Meet the Team

Jack

Manager

Hi, I’m Jack. I’ve been working here since 2011, almost as long as we’ve been in business. I first took the job as a part time when I was in school, but it just felt good to work with the dogs, so I’ve stuck with it.

Due to a family allergy, we never had a dog in our house growing up in New Jersey, but ever since I was young, I always loved visiting other family who had dogs around. My parents would visit with my aunts and uncles, and I’d hop on the couch with the dog. I always looked forward to the day I could get a dog of my own. Since then, I’ve made up for lost time. I adopted my first dog, Chloe, a Chow-Golden mix in 2010, we were joined from 2017 to September of 2022 by Queenie, a Staffordshire Terrier and then Chino, an American Bulldog mix in December of 2021. I have fostered close to 20 other dogs for K9 Orphans Inc. (and one for a soldier who was on active duty in Afghanistan for two years). But more than that, I feel like I have hundreds of dogs with all my family at K-9 Playtime. I laugh when they’re silly, love when they love, and cry when they reach the end of their journeys. Each of your dogs has a place in my heart.

When I’m not working, I enjoy the outdoors, love watching football (Go Big Blue!) and hockey (Go Devils!). Other favorites include golfing badly and exploring Rochester. I am also co-director of K9 Orphans, Inc. a Rochester based dog rescue.

Samantha

Manager

Hi, I am Sam! I have worked at K9 Playtime on and off for many, many years. When I started, I worked the night shift and some weekends, then in February 2023 I started full time. I did leave for a while last year to pursue a different career as a teachers aide at Brockport Schools. That’s when I truly realized I belong at K9 Playtime full time. Taking care of dogs is my passion and I am blessed to take care of some of the most wonderful dogs at daycare!
Family is a huge part of my life. I have an amazing boyfriend, 2 wonderful step kids and 2 beautiful pit bulls, Zeta P. & Shadow Nova. We travel a lot for youth hockey and we are constantly on the go. We love going to our family cottage in Bath, NY where we can swim, fish and kayak around the lake. I of course love laying on the dock sun bathing and relaxing by a fire at night. I will say I am just loving life and working at K9 Playtime with all the dogs is a dream come true.

Emily

Professional Groomer

Emily started grooming 3 years ago. She graduated from the Rochester Grooming School and has been “grooming and growing ever since.”

Denise

Hello, I am Denise Rodriguez and am so excited to be working at K9 Playtime! While I’ve never worked with dogs professionally, I have always had a love for dogs all of my life. My household has never been without furry friends and I currently have a nine year old Bully mix named Stella. Time outside of work is filled with taking care of my 3 year old son, hiking and reading. My time inside work consists of fawning over all the dogs and working hard to make sure they are playing to their hearts content! Look forward to meeting you all & looking after your fur babies as my journey with K9 continues!

Jake

Hi! My name is Jake I have loved animals since my 1st Scottish terrier, “Spock” and have been fortunate enough to adopt a German shepherd Ally and a Belgian Malinois, Roxi. My dogs helped me through my recovery from addiction and have helped guide my life with their love and loyalty. My dogs will often join me at my studio at WXIR for my weekly radio show or will come with me to events for my non-profit, Rising Up Recovery. Roxi and I meet with local veterans of The Mission Continues for monthly volunteering events. I couldn’t be happier to be on the K9 Playtime team!

Bartek

Hi! My name is Bartek. I’ve been working for K9 Playtime for almost 3 years now. I’ve always loved dogs and vice versa, and working with them has been something I’ve always thought about doing. My first step towards achieving my goal was getting accepted for the animal care program at Bronx Community College. Through the college I started working for NY Cares in 2011. I enjoyed helping out in New York City animal shelters and their adoption events. I was given my first opportunity to work with groups of dogs in 2014 after moving to Rochester. The journey continues, and I enjoy every minute here at K9 Playtime.

Kat

Hi! I’m Kathryn (Kat) and pictured with me is my friend, Heidi.  I grew up in Webster and currently live in Greece.  I work full time at a local veterinary hospital and work Wednesdays through Saturdays at K9 Playtime the closing shift.  When I am not at work, I can be found hiking local trails, crafting, or hanging with family and friends.

Nicole

Hello, my name is Nicole and I have worked at K9 Playtime for almost a year now. I have learned so much about myself and my passion for animals while being here and I love caring for your babies even if there is no more space in my phone for photos. I’ve been around animals my entire life and can’t imagine it any other way. Growing up my family rescued and fostered cats and puppies living on the streets and i’ve wanted to help animals ever since. My best friend Cassidy and I have our own babies at home. Harley is a beautiful girl who was a K9 orphan that Cassidy fell in love with and Ripley is my handsome senior pittie and the love of my life. Cassidy and I have fostered many orphans and plan to help as many as possible. Outside of puppies I enjoy going on adventures with my best friend, hiking waterfalls, and scary movies. Thank you for trusting me with your babies.

Cassidy

Hi! My name is Cassidy! I’m 19 years old and live in East Rochester. I’ve been waiting for a job that I can say I enjoy doing and I found that here at K-9 Playtime! Over the years I have watched family and friend’s dogs/houses. I’ve been surrounded by dogs my whole life, so working with them has been something I’ve always thought about doing. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my boyfriend, nieces and friends. I also do horseback riding. I’m currently studying to get my cosmetologist license as well. Coming to work truly puts a smile on my face every morning. My camera roll is going to run out of space soon due to all the pictures of dogs!

Emily

Hey! My name is Emily. I have always loved dogs  and working with them. It’s so fun learning their personalities and quirks. I grew up loving the outdoors and spending most of my time hiking and taking my St Bernard for walks, who sadly passed in May 2023 at 14 years old. I am always growing and learning more every day and cannot wait to continue my journey at K-9 Playtime!

Sydney

Hello I’m Sydney! I started working with dogs about a year or so ago with another company. Since I was a kid, I knew working with animals was my passion and I’m grateful to be able to continue this journey here at K9! When I was younger, we had everything in our house from cats and dogs to pigs and snakes! Outside of taking care of the pups here at K9 I have multiple babies of my own, Frankenstein/Frank who is my four-year-old Shar-pei, Cano my 11-year-old cat and two rats named Rob & Scoot! Most of my time goes to them and my two close friends and family, I love everything spooky, Halloween, horror, tattoos, piercings and obviously animals! I absolutely love working with such amazing pups and people here at K9 and can’t wait to continue doing what I love!

Katelyn

Hi my name is Katelyn and I was hired in 2019 to work here at K9 Playtime. I never expected to love this place and all of your fur babies so much. Since working here, K9 Playtime and K9 Orphans have forever changed my life. I have fostered several dogs but last year, Rhea found her forever home with me and my 3 year old son, Jackson. In my spare time I work with Emilz Grooming. I am in training to become a certified groomer and I am also currently fostering through K9 Orphans.