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Bobbie Ruth Langley, President Bobbie Ruth is available for pet sitting and dog walking in and around Bellingham. Bobbie Ruth has over 30 years of experience caring for a variety of domestic pets. Currently she is Mom to Chip (German Wired-Haired/Brittany mix), Beatrice (White Staffordshire Terrier), Emma (Black-and-White American Domestic Short-Hair Cat), Tommy (Tabby Cat), and Christy (White Domestic Short-Hair Cat). Please visit the Gallery to see pictures of these Placid Pets Ambassadors. An avid walker and former marathoner, Bobbie Ruth has hiked nearly all of the trails in Bellingham, some of them hundreds of times. Her love of hiking with dogs is one of the primary reasons Bobbie Ruth started Placid Pets. Bobbie Ruth is certified by the American Red Cross in Pet First Aid and CPR. She is a former member of Pet Sitters International (PSI) www.petsit.com and earned the designation of PSI Accredited Pet Sitter in 2006. In 2010, Bobbie Ruth and Placid Pets became members of the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS). In 2011, Placid Pets also became an associate member of Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT). In 2011, Bobbie Ruth embarked on an educational program in dog training. The program is primarily self-study with mentoring from respected local dog trainers. Bobbie Ruth's goal is to earn Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT) certification within the next few years. Bobbie Ruth is a volunteer case manager for the Alternative Humane Society of Whatcom County (AHS). In past years, she and her family fostered adult dogs. However, more recently the Langley family members have become quasi-experts in fostering puppies, including entire litters. Please visit Placid Pets' AHS Dogs Available for Adoption Album to review pictures of dogs that Bobbie Ruth has helped find new homes for, as well as dogs currently available for adoption. To see a complete list of all dogs available for adoption from AHS, please visit the AHS Dogs Available for Adoption Web page available on PetFinder.com. Prior to opening Placid Pets, Bobbie Ruth served as Software Development Coordinator for ERI Economic Research Institute (www.erieri.com). While at ERI, Bobbie Ruth earned the Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) designation from WorldAtWork in 2004. She currently serves as Webmaster for several websites, and is the photographer for the Parks Department's Kids' Dog Show and AHS events. Bobbie Ruth earned a Bachelors of Music in Vocal Performance (Cum Laude) from Millikin University in Decatur, IL. She also holds a Certificate of Programming from Coleman College in San Marcos, CA. She also completed several years of post-graduate work at The University of Chicago in Chicago, IL. Bobbie Ruth opened Placid Pets in August 2006. She initiated a blog about pet care in 2011. |
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Tresa Mariotto, Pet Care Provider Tresa Mariotto is available for pet care throughout the Bellingham area. Tresa was born and raised in Nebraska. She was the middle child of 13 legally adopted children raised by a father who was a first generation son of German immigrants and a mother of Swedish descent. Her childhood was filled with a variety of animals, beginning a life-long love of animals and appreciation for their care. When Tresa was a teenager, the family moved to the Pacific Northwest (where her mother was from) so that the children being of all races would have a better chance at life. The family settled in Spokane, Washington in 1975. Tresa, with a passion for reading, always enjoyed school and excelled in academics. She also excelled in extra-curricular activities including student government and varsity sports. Today she still enjoys long-distance running, and runs with her dogs (and canine clients) on a daily basis. Tresa's family currently includes several dogs and two cats: Big Pappa, a Black Labrador Mix; Ruger a Long-haired Dachshund; Prudence, a Short-haired Dachshund; Piper, a Norwegian Elkhound; an apple-faced Siamese named Ferguson, who (if she could read) would be quite annoyed to be listed after the dogs; and Veronica, a Tabby. Tresa is a graduate of Western Washington University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. Tresa's primary occupation is Resident Care Coordinator at Highgate Senior Living in Bellingham. Tresa is certified by the American Red Cross in Pet First Aid and CPR, and is a volunteer case manager for the Alternative Humane Society. Tresa joined The Placid Pet in September 2007. |
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Alan Frankenberry, Pet Care Provider Alan is available for mid-day dog walking in and around Bellingham. Alan is a lifelong outdoor enthusiast. As a youth, living in Florida, he enjoyed fishing, water skiing, scuba diving, sailing, and boating. Through the years, Alan has participated in cycling, snow-boarding, down-hill and cross country skiing. Today, in addition to hiking, kayaking and cycling, you can usually find him weight lifting and cardio training at a local gym. He is a pet lover and has successful caretaker experience for fish, newts, dogs, cats, gerbils, hamsters, rabbits, and birds. Alan's academic achievements include a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Florida and a Master of Science Degree from the University of Washington. Alan, and his wife Cindy, have traveled across the United States multiple times and resided in six states. In 1993 they selected Whatcom County as their future home and purchased 47 acres in Everson. After returning to the area in 2004, they decided to sell their acreage and move to Bellingham. They enjoy the close proximity to many activities and the extensive trail system. Alan is familiar with hiking trails throughout the county and uses them daily for personal and canine exercise. Alan has experience with multiple dog breeds. He and Cindy share their household with Logan, an eight year old Border Collie-Saluki, and five tropical fish. Alan is certified by the American Red Cross in Pet First Aid and CPR. Alan joined The Placid Pet in September 2008. |
