The Doggy Lama Pet Care Team
Many team members have been with Molly almost as long as she's been running Doggy Lama Pet Care. As our reputation and experience have grown, we've been fortunate to hire folks who bring a broad range of experiences, kindness, and creativity to pet care. Click on each team member to learn more about him or her.
ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM
Molly Kenefick (she/her)–Top Dog (Owner)
Due to her father's allergies, Molly's childhood pet was an Eastern box turtle. Perhaps in reaction to her need for companionship from a more expressively affectionate pet, she became the neighborhood dog walker at a young age. Molly explored several other careers before she decided to leave the office cubicle. She has no regrets. Molly joins the walkers and their packs on the trails nearly every day. She currently shares her couch with Honey, a pug mix, and Marty, a small fluffy mutt. Before she started Doggy Lama, Molly lived on a boat for five years with her cat and dog. Her business is named after her longtime companion, Dakota the husky mix, who was also known among friends as The Doggy Lama for her wisdom and ability to be “in the moment,” which is always Molly’s goal.
Kendrae (she/her)–Operations Manager
Kendrae is originally from Pittsburgh, PA. where she and her dog, Missy, were outnumbered by their house full of cats. She studied architecture and did graphic design before she burst out of the cubicle to have a more active work life as a Chicago dog walker. We are very lucky that four frigid winters later, Kendrae discarded her snow boots and long underwear and moved to California, where she joined our team. As Operations Manager, Kendrae handles many aspects of what keeps Doggy Lama running, including finding new employees and matching new dogs with walkers and packs. In her spare time she reads, crochets, and takes long walks.
jazz (she/her)–Operations Coordinator
As an animal-loving child, Jazz dreamt of a future career as a veterinarian, marine biologist, zookeeper, or dog walker. She meandered down several career paths, acquiring retail and customer service experience, and in 2015, she began working with a large nonprofit animal welfare organization. During her six years there, Jazz developed top-notch animal caretaking skills and then went on to become the manager of a successful LA-based dog walking and pet sitting company. She is excited to work with us to support the amazing dogs and cats of the East Bay and continue to inspire her son, who is an animal lover, too!FIELD SUPPORT TEAM
Vero (she/her)—Training Manager
Our in-house dog trainer, Vero, was only ten years old when she started her first job at a veterinary clinic where she worked for five years every weekend. Her passion for dogs led her to become an accredited positive-reinforcement dog trainer through the IAABC (International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants,) and for 13 years she ran her own dog training and boarding business in Mexico. Vero's areas of expertise include dog-on-dog aggression, separation anxiety, impulse control, reactivity, resource guarding, socialization, and puppy obedience. In addition to formal training, she also enjoys running puppy socialization classes. In 2022, she moved to the Bay Area with her wife and their animals, where she continues training, learning, and sharing her love for dogs with others. Vero is also interested in learning about the behavior of other species and would someday like to work in a conservation program to protect endangered species.KRISTi (They/Them)—FIELD COORDINATOR/floater
In college, Kristi walked dogs in Hoboken, NJ, and thought their pet care career was over after graduation, but in the years since, the calling to get back to daily hikes and snuggles with dogs has only gotten louder. Their well-rounded experience means we can confidently ask Kristi to fill in for walkers on vacation, inspire pups in puppy play group, and coax shy dogs to relax on buddy walks. In their spare time, Kristi roller skates, mixes, and edits videos, and cooks. One of their not-so-distant pipe dreams is to make gourmet pet food.DOG WALKERS & KITTY CARERS
Adal (he/him)
Adal never thought he'd become a "caminador de perros." After Adal quit his job as the manager of a wireless phone store, he started going on dog hikes for fun with his cousin, Jeysi, who's an ace dog walker at Doggy Lama, and soon applied to be a dog walker with us. Although Adal has a gentle and quiet demeanor, he really whoops it up to inspire his group walk dogs as they climb the East Bay hills. Adal is a self-proclaimed tech geek who loves gaming, but freely admits in the last couple years he has learned to geek out on dog behavior, too!
BARB (she/her)
Our resident cat care specialist, Barb, was a full-time caretaker for elders and children, and then kitties for more than three years. For 15 years, Barb was active in the trap, neuter and release efforts of a local rescue group for an Oakland feral cat colony. She and her husband currently share their home with four kitties—two of whom are elderly/special needs and two young mischievous adolescent cats. She tells us that she joined the Doggy Lama team in part to bring out her “doggy side!” Barb loves how dogs are so devoted and open hearted. She likes to think about what the world might be like for an animal who “sees” through their nose.
Brad (he/him)
Brad has been a friend of Molly's for a long time and so when he told her he was looking for a change and only wanted to do handyman work part time, she asked if he'd like to help with the puppy play group. In addition to puppy wrangler, Brad is the Ranch Manager at Altura Ranch, Doggy Lama's headquarters. Originally from the Central Valley, Brad has worked on farms and ships. He loves antiques, vintage furniture, and finding and creating toys for his granddaughter.
