Meet Our Team
Leadership
Vicki, Owner
Vicki started Northwind Pet Care Center (formerly known as Northwind Kennels) in 1991. She is involved in several community animal programs. She is an active and avid supporter of Thurston County Animal Services as well as Concern For Animals.
Jodie, Manager
Jodie joined the Northwind staff in October 2002, and her warm and friendly attitude toward animals and people alike has made her an appreciated member of the team ever since. Jodie has her Bachelor of Science with a major in Chemistry and a minor in Biology from The Evergreen State College. She became the Manager of Northwind Pet Care Center in June 2004. Her past working experience includes vet hospitals, pet stores, and a doggy daycare facility. She shares her home with 3 horses, 3 dogs, 1 llama, 3 goats, and her husband Brian. In her spare time, Jodie loves to spend time with her animals and her husband, horseback ride, and compete in Endurance Riding. She is a Certified Kennel Operator through Pet Care Services of America (PCSA). She has her Canine Pet Care Provider and Canine Pet Care Specialist Certification through International Boarding & Pet Services Association (IBPSA). Jodie has her Level One Basic Training and Level Two Advanced Training for Pet Care Facilities through the Outstanding Pet Care Learning Center (OPCLC).
Crystal, Assistant Manager
Crystal joined the Northwind staff in August 2004. Her love for animals has made her a wonderful asset to the team. Crystal has many years of experience in the boarding industry. In the future, she plans on pursuing her education in the science field. Crystal became an Assistant Manager in August 2005. Crystal actively shows rabbits and chinchillas and has participated in the 4H rabbit project for over 11 years. In addition to rabbits and chinchillas, she shares her home with dogs, cats, sheep, and horses. When she's not busy with her animals, she enjoys reading, hiking, camping, and fishing. Crystal has her Advanced Pet Care Certification through Pet Care Services of America (PCSA). She also has her Canine Pet Care Provider Certification through IBPSA. Crystal has her Level One Basic Training and Level Two Advanced Training for Pet Care Facilities through the Outstanding Pet Care Learning Center (OPCLC). Crystal is a certified PetTech CPR, First Aid & Care For Your Pets Instructor.
Alyse, Assistant Manager
Alyse joined the Northwind staff in November 2006. She is one of our Assistant Manager's. Alyse worked as a Medical Assistant before joining the Northwind staff. She has always loved caring for animals, which is evident through her work here at Northwind. Alyse shares her home with her husband Joe, their daughter Alayna, her chihuahua mix Buckley, and her aussie mix Naya. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends and sitting around the campfire. Alyse has her Advanced Pet Care Certification through Pet Care Services of America (PCSA). She has her Canine Pet Care Provider Certification through IBPSA. Alyse has her Level One Basic Training and Level Two Advanced Training for Pet Care Facilities through the Outstanding Pet Care Learning Center (OPCLC).
Tanya, Assistant Manager/Personnel Manager
Tanya joined the Northwind Staff in July 2008. Tanya has a wonderful personality and loves to spoil our guests at Northwind. She grew up in Tenino, WA on her dad's farm, where they raised cattle, chickens, and turkeys. Tanya enjoys road trips, camping, traveling, zip-lining, reading, and softball. She lives with her husband and 3 dogs. Tanya has her Advanced Pet Care Certification through Pet Care Services of America (PCSA). She also has her Canine Pet Care Provider Certification through IBPSA. Tanya has her Level One Basic Training and Level Two Advanced Training for Pet Care Facilities through the Outstanding Pet Care Learning Center (OPCLC).
Kyrstin, Assistant Manager
Kyrstin joined the Northwind staff in June 2017. Her love for animals makes her an essential part of the Northwind team. She was born and raised in Lacey, WA, she graduated from Timberline High School in 2015. During high school she took a pre-vet course and that is where she discovered her love for working with animals. She loves Disneyland and her dream is to visit every Disney Park in the world. She loves to read, hike, and spend time with her two dogs Mimi and Nymeria, and her cat Oliver. She also has a leopard gecko named Pudge. Kyrstin has her Canine Pet Care Provider and Canine Pet Care Specialist Certification through IBPSA.
