Meet Our Staff
Karla Schwarz
Owner
Karla has been caring for Pets in the Mt Washington Valley now for for over 35 years. Originally established in 1983
Karla Schwarz owns and operates a full-service pet care facility for dogs and cats. Along with her daughter Payton, and the assistance of a well trained Staff of Animal lovers. Karla has taken pet care to a whole new level. Karla’s motto is “kindness comes from the heart” when it comes to animal care. She has been providing loving care and outstanding services to dogs, cats and their owners for over thirty five years. Karla is truly the original pet care professional in the Mount Washington Valley and withstood the test of time. “Caring for Valley Pets for over 35 years” Maintaining integrity and high standards in pet care for over 35 years.
Payton
Co-Owner
Growing up in the family business of her mom’s grooming and pet care services, it was clear to Payton from a very young age that she was meant to pursue a career of her own in pet care. In 2008, Karla’s re-opened with the strategic vision of Karla and Payton working together to serve the Mount Washington Valley’s pet owners with a full-scale pet resort. After attending Saint Josephs College, Payton graduated from their honorary program in Business Management. Instead of taking the full 4 years, Payton fast tracked her education and completed the program in only 3 years in order to assist the business. Payton also assists her mom with their breeding program in the raising of doodle and poodle puppies, ensuring they get adequate socialization and begin their upbringing in a comfortable home setting. Outside of the business, Payton enjoys spending time with her husband, Aaron, her baby, Kyler, and three dogs of their own.
Payton is PetTech and Pet CPR certified.
Vicki
General Manager
After teaching Junior High for 25 years in Ohio, I decided that I much preferred working with 4-footed kids rather than 2-footed kids. I moved to an island in the Puget Sound in Washington state, where I worked at a boarding facility for nearly 10 years. Several years ago I moved to Maine and was fortunate to find a position at Karla’s Pet Rendezvous. I began as a pet care technician and have since moved up to the front desk and general manager. My personal experience of being owned by a pet began with a Newfoundland, followed by four Leonbergers. They are all waiting at the rainbow bridge now so I have lots of love to share with your four-legged family members.
Vickie is PetTech certified.
Wendy
Dog Trainer
Wendy has been a dog trainer for 10 years after getting her certification through Animal Behavior and Training Association (ABTA). She worked at Petco as a dog trainer for 9 years, training group classes in Southern NH and mentoring new Petco dog trainers. The ARL of NH has also benefited from her training as she mentors apprentice trainers from Animal Behavior College at both their Southern and Northern locations. Wendy’s first Dalmatian, Buddy, was born deaf. The challenge of training him was the reason she became a dog trainer. He was trained with positive reinforcement and ended up being Wendy’s demo dog for 5 years until he had to be retired due to a back problem.
Wendy and her current Dalmatian, 9 year old Jezebel, who was adopted from the ARL of NH – South in 2005 love to do Canine Musical Freestyle. Both Wendy and Jez enjoy learning new things, so they are working on some K9 Dressage and would love to start Rally-O.
Wendy’s passion for dogs combined with her passion for teaching and learning new things is what highly motivates her to continue to learn whatever she can related to dog behavior and share it with her students.