Kearny Mesa Staff

Paw Commons Kearny Mesa Staff

Rebekah

General Manager

Rebekah is the General Manager, she brings over seven years of hands-on experience in the Pet Care industry. Since joining Paw Commons in August 2018, Rebekah has become a trusted leader who ensures both pets and clients receive exceptional service and care every day.

Her love for animals started early in life while growing up on a sheep ranch, surrounded by livestock, dogs, and even exotic animals. Later, while living in Southern Oregon, Rebekah continued to deepen her understanding of animal behavior and care across a variety of breeds. This early exposure shaped her commitment to the pet care industry and inspired her to build a career centered around compassion, safety, and excellence.

Throughout her years with Paw Commons, Rebekah has gained extensive experience in all aspects of pet boarding, daycare operations, and staff development. She has personally trained and mentored dozens of team members, many of whom have gone on to become managers themselves. Known for her thorough and hands-on approach, Rebekah sets high standards for professionalism and customer service—ensuring every team member upholds the Paw Commons mission of top-quality pet care and transparent client communication.

Rebekah’s calm and patient demeanor helps even the most nervous dogs feel comfortable in her care. She believes in taking her time, letting each dog approach at their own pace, and celebrating their progress as they grow more confident. One of her favorite parts of the job is seeing how excited dogs become when they visit Paw Commons—especially those who were once shy or hesitant.

As a dog CPR-certified professional, Rebekah places safety as her top priority. She maintains close attention to every detail, from ensuring each dog’s environment is clean and secure to personally overseeing daily routines and playgroup safety. Her leadership fosters a positive, supportive workplace for her team and a warm, welcoming experience for clients and their pets.

When she’s not at Paw Commons, Rebekah enjoys taking advantage of San Diego’s beautiful weather, exploring community events, binge-watching her favorite shows, and supporting local small businesses. At home, she shares her life with a happy household of pets—Mort (her dog), cats Do and Binx, a leopard gecko named Nibbler, and a ball python named Mushu.

Rebekah takes pride in caring for every pet as if they were her own. Her dedication, warmth, and professionalism have made her an essential part of the Paw Commons family—and a trusted presence for every client who walks through the door.

Haylee J.

Dog Trainer

Haylee is an experienced Dog Trainer at Paw Commons with over four years of professional experience in animal training and more than ten years in pet care. Her lifelong passion for animals began early—long before her first real pets—when she found herself drawn to caring for animals over anything else. In middle school, a community service opportunity at a local horse ranch sparked her journey into animal training, and she has been dedicated to understanding and guiding pets ever since.

Known for her compassionate and balanced approach, Hailee specializes in working with “difficult” or reactive dogs. She focuses on building trust and confidence through play-based bonding and positive reinforcement, introducing corrections only when appropriate. One of her most rewarding experiences was helping a reactive pit bull–shepherd mix transform from fearful to confident and connected, a moment that continues to inspire her work today.

Hailee holds a Pet CPR certification and maintains memberships with professional organizations focused on reactive and behavioral dogs. She also began pursuing her Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Evaluator certification, showcasing her continued commitment to professional growth and animal welfare.

Her training philosophy centers on the belief that “too many rules without relationship causes rebellion.” Hailee prioritizes communication and safety—not just for the dogs she trains, but also for their owners. She ensures pet parents feel supported, encouraging open communication through phone check-ins and text updates.

Outside of work, Hailee enjoys spending time with her wife and their four pets: Belay, a cattle dog mix; Pocket, a poodle mix; Tucker, a dachshund; and Puree, their three-legged cat. Together, they enjoy golfing, rock climbing, hiking, and spontaneous adventures.

Mia V.

Lead Dog Trainer

Mia is our Lead Dog Trainer at our Kearny Mesa location, bringing nearly a decade of hands-on experience in veterinary medicine, shelter care, boarding and daycare environments, and professional dog training. Her work is rooted in both science and compassion, with a deep commitment to helping dogs feel safe, understood, and confident in the world around them.

Mia began her career in pet care as a veterinary assistant in shelter medicine, later advancing into a role as a veterinary technician.

During this time, she discovered a strong passion for behavior cases—particularly those involving fear, reactivity, and rehabilitation. That interest led her to pursue formal education and advanced training in canine behavior and learning theory.

She holds a degree in Behavioral Psychology, a Professional Canine Obedience and Behavior Modification Certification from Tarheel K9 Training School, and is Fear Free Certified. Mia is also a Master’s Candidate in Anthrozoology, specializing in canine cognition, further strengthening her evidence-based approach to training and behavior modification.

With nine and a half years of combined experience, Mia has worked with a wide range of dogs, including those with medical and mobility challenges, visually impaired dogs, behavioral rehabilitation cases, and even law enforcement K-9s. While she enjoys working with all dogs, she has a special affinity for working breeds, particularly German Shepherds.

Mia’s training philosophy follows LIMA (Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive) guidelines and is grounded in neuroscience, psychology, and relationship-based learning. She believes every dog learns differently and focuses on building trust, clear communication, and emotional safety—meeting each dog exactly where they are.

Some of Mia’s most meaningful moments come from watching dogs overcome fear and re-engage with the world. One such experience involved Beau, a blind and highly reactive rescue dog who, after months of patient work, was able to calmly relax with his family in a busy public setting. Another unforgettable case was Mojave, a severely fearful German Shepherd who transformed through confidence-building and behavioral rehabilitation before finding his forever home.

As Lead Trainer, Mia supports both clients and staff by fostering a calm, collaborative environment rooted in education and transparency. She enjoys mentoring teammates, helping them interpret canine body language, and offering guidance when dogs need extra support. With pet parents, her focus is on clear communication, realistic expectations, and practical tools that empower them to confidently support their dog’s progress.