Michelle, Pet Manager
Michelle joined the Northwind staff in June of 2011. Her previous experience working in a Veterinarian Clinic in Florida has been very valuable. Michelle enjoys reading, horseback riding, and spending time with her daughter, Kailyn, and her dog, Kenzie. Michelle has her Pet Care Certification through Pet Care Services of America (PCSA). She has her Level One Basic Training for Pet Care Facilities through the Outstanding Pet Care Learning Center (OPCLC).
Rachel, Pet Manager
Rachel joined the Northwind staff in October of 2014. She has always had a love for animals and nature and has been lucky enough to have a life filled with both. She spends most of her free time either hiking with her dog or volunteering with the wolves at Wolf Haven. She looks forward to continuing her life's work with animals as a future wildlife biologist. Rachel has her Canine Pet Care Provider Certification through IBPSA. She also has her Level One Basic Training for Pet Care Facilities through the Outstanding Pet Care Learning Center (OPCLC).
Erica, Pet Manager
Erica joined the Northwind staff in January 2018. She is a compassionate Pet Care Technician due to her love of being around animals. Her heart and dedication to Northwind makes her a wonderful asset to our great staff. Erica was born and raised in Washington and has always been devoted to working with animals and being around them. She has two dogs, Clyde and Trigger and two cats named Bonnie and Peter. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking and riding horses. Erica has her Canine Pet Care Provider Certification through IBPSA.
Grooming Team
Diane NCMG, Master Groomer
Diane joined the Northwind staff in March 2004. She is a National Certified Master Groomer and has 30+ years of experience. Diane has been certified with the National Dog Groomers Association of America since 1992. She started grooming in the seventies in Kay's Poodle Parlor, which was owned by her mother, Kay Salts. Her loving kindness toward animals shows through in the way she takes special care in all the pets she grooms. Diane is very active with her 7 whippets in performance field events and dock diving during her spare time.
Raven, Groomer
Raven joined the Northwind staff in August 2021. She has been a certified groomer since 2019. She is a true dog lover and is truly loved by the dogs. She has helped train and raise dogs since she was young. Raven puts animals and their needs above her own. In her spare time, she trains and spends time with all of her dogs.
Mandy, Bather/Groomer in Training
Mandy joined the Northwind staff in April 2021. She is very passionate about animals, which makes this job perfect for her. She also loves music, art, food, and nature. When she's not working, she can be found creating things, catching up on shows, reading, and spending time with her dogs.
Pet Care Team
Kathryn, Pet Care Technician
Kat joined the Northwind staff in December 2016. Her love for animals came from being around them her whole life. She has horses, cats, dogs, goats, birds, and a turtle. In her spare time, she works on projects on the farm, likes to go hiking, horseback riding, sewing, and cooking. Kathryn has her Canine Pet Care Provider and Canine Pet Care Specialist Certification through IBPSA.
Kathryn, Pet Care Technician
Kathryn joined the Northwind staff in April 2019. She moved to Washington in 1999 and has lived in the Eatonville area ever since. Kathryn started in the pet care industry in 2015 as a dog daycare attendant. She has two dogs at home that keep her busy in her spare time. Kathryn has her Canine Pet Care Provider and Canine Pet Care Specialist Certification through IBPSA.
Joelle, Pet Care Technician
Joelle joined the Northwind staff in April 2019. She has lived in Washington her whole life. She shares her home with her two dogs and her husband. She loves working with animals. Joelle spends her free time enjoying the outdoors with her dogs, reading, and spending time with her family.
Austin, Pet Care Technician
Austin joined the Northwind staff in February 2021. She was born and raised in Washington. Austin has worked with animals her whole life. She lives on a small farm with horses, dogs, cats, chickens, pigeons, a duck, a pig, and a turtle. She has always wanted to work with animals, they are her passion. In her spare time, she likes to spend time with her family and friends, rescue cats, and ride her horses.
