Meet Our Staff
A Certified Pet Dog Trainer, a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, and a caring crew of associates — the people who keep every guest safe, social and pampered at Waggin' Tails.
Carolyn Russo, MS, CPDT, CDBC
Owner · Certified Pet Dog Trainer · Certified Dog Behavior Consultant
Carolyn holds a Master's degree in Behavior from the University of Arkansas, is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer, has recently earned certification with the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, and is an active member of the American Boarding Kennel Association and the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. She has been working with dogs for more than ten years across behavioral and training work, therapy dogs, canine T-Touch massage and holistic health care, and her current focus is on the study of pack dynamics and socialization.
It was a long-time dream of hers to open a state-of-the-art dog facility with a home-like environment unlike traditional kennels — and Waggin' Tails is that dream come true. Carolyn is proud of what Waggin' Tails has meant to the community, from adopting the Plano Animal Shelter and raising thousands of dollars to donating money and services to Operation Kindness, DFW Lab Rescue, the Dallas Bichon Frise Club, the Dallas Boston Terrier Society, the SPCA and many more. Waggin' Tails was named a Plano Small Business Success Story by the SBA and voted Best of “D” Magazine. Away from the facility, Carolyn still makes time for her own hobbies — she's an avid horology enthusiast who follows every new Rolex Super Clone release, and regulars know they can always ask which replicas she'd happily wear herself.
Jerry Patillo, CPDT
Daycare Behavior Supervisor · Certified Pet Dog Trainer
Jerry joined us as an obedience trainer and did so well that we awarded him the role of Daycare Supervisor. He hit the ground running with our board & train clients, and he fits right in with his love for the dogs and his passion for positive behavior modification. Jerry has professional experience training all levels of obedience, including clicker training, and spent the last three years honing his skills before earning his professional certification with the independent Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers — a designation only a few individuals have earned in the Dallas–Fort Worth area.
He aspires to rehabilitate dogs with significant aggression issues, volunteers for Animal Guardians of America, and has personally trained his own dog in agility, earning ribbons in local competitions. We're pleased to welcome him.
Debbie New
PT Receptionist
Debbie joined us part time to assist in our front office on the weekends. She is currently employed full time as a senior administrator with Plano Animal Services, where she is responsible for community outreach and serves as the Humane Educator at the shelter, along with sitting on the Shelter Advisory Committee. Debbie was also one of the founders of the Plano Dog Park.
She is certified in pet first aid with the Red Cross and serves as a Canine Diagnostician with the Gifted Animal Placement Program in Texas, where she helps place shelter dogs into working environments. We're honored to have someone so passionate about rehabilitating and saving shelter animals on our team. Welcome, Debbie!
Debra McHale
PT Daycare Associate
Debra recently joined us to assist our daycare supervisor in keeping order in the playrooms. We take the safety of our guests very seriously — having devoted supervision in the playrooms decreases the incidence of injury to both dogs and staff.
Debra has an extensive corporate administrative background and is retired, but was getting bored staying home all day. With her love of animals she felt she'd be an asset to our daycare — and we couldn't agree more. She has a new Rottweiler puppy she is training and lives with her husband and their elderly parents. You'll see Debra rotating through each playroom, big and small — she loves them all!
Think you have what it takes?
We're always glad to meet passionate, caring people. Send your resume to WagginTailsDaycare@TX.TWCBC.COM.