About Us
We welcome you to our family!
This is our pledge to you: to be a passionate and dependable team, skilled in providing a safe, nurturing experience for you and your best friend.
Laura Schorrak - Owner
Laura received her Bachelors of Science from UW-Madison in May 2001 where she focused her studies on two forms of biology: Bacteriology and Zoology. While studying Zoology, she concentrated specifically on how animals and humans interact. Laura’s love for research and all things science, led her to begin her career in research. She worked in several different laboratories at UW-Madison doing everything from working with plants, worms, bacteria, mice and even primates. Although she always had dogs, cats, and various other animals growing up, it wasn’t until 2004 that she was able to adopt her very first dog on her own. Kelly, a chocolate lab, came with a variety of problems ranging from little training and manners to several health issues. It was because of Kelly, Laura began to focus on all things dog, learning about more about behavior, training and health.
When The Dog Den daycare opened in December 2004, Laura was there the very first day. She worked to create a unique daycare and training experience for Madison area dogs. Under her management, The Dog Den won Best of Madison two years in a row. When The Dog Den became available to purchase, Laura jumped at the chance to own the business that owned her heart and soul. Because her background is in science and research, Laura is always keeping up with the newest research in animal behavior and training. She reads everything she can and attends seminars to continue her education. She incorporates these things in her daily interactions with all the dogs, both in daycare and in classes. Her previous training in lab work taught her that there are no one-size-fits all when it comes to animals and is always looking for new ways to approach training and behavior. She loves helping people and their dogs create a fun and fulfilling life together.
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Daniela Vaughan, CPDT-KA - General Manager
Daniela brings with her a great love for all things dog. A graduate of UW-Madison, Daniela became interested in pursuing a career in dog behavior after taking a course from Patricia McConnell. After spending two years volunteering with the Canine Behavior Team at DCHS, Daniela worked in DCHS' Admitting Department -- helping with intake of any animal that came through the front doors. While at DCHS, Daniela discovered a great passion for working with pit bulls, and still remains a member of their Pit Bull Committee and an instructor of their Positively Pitties course. She shares her life with her rescued pup, Maxie, who has taught her to think outside the box when training dogs. At The Dog Den, Daniela wears all the hats during a regular day -- she works with the daycare dogs and staff, instructs our training classes, and meets with clients for private lessons. We are incredibly lucky to have Daniela as part of our team!!
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Kourtney Frank, CPDT-KA --- Training Coordinator, Behavior Consultant, Playgroup Leader
Kourtney started with us in October 2008 and quickly impressed us with her natural training ability with dogs! Kourtney brings with her such a passion for dogs and animals in general. She works so hard to create the best life for all the dogs that come into contact with her through her positive energy and natural compassion for both dogs and their people. Kourtney has recently decided to join us full time and splits her days between daycare, training classes, and private lessons. We all love working with Kourtney as she always makes every day a little more fun!
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Chelsea Mentink - Canine Contentment Coordinator, Assistant Trainer
We are so lucky to have Chelsea taking care of our dogs! She knows the dogs better than anyone - Even some of our dog owners! She can tell if there is something wrong or different with your dog in an instant. She is just a natural at handling the playgroups of dogs... Chelsea has been with us since April of 2007 and we are so lucky to have her!
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Jen Virnig - Assistant Trainer, Behavior Consultant, Playgroup Leader
Meet Jen Virnig! Jen started working with us in July 2010. Jen has been a foster Mom for WAAGR (Wisconsin Adopt A Golden Retriever) since 2007. Before joining our team Jen had taken just about every class we have to offer at The Dog Den! She brings her valuable experience working with rescue dogs, especially the shy ones which blossom in her care. Her true passion is working with dogs and helping them to be the best family dogs they can be. We are lucky to have such a positive, dedicated person working with our dogs!
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Deb Crawley - Group Class Lead Instructor, Behavior Consultant, Playgroup Leader
We are so happy to welcome Deb back to our Training & Daycare pack. Deb recently graduated with a degree in Veterinary Technology. When she is not busy taking care of your pets at the clinic, she will be spending her time teaching classes, conducting private lessons and behavior consults, and playing with the daycare pups! Deb helped to develop our Control Unleashed and Scrappers classes and is always looking for new ways to teach and challenge our pups. We look forward to her fresh ideas in our upper level classes! Her love for dogs is so strong, we just can't keep her away! Welcome back Deb!