Daryl (he/him)
Daryl wasn't allowed to have pets as a child, but when his daughters were little he got them two small dogs. They eventually became his best friends. After working for more than 20 years in the corporate world, based at Lake Tahoe, Daryl moved to the Bay Area to be closer to his daughter and grandchildren and to find a dog-related career. It was scary to make such a big change, but Daryl dropped everything he knew, guided only by his love of his family and his passion for animals. His first "dog job" was at a local doggy daycare, where he learned about facilitating large group socializations with various sizes and breeds, but he longed to be outside with dogs, so he reached out to us. Daryl believes that to live his best life, he had to be bold and a little crazy to leave what he knew and was comfortable with. If he hadn't had the courage to do that, he wouldn't be as happy as he is today, surrounded by his family and his favorite animals, dogs.
Diego (they/them)
Diego is originally from Texas and has been a teacher, restaurant consultant, art handler, artist, and they have always shared their life with dogs. Diego's own dog is a Mexican hairless dog named Xochi. Diego has an ongoing career as a professional artist and although they took a break for a couple of art residencies and installations, they find dog walking in nature to be a great balance to an artist's necessary internal focus. Diego is on thier second long stint of walking dogs for us--we love when Diego can leave thier art supplies behind to join us on the trails!
DOROTHY (she/her)
Dorothy has been Molly's friend for two decades, so when she told Molly she wanted to quit her office-bound bookkeeping job and get out in the sunshine, Molly was excited to bring her into the fold. Dorothy and her husband have a "Brady Bunch" of a family with a combined six children and ten grandchildren, which she says has honed her adaptability. Dorothy specializes in puppy care and especially loves when she gets to meet with trainers to learn how to use positive-reinforcement training to help puppies become happy, stable adult dogs who are comfortable in a wide variety of settings.
EMILY (she/they)
Emily loves animals of all sizes, wild or tame. She grew up with cats, the native creatures of Vermont, and a pack of labradors. As a child, she found small dogs confusing and insisted they were “woof-cats,” but her canine IQ has grown since then. Emily landed in The Bay in 2007 and started studying positive, motivational training techniques and canine behavior while volunteering with compassionate animal handlers in SF. She spent over five years leading off-leash groups of dogs in the wild corners of San Francisco but calls the East Bay home. Emily lives with her spouse and their sassy black cat, Tabbouleh. Tabbouleh doesn't like dogs or hiking so Emily is happy to get her fill of both on the trails with Doggy Lama dogs.
fabrizzio (he/him)
After an unfulfilling decade in the hospitality industry, Fabrizzio knew he wanted to work with dogs. He was able to find a job in a grooming shop but it was too physically demanding, and he preferred to be outside for at least some of the time. He did a dog walking/boarding internship with Molly and is now a top-notch dog boarder who specializes in small and elderly dogs. In his native Chile, Fabrizzio and his family adopted several street dogs who then slept with satin pillows under their heads! Fabrizzio loves karaoke and we've heard that sometimes his boarding dogs do duets with him!
GINA (she/her)
Gina has 15 years experience as a dog boarder and doggy daycare provider and is certified in PEMF therapy for small animals. She is a long-time Doggy Lama team member who currently boards small dogs for us in her Orinda home. Don't be surprised if your dogs come home with funny stories--Gina is a seasoned performer and storyteller who has graced many stages around the country and keeps her friends and family laughing every day. These days Gina and her teenage daughter share their couch with their maltese mix dog and two cats, and she is in awe of what her daughter can do in the ring on their amazing horse.
HEATHER M (she/her)
Heather was an attorney for 25+ years doing public-defense type work before she decided she would lawyer only half time to have a more relaxed life. We're so lucky she came to work with us. Fresh from the Dog Walking Academy, Heather gushed that it was her most useful and fun educational experience. Her hobbies are dancing to and making Scottish music (she's a fiddler) and taking long backpacking trips.
JEYSI (She/her)
Jeysi tells us that her training at the Dog Walking Academy gave her immediate insight into her family dogs' behavior, who range from the smallest to (almost) the biggest. Jeysi, (pronounced "hey C,") is an Oakland native who left the beauty industry to explore the natural beauty of the outdoors. She is very committed to her dance troupe. They do dance battles that incorporate acrobatic quebradita, (her favorite,) as well as bachata, salsa, banda, and cumbia. We think her high energy and rhythym might have an influence on her pack, who do ecstatic dances when she picks them up for a hike!
