Our Staff – Detroit

Liz Blondy

Founder and Owner

Liz is a long-time Detroiter who, after a decade in sales, decided to combine her love of animals and her hometown passion into a career. In 2005 she opened Canine to Five Detroit Dog Daycare in Midtown and she hasn’t looked back. Canine to Five is now recognized as a Detroit small business success story, and Liz emerged as a staunch and prominent advocate for Detroit’s resurgence. Firmly convinced that small businesses are the key to true revival, she co-founded Open City Detroit, a networking group designed to encourage entrepreneurship, and participates in many initiatives to foster a strong grassroots business community. Liz resides in a renovated Eastern Market storefront with her husband, Pat Deegan, as well as her two giant dogs, Bunny and Argon.

Melissa Smolinski

Facility Manager

Melissa joined the Canine to Five team in November 2011. This is her first job working with animals, but she’s had all sorts her whole life, so it comes as second nature. When she’s not making sure that the daycare is running smoothly, and your dogs are safe and sound, she enjoys music, photography, road trips and hanging with her two cats, Sam & Owen. And, on certain Saturdays at the Masonic Temple, Melissa can also be founding cheering on The Detroit Pistoffs and the rest of the Detroit Derby Girls.

Michelle Aderhold

Groomer

Michelle has been grooming dogs for 6 years prior to joining Canine to Five in February of 2012. Her favorite part of being a dog groomer is being able to see the transformation from how the dogs come in to how cute they look when she sends them home. In addition to making dogs beautiful, she loves to use her eye for beauty drawing and doing other artsy things during her free time. Michelle fosters puppies and kittens, which she finds to be an extremely rewarding experience. She lives in Brownstown with her Bassethound/Sharpei mix Beau, a parrot named Elvis, and two rats, Isis and Twix.

Teusdae Bradley

Dog Handler and Customer Service Specialist

Teusdae started at Canine To Five in August of 2012. She lives in Detroit with 3 rescue dogs, Zora, Rakka and Shimmy. This is her first job working with dogs but she has owned dogs her whole life. When not at work, you can find Teusdae playing drums in the all girl punk band Marrow. Teusdae is an avid cyclist who rides over 100 miles per week! When asked what she likes about working at Canine To Five, Teusdae says “I enjoy the physical aspect of working with dogs. I love to be moving and man do I move back in that playroom! I also just love spending time with and learning about each dog. There are so many great personalities in the Canine to Five pack!!”

Dan Clark

Dog Handler

Dan is a 25-year old Corktown resident who’s been at Canine to Five since May of 2011. This is his first time working with dogs professionally, but he has always had a soft spot for them and the way they give as much love as they get. Dan has about a million interests that he pursues in his spare time: he plays guitar and writes songs, he’s creating a puppet show, he reads philosophy, and he likes to garden. He even has a certification in permaculture! Watch out around town and you might see this hot dog tooling around on his new motorcycle!

Keeley Fuller

Facility Manager

Keeley worked in veterinary specialty and 24-hour emergency care hospitals before she came to work at Canine to Five. She’s well-qualified for a career caring for dogs, having attended the University of Findlay with a major in pre-veterinary medicine. Keeley is passionate about dogs in and out of work, and has spent a lot of time fostering dogs and finding them homes. She enjoys photography, painting, writing, listening to music, camping and hiking, and lives in Yale with her three dogs and brand new baby girl!

Stephanie Kasenow

Groomer

Steph has been at Canine to Five since February 2011 but she’s been working with dogs for over four years. She’s loved dogs ever since she was a little girl, so it won’t surprise you to hear that her favorite thing about this job is getting to work with every different breed, size and personality of dog. Steph is always interested in doing volunteer work, especially helping to find foster homes for animals (even if it’s her own home!). Steph lives in Canton with Peanut, a Shepherd/Greyhound/Retriever mix, and a guinea pig named Sammy.

Holly Lenhart

Dog Groomer

Holly joined the Canine To Five grooming staff in May 2006. A graduate of the Academy of Animal Arts, she excels at both dog and cat grooming! She has a passion for animals in need, and often fosters strays. She is a Detroit resident and has two dogs, four cats and four tanks full of fish at home. Holly’s gentle way with the dogs makes her a great addition to the team.

Aubri Mrowczynski

Dog Groomer

Aubri has worked as a groomer at Canine to Five, since August of 2011. She has been grooming dogs for the past 5 years, and she loves their personalities and the connection that she has with them. Aubri has 2 dogs herself, a pug named Chewy, and a Doberman named Pyro, who can frequently be seen rolling around in the playroom. When she’s not making sure that your dog looks flawless, Aubri can be found teaching dance, which she’s enjoyed for the past 9 years.

Kevin Orlik

Dog Handler and Customer Service Specialist

Kevin is 27 years old and lives in Downtown Detroit with his girlfriend, Karen, and their dog Rudy, a pit bull that they rescued from the Humane Society in Detroit. He started at Canine to Five in November of 2011, and he loves city life and walks on the riverfront with Rudy! As a law student, he doesn’t have much time to himself, but he spends what little free time he does have exploring Detroit and spending time at Eastern Market. The thing he most enjoys about working at Canine to Five, are all the wonderful dogs that I get to see every day, and all of their unique personalities!

Cullen Perry

Playrooom Supervisor

Cullen joined our team in May of 2012, but he’s been working with animals for over 2 years. He has two dogs of his own: Birdie & Beowulf, along with two cats: Bosco & Beatrice. Cullen loves working with dogs, learning their different personalities, how each of them like to play, and what motivates them. When he’s not outside playing in our pools with your dog, Cullen enjoys hanging out with his friends, listening to music and being outdoors!

