Nick Langley
Owner & Operator
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.
Mary Sellaro
Director of Training & Education
Mary Sellaro joined Pooches Paradise as the Director of Training in 2012. A former dog daycare owner, she has been training dogs since 1990. Mary teaches obedience training in group and private lessons, from puppy level to advanced, and helps pet owners train dogs with behavior and aggression issues.
Mary is a certified American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen evaluator and has been the temperament test evaluator for the Children’s Mercy Hospital Pet Pal Program and Pets for Life, Inc. She also developed and implements the Kansas City Retired Greyhounds as Pets (KCREGAP) training program to rehabilitate former racing dogs in preparation for adoption.
Mary is a recurring guest and canine behavioral consultant on Talk Radio 710 KCMO and Hot Talk 1510 KCTE. She is a regular contributor to MetroPet Magazine and a published author on canine behavior and training in numerous pet-related publications.
Samantha Harris
Front Office Manager
More to come…
Nate Reiger
Kennel Manager
More to come…
Jessica Belcher
Health & Education Manager
More to come…
The Pooches Paradise Behavioral Team was specifically formulated in response to the need:
- For ongoing development of staff canine behavioral education and training
- To lend focus and insight for behavioral concerns and resolutions
- To create a comprehensive Temperament Test structure-including proficient assessment skills
Pooches Paradise takes the need for your dog’s mental enrichment and positive behavioral balance while in our care very seriously. We believe in not only providing physical stimulation and exercise but to place importance on your dog’s state of mind, behavioral displays and our ability to effectively determine their needs and provide resolutions where possible.
The members of the behavioral team have a combined 70 years of experience and are carefully chosen based on knowledge, handling and both human and dog communication skills. We strive to communicate with our clients and portray a genuine picture of your dog’s experience with us. Our goal is to be a partner in your dog’s well being and provide advice as well as guidance through the course of your relationship with Pooches Paradise.
Mary Sellaro
Director of Training & Education
Mary Sellaro joined Pooches Paradise as the Director of Training in 2012. A former dog daycare owner, she has been training dogs since 1990. Mary teaches obedience training in group and private lessons, from puppy level to advanced, and helps pet owners train dogs with behavior and aggression issues.
Mary is a certified American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen evaluator and has been the temperament test evaluator for the Children’s Mercy Hospital Pet Pal Program and Pets for Life, Inc. She also developed and implements the Kansas City Retired Greyhounds as Pets (KCREGAP) training program to rehabilitate former racing dogs in preparation for adoption.
Mary is a recurring guest and canine behavioral consultant on Talk Radio 710 KCMO and Hot Talk 1510 KCTE. She is a regular contributor to MetroPet Magazine and a published author on canine behavior and training in numerous pet-related publications.
Amy Lopez
Senior Behavioral Trainer
Pooches Paradise has had the advantageous opportunity to have Amy Lopez in their employ since October of 2013. Amy has a long standing love for dogs as her mother was an independent dog rescuer throughout her childhood and teen years. She grew up surrounded by and handling dogs of various sizes and temperaments, including feral and aggressive rescues. Amy’s natural affinity for dogs led her to choose a career path in that direction and she has been working professionally with dogs for the last 12 years throughout the Kansas City area. Throughout the years, Amy has developed an excellent rapport with people and a proficiency for training and assessing staff members in dog body language and handling. These skills, along with her experience and background, made Amy a natural fit for a newly created position (for her) at Pooches Paradise- Senior Behavioral Trainer. In her spare time, Amy loves to hang out with friends, family and her beloved 12 year old rat terrier mix-Minnie, reading, bowling, watching movies and playing video games.