CT

Pets:

Izzy the Great Pyrenees mix and Kitty the calico

Interesting Fact:

I have an identical twin 

Biography:

Emma has been an animal lover her entire life. She grew up having cats, dogs, fish, and guinea pigs. She graduated from Delaware Valley University in 2016 with a degree in Zoo Science, and has worked and interned at zoos in Pennsylvania, Florida, and Kansas. Despite working with many different species, dogs and cats have still always been two of her favorites, and she also has experience working in kennels and doggy daycares. She loves providing a safe and happy environment for pets and their owners. 

Pet Care Specialist

Barbara C

She/Her
Pet Care Specialist & Team Lead

Hometown:

Niantic, CT

Pets:

Dogs: Wyatt & Mackenzie (Labrador Retrievers)

Interesting Fact:

Worked my way through College and Grad School as an EMT

Interesting fact two: Barbara, Mackenzie & Wyatt were clients before joining the B&R team!

Biography:

I have been an outdoors person my entire life; throw in an animal and I’m super happy.  Growing up, we had dogs, including through my college years (I rescued one from a Frat House). I managed to get a coveted Internship working with Beluga Whales, Dolphins, and Sea Lions in college and that was my first real introduction to positive training (use of a bridge and reward).  Unfortunately (as relates to pets), I did consulting work for many years, traveling the US and Internationally, and couldn’t have pets, but would gravitate to all my friends’ pets.  Since leaving consulting, I’ve been able to have dogs again, and they are a major part of my life – both my companions and partners, as I have had both trained search dogs and Therapy dogs. A perfect day for me now is one spent enjoying a great walk with a dog or two.  I also enjoy cooking, gardening (although I have to protect the veggies from the Labs), and just trying new things.
Rebekah

Rebekah L

She/Her
Pet Care Specialist & Team Lead

Hometown:

Groton CT

Pets:

Jazz (cocker spaniel) and Coco and Jasper (cats)

Interesting Fact:

I grew up in the Uk! 

Biography:

I absolutely love animals and being around them – which is why this job is a dream! I have grown up with dogs and cats (and some Guinea pigs, fish & chickens) and will take any given opportunity to be around animals! I am fairly new to this lovely area and loving exploring the many scenic trails it has to offer. In my spare time I also love to cook exciting recipes, read and binge a good Netflix series. 

 

Karen O

Karen O

She/Her
Pet Care Specialist & Community Coordinator 

Hometown:

Noank, CT 

Pets:

Currently thinking about adding a dog to our family but always on the list to pet-sit for our friends’ furry companions!

Interesting Fact:

I once sang back up at a Barry Manilow concert

Biography:

 I am a pet lover and always grew up with a family dog.  While I love all breeds, most of my experience is with miniature schnauzers.  Our family returned to Connecticut recently and we are waiting for the right time to add a furry friend to our lively household.  For now, I scratch the itch with spending time with our friends’ pets and taking care of them when they travel.  My background is in elementary education and I have spent over thirteen years being in a classroom setting, as a teacher, paraprofessional, and/or substitute.  Our family has moved all over the world; some of our favorite spots are Italy, Guam, and Hawaii.  We are glad to be back in Connecticut reconnecting with old friends and our east coast family.

Jason-Pet-Care-Specialist

Melissa L

She/Her
Pet Care Specialist

Hometown:

Houston, TX

Pets:

Bailey, golden retriever 

Interesting Fact:

My dad worked at NASA; I studied piano in college and for a summer in Europe; I love to paint and make jewelry; Halloween is my favorite time of year!

Biography:

I grew up in Texas and moved to SC for college. Sold everything and packed my car to move to CT summer of 2022. Met my now husband after two months here! I’ve always had pets: cats, dogs and a hamster. I love animals and being outdoors!

Juliana - Pet Care Specialist

Juliana B

She/Her
Pet Care Specialist

Hometown:

Waterford, CT

Pets:

Trestle, Abby, Juno, Zira, Sabria, and Phoebe

Interesting Fact:

I have a huge passion for art

Biography:

I have been a huge animal lover my entire life! From the moment I was born until present day, I have always lived in a house full of pets (dogs, cats, hamsters, rabbits, etc.) Growing up, I used to love volunteering at farms; my favorite animals were horses and goats. Prior to working with Barks and Rec, I worked at a dog kennel caring for dog and cat breeds of all kinds. I’m currently in college majoring in graphic design so that I can further my art career, but someday my dream would be to have a small farm as well!

Halley Pet Care Specialist

Halley

She/Her
Pet Care Specialist

Hometown:

Groton CT

Pets:

Sammy (dog), Reese and Balboa (domestic shorthair cats), Poppy and Peppa (guinea pigs), and Domino (hamster)

Interesting Fact:

I’ve lived in 7 states and the territory of Guam.

Biography:

I was born in Maryland but moved around most of my life due to the military. Growing up we always had at least one pet in our house. This mostly included dogs of all shapes and sizes with the occasional small animal like hamsters or guinea pigs. My love and want to be around animals took me into horseback riding lessons for about a year as a kid. Unfortunately I had to stop due to moving to an area without any horses close by. As an adult, I decided to utilize my passion for helping animals by going to school to become a veterinary technician and by joining the Barks and Recreation team. I am so excited to meet all of your fur baby’s and get to know them!

Social Media Manager

Melissa B

She/Her
Social Media Manager

Hometown:

Norwich, CT

Pets:

Oakly (lab), Sully (basset mix) and a tortoise named Killick

Interesting Fact:

As an avid Disney fan she has visited Disney World over 15 times!

