Shakkal (she/her) comes to Firehouse Pet Resort with four and a half years of experience as a veterinary technician, with three of those years at Firehouse. We’re eager for you to meet her, knowing you’ll appreciate her positive energy and leadership skills as she guides and supports the team who will care for your pets.

Shakkal’s focus will be on making pets feel comfortable at Firehouse Pet Resort as if they were at their own home. She’s well-trained in using Fear Free techniques to help calm both cats and dogs. For example, she uses gentle touch, slow movements, and treats if they’re food-motivated to help pets ease into their new environment.

Shakkal is a native Texan. She graduated with a degree in agriculture, majoring in animal science from Texas State University. When not working, she enjoys spending time with her fiancé and their beautiful daughter, Eliyah, hanging out with family and friends, eating out, dancing, watching movies, and volunteering to give back in her community. Shakkal grew up with dogs and just adopted her first cat, Spotzy.

Jeslynn prioritizes the happiness and comfort of pets. To help pets feel secure, she learns their individual needs and adjusts her care. She treats every pet like her own, working to build trust with them. Her favorite thing about working at the Resort is creating lasting relationships with every animal. Her goal is for each pet to enjoy their time at the Resort and feel happy and safe.

Jeslynn and her boyfriend share two dogs, Milo and Maya. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, watching movies, taking her dogs for walks in nature, and trying delicious new restaurants.

Kara (they/them) creates lasting bonds with clients and their pets through education, commitment, and care. Their patient and understanding approach help all pets feel comfortable during their visit. They try to consider things from the pet’s perspective so they can ensure pets have a stress-free and fun time. Clients appreciate Kara’s personable approach and how they work to create the perfect experience for each pet. They joined the animal care field in 2018, and since then have spent time learning more about helping animals with behavioral struggles. Kara completed the Dog Trainer Professional program through Karen Pryor Academy and works to continually improve their skills, knowledge, and overall care level. 

Kara shares their home with their senior rescue cat, Baby, who knows many tricks. In their free time, Kara likes spending time in nature, hanging out with friends and family, and going to live music shows. 

Abel’s positive attitude, sympathetic nature, and upbeat energy help him connect with clients. He believes communication and honesty are key when helping clients feel comfortable with their pets’ care, so he makes himself available to answer any questions clients may have. As someone who values education, he is constantly learning how to improve his care for pets and how to anticipate clients’ needs. He spends time studying changing veterinarian trends and learning from his peers. Abel strives to find the best solution for any situation, working with clients to create the best possible plan.

Abel studied Business and Marketing at Austin Community College. On the weekends, he likes to play games with his friends, relax with his family, or hang out with his four dogs: Loki, Sakura, Kiba, and Ruby.

Mark goes the extra mile to ensure clients and patients are comfortable, from before their appointment even begins. A true problem-solver, he will find a solution for clients’ questions or concerns. Mark educates himself with veterinary best practices. Clients appreciate his helpful and friendly demeanor.

Mark attended Le Cordon Bleu Texas Culinary Academy, where he received his BA in Culinary Arts. When not working, he loves to play board games; he and his husband are huge fans of Gloomhaven. He shares his heart with Rocket (a Lab/Great Pyrenees mix) and Chelsea (a Chihuahua).

Lisa has a patient and knowledgeable approach to client and patient care. She welcomes everyone who visits Firehouse with a warm smile and Fear Free greetings. As a Firehouse client-turned-employee, she understands the importance of creating a safe, welcoming environment for pets and people.

Lisa has worked in veterinary and animal care since high school. Her specialty is helping reactive dogs feel more comfortable and confident. She loves helping pets feel secure at the vet – through treats, training, Happy Visits, and using Fear Free techniques.

Lisa shares her heart with her husband and three dogs – Ellie (a Boxer/Hound mix), Rigby (American Pit Bull Terrier/German Shepherd mix), and Remus (Pomeranian). Outside of work, she loves training and competing with her dogs in dog sports like Dock Diving, Fast CAT, and Scentwork. She and her husband also love trying out different dog-friendly establishments around Austin.

Jettie (he/him) understands that collaboration and teamwork are important for clients (and pets) to have a stress-free, productive veterinary visit. He works with clients to help mitigate stress, answer questions, and make appointments as smooth and easy as possible. Clients appreciate Jettie’s genuine love and concern for their pets.

Jettie greets pets calmly, setting the right tone for the rest of their visit. He helps nervous pets acclimate to the hospital prior to their appointment so that their visit can be successful.

Jettie shares his home with his three pets: Ginger, a rescue pit bull; and Fiona and Aria, rescued tabby cats. He and Ginger love to go hiking, but Jettie is happy just being outdoors.

Liz (she/her) is passionate about being a voice for pets. She loves working with clients to provide personalized, top-tier care for patients. By using active listening skills and asking relevant questions, she gets to know people and their pets and their individual needs. Clients appreciate that Liz is detailed, empathetic, and transparent. She wants clients to be involved in their pets’ care and takes time to educate clients about overall health needs, lab work, and vaccines. To keep pets comfortable, Liz uses positive reinforcement and Fear Free techniques.

Liz shares her home with her wife, Mac, their two dogs, Oakley (a miniature dachshund) and Denali (a Siberian Husky), and their Maine Coone cat, Toothless. Denali and Toothless are blood donors who have saved many pets’ lives. When not working, Liz likes attending happy hours, EDM music festivals, and drag shows. She has a special bond with dachshunds.

Kelly’s efficient and dependable approach to client and patient care helps make veterinary visits smooth and stress-free. She ensures clients have the perfect place to wait with their pets and that appointments stay on schedule. She is always happy to answer questions and provide more information for clients. Kelly is working on her Fear Free certification.

In her free time, Kelly loves to get lost in a good book. Her pets include Phoenix, a dalmatian/border collie mix; Van Helsing a pit bull/Great Dane mix; Ember, a boxer mix; and two cats, Amara Wild Rose and Olivia Cupcake.

Jordyn (he/him) connects to clients by listening to their concerns and talking them through each phase of their pets’ care. He is always willing to do whatever clients need, whether that’s helping with treatments, answering questions, or comforting their pets. He wants veterinary visits to be as easy and comfortable as possible.

Jordyn spends time with new clients and patients to help them acclimate to Firehouse. His goal is to provide the best experience, keeping patients and clients happy. He uses Fear Free techniques because he believes that keeping each pet comfortable and safe improves their long term wellbeing.

Jordyn and his fiancé share their home with their energetic dog, Lilo. She is a mix of German shepherd, golden retriever, pit bull, and cattle dog.