Meet the Team
A little about Green Paws Chicago!
Since 2007, Green Paws Chicago has been providing top-notch, eco-friendly, quality care to pups and pets of all shapes and sizes across the greater Chicago area. We aim to provide every animal the love and care they deserve while being socially responsible – by supporting pet rescue and shelter organizations, the neighborhoods and families we serve, the larger community and, ultimately, the planet!
We understand the amount of trust it takes to place your pet and your home in someone else’s hands! Because we value that trust above all, we assure the Green Paws standard of care through our team of rigorously vetted Pet Care Specialists pictured below. You deserve the peace of mind that comes from knowing that only trustworthy professionals are looking after your pet. Green Paws Chicago is fully licensed, bonded, and insured, and our team is comprised of 100% W-2 employees, not 1099 contractors — all of whom have passed a multi-stage hiring process, office and field evaluations, and hands-on skills training.
Meet the Team!
Operations Manager
Born and raised in a cat-loving Illinois home, Elise (they/them) moved from the suburbs to the city in January of 2022. As someone who loves pets, Elise shows this by volunteering with various animal rescues as well as being a colony caretaker and TNR (trap-neuter-return) enthusiast. Within the past two years, they were able to find homes for 15+ stray cats and kittens just in their neighborhood! Elise currently lives at home with their three cats Cookie, Cleo, and Carmy, and their dog Pemby.
Field Services Administrator
Born and raised in the western burbs, Katey (she/her) relocated to a vibrant Chicago neighborhood after college to be closer to her passion for design and art. Katey brings her experience managing staff and operations at a multi-regional summer camp to the Green Paws office team along with her dedication to meeting client needs through her meticulous attention to detail. A lifelong dog lover, outside of work, Katey’s favorite pastime is spending time with friends and family.
Client Relations Specialist
Scott (he/him) has lived with one or more dogs his entire life. Most recently out walking dogs himself to gain that experience, Scott has managed a dog daycare, a movie theater and owned a yoga studio (that did a regular cat-yoga fundraiser/adoption event)! A technical theater kid turned retail visual merchandiser, Scott has worn many hats. Scott often finds himself disappointed if he doesn’t know every dog in the neighborhood’s name!
Pet Care Trainer
Pet Care Trainer
John (he/him) grew up in rural Ohio prior to relocating to Chicago. He has been spending time with animals since the early years of his life hanging out with barn cats. During high school his dad surprised the family with a puppy and ever since then, he has been hooked on spoiling his four-legged friends!
Pet Care Trainer
David (he/him) was born and bred in the Detroit area but has called Chicago home for over 10 years. He grew up with a dog named Max and a cat named Odysseus. Over the years, at various times, David has also lived with various dogs, cats, fancy rats, snakes, fish, and hamsters. David currently resides in Avondale, where, in addition to his pet-loving activities, he occasionally finds work as a freelance writer/editor.
Pet Care Trainer
Joe (he/him) grew up in Northwest Indiana and recently moved to Portage Park. Growing up, Joe had a Springer Spaniel and currently has a 1-year-old Golden Labrador Retriever. He worked as a dogwalker several years ago and is thrilled to have the opportunity to do it again, as he loves animals, especially cats and dogs. In his free time, Joe likes to read, exercise, go hiking and fishing, and watch movies/TV shows.
Pet Care Specialist
Max (they/them) has been walking dogs since the 5th grade. From a young age, they have always been driven in life by being a caretaker. A graduate of University of Illinois at Champaign’s School of Art + Design, Max spends their free time carving wood blocks for their various printmaking projects.
Pet Care Specialist
Cristal (she/her) grew up in Little Village with a succession of tiny chihuahuas and one giant doberman, as well as the neighborhood’s eclectic variety of pets: chickens, ducks, goats, and on one memorable occasion, a pony. She currently has two kitties, Luna and Roger Sterling, but her passion for pets has taken her to shift her career path from the medical field, to the veterinary, and finally here with us.
Pet Care Specialist
John (he/him) grew up as a military kid living in places like Seattle, Italy, and Bahrain. He had a family Beagle named Jazzy growing up who is the sweetest! He graduated from the University of Iowa and has happily settled in northern Chicago. You can catch john at second city, on the lake, or in his second favorite city, Milwaukee!
Pet Care Specialist
John grew up in Colorado and moved to Chicago for school, and liked it so much that he decided to stay! A lifelong lover of dogs and cats, John enjoys filling the pet-sized hole in his life (his apartment is too small) by working with Green Paws. When he’s not spending time with his furry friends, John enjoys reading, working on graphic design, taking crazy long walks, and listening to music.
Pet Care Specialist
Keith (he /him) has over 15 years of experience caring for dogs in a daycare and boarding kennel environment. He has also watched many a cat while the musician that usually lived with them was on tour. He moved to Chicago after finishing a degree in painting and printmaking at the University of Texas. He has been active in Chicago’s music and art scene since the late 1990s, but is most proud of his wife, their terrier, and all the lovely friendships he has made with canines of all sizes, shapes, and colors .
