Our Humans

Our staff ratio for daycare is one human for every 10-12 dogs.

Our Alpha Leader

Kim Kamphaus is a co-owner of Professional Paws and is the operations manager. Kim has surrounded her life with what makes her very happy – dogs! She will tell you she loves to teach classes as well as read books on dog behavior; both activities continue to build her knowledge in understanding canine behavior. Her best teachers, however, are her very own eight dogs and the daycare dogs.

Kim has been training dogs since 2000 at All About Dogs and has numerous training credentials, including the CPDT (certified professional dog trainer) accreditation and a certification in Canine Behavior Modification from Purdue University. She is currently seeking certification in Canine Behavioral Counseling from the American Institute for Animal Sciences. She is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) and attends regular association conferences and other dog educational seminars. Kim is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and holds a bachelor’s degree from Old Dominion University. Active in the community, she serves on the board of directors for Prince William County SPCA.

Our Pack Leaders

KATHY started working for Professional Paws in February 2007 and is often the first person you'll see when you drop off your dog(s). She can usually be found behind the desk in the office or monitoring the small dog room. Kathy loves to spend time with her two dogs--Sandy, a shepherd/sheltie mix, and Dixie, a shih tzu. In her free time, she’s active in the adult rowing club and coaches a local high school crew team.

JULIE has been with Professional Paws for nearly two years. She is aspiring to become a pet dog trainer and change the lives of dogs and their "favorite people." Julie lives with her five cats and two rabbits. Rocky, her beloved dog, passed away in October 2006, but his loving presence still lingers. Though she is not ready for another pup quite yet, she treats each dog she comes across as if they were her own. She enjoys her work and all she learns from Kim about "dog behavior" and the "dog language." She leads the daycare staff with the knowledge passed on to her.

DIANA has been a member of the Professional Paws team as a mid-day walker and pet sitter since April 2004. She has cared for many fur babies of her neighbors and friends during her 29 years in the Lake Ridge area. Growing up in Central Illinois gave her many opportunities to interact with various types of animals. She loves each little paw she meets, but her heart belongs to her shy Pomeranian, Missy. Diana is a current member of APDT and an assistant trainer with All About Dogs, Inc.

KATHLEEN has worked for Professional Paws for three years and says it has given her better insight into dog and cat behavior. A native of Northern Virginia, Kathleen enjoys time with her two cats and a black Labrador, Sage. She believes her daughters have benefited from her work caring for animals.

RICK is a retired federal worker who has worked at Professional Paws since January 2007, helping with mid-day walks and daycare. Rick enjoys being around the dogs and playing with them. Professional Paws keeps him busy, and allows him to have fun and get exercise in the process. Rick has owned three dogs in his life: Penny (Standard Dachshund), and two rescues, Bandit (Shepherd mix) and Birdie (Beagle/Corgi mix).

AARIKA is an area high school student who works in the daycare and also helps with mid-day walks and in-home pet sitting. She’s undecided on her future career path, but she is positive it will involve dogs. Her favorite aspect of working at Professional Paws is interacting with all the different dogs and learning their personalities.

Love dogs? Want a fun job?
Contact Professional Paws about employment opportunities.

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