Founder/CEO/Mom

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I was born and raised in Granby, NY. Went to Phoenix Central Schools k-12 and then graduated with my Bachelor's Degree in Animal Biotechnology and Conservation: Zoo Science from Delaware Valley College (now Delaware Valley University) in PA.  I have trained dogs professional for 10+ years. I am a certified ACK evaluator and a certified e-collar trainer as well. I have also been grooming dogs for 4 years now. Plus, I worked at corporate photo studios and won national photography awards before moving back to the area after college. But above all, I am a wife and a mom. 

 

My extensive background in both animal behavior and photography along with being a very committed wife and mother gives me so many advantages over other business owners. First, I KNOW how to get a good picture of your "kids" (four legged or two) because I have worked with them in almost every capacity. I also know how to keep everyone having fun and engaged during events or photoshoots. Never a dull moment with me around! Lastly, I do have the patience and understanding that everyone/everything happens in it's own time and you will never feel stressed or rushed when working with me.

 

My goal with Arts n' Tails is to share all my skills and knowledge of animal behavior, photography and art to provide top quality animal related products and services that help families and friends come together and bond over their love of their animals/pets.

Assistant /Artist/ Kid

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Colton is an essential part of the team. He really started Arts N Tails by painting an amazing watercolor painting for his grandma when her dog passed. After that, and a few more "gift" paintings, people started ordering from us and the rest is history. He is the main artist for a lot of our watercolor paintings and taught MOM everything she knows about abstract painting!

Event Coordinator ​

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Crystal has always loved animals dearly, yet worked in Customer Service, Support and Operations for over 18 years. She learned valuable skills during this time but she still felt called to work with animals. So, she started her own pet care business in 2023. She also started volunteering with the Animal Alliance of Greater Syracuse and getting involved with local rescues whenever possible. 
She heard about Arts N Tails through social media and fellow pet professionals and decided to host a paint your pet party. After that, she was hooked! So, when Jess offered her the chance to get on board with the company she jumped at the opportunity! Now she is our go to person for all things Arts N Tails Events! If you are hosting or attending one of our parties or you want to book us as a vendor at your event, she is your main point of contact! 

Muses/ Marketing Models

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Ficus is our grey and black tabby cat that isn't afraid if anything. She will catch spiders, flys, mice, snakes, anything.

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Forrest is our grey and white short haired domestic and just generally a big lump of a cat. He would prefer his only jobs in life to be eating and sleeping. So, dogs' "happy-go-lucky" energy is not his scene. He may be around while we are training but he will not be coming out to say hi. However, he also has no problem telling every dog that comes up to him that he DOES NOT want to be their buddy!

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Cats in general provide their own challenges in photography and artwork and these two are no exception. They make me better every day. 

Property Manager/ Personal Assistant/Advisor/Dad

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Jon has an Associates Degree in Business from Manor College and a Bachelors Degree in Sports Management from Delaware Valley College in PA. He has coached basketball with kids as young as 3-4 years old with Boys and Girls Club, all the way up through being an assistant coach for the men's basketball program at Montgomery Community College in Pennsylvania. His coaching skills help him immensely with not only the dogs in our programs but also children and the pet parents alike!

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Aside from coaching, Jon has extensive animal experience too. He has worked as a farm hand at Merry Mead Farm in PA, a kennel attendant at Main Line Animal Shelter (one of the largest animals shelters in the US) and at Fairmount Animal Hospital as a veterinary assistant, kennel manager and property manager for 6 years. 

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Now, he is my business coach/partner, property manager and overall number one support person. He does an impeccable job managing our farm, our home, our children and me ( most of the time).  He is also a skilled craftsman and makes a lot of cool dog related merchandise.  I can't imagine having a more perfect partner by my side in this business!

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Entertainment director/ Instructor of Time Management/ Baby​

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Maxton makes us laugh every day and that is so important to the overall feeling we want in our workplace/home. He is also very strict on his feed, wake, sleep schedule. Which in turn, makes the rest of us all stay on schedule as well. 

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Muses/Marketing Models

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Trinity is our 14 year old Border Collie/ Pit mix. She was my first "work dog" even though I quickly discovered she doesn't like to "work", if it feels like a game she is all in!! We adopted her from Helping Hounds in 2013 when she was 2.5 years old. Her one blue eye and one brown eye make her very unique to photograph and paint!

 

Tanner is our 17-year-old Pomeranian mix. He was our first "child". We adopted him from the Humane Society in PA in 2011. He was estimated to be 3.5 years old at the time and had been returned twice. Senior dogs can be tough to get "good" pictures of and Tanner is a lot of help with practiceing that.

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Trigger is "the baby" dog at 11 years old. He is a Border Collie/ Australian Cattle Dog mix and he is every bit both those breeds. He is the showy one. The one that ALWAYS wants to work/play. The one that sleeps with both eyes open. We got him as a puppy in 2014. Trigger is just a perfect dog model. Never takes a bad picture!!

Muses/ Marketing Models

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The Chickens provide a unique type of animal to photograph and paint. They just do their own thing, so getting good pictures of them is a challenge in patience but oh so rewarding when you get "the shot".