Faculty & Staff
Deb Watkins, Chancelor
Deb opened her dog daycare, boarding, training and grooming facility in May, 2006. As the years passed and with the help of a supporting family and a terrific faculty, she was able to move the business to a larger building in January 2010 just 8 doors down the street from the original business to support the growing demand for quality canine care in a fun environment via Canine College! Deb has two dogs - Gracie, a young Golden Retriever and Remy, a Shorkie. Deb is a Certified Pet Care Technician.
Heather, Dean of Students
Heather joined our faculty in October 2009. She has loved animals all her life and is the proud owner of Prince (poodle mix), Dillon (unknown mix) and Mason (pug). Heather is often seen at the front desk, helping our furry student's owners, working with staff to keep the front lobby, aka the Bark Shoppe, in tip top condition. Heather works hand-in-hand with Kim as Dean of Students keeping Canine College at the head of the class in dog care services!
Kim, Dean of Students
Kim joined our faculty in November 2006. She quietly works behind the scene keeping everything running smoothly! She loves all dogs and is the proud owner of Charlie the Pug and Delilah a puggle! Kim is a Certified Pet Care Technician. Kim started at Canine College as a part-time housekeeper and has worked and earned her way up to the respected position of Dean of Students. She loves to be in the playfield with the dogs (and they love to have her there) and sneaks out there whenever she can!
Amber, Assistant Dean of Student Services
Amber joined our faculty (drumroll ...) August 2006! Amber loves Border Collies and is the proud owner of Gunnar and Shooter! Amber is responsible for admitting top-notch recruits to Canine College for a smart, healthy and vibrant student community.
Sue, Dean of Student Services
Sue joined our faculty in October 2010. We knew we wanted someone who had a contagious personality and Leeloo's mom (Leeloo a student at Canine College) seemed to be a perfect fit. Sue is the proud owner of Leeloo and an excellent source of knowledge on "Doodles".
Dee, Campus Volunteer Extraordinaire
Dee has brought her two adorable Shorkie's to Canine College since 2006 and has been a true and trusted friend to our campus, faculty, students and their families. She is often seen behind the counter, checking in or checking out a student, helping a customer and volunteers every Saturday afternoon. She is always helping Deb and team, attends seminars with Deb to better understand products and services and is a terrific source of information on dog food, kibble, treats, etc. Dee is the proud owner of Doc and Trigger.
Stephanie, Playfield Lead Coach
Stephanie joined our faculty in April 2007. Steph had little exposure to dogs prior to working at Canine College but quickly found she loved them! She has worked her way through the pack and is now one of our primary Lead Playfield Coaches. Stephanie knows every dog, every characteristic ... she is amazing! She is the proud owner of Carley, a dog we were fostering at Canine College whom she adopted! Stephanie is a Certified Pet Care Technician.
Paula, Playfield Lead Coach
Paula joined our faculty in August 2007. Paula knew she loved dogs and is the proud owner of Thunder, a German Shepherd Dog and Tyyla, a Husky. Paula says she has no favorites but we know she is the favorite coach among most German Shepherds and Huskies at Canine College! Paula is a Certified Pet Care Technician.
Fred, Facilities Maintenance Manager and Playfield Coach
Fred joined our faculty in January 2009 and we don't know how we got along without him! Fred was looking for part-time work and ended up staying on FT, taking a lead position here. Fred loves all dogs and is most often seen in the Varsity playtfield. However; Fred and his lovely wife own several pugs, Lulu is most often seen tearing around on the JV field. Fred is a Certified Pet Care Technician.
Phil, College Counselor
Phil joined our faculty in July 2007. Phil helps our faculty with our continuing education program by preparing Breed Profile reports every month identifying characteristics and breed history. Phil is the proud owner of two rottweilers, Taker and Clare! Phil is a Certified Pet Care Technician.
Kristy, Campus Nurse
Kristy joined the faculty in January 2010. Kristy, a student at Baker College, is in her final year obtaining a degree in Veterinary Technology. Kristy is most often seen on the JV field and helps with our faculty continuing education program by working with management to prepare documents/reports on specific medical conditions we may see on campus. Kristy is the proud owner of Armani, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Katie, a mixed breed. Kristy is a Certified Pet Care Technician
"Coach Jerry", Coach
Jerry joined the faculty in November 2008. Jerry started out just trying to help us out one, may-be two days per week, well, that didn't last long! Jerry can be seen almost every day managing the early morning Lower Classman (JV) and Freshman playfields.
Ruth, Admissions Specialist
Ruth joined the faculty in March 2010. Ruth supplements the AM and/or the PM admission desk staff and is one of our "sassiest" but good-hearted faculty! She is a blast to work with. Ruth is the proud owner of Padme, Doberman Pinscher.