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Tanya Sloan Storm, Pet Care Provider Tanya and her husband Michael relocated to Bellingham from her hometown of Charlotte, NC in 2008. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a B.A. in English Literature, but has worked in IT Project Management for more than a decade. Her passions include mountain biking, hiking, running, kayaking, triathlons, and skiing - which explains her move to the outdoor paradise that is Bellingham! She loves to take her dog on long walks in Whatcom county's numerous trails and parks. Tanya is a former volunteer of the Charlotte Humane Society, where her favorite job activity was to shower all of the shelter animals with love, attention, and treats. Tanya's current family includes two rescued and now pampered cats, Tiggi Lee (brown tabby) and The Moguai (white, grey, round), and one big spoiled yellow Lab named Yogi. Tanya joined The Placid Pet in September 2008. |
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Eileen Landis, Pet Care Provider Eileen is available for pet care in Sudden Valley. In 2004, Eileen escaped the insanity of owning and managing a busy landscaping business in Los Angeles, CA (with celebrity clients), and moved to Sudden Valley. As a successful landscape contractor, Eileen's position demanded a high level of responsibility, professionalism, discretion, sense of humor, timeliness, and great physical stamina -- all qualities that she brings to Placid Pets. Moving to Bellingham gave Eileen more time to spend with her husband and three cats -- two elderly felines, and one tom cat who was rescued from an abusive home. It also gave her the freedom to provide pet care for friends -- both near and far -- who have relied on Eileen for years. One friend, with a home in Mexico, even flies Eileen to her home to care for her dogs for a few weeks every year. With a special affinity and love for dogs, Eileen wrote in her application: "Dogs heal the soul, create laughter in almost any circumstance, and walking dogs is a great way to stay active." Eileen's past professional positions also include Assistant Director, Member Services for the UCLA Alumni Association, and Head Buyer, Merchandising Manager for Armstrong's Home and Garden. Eileen holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts, with a focus on Sculpture, from California State University, Long Beach, CA. Eileen joined Placid Pets in January 2011. |
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Kathleen Ball, Pet Care Provider Kathleen is available for pet care in Sudden Valley and surrounding areas. Kathleen holds an Associate’s degree in Animal Health from Mount San Antonio College in Walnut, CA. She also earned a Bachelor degree in Biology and Chemistry from Western Washington University (WWU), and completed coursework in pre-veterinary medicine at Cal Ploy University in Pomona, CA. Kathleen is an experienced dog trainer, familiar and comfortable with any dog, even those with behavioral issues. She is a member of the Chuckanut Dog Training Association, and is an experienced obedience and search and rescue trainer having once worked with Summit to Sound Search & Rescue. In the past, Kathleen also trained dogs for Brigadoon Service Dogs. Kathleen produces fine art animal portraits. An example of her work can be seen at left (in place of her picture). Additional examples of her work can be found on-line at http://kathleenball.brinkster.net. Kathleen joined Placid Pets in August 2011.
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Trini Ollila, Pet Care Provider Trini is available for pet care in Sudden Valley and surrounding areas. Trini was born in Eugene, OR. When she was a young girl, her family moved to Ontario, OR and then later to Juneau, Alaska. During her 18 years in Juneau, Trini met and married her husband. Drawn to helping others in need, Trini also worked for the State of Alaska, Dept. of Health and Social Services. In 2004, Trini and her family relocated to Bellingham, WA. In 2006, Trini started working part-time for Cascade Radio Group where she first made contact with the Alternative Humane Society (AHS). Soon after, Trini and her family began fostering and rehabilitating dogs in need, including pregnant mothers and puppies. Specific issues that Trini has faced include: teaching dogs how to walk on a leash; helping dogs become socialized with people and/or other dogs and cats; potty training dogs and otherwise teaching them how to live in a safe home; and treating dogs for physical issues including fleas, ringworm, mange, kennel cough, pneumonia and extreme stress. Trini's current full-time work (caring for her disabled mother) gives her the flexibility needed to work with animals. Trini joined Placid Pets in October 2011.
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Tatiana Langley, Assistant Pet Care Provider Tatiana is available to support other staff members (go with them on visits, with the clients' approval) in Bellingham. Tatiana is the daughter of Bobbie Ruth Langley, President of Placid Pets. She currently attends Kulshan Middle School. Despite her young age, Tatiana has already displayed a high aptitude for working with pets, including Placid Pet clients and foster animals. Tatiana has also consistently demonstrated the maturity and responsibility required to be an assistant. Having participated in summer camps and taken weekly horseback riding lessons at Kelly Park Stables since 2006, Tatiana is also an experienced equestrian, fully versed in the care of horses. Tatiana has been an Assistant for Placid Pets since 2010. |