Meet Our Staff
Our caring, friendly, and fun staff is here to provide the best home-away-from-home resort experience for your best friend!
Barbara Burgess
Resort Business Manager
Barbara Burgess has been working with dogs and their people for more than 20 years. Her experience includes behavior and training, shelter management, and educating others about dog behavior and pet stewardship. She is dedicated to helping dogs and people thrive and she has a special interest in working with fear-based dogs.
When she is not at work she enjoys endurance sports and running with Ivy, her Flat-Faced Wonder Dog. She shares her life with her husband Steve, 3 canines, and one very tolerant cat.
Evelyn Castillo-Lopez
Resort Operations Manager
Evelyn Castillo is originally from San Diego, California, and moved to San Luis Obispo to pursue her educational goals. Evelyn is extremely passionate about dogs and other pets and loves being a part of the Thousand Hills Pet Resort team.
As the Operations Manager, Evelyn's favorite thing is being able to interact with many different dogs as well as encouraging them to play and have fun. Evelyn takes pride in bonding with each dog to make sure that they feel at home when they board at Thousand Hills.
Front Office Manager
Dallin Ellis
Dallin is an adventure seeker! Whether he is diving out of a plane or under a boat, he is ready to go. He loves to travel and explore new places! He also can't wait to adopt a furry friend of his own soon!
Assistant Operations Manager
Allison Mullin
Allison has her Master's of Science in Animal Science with a specialization in Animal Nutrition from Cal Poly. She has a passion for animal nutrition and excellent animal welfare. Allison loves to hike with her dog Bentley and enjoys seeing the THPR pups make new friends!
Office Receptionist
Maria Andrade
Maria is finishing her Biomedical Engineering degree at Cal Poly. She absolutely loves animals and has a pup of her own named Payslie. In her free time, Maria likes to read fiction books, paint, and be dragged outside by her outdoorsy friends. She is so happy to be part of the THPR team
Lead Resort Host
Jenna Reimer
Jenna attends Cal Poly and is majoring in psychology. She is also the club leader for Guide Dogs for the Blind at Cal Poly. Her current puppy in training, Churro, loves to hang out in the office. Jenna’s pet dog, Moose, enjoys playing with the other dogs at THPR! Her favorite part of working for THPR is seeing the smiles on the faces of the owners when they come to reunite with their pups (or kitties of course).
Amber Nieslanik
Lead Resort Host
Amber has always been an animal lover and grew up around different kinds of animals. She loves spending time with all the pets at THPR and getting to know them. Outside of work, Amber loves being outdoors, traveling, and spending time with her dog, Louie.
Georgia Fedler
Lead Resort Host
Georgia is an agricultural science major at Cal Poly coming from Elk Grove, CA. She enjoys all things outdoors whether it’s going on hikes, boating, or paddle boarding with her labradoodle Duke. Her favorite part about working at THPR is being able to work with some of the most amazing people and the cutest dogs every day.
Alexis Patterson
Lead Resort Host
Alexis is an animal science major at Cal Poly and usually spends her free time exploring San Luis Obispo with friends and volunteering at animal rescues. Alexis has grown an even greater appreciation for dogs since working at Thousand Hills!
Sophia Lorenzo
Dog Bather
Sophia is known as Sophie by her friends and she has two dogs and a bird. She used to have two rats and would have an "aviary of rats" if she could. She also likes to draw, play the piano, and also crochet -- let her know if you need a potholder!
Carlos Orosco
Resort Host
Carlos enjoys being around all the different types of dogs at Thousand Hills. He also enjoys having fun with all his coworkers!
Lauren Casey
Resort Host
Lauren is studying Arts & Humanities at Cuesta College and will be working towards a Veterinary Technician Certificate at Allen Hancock College. She loves spending time with her kitty, Luna, and her senior doggy, Lucy! Her favorite activities are being in nature, gymnastics, and hanging out with her fiancé and family. Lauren loves working at THPR because she gets to see smiling dogs every day!
Sara Wong
Resort Host
Sara is Business student at Cal Poly who grew up in Long Beach California. Sara loves companion animals and recently adopted her furever friends Bart the dog and Addison the cat. When she is not working at THPR, she is making Lattes and Frappuccinos at Starbucks. During her free time she loves spending time with her friends, finding delicious restaurants to try, playing piano, and training her pets. Sara is so happy to be a part of the THPR team and spreading love to all the animals she encounters.
Skyllar Evans
Resort Host
Skyllar is a San Luis Obispo County local who is now studying agricultural business at Cal Poly! Like many other workers here, she has a huge love for all types of animals, especially dogs. She has her own English bull terrier named Tyko whom she loves going to the beach with. Skyllar most enjoys giving all the pups at Thousand Hills extra cuddles and love.
Bonnie Crawford
Resort Host
Bonnie is a student at Cuesta College majoring in business. She is originally from Oak Hills, California and her family has owned dogs for the majority of her life. She has always loved dogs and being around them. In her free time, Bonnie enjoys being outdoors. She's glad she can be a part of the THPR family and loves spending time with the dogs and getting to know them and their personalities. She wants to be able to adopt a fur baby of her own one day!
Marina Collins
Resort Host
About Marina coming soon!
Madison Schwenoha
Resort Host
About Madison coming soon!
Matt Fletcher
Resort Host
About Matt coming soon!
Melanie Mora
Resort Host
About Melanie coming soon!
Melissa Pakdaman
Resort Host
About Melissa coming soon!
Krysta Payne
Resort Host
About Krysta coming soon!
Lauren Stewart
Resort Host
About Lauren coming soon!
Xander Mahan
Resort Host
About Xander coming soon!