Meet the ALC Staff

Meet the people who care for your pets

Adrienne, ALC’s owner/operator, first came to know the business as a Carroll Gardens resident and dog owner and later spent several years managing operations while juggling an editorial career. Her love for the dogs and cats of Brooklyn — and for their people — made for a happy transition into a full commitment to the business when she formally became the proud owner in 2017. She was a finalist for Pet Industry Woman of the Year in 2018. Adrienne lives with her husband and rescue pup, Gladys.

Jenny joined ALC in 2016 as she finished her bachelor’s degree in business management from CUNY College of Staten Island. Jenny grew up with a love of animals and always knew that she would pursue a career in animal care. Previously she worked at a larger doggy daycare in south Brooklyn and came to ALC in search of an environment that would allow her to connect more personally with each dog and owner. 

John, a proud Bostonian, originally started working with animals to deepen the relationship he had with his own dog. After studying canine behavior and psychology he became a certified dog trainer. When he moved to Brooklyn it was deeply important to him that he get to continue working with animals and in late 2015 joined ALC. He can often be seen with a gaggle of puppies in our storefront and has many favorites. Admittedly, he is beagle obsessed. /p>

As a teen, Tamaki adopted a dog named Taro who was aggressive, fearful, and difficult to handle. To help him, she began to study canine behavior and psychology and the methods she learned drastically improved Taro’s behavior. She now uses these skills to help train the dog walkers at ALC. In 2010, Tama earned a Basic Canine Trainer certificate. She continues her education via an apprenticeship with Urban K-9 and the Catch Canine Trainers Academy Master Course.

Xavier is a proud lifelong Brooklynite. He joined Animal Loving Care in 2019, after the completion of a pet care technician certificate from the Institute of Career Development. Xavier’s life-long love of animals was what made him choose to enter the petcare field. When asked what his favorite part of the job was he said “building a relationship with each of the dogs in my care and watching how they grow up and change over time.”

From his origins in Portland, Oregon to the campus at SUNY Plattsburgh to Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Thurston has always brought his love of animals with him. He grew up with two cats and a dog and frequently took up pet-sitting jobs as a teenager, which grew into a passion and ultimately a career. Thurston joined ALC in the fall of 2019 and holds multiple roles. He says “my favorite part of the job is taking the time to greet and work one-on-one with each of the dogs in my pack.”

Douglas began working as an ALC dog walker in early summer of 2018, but spent years professionally walking dogs in downtown Manhattan before that. On Sept. 11th, he was walking when the towers fell and spent the day rounding up all his clients’ dogs and getting them to safe havens out of the area until he could reach their owners. Douglas is a native New Yorker and grew up in a house full of cats and dogs as well as six siblings! 

Hiroko came to Brooklyn after completing graduate school in London and since 2014 has been one of our most popular cat sitters. Having a cat with diabetes herself, Hiroko understands that cats are part of the family and takes pride in providing owners the confidence of knowing their cats are getting the best possible care.

Brooklyn born and raised, Justin joined the ALC dog walking team in Spring 2018. An animal lover as far back as he can remember, Justin has found it incredibly rewarding to walk with and get to know the unique personalities of each dog in his charge. His loyal cat Lun,a whom he found abandoned after Hurricane Sandy in 2012, every day questions where Justin has been all day and why he smells like dogs!

Imani was born and raised in New York, New York. She joined ALC in 2018, after the completion of a specialized animal behavior training program through the Institue for Career Development. “I have always been a devoted animal lover. Dogs, cats, and other small animals have always had a special place in my heart,” she says. When asked about favorite aspects of her job at ALC she said, “I love getting the opportunity to develop personal bonds with the animals I care for.”

Junko joined the ALC team in 2014. She has spent her life devoted to caring for other people’s cats as well as her own three. She often fosters others. Junko cherishes the opportunity to create new relationships with each cat she meets. Her lifelong hobby has been photography and she enjoys getting to send owners beautifully photographed updates while they are away.

Ricardo grew up in Panama City, Panama and earned a BA in Fine Arts, Interior Design, and French from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. In 2019, Ricardo joined Animal Loving Care in search of a job that would be a combination of fun and work. He chose to enter the pet industry in part because of the love he has for his two fur babies, Maxy + Reno. Ricardo says the best part of his job at ALC is “building such meaningful relationships with each pet I meet!”

Ruby is a bubbly and warm personality always eager to greet our human and pup clients. She has a strong love for animals and pet sat and dog walked for neighbors and friends for many years before joining ALC. Ruby has a young daughter who also shares her animal obsession and together they enjoy watching dog and kitty videos.

Saabria joined ALC as a student intern – studying Animal Behavior as well as Ecology and Conservation – and after showing great strength in her handling skills was brought on as a member of our daycare team. Saabria can be found playing with the daycare pups and has loved getting to know all of their different personalities!