Springfield Team

Growing Camp!

As dog lovers, the Caruso family love what they do. They were excited to grow their pack even more when the opportunity arose to take on a second location in Springfield, Missouri in March of 2015 . With a great team of Camp Counselors at both locations, they were able to make this expansion and bring their passion for dogs to Springfield! In January 2016, the Carusos decided to try something new when taking on their third location - Camp Bow Wow Lil' Campers of St. Clair Shores, Michigan, one of only two concept locations especially designed to care for our littlest Campers.

They feel right at home in the Camp Bow Wow Franchise as they are both pet owners themselves. Being able to fetch peace of mind for pet parents is something they understand from both sides of the fence. The opportunity that Camp Bow Wow brings to foster and further the relationship between man and his best friend, is an opportunity that’s just too good to pass up.

Community Outreach

The family cares and loves being involved in their camp local communities. Tony and Jamie’s passion for animals allows them to help with charity fundraising and participation with multiple rescue groups in Saint Clair Shores and Springfield. They host bite prevention readings with the “Scout Says, Dogs Get Nervous Too” book at Ella’s school and other local elementary schools and libraries. Tony also uses his dog training knowledge and experience to train volunteers at our local rescues and work with the dogs on a one-on-one basis. You may even catch Tony dressed up in the Scout mascot suit at our events.

Outside of Camp

When Tony and Jamie aren’t busy scratching butts in the play yards at Camp you can usually find them in Downtown Detroit at a Lions or Tiger’s game, in Kansas City watching a Royals baseball game, or hitting the links for a game of golf (Jamie supervises the cart).

Next time you are at Camp, make sure to say hi to Tony and Jamie!

Skills and Experience

Background: Addie is an animal lover and was excited about the opportunity to work with dogs.

Fun Facts

What I love most about my job: Addie’s favorite part of her job is being in the play yards – simply being around dogs makes Addie happy! All of the personalities of the pups put a smile on her face every day she is at Camp.

My pets: Addie has two Beagle mixes, Peevie and Hollie! Peevie is a very laid back six-year-old who enjoys barking at passersby. Hollie is five-years-old and very energetic!

My hobbies: When Addie is not at Camp, she can be found playing sand volleyball, hanging out in her hammock, and playing tennis!

Skills and Experience

Background: Alex wanted to work at Camp because the fun atmosphere combined with the opportunity to work with animals greatly appealed to him.

Fun Facts

What I love most about my job: Alex's favorite part of working at Camp Bow Wow is seeing how excited the Campers get when they meet up with their parents after a full day of play. They are always excited to get to Camp but they LOVE going home to their families!

My pets: Alex has a seven-year-old Doberman Pinscher named Axle at home. He is very amusing and has a hard time understand that he is a dog - not a human!

My hobbies: Outside of Camp, Alex is usually practicing for his business club, playing football, or reading. He enjoys traveling with his various school organizations. Alex hopes to one day become a marketing manager and manage his own firm!

Read this fun Q&A with Camp Counselor, Alexis!

How long have you been with Camp Bow Wow?

I have been a part of the Pack since June of 2019!

What is your favorite part of the job?

My favorite part of my job at Camp is seeing the familiar faces that come in and the pups they share with us each day. It is nice to build a personal relationship to each pup and really have a connection so that every time we see each other, we both get excited!

Do you have any pets at home?

I have two Great Pyrenees’s Mixes at home! Buck will be 4 years old on December 6th, 2019 and Goose turned 1 year old on July 17th, 2019! They are both big furry, lovable, playful and such loving boys. Their Instagram is @buck_buck_goose if you would like to see them!

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

In my free time I love to watch movies, spend time at our lake house or take my dogs on a walks. I love to be outside in nature. I also love spending time with my family and friends!

Skills and Experience

Background: Amber has a huge passion for dogs and loves all animals.

Fun Facts

What I love most about my job: Amber's favorite part of her job is being able to see the Campers blossom and come out of their shells throughout their visits at Camp!

My pets: At home, Amber has a three-year-old Doberman named Siri, and a puppy Red Doberman mix named Ruff. Siri is a spunky girl full of attitude, but also a lover! She loves people, dogs, and anything with a pulse. Ruff is a sweet boy who Amber recently adopted from Rescue One. Siri and Ruff have hit it off!

My hobbies: Amber spends most of her free time with her fiance, Eric, and their two fur babies. Eric and Amber are movie and music fanatics! Amber also enjoys DIY projects such as making dog treats or making house decorations.

Skills and Experience

Background: Brett joined our team in team in August of 2018. Throughout Brett’s time here, he has been trained to control the play yard, how to read a dog’s body language to better understand how they are feeling, how to approach a new dog, and he has been certified in Pet First Aid and CPR.

