Meet the wonderful management staff at DogMa! All of our staff are certified by a member of the IACP (International Association of Canine Professionals). These dog lovers along with the big man fuzzy-butt himself, Izzy, keep things running smoothly at our busy outdoor-indoor facility.
My name is Izzy and my human owns DogMa. Her pups started coming to DogMa in 2001. When DogMa’s founder decided to retire in 2014 and contemplated closing, my human couldn’t imagine D.C. without DogMa. She used to travel a lot for work and wanted this last outdoor-indoor D.C. doggy daycare her pups loved to stay open as a safe and fun haven for me. So she took it on! And recruited top-notch canine professionals to manage the place. That made me — a young mutt rescued from a high-kill shelter down south –the fuzz in charge. Well, kind of… Truth be told, I just listened to the smart people who run the place and got paid in belly rubs, ear scrunches and biscuits.
Ever since I was young, I’ve always been fascinated with animals. And, for the past nine years, I’ve been working with them. So, since I’ve always wanted to work with animals, I’m currently doing what I’ve always wanted to do. As a manager at DogMa, I get to work with doggos of all breeds and sizes and it has been great. I used to work at Petsmart as a floor salesman. Then I went on to work as a Certified Dog trainer. I’ve been working at DogMa for six years now and have enjoyed every day of it! Being able to personally get to know the dogs and owners of the dogs is one of the things I enjoy the most. I have three dogs of my own, Jett, Grayson and Nami. When I’m not playing with my dogs or working, I enjoy watching anime, playing video games, and rooting for the Baltimore Ravens and Toronto Raptors. I look forward to continuing growing with DogMa and meeting you and your Doggos!
Here’s some things you should know about me. I live dogs. I know you thought I was going to say love right there, and don’t get me wrong — I do love them (!) But I stand by the “live dogs” statement. My whole life is about dogs. Straight out of high school, I started off working as a handler at DogMa. Fast forward to two decades later, and you’ll find me working alongside with some really great people, helping manage this amazing doggy daycare. I have five dogs of my own and they are spoiled rotten. When I’m not at DogMa, or out on dog training visits or brushing up on some good ole’ canine literature (or walking my dogs…woof), you might find me taking a hike, kayaking or just vegging out in front the TV with my doggos by my side.
From childhood, it has always been my passion to work with animals. Everywhere I went, there was a dog, cat, bunny, or any other four-legged animal that I would immediately love. That same passion has followed me into my adult years and to D.C. where I originally moved to attend Howard University. I have been working with dogs for eight years now. I wouldn’t have it any other way. The joy and healing it has brought me is unmatched. I am forever proud to be a part of this profession. There will always be space in my heart for an infinite amount of furry friends (the hairless ones too).
I have been working at DogMa for three years now. I started out as a part-time handler on the side of my job at TSA. Petting DogMa’s pups beats patting people down, so I came over full time as an assistant manager in 2017. My favorite thing about working at DogMa is well… everything!! I get to work with amazing people, but also so many amazing dogs. Since working at DogMa and getting to see so many breeds of dogs, I have figured out which one is my favorite… all of them! It’s too hard to pick just one. I am the type of person who will stop midsentence to look at a dog walking by! Some of my hobbies are reading, listening to music, hiking, and cooking. I love being by any body of water.