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Haley Highdale - Playgroup Leader, Group Class Instructor
Haley is a recent graduate of UW-Madison and is pursuing veterinary school. She started working with us in January 2011 and is dedicated to learning everything there is to know about dogs to help them live the best lives possible. You will find Haley working in the daycare, at playgroups and teaching classes. We all love having Haley as part of our team!
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Anna Sampson CPDT-KA - Playgroup Leader, Group Class Instructor, Behavior Consultant
Anna joins us with an array of doggy knowledge. Not only has she worked at dog daycares in the Milwaukee area, she has been a positive reinforcement trainer, both in private lessons and in group classes. She also is deeply committed to working with rescue dogs. Her breed of choice-those loveable Pitties! Anna has been with us since December 2010 and when she is not loving your pup, she is busy finishing up a degree in Social Work and Criminal Justice. We are so happy to have her as part of our pack!
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Sara Skiba - Playgroup Leader, Assistant Trainer
Sara started with our pack in August 2011. Although she is newer to the group, she strives to learn the personalities of each and every dog in daycare. She plans to use her experiences here to gain better a better understanding of the dog world. Her dedication and love for animals has led her to major in Zoology and Psychology at UW-Madison, which she hopes to use towards animal conservation worldwide. Welcome to the pack Sara!!
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Kiley Knapp - Playgroup Leader, Assistant Trainer
Kiley joined our pack in December of 2011, and has been in love with her job since the very first day. A Madison native, she came to The Dog Den with a broken heart after losing her beloved 10-year-old Golden Retriever, Mac. With a few years of Journalism school behind her, she switched directions and found solace in being surrounded by all of the special, sweet dogs who attend daycare every day. You'll find her at The Dog Den most days of the week, always smiling and giving great belly rubs/ear scratches. She takes pride in treating every dog like it's her own, and in treating their owners with just as much compassion and respect.
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Kari Jensen - Playgroup Leader, Assistant Trainer
Kari is such a fun addition to our pack! Currently a student at UW-Madison, Kari brings such a fun energy every time she enters the building! Always snuggling, petting or playing with the puppies, she is sure to be one of your pup's favorite playgroup leaders. She sure is one of ours!
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Catt Gottschalk - Playgroup Leader, Assistant Trainer
Catt is a recent graduate from Globe University in Veterinary Technology and joined our pack in June 2012. She enjoys spending time and learning the personalities of the dogs and how best to make them happy. She enjoys being surrounded by all of our crazy and lovable dogs.
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Meghan Limbach - Playgroup Leader, Assistant Trainer
If there is one word to describe Meghan, it's Dog-Lover! She is so passionate about everything dog, it touches every part of her life. When she isn't at The Dog Den working in the daycare or helping out with classes, she's spending her time with her young Border Collie, Colt. A graduate from UW-Osh Kosh in political science, Meghan found her true passion in dogs and dog behavior and her enthusiasm is so contagious. We are so lucky to have her as part of our pack!
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Cathy Sinoradzki - Playgroup Leader, Assistant Trainer
Cathy joins our team with an amazing sense of FUN! Orginally from New Jersey, Cathy worked in a dog daycare and training facility previously and just cannot imagine her days without pups. Graduating with a degree in Mathematics, Cathy has an incredible amount of patience which benefits both the dogs and people she works with daily! We are so happy to have Cathy as part of our team!
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Lauryn Ross - Playgroup Leader & Assistant Trainer
Lauryn is a wonderful addition to both our daycare and training packs! Currently studying Zoology at UW-Madison, Lauryn hopes to pursue Veterinary School. Lauryn loves all things dog! When she is not working at The Dog Den or going to school, she volunteers at the humane society. She is so wonderful to work with and the dogs are always so excited to see her. We love having Lauryn as part of our team!
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Erin Schommer - Assistant Trainer
Meet Erin Schommer! Erin has spent her entire life living with and loving canines. She has a strong desire to help all dogs reach their full potential as well mannered family members and harbors a special affinity for shy dogs. You may see Erin in our training classes and play groups.
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Rachael Lease - Playgroup Leader & Assistant Trainer
We are so pleased to welcome Rachael back to The Dog Den. Having graduated from Globe University for Veterinary Technology, Rachael splits her time between caring for pets in the health care field and caring for your pups at The Dog Den. We love having Rachael on our team!
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