Fun Facts

What I love most about my job: Brett’s favorite part of his job at Camp Bow Wow are the bonds he builds with our Campers! He loves when a Camper sees and recognizes him and they immediately come up to him for attention. He also enjoys when a Camper who was nervous at first, warms up to him and the other Campers. Brett says, “It warms my heart.”

My pets: Brett loves big dogs. He has two Great Danes and a Cane Corso. Nikita is a seven-year-old harlequin Great Dane who is the boss of all his dogs even though she is the lightest at 130lbs. She is a princess and everyone who meets her, loves her. Brett’s other Great Dane, Duncan, is six-years-old and the half sibling of Nikita. He is all black with a little patch of white and at 185lbs, the biggest of the three. Duncan loves to lounge around or demands that you give him a lot of attention. Duncan is very quiet but “has always done his best at being a good boy.” Brett’s third dog is Titus, a blue Cane Corso. He is about 140lbs and a full on lap-dog. Titus thinks he owns couches as much as his owner. Titus enjoys playing with the Danes and running around the backyard. Titus is very sweet with humans and tries to win everyone over by bringing them one of his many toys in exchange for pets.

My hobbies: Brett spends a lot of his free time playing video games – mostly Fortnite, Assassins Creed, and NBA 2k19. If he’s not playing video games or working, then he is probably spoiling his dogs in whatever way he can with the help of his girlfriend. If you get a chance to see Brett at Camp, be sure to tell him hello!

Skills and Experience

Background: Callie is pictured here with Camper, Otis! She joined our Pack in July of 2018. Callie wanted to work at Camp Bow Wow because she is passionate about working with animals. She had previously worked with horses so a switch to canines seemed like a good fit!

Fun Facts

What I love most about my job: One of Callie's favorite parts of working at Camp is being around the staff. She says, "they are so cheerful and wonderful all the time!"

My pets: At home, Callie has two Golden Retriever and Australian Shepherd mixes, Tini and Roman! They are both a year-and-a-half old. Callie's newest addition to the family is a German Shepherd named Ally! Ally is about three-months-old.

My hobbies: In her free time you can find Callie riding horses and loving on her dogs! If you see Callie out in the play yards on the Camper Cams, rest assured she is treating your pup well and giving them lots of love!

Skills and Experience

Background: Channing initially heard about Camp through his girlfriend, Jess, and it did not take long for him to put in his application!

Fun Facts

What I love most about my job: Channing's favorite part of his day to day tasks is grooming. He enjoys giving our Campers baths and nail trims before sending them home at the end of the day! Channing is a team and always goes above and beyond to help out co-workers. Whether it be inside or outside of Camp, Channing is always willing to extend a helping hand.

My pets: Channing is clearly an animal lover. He has two dogs, Myah and Bismarck (more commonly known as "Bizz") who he brings to Camp with him occasionally! Myah is a very sweet but protective three-year-old Australian Shepherd/Brittany mix. She is a little shy but very, very lovable! Bizz is a Beagle/Coonhound mix who loves his naps! Don't let his snoozing fool you, he is always up for a walk or belly rub! Channing also has a one-year-old ferret named Uzo, and an active kitten named Captain. These boys are best friends, and can always be found getting into various shenanigans throughout the house! Last but not least, Channing has two sugar gliders named Lilly and Tilly. They enjoy sleeping all day and playing all night - because they are nocturnal!

My hobbies: At home, Channing spends his free time with his animals, playing video games, going out to dinner with Jess, and getting used to being a dad! Channing and Jess recently welcomed a baby Kai into their family. To say Channing stays busy would be an understatement!

Franklin is a loving Camp Counselor! He joined our Pack in February of 2019 and we are so thankful he did. He wanted to work at Camp Bow Wow because he love dogs! When he found out Camp was hiring, he couldn’t think of a more fitting job! He also knew there would be Pugs here :)

At home, Franklin has a Pug named Mojo. He is three-years-old and his best furiend is Franklin's rommates dog named Charlie. When Franklin gets home, Mojo is always so excited to see his dad that he sqeals!

In his free time, Franklin can be found watching movies and playing with Mojo! He also enjoys getting together with his friends to play DnD (Dungeons and Dragons).

Skills and Experience

Background: Jess wanted to work at Camp Bow Wow because she has a strong passion for dogs. She says, "being able to help take care of the Campers is something I enjoy more every day!"

You might ask, what sparked her interest in dogs? She took a Veterinary Science class in high school which skyrocketed her passion. Since working with Camp Bow Wow, Jess has identified the importance of learning each Camper's needs and personalities. She continues to learn more every day.

Fun Facts

What I love most about my job: Jess's favorite part of her job is spending time caring for the Campers.