Rob, Assistant Coach
Rob, one of our newest field coaches, always wanted to work with dogs and applied to work here a few times. So when one of his school chums, Matt, told him we were hiring, he got here right away to secure a position as an assistant Coach. Rob joined the staff late April 2011 and is learning the ins and outs of the playfield. He is in the process of learning pack behavior and canine body language.
Andrea, Admissions Specialist
Andrea joined the staff in early March 2011. We knew she was going to be a keeper from the first phone call of interest for the position! We were right. She always has a terrific smile and welcoming attitude as she greets our furry students and their parents when they walk in the door. Although she just completed her first 90 days on the job, she has already made the Dean’s List.
Bre, Social Media Specialist
Bre joined the staff late April 2011 as the result of a plea for administrative help on Facebook! As a Canine College Facebook Friend, she picked-up on the post right away and since she already brought her dog, Penny, to daycare here, it was a perfect fit. Bre has recently taken on our Social Media management. She's the one who updates our Facebook Page, Twitter, etc., Congratulations Bre on your promotion to Social Media Specialist!
John, Assistant Coach
John joined the faculty in May 2010 as a general housekeeping assistant and fit in so well does such a great job (and is terribly fun to tease) we asked him to try-out for Assistant Playfield Coach. He ace'd that position! John is currently studying Veterinary Medicine and jumped at the opportunity to work more directly with the dogs. John is on campus during all of his College breaks and is loved by all of the students in the Playfields.
Coach Sue, Coach
Sue joined our staff in September 2007 working with the JV Team. Sue, one of our more experienced coaches, is keenly in touch with the JV playgroup and loves them almost as much as they love her. Sue is the coach who writes all of those special report cards for her teams - taking them home to work on them for our overnight guests!
Dana, Coach
Dana joined the faculty in September 2011 as a part-time coach with a goal of FT coach soon! Dana doesn’t own a dog of her own at this time, but would certainly love to take Frank (pictured with her) home along with half of the JV field! Dana is currently in school studying architecture and interior design with a graduating date of 2012! Dana says working at Canine College is her favorite time of the day!
John, Playfield Coach
John, seen here with big George, joined our staff in October 2011 and is a natural large dog playfield coach! You may not see John too often in the Bark Shoppe but will see him on our Web Cams and he made a brief cameo appearance in our video. The students love him and we are so happy he joined our staff!
Angela, Student Escort
Angela joined our staff in November 2011 after I received an e-mail from a friend at the Michigan Humane Society telling me that if anyone by the name of Angela every applied I should (in caps) HIRE HER! Lucky for me, Angela had just sent an inquiry via our Web Site in and upon meeting us and touring the campus, she joined our staff. She is delightful and a Student of Novi High School. Upon finishing her school day, she dashes over here and helps us close our day out. During the Summer and School Breaks we hope to have Angela interacting with the dogs in the playfields a little more!
Morgan, Assistant Coach
Morgan joined our staff in October 2011 as an Assistant Coach. She usually can be seen in the JV or Freshman field playing with our younger students but once in a while she'll jump over the the Varsity or Sophomore playfields. Welcome Morgan!
Aleia, Assistant Coach
Aleia joined our staff in October 2011 as an Assistant Coach but she also helps keep our Campus clean and healthy! Aleia is the person who most often stays late with your furry student, taking care of late night potty breaks, treats, Snuggle Snacks & Shows, and the favorite Tuck-In Service! When in the playfield, you most often see Aleia in the JV or Freshman fields!
Paige, Assistant Coach
Paige joined our staff in September of 2011 as an Assistant Coach. We first met Paige when her puppy, Diesel, started attending Canine College as a Freshman and when a part-time positioned opened, she said she wanted to try it. Paige most often can be seen working the either the Varsity or the Sophomore playfields. She loves all of the dogs, but if truth be told, she may have a few favorite breeds including the Huskies and GSD!
Grace, Admissions Specialist
Grace joined our staff early this year after submitting her job inquiry form via our website! Grace has worked in the Pet Care Industry for several years and has been an associate of one of our groomers, Linda, since 2005! Grace works part-time for us and is a student at Schoolcraft College (Nursing - RN Program).
Dion, Admissions Specialist
Dion joined our staff in February 2010 as a part-time Student Care Specialist, then moved to Assistant Coach and now is working in our Student Services Department! Dion, a student at OCC, is perfect for all of these positions and is really enjoying his most recent move to our Student Services Department.
Kaley, Assistant Coach
Kaley joined our staff in September 2011 but is no stranger to Canine College! Kaley's family has been bringing their two dogs, Teddy Bear and Isabella, for boarding and grooming for years! Kaley attends school and usually helps out on the weekends in the Freshman Field where the students just love her!
