We’re one big family.

Shakkal 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.

Karla maintains positive and open communication with clients to help build lasting relationships. She treats each pet as her own. By using Fear Free techniques, she strives to ensure every pet feels safe and comfortable during their stay at the resort. She previously volunteered at a vet clinic and earned her Level 1 Veterinary Assistant Certification. Karla is bilingual in English and Spanish.

Karla plans on attending Texas Tech University where she will major in Pre-Veterinary Medicine. Currently, she is working towards her Level II Certified Veterinary Assistant Certification. Karla also values spending time with her family and her black Lab mix, Sultan.

Bio coming soon!

Relationships are very important to Nicole. She loves getting to know clients and their pets, and loves helping pets make new friends while staying at the Resort. Nicole pays special attention to each pet’s individual needs to keep them as comfortable and stress-free as possible. Clients appreciate Nicole’s communication skills and how she reaches out with specific updates about how their pets are doing. Through a transparent, detailed approach, she can help clients and pets have a productive, happy visit.

When not helping pets have the best time at the Resort, Nicole enjoys roller skating, going on nature walks, and thrifting. She also likes to read and try out new restaurants or activities.

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 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.

Dan believes in finding common ground with clients and patients. He bonds with clients through their mutual love of pets, but also through common interests, like television shows or sports. He knows that by bonding with clients, he can provide even better care to them and their pets. His understanding demeanor helps him with patients’ unique situations and needs. Dan loves getting to meet all the animals that come into Firehouse. To keep pets comfortable, he offers them treats, a calm area to acclimate and uses soft, soothing tones.

Dan has a Bachelor of Arts in Radio, Television, Film. He enjoys playing video games, competing in trivia, playing sports, and going hiking and swimming. His heart belongs to his two cats: Ginny and Indy, and his whippet mix, Leela. He rescued a pregnant Indy from a dumpster and helped find home for her kittens.

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

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

Lili warmly greets every client and patient who comes into Firehouse, making them feel welcome. She loves to meet new people and pets, and finds fulfillment in helping pets live longer, healthier lives. She is always happy to give pets lots of love, attention, and treats, if allowed. Lili wants clients and patients to feel comfortable and secure when they are visiting. She is always happy to answer questions and provide support to clients. She loves being part of the Firehouse family and wants clients to feel like a member of the family too!

Lili has one dog, a senior lab mix named Luna. In her free time, she likes to go hiking, look for new comic books at local bookstores, and attend local punk and metal shows around Austin.

Liz 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.