Nick Langley grew up a maverick with entrepreneurial DNA. Raised by a single mother, he was a latch-key kid who had a special bond with his dogs. Nick learned at an early age that dogs have the power to heal through their companionship, loyalty and unconditional love.

Nick’s passion for animals led him to serve as the Board President for Spay and Neuter Kansas City, a nonprofit dedicated to ending animal homelessness. Utilizing his financial and business savvy, he helped the nonprofit grow to a nearly $2 million organization in just three years.

Nick is a vision-driven leader dedicated to improving the lives of both pets and their owners. With more than 18 years of experience in the financial services industry, he combines his passion for animals and business expertise to continually improve the organization and meet the changing needs of clients.

He is a graduate of Avila University and the Securities Industry Institute at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Nick is an award-winning business leader and spent the majority of his career at Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc., where he oversaw business development, strategic planning and relationship management.

There is a quote by the late Gilda Radner: “I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me, they are the role model for being alive.” This saying personifies Stacie Fogelberg perfectly. She joined the Pooches team in January 2020 and immediately became an integral part of the business. Her can do/will do outlook on everything she encounters, mixed in with endless positivity and compassion for everyone, has been embraced by both staff and clients.

Stacie grew up in a small town in western Kansas and graduated from KU with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. She spent several years as a travel nurse and worked as an oncology nurse for 20 years. She has a passion for health, wellness and vitality in people as well as pups.

Stacie loves being a part of Pooches because of the amazing staff who she continually learns from on a daily basis. The best part of her day is spending time with the dogs, watching them play with their friends and just enjoying life. (Petting the dogs and getting extra hugs throughout the day is ultimately the favorite perk of the job!)

Stacie feels it is very important to do what she can to give back to others. With this in mind, her goal is to continue to build community involvement with area small businesses and dog rescues. She enjoys working every single day beside her soon to be husband and to grow as an owner of a small business.

Outside of Pooches, Stacie enjoys spending time with her family and friends, running and going to the gym.

Samantha’s interest and love of dogs drove her to explore options and seek an education in the pet industry. She completed her goal and graduated from Animal Behavior College with certifications in both the Veterinary Assistant and Dog Training Programs in 2012. In 2015, Samantha accepted a front desk receptionist position with Pooches Paradise. She worked her way up to Front Desk Manager, and although she enjoyed this position immensely, her passion pulled her towards working directly with the dogs. Samantha became part of the kennel staff and was soon promoted to Kennel Shift Supervisor.

Dog behavior and training continued to be a primary source of interest for Samantha. She began attending training classes with resident Pooches trainer, Mary Sellaro. Based on her background, knowledge and handling skills, Samantha was chosen to take part in the Apprentice Dog Trainer Program. She completed the 2-year apprenticeship and is highly involved in group classes, behavioral evaluations, and one-on-one training. Samantha was a natural fit to become a member of the Behavioral Team.

Samantha is an invaluable asset to the day to day operations and future of Pooches Paradise. She is cross-trained and has the ability to perform any role within the business. She has blazed a trail for herself to learn, grow and succeed from the moment she began her career with Pooches in 2015.

When she is not at Pooches, Samantha enjoys spending time with her daughter and family, going to the park and having quality time at home. Samantha’s 4 legged children include Hercules, a shepherd mix, and a cattle dog mix named Rooster. Samantha’s future goal is to share in making Pooches Paradise the best home away from home for our pups and their families.

Kelli has always had an affinity for all animals, however a true love of dogs led her to turn her passion into a career. She was offered the opportunity to learn the art of dog grooming and become certified as a professional pet stylist with a national pet company. Kelli went on to sharpen her skills and further her breed knowledge while working under a Certified Master Groomer. She has been grooming professionally for 13 years and landed at Pooches Paradise in 2013.

Kelli has had an auspicious career path since joining the Pooches Pack. She has been cross-trained for multiple positions including pet care technician, Level 3 daycare staff, front desk concierge and full-time groomer. Kelli conceptualized and has grown Pooches professional grooming program from its inception.

Kelli’s goal is to provide a personalized experience with every pet and create a relaxed and “at home” atmosphere where the dogs will truly enjoy their spa time. While she enjoys all facets of grooming, Kelli places a high priority on her ability to work with each dog and gain their trust. (She especially loves the fact the dogs don’t laugh at her when she sings to them!)

When she isn’t busy grooming dogs, Kelli enjoys going to the park with her 2 dogs, Dexter and Zora. She also loves to spend time at the lake fishing and relaxing in the peace of nature.