Jill (she/her)
Growing up in Vermont, some of Jill's favorite memories are of watching sheep-dog trials in Quechee and volunteering at the Central Vermont Humane Society as a dog walker. This was the beginning of a lifelong love of canids! As an adult, Jill was lucky to work as a naturalist at the International Wolf Center in Ely, MN, where she learned a whole lot of fun facts about wolves. She also spent time dog sledding through the Boundary Waters and helping to manage a yard full of sled dogs. Many years later, Jill moved to California and got lots of great experience training her own wonderful dogs and volunteering as a dog walker for Berkeley Animal Care Services and BADRAP. She has an extra soft spot for border collies, huskies, and blocky-headed dogs who love to snuggle!Joe (he/him)
In addition to walking dogs, Joe has worked as a gardener, research assistant, and tutor, but feels his true passion is taking care of animals. Originally from upstate New York, Joe has walked dogs in Syracuse, Philadelphia, and now the East Bay. He loves the outdoors and in his free time writes poetry and short stories. A longtime lover of pets of all sorts, Joe has a python named Goose and aspires to be the guardian of a rescue dog. He will make sure your dog has a safe and fun time out on the trails with other dogs or alone on a private walk. All the animals in Joe’s life are a major inspiration for him, and he has yet to decide if he’s more of a dog person or a cat person.
Jordan (he/him)
Jordan grew up in love with, but allergic to, cats and dogs. In 2015 he met Sprocket, the foster cat who changed everything. The two became inseparable, Jordan's allergies diminished with time, and since then, Jordan and his wife have fostered and raised dozens of cats! (Do you know anyone looking for a kitty? If so, talk to Jordan!) Jordan is also an accomplished musician, (someday we may hire him to write a Doggy Lama jingle,) has studied horticulture, and is likely to be the most opinionated person at the dinner table about wine. He completed Levels 1 and 2 of the International Sommelier Guild. Let's raise a glass that Jordan's on our team!
KRISTEN (she/they)
Kristen tells us that her family's bunny, named Albatross, was, "a testament to learned behavior." He grew up with dogs and was potty-trained—he even joined the family's actual dogs to greet family members at the door when they came home! Kristen studied and performed ethnic dance professionally for many years—in Cuba, Haiti, Ghana, India, Palestine, and Tajikistan. We love to see her perform at local events. After fifteen years of dog walking with us, Kristen is semi-retired from dog care and now boards one or two lucky dogs in her home at a time.
MARGUERITA (she/her)
Marguerita, a.k.a. Rita, is a Bay Area native who loves to spend time in nature. She is an artist whose favorite mediums are makeup, fashion, studio art, writing/poetry, and music. She has worked with animals her whole life, from family pets to volunteering at animal shelters and caring for friends' and families' pets, and recently worked at a local positive-reinforcement daycare and boarding facility for dogs. Rita loves to learn, (science has always been her favorite school subject,) and aspires to someday work with animals all around the world! For now, she is focused on learning about dogs and is thrilled to be a part of Doggy Lama to continue furthering her knowledge and experience. Her current dream is to fix up a Scooby-Doo-inspired van and road trip across the country!
MERRIGOLD (she/her)
Merrigold grew up with animals all her life, rescuing stray dogs and cats and catching turtles and tadpoles. She did some veterinary prep classes in high school, working mostly with farm animals, although she decided not to follow that path. The Bay Area has been her home since early adulthood, except for a brief stint in New Orleans, where she had the pleasure of working (driving) mules as a buggy driver, giving tours of the French Quarter and the St Louis cemetery. She moved back to the Bay during the pandemic to study Reiki and is a graduate of the Reiki Practitioner program. Merrigold does private leash walks and trail hikes.
RICKY (he/him)
Ricky has always been an avid animal lover and grew up with five dogs in his home. His friends and family sometimes tell him that he is The Dog Whisperer because all dogs, big or small, seem to noticeably relax around him. Ricky is excited to extend his love and care for dogs to Doggy Lama clients. When he is not spending time with dogs, Ricky loves to eat vegan food, hike, meditate, play sports and spend quality time with his community. He is taking classes online and working to eventually become a kinesiologist.Sophie (she/they)
Before joining our team, Sophie worked at a doggy daycare and as a ranch hand in Texas, where she cared for ranch animals from chickens to donkeys. While at the ranch, Sophie found her best friend, Ryder, a heeler/hound mix, who was wandering on the highway alone, dirty, and hungry! She took him in and soon realized that caring for him, the farm animals, and dogs had changed her: they brought her so much joy and fulfillment that she decided she’ll never go back to working with just humans again. Sophie promises to care for her Doggy Lama dog friends with as much love as if they are her own.
Vanessa (she/her)
Oakland native Vanessa has traveled around the globe twice, but says she loves Oakland best. We agree! Vanessa knows all kinds of useful things about dogs and cats because she managed a pet food and grooming business for nearly a decade. We've been fortunate to work with Vanessa since 2009 as a dog walker and boarder, and to be able to call Vanessa in when we need an expert opinion on how to work with a sensitive dog or help a walker with introducing a new pup into their pack.
"Molly helped us turn our anxious, anti-social (non-aggressive) dog into one of the most well adjusted social dogs around!"
-Lauren D. on Berkeley Parents Network