2023 Staff Spotlight: Savvy

Name: Savvy
Primary Location:  Fitchburg and Puppy

Q: What Certifications/Education do you have? (PhD/Knowing Dogs 201/Pet First Aid/CPACP/etc?)

A: Knowing Dogs 201, Pet First Aid, and I hope to obtain more as I continue to learn and grow while here. 

Q: What are your pronouns?

A: She/They

Q: What is your preferred name?

A: Savvy

Q: When did you start?

A: May 2022, pretty much right after I moved to Madison

Q: What is your position/title?

A: Play Group Leader, Training Trainee 

Q: What made you apply for this job?

A: I have a background in childcare and since dogs are my special interest why not combine the two? It’s very similar to what I was doing before but there’s also challenges that are completely unique to the job. It satisfies my contradictory need for routine and spontaneity. 

Q: What is your favorite part of daycare?

A: Seeing all the different breeds I grew up reading about interact with each other and with people. It’s funny to see them either be the stereotype or just be the complete opposite to where you’re like “huh I didn’t think your breed could even do that!” It’s honestly really neat. Especially when it comes to your mixes, like doodles for example. They’ll do something classically poodle then the next minute they're doing something completely random and it’s fun to watch. 

Q: What is your favorite part of training?

A: Seeing that lightbulb moment when they finally grasp something. You get so hype and the dog gets so hype and it’s a wonderful feeling. 

Q: Favorite thing about your team?

A: I haven’t meshed this well with a group of people since my scare acting days. I absolutely adore my coworkers and I love how passionate we all are. We gush over dogs all day to each other and it never gets annoying or tiresome, you can’t say that about most other professions. 

Q: Favorite thing about the clients?

A: Finding out what huge nerds they are based on what they name their dogs. Like, I’ll see a name and be like “oh yeah your person DEFINITELY watches anime,reads comics, etc. I’m very happy to work at a company where the clientele have good taste in media. 

Q: Favorite thing about the dogs?

A: Favorite thing? Singular? It’s hard to pick just one thing! Everyday I find a new thing to love or I’ll be reminded of a thing I love about them. From butt scritches, to silly nicknames, to watching them grow over time, I love it all! 

Q: Something you’d never guess I’d do/peg me for

A: I kinda gave it away earlier but I used to be a scare actor at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. If you’ve ever met me, I can easily be mistaken for a child or a hobbit. However, much like a hobbit I can pass unseen if I so choose. Most people don’t realise I’m right there until it’s too late. I’m also what my fellow scare actors consider “a mouth”. I have been blessed with the gift of volume and distraction and that’s crucial if you want those big scares! I also love throwing humour into guest interactions, especially if that guest is a kid. A laugh is more impactful than a scream, so I guess Monsters Inc. was right! 

Q: Which dog breed are you based on this quiz: I’m a Labrador! High energy, needs routine, orally fixated, loves swimming, yep that checks out. 

A: Which breed did you grow up with? A Cavalier King Charles. My mom and I have a love of British history so what better breed than the one made by King Charles II and loved by Queen Victoria? Finnegan’s personality is a mix between a gentleman and a clown, it’s a great combo. 

Q: Tell us about the pets that you live with now?

A: In July of last year we welcomed a red standard poodle puppy into our lives and we haven’t known peace since. Matilda is a sweet and sometimes chaotic girl and she gets more and more beautiful with each passing day. She’s almost a year old and she’s practically a horse. The ZZ Top song “Legs” was written about her, I swear. We also have a little ham of a shih tzu mix named Scruffy Money. He’s my boyfriend’s dog and he’s a sweet, scrungly, old man. It’s so funny watching them play then just lay on the bed and watch cartoons (Bluey is a favourite). Scruffy has definitely brightened up since we got Matilda and it warms my heart. I love my babies so much~ 

Q: Favorite color

A: Sunflower yellow, and on the other end of the color spectrum, periwinkle 

Q: Share a boring fact -

A: I have a great sense of smell and it’s both a gift and a curse. 

Q: If you were a candle, what scent would you be?

A: Yankee Candle Dry Lavender and Oak, it’s one of my go to scents. 

Q: If you could have 1 super power, what would it be?

A: Shapeshifting! Like think about it, you wanna fly? Turn into a bird. You wanna be strong? Turn into an elephant. I also think I’d be nice to turn into a dog and play on their level. 

Q: What weird collections do you have

A: Okay I swear you put this question just for me, but I have a collection of puppy teeth. It sounds weird but I find so many on the floor at our puppy location so I was curious to see how many I could collect.