Ember, Pet Care Technician
Ember joined the Northwind staff in May 2021. Being a pet care technician has brought incredible joy to her life. When she is not at work she is generally out and about with her pets. Ember has cats, dogs, and crested geckos. She enjoys spending time outdoors, making art, and reading a good thriller novel.
Taylor, Pet Care Technician/Receptionist
Taylor joined the Northwind staff in September 2021. She was born in Washington, lived in Bellevue, Kirkland, Tacoma, then Hawaii. She decided Yelm would be where she would finally plant herself. She's always loved animals - growing up her nickname was "Dr. Doolittle" as she always had a bunch of pets. As of now she has dogs, reptiles, and fish. She loves working for Northwind and being around the animals!
Taylor, Pet Care Technician
Taylor joined the Northwind staff in October 2021. She has been working with dogs since she was 8 years old. She spent 10 years in 4H, training and showing dogs as well as 3 years in AKC. Taylor has always had a passion for animals. She grew up on a farm with dairy cows and they rescued miniature horses. She shares her home with her husband, their daughter, their dogs, cats, and their hedgehog! In her spare time, she enjoys etching animal portraits into glass by hand, camping with family, and being outside as much as possible enjoying the beautiful PNW.
Mac, Pet Care Technician
Mac joined the Northwind staff in September 2022. He grew up in Memphis, TN and worked at an animal hospital that also had boarding. This jumpstarted his passion for working in the animal field. He absolutely loves working with the animals and could not imagine doing any other job. Outside of work he spends time with his wife and two sons, his grandson, and his dog and cat.
Narissa, Pet Care Technician
Narissa joined the Northwind staff in February 2023. She grew up on a farm in Shelton surrounded by all different types of animals and helping care for them. She always loved having dogs and knew she never wanted to be without them. She has 2 dogs and a cat. She struggled to figure out what she wanted to do with her life but once she got a job working with animals, she couldn't imagine doing anything else.
Kim, Pet Care Technician
Kim joined the Northwind staff in February 2023. She has an extremely deep passion for animals. Especially dogs and birds. She spent a year at a parrot sanctuary caring for all kinds of feathered friends. She had such a great time that she took one home with her when she moved to Lacey. Her and her cockatoo Jeantu (27-year-old female Eleanora - as of 2024) enjoy car rides and sunsets at the beach. She has over 3 years of grooming experience and has cared for all types of animals while working at Petco for over 10 years. Kim also volunteered for five months at a wildlife rehabilitation in Astoria at the wildlife center of the north coast. She gained a ton of knowledge and experience with a lot of different animals that call Washington and Oregon home. In her spare time, she likes to visit the aviary she worked at and connect with nature by bird watching, hiking, rock hounding and camping.
Harper, Pet Care Technician
Harper joined the Northwind staff in July 2023. She has lived in Washington her whole life. Harper has 2 dogs but also grew up with cats. Her love for animals is what brought her to Northwind. In her free time she likes to spend time with her dogs, be with her friends, or go on adventures.
Kyrstin, Pet Care Technician
Kyrstin joined the Northwind staff in August 2023. She was raised working and caring for animals and has lived in Washington her whole life. This is what helped her decide to make a career out of caring for animals. At home she currently has dogs, cats, chickens, and peacocks. In her free time she loves to spend time with her dog, spend time with her friends and family, read a good book, or travel to see new places!
Tatiana, Pet Care Technician
Tatiana joined the Northwind staff in September 2023. She was born and raised in Western Washington and has spend her whole life around animals. Her desire to work with animals is what led her to become a part of the Northwind team.
Kio, Pet Care Technician
Kio joined the Northwind staff in October 2023. Kio grew up working on her family's farm and worked on fishing boats in Alaska. It was her love for animals and the outdoors that led her to join Northwind.
