PARADISE PET LODGE - Key Persons


Brandon Baarstad

Job Titles:
  • Facilities Manager
Brandon has always been around and loved animals. As the son of Brian and Libby Baarstad, he was essentially raised at Paradise Pet Lodge. His attention to detail, gentle way with animals and his excellent work ethic makes him a valued team member. After graduating from Monroe H.S., he attended college on a baseball scholarship where he majored in psychology with his dog "Slugger" by his side. After college, he and Slugger returned home from Arkansas to help his parents with the everyday operation and maintenance of the family business. We often wonder what we would do without him! Brandon is also coaching baseball at Cedercrest High School. He currently resides in Snohomish with "Slugger" and his new dog "Homer".

Bri Baarstad

Job Titles:
  • Special Services Manager
Bri Baarstad also grew up in the family business and can't imagine a world without pets. She attended Monroe High School, where she played four years of varsity soccer. Along with her passion for soccer, came a passion for horses. Bri showed paint horses competitively for many years and competed at the APHA World Show in Fort Worth, TX accumulating several national titles. After high school, Bri attended Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, CA pursuing a degree in business. She returned home to Washington and purchased her very own drive-thru espresso stand. After 4 years of successfully owning and operating her business, a new business venture from her mother arose. Libby Baarstad approached her with the idea of opening up a Pet Spa at Paradise Pet Lodge. Bri fell in love with the idea and was up for the challenge of completing all the necessary education. Bri enrolled in both large and small animal massage at the Northwest School of Animal Massage. Upon completing both courses, she enrolled at Bellevue Massage School, where she graduated with a massage practitioner license. Bri continued her training with Cindy Horsfall at La Paw Spa, where she fell in love with canine hydrotherapy.Thus, the Pet Spa was created and up and running! Now Bri oversees the management of the Pet Spa and is an active board member at Paradise Pet Lodge and assists with the operation of the family business. Bri resides in Juanita with her Chihuahua Roxy and her rescued pit mixes, Darby and Whiskey.

Cheryl Kearney

Job Titles:
  • Exercise Manager
Cheryl Kearney graduated from Monroe H.S. and lives in Snohomish with her husband, daughter and a menagerie of animals. Her son Buck is currently serving in the Navy. Cheryl has always been actively involved in the world of animals. When her children were young, she was a leader and Superintendant for 4H and FFA. Her entire family would participate yearly at the Evergreen State Fair in Monroe. While her children were in school, Cheryl worked for several years as Manager for one of the local Pet Stores. Cheryl began working for Paradise Pet Lodge in 2004 as an exerciser with both of her, at the time, teenaged children. She enjoys riding her horse and competing in Western Gaming. Her daughter Becky still works for Paradise Pet Lodge and is a reigning Rodeo Princess and attends college locally. Cheryl's love of dogs, exercise and fresh air and her exceptional skills as a youth team leader made her a natural at her job.

Jenny Uphaus

Job Titles:
  • Operations Manager
Jenny Uphaus grew up Bothell, graduated from Bothell High School and currently resides in the Snohomish area with her husband Matt and their son Tanner. She has always loved and cared for animals and this area's surrounding nature. As a child she belonged to 4-H and raised a variety of farm animals and exhibited at the county fairs. While still in high school, she enrolled in the Veterinarian Assistant course at the Sno-Isle skill center. In 1990, Jenny joined the staff of Paradise Pet Lodge. After graduation from high school, she attended and graduated from Maser's Grooming Academy. She then completed the first Level of the American Boarding Kennel Association Pet Technician course. Her passion for people, animals, strong organizational skills and work ethic has lead to an long and productive career with Paradise Pet Lodge; most of those years in management.

Kathy Squires

Job Titles:
  • Administrative Services Manager
Kathy met Libby Baarstad in 1987, while they were both employed at another pet boarding facility. When the Baarstads opened Paradise Pet Lodge, Kathy was hired on as their first employee and has been a valued team member ever since. She grew up working with dogs, cats and horses and becoming very involved in 4-H for over 12 years. She worked for 8 years as a barn assistant and competitively showed Pinto horses throughout that time. She currently resides in Monroe with her husband and three boys. With Kathy's experience from working in other boarding facilities and her special interest in marketing and customer service; Kathy helps create and market new ideas for Paradise Pet Lodge and keeps the administrative office operating. She loves spending time with the animals; especially the "special needs" boarders and reassuring their owners that their pet will have a safe and enjoyable stay.

Katrina Petr-Hepler

Job Titles:
  • Grooming Salon Manager
Katrina has been with the Paradise Pet Lodge family since the summer of 1997. She began working for us as a Pet Care technician, as a summer job during college and decided to stay, working her way up to becoming the Salon Manager. The health and comfort of our guests is her highest priority. Katrina loved and grew up with a myriad of animals and was very active with 4-H and FFA. She also professionally showed cats and worked with several cat breeders in the show circuit. She is a compassionate, experienced, and recently awarded; all breed dog and cat groomer. She is also a certified ABKA pet care technician. Her other great interests are fine art and photography. Katrina has received several awards for her art nationally and locally. She is an alumni of Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, majoring in fine arts and Everett C.C., focusing on photography. Her artistic background lends a unique outlook to her grooming style and has allowed her to combine her two greatest interests; art and animals. Katrina lives in Everett with her husband, daughter and various cats and dogs.

Libby Baarstad - President

Job Titles:
  • President
Libby is the President of the corporation and has adored animals for as long as anyone can remember. For years her parents put up with her bringing every stray animal, from chickens to horses into their home.

Terri Gates

Job Titles:
  • Cattery Manager
Terri grew up in Bothell with 2 brothers and 2 sisters, one of which is Libby Baarstad, President of Paradise Pet Lodge. Terri and Libby have always shared their love for animals. After graduating from Inglemoor H.S., she went to college and majored in her other passion, music. She has sung in concert choir, various musicals, church choir and with the Seattle Civic Light Opera. She currently resides in Smokey point with her 4 children, 3 dogs and 4 cats. Terri started her pet care career at Paradise Pet Lodge, shortly after it's opening in 1990. During that time, she has also had her own pet-sitting business and offered her professional service to countless numbers of families in need. She is currently a Tellington Touch Practitioner in training, for which she is extremely passionate about. Terri enjoys working with our customers, as one of our best customer service providers. Most of all, Terri loves caring for their pets and has a special place in her heart for the cats.