My pets: Jess has two dogs and one cat. Her three-year-old Australian Shepherd mix is named Addi Mae. Addi Mae is very laid back and is super loving; she even is a bit of an attention seeker! She also has a five-year-old Beagle mix named Tucker Blue. Tucker Blue loves to cuddle on the couch! He is very dependent on his family and enjoys being near them at all times. Both Addi and Tucker were rescued from The Humane Society!

My hobbies: In her free time, you can find Jess spending time with her family. "They are the most important people in the world to me," says Jess. She also enjoys going to the river, playing guitar, and drawing. If she's not out and about, you can bet she's with her family and cuddling with Tucker on the couch!

Skills and Experience

Background: Lacy was excited with the idea of being able to play and work with dogs for her job when she started at Camp. Fast forward to now and she is still just as excited to come to work each day!

Fun Facts

What I love most about my job: Lacy loves every size and breed of dog, which means she loves each and every Camper! She always takes the time to get to know the dogs and their distinct personalities each day she is at Camp. You can always find Lacy in a play yard loving on all of our pups!

My pets: At home, Lacy has a seven-year-old Golden Retriever named Copper! Copper is a very loving and cuddly girl. She loves swimming, chasing squirrels, going on long walks at the park, playing fetch, and going to Camp!

My hobbies: In her free time, Lacy enjoys nature and being outdoors – especially with Copper! She goes to the lake as much as she can, and loves spending time with her family and friends. Lacy is a senior in the IB Program at Central High School. She stays busy throughout the school year playing soccer, the flute, and working at Camp!

A quick Q&A with Mason!

How long have you been with Camp Bow Wow?

I have been with Camp Bow Wow since April of 2018!

What is your favorite part of your job?

I like being able to spend time with all the different dogs. Camp has 4 different yards so I get to play with dogs of all sizes and breeds. I enjoying making connections with the Campers and giving them a lot of attention!

Do you have any pets at home?

Ava Marie is my eight-month-old Husky and Heeler mix! She is a super sweet dog, and as she is a puppy, she is playful and energetic. Ava Marie loves coming to Camp with me. She usually plays in Play Yard 2 and makes furiends with every dog! She also loves treats and car rides.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

In my free time, I like to play video games, go to school, and spend time with my family and friends.

Skills and Experience

Background: Tabitha has always found animals super interesting and she says "they immediately brighten up anyone's day," which is why she wanted to join the Camp Bow Wow Pack!

Fun Facts

What I love most about my job: Her favorite part of the job is seeing the dogs grow and always being around them. Tabitha says, "I literally wouldn’t want any other job; every dog is so unique and I genuinely want to know and be friends with each dog!"

My pets: Tabitha has three dogs at home. London is a Chihuahua-Shihtzu mix and is eleven-years old! Despite her age, she is such a child and has a goofy personality. Mia is a four-year old Miniature Pinscher who is extremely sweet and loves everyone! Lastly, Neeko is a mix-breed that Tabitha took in. He is around three-years old and is protective of his momma!

My hobbies: In her free time you can find Tabitha hanging out with friends. She also enjoys swimming, eating, and studying hard at school! Tune in to the Camper Cams and watch Tabitha love on your pup (because she loves giving them attention)!

Skills and Experience

Background: Chelsea has earned the title of Camp Manager! Originally she loved the idea of working part-time at a doggy day care while she was in school, but now she can't imagine her life without all of the happy Campers five days a week! Chelsea has completed Scout's Academy Paw 1, 2, and 3 certifications. She is also in the process of becoming a certified dog trainer, and voluntarily dresses up as our Camp mascot, Scout!

Fun Facts

What I love most about my job: Chelsea's favorite part of Camp is maintaining a happy work environment for the clients, Campers, and employees! She genuinely enjoys socializing with the clients and getting to know them. To her, providing a safe place for parents to leave their dogs is the greatest reward of her job.

My pets: At home, Chelsea has a six-year-old black Labrador Retriever mix named Zeus. Zeus enjoys dressing up in cool t-shirts, getting pup cones from Andy's, and snuggling with Chelsea every chance he gets. It's safe to say he has his mom wrapped around his paw!

My hobbies: Chelsea graduated from Missouri State University in May of 2014. Since she grew up at the Lake of the Ozarks, Chelsea is an outdoor girl at heart. When she's not at Camp you can usually find her taking Zeus on nature walks, going to concerts, attending sporting events (especially St. Louis Cardinal games), and updating the line-ups on her fantasy sports teams!

Skills and Experience

Background: Heather came to Camp Bow Wow to promote a positive community spirit among the staff and its customers. In other words, if you stand too close to her for long, she may offer up a hug or two! She grew up on the Eastside and started off as a very happy customer of Camp Bow Wow. While most of her background has been in a more formal business atmosphere, her love for animals drew her to Camp. She continues to use her experience and passion to keep Camp Bow Wow a place where safety, customer, and cleanliness are top notch.