Safety and wellbeing are always Mia’s top priorities. She continuously monitors body language, adjusts environments to reduce stress, and uses purposeful enrichment to support dogs mentally, emotionally, and physically throughout their care.

Outside of work, Mia shares her life with a lively pack: Leo, a Golden Retriever training for search and rescue; Skye, a Husky/Staffordshire mix who loves everyone she meets; Bailey, a 15-year-old Beagle mix who still goes everywhere with her; and two cats, Willow and Holly, who run the household. She enjoys reading, traveling, spending time outdoors, and is deeply involved in animal rescue, fostering, and rehabilitation.

At the heart of Mia’s work is a genuine belief that helping dogs and their people build better lives together is both a responsibility and a privilege—one she brings to Paw Commons every day.

Anna S.

Dog Groomer

Anna is an experienced Groomer at Paw Commons, bringing over 14 years of hands-on experience in pet care — including nine years as a dog walker, dog-sitter, and bather, and five years as a professional groomer. She has been part of the Paw Commons team for more than a year and a half, known for her gentle, intuitive approach and deep understanding of animal behavior.

From an early age, Anna’s life has been filled with animals. As a child, she shared her home with multiple pets, including her beloved Bernese Mountain Dog, Bella. During her teenage years, she began fostering dogs and cats, helping them find forever homes. Her passion evolved into a professional calling — combining her lifelong love of animals with a career centered around compassion, patience, and care.

Anna is a certified Dog Groomer, graduating in the top 10% of her class at Animal Behavioral College, where she also completed an internship and multiple apprenticeship programs. She is certified in Pet CPR and has developed expertise in grooming dogs of all breeds, sizes, and temperaments — including those with special needs or behavioral sensitivities. Her technical skills include bathing, scissoring, clipping, nail trimming, oral care, anal gland expression, and creative styling such as mohawks, mullets, and dye work.

Her grooming philosophy is rooted in trust and emotional connection. Anna takes time to build relationships with each dog she grooms, often singing or dancing to create a calm, joyful environment. She believes every grooming session should be a positive experience where pets feel safe and understood.

Beyond grooming, Anna values teamwork and collaboration. She actively supports new bathers and groomers in their training, shares best practices with her peers, and works closely with other departments — daycare, boarding, and training — to ensure each pet receives the best possible care. Anna also takes time to communicate clearly with pet parents, helping them understand grooming processes and offering advice on at-home maintenance to support their dog’s health between appointments.

One of Anna’s most memorable experiences involved helping a severely matted dog regain comfort and confidence after a full shave-down. The joy and relief she saw in the dog — and the gratitude from the pet parents — reinforced her commitment to compassionate care and education.

Outside of Paw Commons, Anna enjoys hiking with her dogs, horseback riding, shopping, and volunteering for animal rescue organizations. She shares her home with four rescues — two dogs, Hayden and Cymba, and two cats, Ophelia and Herbert — who remind her daily of the love and trust that defines her work.

Anna believes in treating every pet as if they were her own, guided by empathy, professionalism, and the Paw Commons core value of trust.

Savannah M.

Dog Groomer

Savannah is a talented Groomer at Paw Commons who joined the team in October 2025. With seven years of professional grooming experience and an additional three years in the pet care industry, she brings a well-rounded background and genuine passion for animal care to every groom.

Her love for animals began at an early age while growing up on her aunt’s farm, surrounded by dogs of all breeds and personalities — from German Shepherds to Chihuahuas. That lifelong connection led her to pursue a career in pet care after a serendipitous moment in 2018. During a move from Ohio to California, she stopped at a Petco in Texas and was captivated watching the groomers at work. Soon after arriving in California, she applied to Petco, where she began her professional grooming journey and earned her Petco Pet Stylist Certification in December 2018.

Since then, Savannah has continued to expand her skills, training under some of the industry’s most respected names — including Gabriel Feitosa, Jess Rona, and Jay Bautista — and developing a refined expertise in all-breed grooming. Her approach combines artistry and empathy, particularly when working with elderly dogs or pets with special needs. Having previously groomed near a nursing home, she gained invaluable experience handling senior dogs and those requiring extra patience and gentle care.

Savannah believes that grooming should always be tailored to the individual dog. She adapts her techniques based on each pet’s comfort level — offering treats, using minimal restraint when appropriate, and adjusting her pace to maintain a calm, positive experience. “Every dog is different,” she says. “It’s all about doing what works best for them.”

A strong believer in teamwork, Savannah is always ready to lend a hand to her fellow groomers. Whether helping with time management, offering creative tips for styling faces, or supporting others when a dog is struggling, she values collaboration and never hesitates to share her knowledge. Her caring nature extends to clients as well — she takes pride in building trusting relationships, often calling nervous pet parents mid-groom to reassure them their dog is doing great.

One of Savannah’s most rewarding experiences involved an aggressive dog no other groomer could handle. Working closely with the pet parent, she developed a gradual grooming plan — starting with separate bath and haircut sessions. Through consistency and patience, the once-reactive dog became calm and cooperative, eventually completing full grooms without stress. The transformation was deeply meaningful for both Savannah and the grateful owners.

Outside of Paw Commons, Savannah enjoys spending time with her Chihuahua, Poohbear, who she affectionately calls her “sweet little bean.” The two are inseparable — often seen exploring new places together or spending afternoons outdoors while Savannah paints and sketches. Known for her warmth and upbeat personality, Savannah’s goal is simple: to make every dog look their best and every client feel confident that their beloved pet is in caring, capable hands.

Paw Commons Kearny Mesa Staff

Rebekah

General Manager

Haylee J.

Dog Trainer

Mia V.

Lead Dog Trainer

Anna S.

Dog Groomer

Savannah M.

Dog Groomer

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