Biography:

I am a new mom to a little boy, 2 dogs, 2 kittens, and a tortoise.  Growing up we always had animals, usually a few cats and our family dog named Mary.   When I was in high school we rescued a Basset Hound, Bosley, who had been surrendered from Manhattan.  Bosley was the animal who truly sparked my love for the four legged!  Since then we have adopted a black lab and a basset hound shar pei mix.

Tom Pet Care Specialist Barks and Recreation

Tom

He/Him
Pet Care Specialist

Hometown:

Waterford, CT

Pets:

Xia (Basset Hound/Corgi), Charlie (Chihuahua/French Bulldog)

Interesting Fact:

I write songs and can play five instruments, one of those being my violin that was made in 1887!

Biography:

I was born in Harrisburg, PA and have had a soft spot for animals, especially dogs, for as long as I can remember. As a child I always had pets including fish, turtles, and hamsters before my family adopted our first puppy, a Shih Tzu named Lily, from an Amish farm. I moved up to Connecticut in high school and attended UConn, where I majored in psychology. These days I work as a business strategy consultant and found myself in networking groups with Elizabeth and Karen, where I was able to get a glimpse of the passion, enthusiasm, and care that Barks and Recreation has for animals. As a lover of the outdoors, it seemed like a no-brainer when it was mentioned that there was some part-time work available. Outside of work and spending time with pups, I write, produce, and record songs, enjoy reading philosophy, find peace in hiking and beach walks (I’m blessed to live a short walk away from Waterford and Ocean beaches), am a huge ancient history buff, love cooking, am currently writing a book, studying Arabic and Italian (being multilingual is a life goal), and also like to unwind by watching sports and playing video games. My main mission in life is to enjoy the time I have and make a positive impact on those around me, however big or small!

Ashlee Pet Care Specialist Barks and Recreation

Ashlee

She/Her
Pet Care Specialist

Hometown:

Uncasville, CT

Pets:

2 dogs: Tess and Luna, 4 cats: Salem, Zelda, Link, and Ollie

Interesting Fact:

 I studied abroad in Italy when I was in college. 

Biography:

I grew up in CT and have been a pet lover my entire life. As a kid, I had multiple hamsters before my family got our first dog when I was 10. I’ve lived with a pet ever since! In my spare time, I like to read, write fiction, and spend time outside. I’ve always wanted to work with animals and am looking forward to getting to know your pets!
Jenni Pet Care Specialist Barks and Recreation

Jenni

She/Her
Pet Care Specialist

Hometown:

Montville, CT

Pets:

Smokey Joe, grey shorthair and Sir Percival, white longhair

Interesting Fact:

I’ve been working weekends as an event entertainer for seven years. I can face paint, balloon twist, do caricatures and henna, stilt walk and more!

Biography:

I wasn’t born around pets; my parents were busy enough! My obsession with animals was kept at bay by frequent visits to zoos and farms. But by eight, I was finally able to convince them to get me my first cat, and I’ve had a companion ever since. I went to an agricultural tech school that cemented my love for all animals, not just dogs and cats, and since then I’ve been the go-to when friends and family needed pet care (from chinchillas to reptiles to ducks!) Joining Barks and Rec is a perfect progression for me and presents the opportunity to spend even more time around lots and lots of pets, big and small.
Kathryn Pet Care Specialist Barks and Recreation

Kathryn

She/Her
Pet Care Specialist

Hometown:

Cincinnati

Pets:

3 year old dog Leo

Interesting Fact:

I taught English in Yokosuka, Japan for 3 years and learned to cook a lot of Japanese food from my local friends and students

Biography:

I have lived all over – San Francisco, Milwaukee, Boston, Providence (played soccer at Brown University), Bethesda, and now, Mystic. When I’m not taking care of pets, I love spending time with my teenage son and daughter, hiking almost every day, tutoring English to foreign exchange students, cooking, reading and binging fun TV shows like the Great British Baking Show!
Abby Pet Care Specialist Barks and Recreation

Abby

She/Her
Pet Care Specialist

Hometown:

Mystic, CT 

Pets:

I don’t currently have any pets but my past dogs Jackson and Gracie are big contributors to my love of animals! 

Interesting Fact:

I’ve played the alto saxophone for 13 years and I marched in the 2019 New Year’s Day parade in London!

Biography:

I am so interested in animals and their individual personalities and qualities that make each of them unique and special. For the past few years I’ve volunteered at animal rescue sanctuaries where animals are given love and time to heal from whatever their pasts might have been. It has been incredibly rewarding to be a part of and I find there is so much we can learn from all animals. I recently graduated with my bachelor’s in anthropology and minors in animal behavior and religion. I’m hoping to continue research in some capacity in the animal field— we’ll see what the future holds! 
Social Media Manager

Amelia and Hazel

The Real Pack Leaders

Hometown:

Norwich, CT

Pets:

Elizabeth and Becca

Interesting Fact:

These sisters are “foster fails”

Biography:

Amelia and Hazel were born in North Carolina and came to CT with their mom and 6 other siblings when they were about 5 weeks old. The family was fostered by Elizabeth and Becca and these two sister dogs quickly wiggled, bumped, and snuggled their way into their hearts and found themselves a forever home. Both Amelia and Hazel attended puppy kindergarten at My Dogs Place and learned how to be polite puppies. Hazel moved on to Basic Manners and Leave It and continues to enjoy attending daycare. Amelia is a sensitive and nervous gal who prefers to stay home and love on her people.

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