Michelle Potas

Customer Service Specialist

Michelle is a Detroit resident, who has been working at Canine to Five for a little over a year, when she’s not running Woofbridge. She loves working with dogs because of all of their different personalities, and the fact that they’re always happy to see her. Outside of work, Michelle enjoys snowboarding, hiking, reading and riding her bike around the city.

Jessica Reichwage

Dog Handler

Jessica joined the Canine To Five team in February of 2008. She has a great background for working with dogs, with experience at animal shelters, veterinarian hospitals and dog daycares. A dog lover since she was a kid, she enjoys working at Canine to Five because the dogs are always happy to see her! Jessica lives in Warren and has a Golden Retriever and a German Shepherd. She loves sports, especially softball, which she has been playing since she was four years old. Next time you visit Canine to Five, bring a softball so Jessica can play catch with your dog!

Veronica Revis

Dog Handler

Veronica is a Woodbridge resident that came to Canine to Five in June of 2012. Her first volunteer position was walking dogs for a no kill shelter dedicated to saving Siberian Huskies. That was 13 years ago, and she’s been a dog lover ever since! Veronica currently has one dog of her own, Sophia, a 6.5 year old terrier mix, and she says that working with dogs doesn’t even feel like a job to her. Dogs have always been a big part of her life, so she’s right at home in the Canine Five playroom! Outside of work, Veronica can be found taking photos, or crafting & cooking with friends!

Nicole Somoski

Playroom Supervisor

Nicole came to us in October of 2008. She lives in Detroit and works at Canine to Five for a very simple reason: she loves dogs and all their different personalities. When she was just 10 years old, she began volunteering for a variety of animal-focused organizations, from Companion Pet Rescue to H-CAT (Hamtramck Cat Assistance Team). Her mom used to manage the Royal Oak Animal Shelter, where Nicole gained tons of experience. She loves to go on road trips, get tattoos, play Halo 3 on Xbox, work on her reptile collection and shop — when she is not playing with your dog!

Christina Zurkiwskyj

Dog Handler

Christina has been working for Canine to Five since May 2011. She has a puggle named Vigo that she brings to work with her most days, and she loves working with dogs because it’s rewarding to have them respond and respect her as part of the pack. Outside of work, Christina loves to explore different cultures by traveling, trying new cuisines and photographing people & the places she goes. She enjoys pursuing her freelance photography career, cooking and staying active with Vigo.

Rick Davis

Dog Handler

Rick has been with Canine to Five since January 2013. He currently resides in Indian Village in the city of Detroit with his dog Leo, a Pit Bull/Rottweiler mix. He has sheltered several foster dogs in the past and is excited for the opportunity to work with dogs every day. He loves their loyalty, their unconditional love, and all of their unique personalities. In his spare time Rick enjoys the outdoors, nature conservation, and brewing his own batches of beer.

Phoenix Sky

Dog Handler

Phoenix joined the Canine to Five team in November of 2012 as a handler. She has two pet rats named Peterboro and Ruby. She loves working with dogs because they always have a way to make her smile by doing something ridiculous and silly. In her spare time Phoenix loves to draw, sculpt, and make jewelery. She currently resides in the Cass Corridor in Detroit and is studying to become a veterinary technician.

Tim Jenkins

Dog Handler

Tim joined the Canine to Five team in September of 2012. He is the proud parent of two dogs; one red-nosed pitbull and a miniature schnauzer mix. What Tim loves most about working with dogs is the opportunity to interact with all the crazy personalities and the day-to-day challenge of maintaining a happy and relaxed pack of dogs. In his spare time, Tim plays in a heavy metal band and collects rare vinyl albums. Tim’s other interests include painting and illustrations, 1960’s and 1970’s horror comics, reading, traveling, being in nature and Detroit Lions football!

Aaron Bondroff

Dog Handler

Aaron joined the Canine to Five team in November of 2012 as a handler. Aaron currently resides in Hamtramck. The best part of Aaron’s job at Canine to Five is learning each one of the dog’s personalities and the pleasure of watching them interact with each other every day. When Aaron is not watching your dog you can find him down at Comerica Park catching a Tigers game, touring with his friend’s band, “Louder Than Bombs” or reading his new favorite novel.

Jessie Mastrianni

Dog Handler

Jessie joined the Canine to Five team in October 2012 as a handler. For over 7 years prior to joining our team; Jessie worked with horses. Her vast experience with training, grooming, and wrangling horses made for an easy transition to working with dogs. If you ask Jessie she will tell you that the best part about her job is getting to know each dog’s personality, forming bonds with them, and earning each of their unconditional love and companionship. She is the proud parent of a 2 year old pitbull terrier mix named Bruce and a 13 year old Arabian horse. In her spare time, Jessie enjoys traveling, the outdoors, camping, and music. Jessie currently resides in southwest Detroit and hopes to attain a career in wildlife biology.

Nikki McCormack

Dog Groomer

Nikki has been with Canine to Five as a groomer since July 2012. Nikki has over 10 years of grooming experience and adores dogs of all breeds. She is the proud parent of a golden retriever mix named Chase, a Quaker Parrot named Sally, and a handsome boy at home. With a full time job of being a mother and two other jobs she keeps herself extremely busy. She loves working with dogs because they don’t hold a grudge and are quick to forgive. “They may hate you when we cut their nails, but forgive and love us as soon as we are finished.”