About Us

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!

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. 

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:

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. 

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.

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!

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!

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!

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.

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!

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:

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:

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:

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:

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.