Pet Care Specialist
Ben grew up in California and moved to Chicago in 2011 to attend DePaul University. After graduation, he enjoyed Chicago so much that he decided to stay and make this city his home! Ben has an 8-year-old border collie named Waffle and is excited to get him a friend when the time is right. When he’s not hanging with his pup, you can find Ben with the bleacher creatures at Wrigley Field, roasting people on Xbox Live, or demolishing some wings.
Pet Care Specialist
Pet Care Specialist
Jonathan (he/him) grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and has yet to find a pet he couldn’t love. He went to school at the University of Missouri where he studied Film and traveled around for work before moving back to Chicago in 2019. Jonathan has lived with some amazing cats and dreams of the day that he will have a big yard of his own for a whole new generation of furry friends! In his free time, you can find Jonathan performing standup comedy throughout the city, making homemade pizzas, and trying to catch his tail.
Pet Care Specialist
Emory (they/them) was raised in an animal loving, pet-rescue family. They have lived in the city for a little over a year, but have lived all over the country. Emory has experience with a wide variety of animals, big and small, fuzzy and scaly! In their free time, Emory can be found watching their favorite movies and television, painting, playing video games, biking, and cooking.
Pet Care Specialist
Dani (they/them) has been an animal lover their whole life. They grew up with a dog and have lived with cats, birds, ferrets, fish, and iguanas over the years. Before dog walking, Dani was a nanny and a babysitter, and loved when their families had pets. They bring the same caring and fun energy from watching kids to taking care of pets and look forward to meeting your furry family members!
Pet Care Specialist
Coming from Utah, Rick has lived in Chicago for nearly 6 years. He received his BFA in Photography from School of the Art Institute Chicago in 2022 and is a freelance Photographer in his free time. Rick loves biking, doing T’ai Chi, going to coffee shops, and playing a game of Go. Rick is a snake dad to a Ball Python named Hendrix and is considering adopting a canine companion soon. He has dog-sat for friends and family from youth well into college and loves working with furry animals.
Pet Care Specialist
A Detroit native, Kat has been a devout animal lover since day one. Growing up, her family was a home to dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, and many other animals. Kat spent her summers riding horses and her weekends volunteering for local shelters. She is the mom to a spunky tabby cat named Finn, and plans to give him a canine friend one day! When not working, you can find her deep in her latest crafting craze, hanging out by the lake, or hunting down the best fish tacos!
Pet Care Specialist
Throughout their life, Terra has always had an animal as their best friend! Terra believes that it is important to take each animal’s individual personality and preferences into account when caring for them. Growing up, Terra lived on a farm taking care of dogs, cats, horses, goats, and many other animals! In their free time, Terra can be found with them and their partner’s pup,making clothes and eating around the city.
Pet Care Specialist
Kevin is an avid dog lover and native of Chicago. He currently lives in Pilsen with his wife and their two pups. When he’s not being followed around the house by his Shih Tzu he enjoys music, film and comedy.
Pet Care Specialist
Throughout his life, Wil has worked with all types of animals. From dogs and cats all the way to horses, Wil has taken the time to learn all the details of their care. He even has a background with service animals! Will has raised five pups through Guide Dogs for the Blind. Through all of his experience, Wil has created many strong bonds and has had lots of fun times with his furry friends!
Pet Care Specialist
Growing up surrounded by animals as well as being a proud cat dad, pet care has never felt like work to Gage. Green Paws blends two of his greatest passions: animals and the outdoors. No stranger to the pet care profession, Gage began his pet care journey in 2016 while living in the Washington DC area then continued this work in upstate New York. After taking some time to travel in Europe with his wife, they have settled in Chicago where Gage is thrilled to be able to spend his days doing what he loves—giving the highest level of care and attention to your pets and biking throughout Chicago’s neighborhoods.
Pet Care Specialist
Originally from a small town in North Carolina, Natalie is new to the Chicago area. She’s had a huge love for animals her entire life and grew up in a five dog home! Natalie has been pet sitting for 10 years and she has volunteered and worked at various animal shelters. Natalie is currently pursuing her BA in Digital Marketing and in her free time enjoys hiking, attending live music performances, and exploring the city.
Pet Care Specialist
Pet Care Specialist
Pet Care Specialist
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Pet Care Specialist
Born in Birmingham, Alabama, and raised in Detroit, Anna moved to the near west suburbs of Chicago in 2004 and moved into the city in 2021 . Anna has three human babies and two fur babies. She is a city girl who enjoys the outdoors, especially hiking, biking, and all things water-related. Anna’s worked with Green Paws Chicago since early 2020 and enjoys visiting kitties, taking walks with pups, and staying with clients’ pets on in-home overnight and hourly sittings.
Pet Care Specialist
Pet Care Specialist
Pet Care Specialist
Pet Care Specialist
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Pet Care Specialist
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