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.

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.

James A.

Groomer

James joined the Paw Commons team in 2026 and has been working with dogs professionally since 2019, when he began his career as a bather. With approximately six years of grooming experience, he is passionate about creating beautiful transformations while making every dog
feel safe and comfortable throughout the grooming process.

James especially enjoys breed-standard trims, with Schnauzers and Poodles being some of his favorite breeds to groom. He finds it incredibly rewarding to see a scruffy pup leave looking clean, polished, and feeling their best—and loves seeing the excitement on pet parents' faces when they pick up their freshly groomed dog.

Certified in pet safety and dog CPR, James believes every grooming appointment should be a positive experience. He has a special passion for introducing puppies to grooming, using patience, positive reinforcement, and praise to help them build confidence and create lifelong
positive associations with the grooming salon. He also takes the time to learn about each dog's personality, behavior, and the pet parent's grooming goals to ensure every visit is personalized.

For James, building trust with both pets and their families is one of the most important parts of his job. He understands that every dog is unique and enjoys working through each dog's individual quirks to help them feel comfortable. His own rescue hound mix, Ollie, inspired his
commitment to treating every dog with the same care and compassion he would want for his own.

Outside of work, James enjoys staying active by hiking, walking, spending time at the beach, and skateboarding—a hobby he's had since he was 13. He loves being part of the Paw Commons team and appreciates working alongside people who share the same passion for
providing exceptional care for every dog.