Fun Facts

Hobbies: Heather enjoys spending time playing with her dog, Gimli, and traveling with her husband, Rus. She loves anything to do with the water and if she can find a weekend to go camping and read a book, then she has found a little slice of heaven. She enjoys spending time with her friends and family and likes to keep active. Most of all, she loves to dance and does so whenever possible... mostly at home, while cleaning and singing into her hairbrush!

Skills and Experience

Background: Beverly has known and worked with Camp Rangerette Jamie since 2001. You read that right, that’s 17 years! Beverly loved working with her and thought it would be fun to combine her love of marketing with her love for dogs.

Additional Skills/Qualifications: Beverly works hard behind the scenes for Camp but she also has personal experience in training. She trained one of her dogs in level one, level two, agility, freestyle, and fly ball in 2000. Beverly loves working with dogs and truly sees the value in socialization and training. Beverly isn’t the average marketing consultant – she’s the paw-fect person for us, right?!

Fun Facts

What I love most about my job: Beverly’s favorite part of her job is working with people who love dogs as much as she does. She loves sharing the Camp Bow Wow brand with other dog lovers! Beverly gets to spend a lot of time on social media, looking at cute dog photos, dog videos, and planning fun events for you and your pup. She can’t get enough of it!

My pets: At home, Beverly has two dogs. Midnight is a Labrador Retriever/Corgi mix who she rescued in 2013. Midnight was six years old at the time and Beverly happily gave him a better life! Minna is a Miniature Schnauzer who thinks she is human. She was more than happy when Beverly brought home Midnight and quickly taught him how to play and chase squirrels!

My hobbies: Outside of her marketing world, Beverly is a proud Army Wife! She loves spending time with her husband, Bobbie, her adopted son, Zeke, and her step-son, Eliott. Beverly is a coffee addict who enjoys traveling, playing board games, going to the beach, cuddling with her dogs, and spending time outdoors!

Skills and Experience

Background: Previously, Chelsey was the Program Director at the Humane Society of Southwest Missouri for nearly five years.

Additional Skills/Qualifications: Chelsey received her Canine Behavior Assessor Certification through the Humane Society's partnership with PetSmart Charities Rescue Waggin' Program which has served her well in both her rescue work as well as in the open play environment at Camp Bow Wow.

Fun Facts

What I love most about my job: Chelsey is thankful for the opportunity at Camp Bow Wow to see, on a daily basis, the positive impact she can have on a dog's life. Being able to meet the mental and physical stimulation needs of dogs with Camp gives Chelsey great joy. She knows that helping the Campers be the best dog they can be will keep them in their FUR-ever home. She also still enjoys helping our friends at the Humane Society of Southwest Missouri through Camp Bow Wow's Foster Dogs At Camp program and various fundraising events.

My pets: Chelsey shares her life with two pups! Her first fur-child is a Jack Russell Terrier Chihuahua mix named Ellie Bug. Ellie is a seven-year old rescue from the Humane Society of Southwest Missouri. She describes Ellie as a "big personality in a little package," which is how we'd describe Chelsey! Finn Diesel, a Border Collie/Australian Shepherd mix, joined Chelsey's family in February of 2017! He stole Chelsey's heart from a rescue in Pittsburgh, Kansas and she will be the first to tell you it was love at first sight. Finn loves to play in the water, go hiking, and playing with his big sister, Ellie!

My hobbies: When Chelsey isn't at work, you can usually find her at her yoga studio, enjoying herself outside or curled up with a book.

Skills and Experience

Background: Carley found out about Camp from her roommate (and one of our previous Shift Leaders) Adrienne. Adrienne used to bring Carley's dog, Pongo, to Camp on a regular basis. When Adrienne moved away, Carley happened to be looking for a new job but also wanted Pongo to continue to have socialization and exercise each week! There wasn't a better option than to work at Camp!

Fun Facts

What I love most about my job: Carley's favorite part about her job is that each day is a little different than the others. We're constantly meeting new dogs and Carley is always in different play yards, which means she gets to play with all different sizes - from the smallest to the biggest!

My pets: Pongo is Carley's two-year-old Great Pyrenees/Husky/Boxer/Lab (AKA her mutt mix). Pongo is quite the character and has many animated expressions, some that will show sass every once in a while! Pongo loves snuggles, belly rubs, treats, and other dogs.

My hobbies: Carley is studying Art Education and Photography at Missouri State University. As you could guess, Carley enjoys doodling, taking pictures, and just about anything that allows her to create art! She also spends her free time going to movies, finding fun recipes to cook, and going on long walks/hikes with Pongo when the weather is warm!