Steve is the owner of Rover Oaks Houston and co-owner of Rover Oaks Katy.  In the late 1990’s Steve, like many pet owners, began to recognize the need for a world-class pet resort in Houston where owners could leave their furry family members and have confidence in the quality of care they would receive.  Partnering with a local dog trainer who brought the concept of a pet resort to his attention, Steve began researching the pet care industry, surveying local pet owners, developing a solid business plan, and planning a state-of-the-art facility.  Nearly two years later, the first Rover Oaks Pet Resort location (i.e., Rover Oaks Houston) opened its doors on October 15, 2001, and Rover Oaks Katy followed on September 11, 2006.  Steve has a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in exercise science from Wake Forest University.  Prior to his entry into the pet world,  Steve enjoyed a very successful career in corporate health promotion where he was responsible for managing fitness and wellness centers for companies including Coca-Cola, Minute Maid, Abbott Laboratories, Enron, Chevron, and Citibank.  He also held a full-time position as consultant to the National Center of the American Heart Association for three years prior to entering the doggy world.  When not working at either Rover Oaks location, Steve and his pet companions Kodak, Fresca, and Perky are often seen taking their daily walk along the streets of Bellaire.

 

 

Claire Ellington, General Manager  

 

As General Manager of Rover Oaks Houston, Claire is responsible for managing the staff and overseeing all daily operations including lodging, daycare, grooming, training, and customer service. Like all of us, Claire is a pet lover; but she spent the first 25 years of her working life in the high-tech industry. During that time, she also volunteered as a docent at the Houston Zoo and took various classes in the Naturalist program at the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center. The last 8 of her high-tech years were spent running a small software company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. After selling that company to a competitor, Claire decided that it was time to move back to Texas and combine her business acumen with her love for pets. Before arriving at Rover Oaks, she completed courses in pet care facility management and dog behavior; and she recently completed the Pet Care Technician certification through the Pet Care Services Association. Claire is allowed to live with, and serve, two demanding cats and an obstinate dog.

 

Michael Baugh, CPTD-KA, Director of Training & Behavior  

 

Terri Wedding, Manager of Pet Care Services

Terri came to Rover Oaks with 20 years of hands-on experience in the pet care industry. Prior to joining the Rover Oaks team in November 2007, she was General Manager at another Houston area boarding kennel for 5 years. Before entering the kennel business, Terri worked in the veterinary environment for over 14 years as a Veterinary Technician and Office Manager. Besides dogs and cats, Terri also has experience in the care of fish, reptiles, birds, and small animals. She has spent most of her working life dedicated to pet care in one form or another and is a knowledgeable and valuable member of Rover Oaks. When not working, Terri enjoys reading, ice hockey, music, and spending time with her favorite furry friend, “Miriam.”    

 

 

Rachel Johnston, Customer Service Manager

Rachel has a big personality and a very diverse background prior to coming to Rover Oaks. She had spent a total of 22 years in customer service, including 7 years with Delta Airlines. However, Rachel is also a certified correctional officer, worked in a police dispatch unit, and served the City of Sugar Land for 3 years as a certified animal control officer. She joined Rover Oaks in 2006 as a Customer Service Representative. After a brief period away from the Rover Oaks team, she returned in 2009; and, within a short period of time, Rachel promoted to Customer Service Manager. She is the mother of 5 children (4 boys and 1 girl) and the owner of a chocolate Lab, black Chow, and a very cute Pomeranian (not to mention the horses, cows, chickens, cats and reptiles that she has owned in the past!).

Toni joined the Rover Oaks Staff in 2009. She came to Rover Oaks with experience in customer service and animal welfare management from working at the Louisiana SPCA for 21 years. Within the first two years of working as a Adoption Counselor at the SPCA, it was clear that Toni had a great passion for homeless animals and became the Adoption Manager. Shortly thereafter, she was promoted to Manager of the Clinic as a result of her tireless efforts to try to place each animal in a compatible new home. Toni moved to Houston in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina ravaged her Louisiana home, and she accepted a position with the Houston Humane Society. Within a year, she was promoted to Adoption Manager, a position very familiar to her, and she continued the work of finding new homes for the HHS pets. Toni lives with her 7 years old Yorkshire Terrier named Lucky that she adopted from the Louisiana SPCA. In her spare time, she loves attending and working in her church, and going to movies.

Jarnell Charlot, Doggie Daycare Manager

Jarnell joined the Rover Oaks Houston team in December of 2006 after working at the Louisiana SPCA for over five years.   Prior to serving the SPCA, Jarnell worked as a hot walker and groomer for race horses at the New Orleans Fairgrounds.  In addition, she worked for several years in the children’s daycare business. Jarnell began employment at Rover Oaks as a daycare counselor, and her hard work and love for the pets resulted in her promotion to department manager in April 2009. She has attended formal training in Doggie Daycare Management and is certified as a PCSA Level I and Level II Pet Care Technician. Jarnell shares her home with her three children and a 7 month old Shih Tzu named “Diva.”