Camp Canine is a team: every employee pulls an equally important amount of weight in order to keep the machine that is your pup’s home-away-from-home running! But sometimes our “behind the scenes” employees can get a little less notoriety. That’s why, in this month’s blogpost, we wanted to feature two of Camp Canine’s “Unsung Heroes.” Lynn, our Assistant Manager and one of our longest employees, and Paige, our most senior Reservation Specialist + the Cat Room Coordinator keep Camp well-oiled and running. For years, these hard workers have made sure that every ‘i’ is dotted and every ‘t’ is crossed, so we thought it was only right that we ask them about their jobs, then compile their answers into these interviews. The next time you see Paige or Lynn, give them a pat on the back!
Lynn: Assistant Manager
What is your job title? Assistant Manager
How long have you been working at Camp? A couple of decades!
What does “a day in the life of Camp” look like for you?
The first thing I do in the morning is organize that day’s walks and activity lists. The dogs we’re picking up to bring to daycare, the dogs who get Central Bark walks throughout the day, then the dogs who are dropped off at the end of the night – they’re all organized into one schedule and given to the employees who will be doing the walking. After that, I’ll go over the receipts from the day before and record each invoice. I’ll make and confirm grooming appointments throughout the day and go through the details to make sure that the groomers’ schedules are perfectly organized. And the rest of my day includes whatever comes my way, really. I organize, schedule, problem-solve and keep the day running smoothly.
What do you think it is about your job that is most important and keeps Camp running?
My attention to detail. Think about the specific requests each clients makes for their own dog when they stay here: do they eat 3 meals a day? 2? Any special treats? Extra walks? Specific toys or blankets? Do they wear jackets or booties? Do they take medication? Are they getting a bath? When are they getting picked up? Who is their usual groomer? Now take those details and multiply them by every dog that comes in through our doors – those details are the ones that I and my team manage.
What’s your favorite part of the job?
Interactions with clients and coworkers – they keep the days fun and interesting!
What is the most unique request you’ve received from a client?
Well, we recently had a stranger call and ask us to check to see if the Hardware Store across the street was open. It wasn’t a request from a client, per se, but it was certainly unique – haha!
What is one of the most heartwarming interactions you’ve had with a client?
This was a few years ago but it still sticks in my mind: Westin the Bernese Mountain Dog was one of my very favorite dogs. When I worked in the playrooms, she always ran right to me. Even when I didn’t work in the rooms, her parents knew that I loved her. When she sadly passed away, her mom called Camp and asked for me specifically so that she could share the news with me. She didn’t want me to hear it from anyone else. It’s just proof that our clients know what kind of bond we have with their dogs.
Do you have pets at home?
I always had dogs growing up, but I don’t have any of my own right now!
What is one thing you’d like all of our clients to know about your job?
There are a lot of details that goes into scheduling everyone’s appointment – from walks to grooming to the perfect timing so that everything is all set for you to pick up. A lot of effort goes into making sure these details are right for you!
Paige: Reservation Specialist and Cat Room Coordinator
What is your job title?
Reservation Specialist and Cat Room Coordinator
How long have you been working at Camp?
It’ll be 3 years in September!
What does “a day in the life of Camp” look like for you?
No two days are alike for me at Camp Canine! I usually work in the afternoon, so my first order of business is to find out what has happened during the day so far from Lynn, the employees at the front desk, and pretty much anyone else I come into contact with. I always check on the kitties when I first arrive to make sure the room is clean and that each of the kitties get some pets. Then I finally get to settle in at my desk. Once at my desk, I check to make sure vaccinations are up to date, that the new client doggie interviews are confirmed and their paperwork is in order, that boarding reservations are confirmed, and that everyone’s aware of their daycare packages’ expire date! I also carve out some time each day to follow up with our newer clients to make sure all of their potential questions are answered. In the process of making sure all of this is done, I am answering emails and phone calls constantly! I also give tours and talk to prospective clients about what Camp Canine is all about and try to make sure I go downstairs whenever I get a free minute so that I can spend time with the pups and the clients.
What do you think it is about your job that is most important and keeps Camp running?
I think the most important thing about my job is that my job is dedicated to the details. It’s my job (and the other RS’s jobs) to make sure that all of the details about a pet’s needs are communicated to the right people. Feeding instructions and Medications? We make sure those details are in the account (so does the front desk). Grooming instructions? We put those in your reservation. Questions about the daily schedule? We answer them. Central Bark walks and a groom? Those activities are scheduled accordingly. If your pet doesn’t like the rain, we look at the weather and make sure your pet is scheduled for a fetch instead. Not sure what time you’ll be picking your pet up? We’ll schedule the bath or groom to be the first of the day so that you’re not inconvenienced if you end up coming early. I’d guess that RS’s get asked a hundred questions a day between phone calls, emails, and tours. It’s our job to have (almost) all of the answers!
What’s your favorite part of the job?
The furry clients and the human clients!
What is the most unique request you’ve received from a client?
We have a dog who comes in for grooming who only has one eye, and her mom requests that the fur on her face be cut into “Jennifer Aniston bangs”! So fabulous!
What is one of the most heartwarming interactions you’ve had with a client?
I honestly have quite a few of these, and they’re often just simple interactions on the daily. It warms my heart when a client tells me that the adjustment we made to their dog’s reservation made a huge difference for their pup. For example, we’ve had pups who don’t like the bunks, so we suggest lodging them as VIP cageless. Often times, we know the signs and we know that this specific pup will sleep soundly when we make them VIP. It warms my heart when I get to tell a client that their dog or kitty made so much progress and did well this visit! It often is harder for our kitty campers to get adjusted to sleeping away from home, so when they settle in and show us their personality, I love getting to tell the parents that. It warms my heart when I’m able to fit a pup in for a service that was previously booked up (grooms, Central Bark walks, etc), I get to tell the client about the opening and they’re thrilled! It warms my heart when people are truly thankful for us for giving them peace of mind, for making their lives easier and for loving their fur babies. But mostly, it warms my heart when I can tell that the clients know us and know how much we care about their pups’ wellbeing and happiness.
Do you have pets at home?
Yes! I have a kitty named Sergio. I typically call him “Bear.” I actually got Sergio through Camp. Sergio was a Camper and his owner couldn’t take care of him anymore. I fostered him for about a month and he decided that I was his new mom ️
What is one thing you’d like all of our clients to know about your job?
We care so much about your pet’s needs and happiness! We’re busy folk with a lot of details swirling around our heads at all times! What makes our job so much easier is when you know you what you want: you know what pick up and drop off times you’ll need, or if you want to add a bath, groom or activities. If you don’t know any of that when you book, that’s okay too of course! Please give us a call or shoot us an email when you do know. It makes scheduling easier and it makes Camp run more smoothly when we know what services you need and when.