AP grew up in Connecticut and has spent much of their life teaching, performing, and helping others learn new skills. A lifelong musician, they earned bachelor’s degrees in Music Education and Trumpet Performance, as well as a master’s degree in Trumpet Performance from the Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University.

Over the years, they have taught orchestra and string programs for students ranging from elementary through middle school, coached youth ensembles, and worked with families throughout their career as an educator.

Their love of animals eventually led them into pet care, where they discovered many of the same qualities that make them a successful teacher—patience, consistency, attention to detail, and the ability to build trust. In addition to working with TAILored Pet Services, AP has experience providing pet sitting and drop-in visits for repeat clients.

When they’re not caring for pets, AP continues to stay active in the music community as a performer, accompanist, and music director. They currently serve as principal trumpet for the Everett Philharmonic Orchestra and enjoy sharing their passion for music with students and audiences alike.

Whether they are helping a young musician learn a new skill or making sure a pet feels comfortable and cared for while their family is away, AP enjoys building lasting relationships and creating positive experiences for both people and animals.

With over a decade of grooming experience, Ashley Dyson is a dedicated pet stylist renowned for her compassionate care, particularly for elderly and special needs dogs. During her tenure at Petco, she has cultivated a loyal clientele by prioritizing the safety and comfort of her furry friends above all else, making her a trusted choice among pet parents.

Ashley’s grooming philosophy centers around creating a positive, stress-free environment for both pets and their owners. She understands that trust is essential, especially with nervous dogs. Ashley ensures that each grooming session is a step toward building confidence and comfort for the animals in her care.

As she transitions to part-time work, Ashley is eager to find a new grooming environment where she can continue to serve her loyal clients, some of whom have been seeing her for years. She remains steadfast in her commitment to fostering a safe and nurturing atmosphere for all dogs and their owners, ensuring that each grooming experience is as enjoyable as possible.

Ashley wanted to be a dog groomer ever since she was a small child. Through a series of happy accidents, she got a job in pet retail, which led to dog training, and finally moved to grooming in 2010. It was as if it was meant to be. Her favorite breeds to work with are little mix breed dogs because each one is so unique. She also has a soft spot for senior dogs who need a little more patience and understanding. In her free time, Ashley enjoys going on walks with her Pomeranian mix Pokie and husband Kyle, doing her nails, working out, and dancing.

She was born and raised in the PNW but spent the last 13 years traveling in the US and eventually the world. She thrives on the constant change, new place/people/work. But even in the midst of constant change, she believes you’ll always find your way to the things you love. For her, those things include hiking, backpacking, mountaineering, rock climbing, canyoneering, kayaking and DOGS!

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Over the years, she has hiked 1000s of miles in 26 states, spent 130+ nights in the backcountry and summited 26 mountains. In between, she found time to volunteer at many Humane Societies where she felt the work as rewarding as any summit. While living in Thailand, she also volunteered with a small group of people focused on the rescue, rehabilitation, sterilization and vaccination of the many stray dogs and cats in the city.

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After traveling solo for so long, she’s acutely aware of just how important our bonded relationship (both 2 and 4 legged) are to us. She recently moved back to the PNW with the sole focus of rebuilding a foundation based on those relationships and firmly planting herself in positions to express her loves/passions.

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How does Tailored Pet Services fit into her plan? She’s excited and truly honored to spend her time combining everything she loves into one opportunity. She does not take this responsibility lightly and promises your pets will be more than well taken care of. She looks forward to easing the stresses in both her human and furry clients’ lives.

Kat’s love of animals started long before she ever worked professionally with them. Some of her earliest memories involve crawling through the grass alongside her mother’s dog and a litter of puppies. Since then, that fascination has only grown.

Today, Kat brings hands-on experience working with dogs of all sizes, breeds, and personalities. Before joining Four-Legged Fun Zone, she worked as a dog handler, supervising group play, monitoring canine behavior, and helping dogs learn to socialize safely and successfully.

What Kat enjoys most about working with dogs is learning their language. She loves observing the tiny details many people miss—the subtle movements of ears, eyes, mouths, and body posture that tell the story of how dogs communicate with one another. Watching new friendships form and seeing how dogs interact over time is one of her favorite parts of daycare.

Kat has a special soft spot for shy or nervous dogs. She finds it incredibly rewarding to watch a hesitant dog gradually gain confidence, build friendships, and transform into a happy, comfortable member of the group through patience, routine, and positive experiences.

Her passion for animals extends far beyond dogs. At home, Kat shares her life with cats, ferrets, and even pet beetles. She has experience caring for a wide variety of species and enjoys learning about the unique needs and behaviors of every animal she encounters.

When she’s not spending time with animals, Kat is an avid reader who can easily finish multiple books in a single day. Her favorite dog breed is the Dachshund, although she also dreams of one day owning a Doberman and participating in dog sports such as agility or flyball.

Whether she’s helping a shy dog build confidence, monitoring play between best friends, or learning the unique personality of a new arrival, Kat loves getting to know each dog as an individual and helping them have a fun, safe, and successful day at Four-Legged Fun Zone.