Joelyne K. (Founder/ Sitter ID: 1124)

Joelyne is a natural born animal lover. She knew early on in life that she wanted a career working with animals. She graduated from Towson University with a B.S. degree in Business Administration. She has a Graduate Certificate from Humane Society University in Animal Studies. For seven years, Joelyne worked as the Membership and Donor Relations Manager at The Humane Society of the United States, the nations largest animal welfare organization dedicated to enforcing laws to protect animals from cruelty and neglect. During her time at HSUS, she was able to aid in animal rescue missions and helped seize several animals from inhumane conditions. Joelyne volunteers some of her time with Laurel Cats, Inc., a local organization working to reduce the overpopulation of feral cats through TNR efforts. She and her husband share their home with their son, a dog, two cats, a red-eared slider and a yellow-spotted salamander.

Cheryl is the Branch Manager of the Germantown, Maryland office.  In addition to managing Prance Around, along with her husband, she is also mom to two beautiful baby boys, Logan and Scott. She currently owns a Pomeranian named Sandy, two black cats, named Batman and Louie, and a Tortie Maine Coon named Gabby, who was rescued from Kentucky. Her passion for working with pets started at a very young age when she would rescue stray cats in her neighborhood and help find them homes. In her spare time, she can be found making animal-themed jewelry.  

Chris is an animal lover who is especially fond of cats. His outgoing and cheerful personality is reflected in his love of all animals and all the pets Chris has ever come across, have taken an immediate liking towards him. In his spare time, Chris enjoys building and working on computers. Chris co-manages the Germantown Branch of Prance Around with his wife Cheryl, and his dog and two cats.

Lynne has been an animal lover since she was a child and grew up with a dog, cats and birds. She currently lives with her husband Steve, and two Persian cats, Riley and Cody. Lynne moved to Maryland in 2013, after spending her whole life in New York, to be near her family. She is retired after working for 25 years as a legal secretary and is looking forward to spending her retirement with the animals she adores.

Shawn is a huge animal lover. He had two dogs and a cat growing up. He enjoys being around animals and has served as a pet sitter for several friends and family members over the years. Shawn has an Associate’s Degree in Secondary Education, as well as educational experience in Elementary Education and Theatre. He is heavily involved in local theatre, as well as television and in the film industry. When he is not pet sitting you can sometimes find him acting at the Laurel Mill Playhouse off Main Street! He is excited to be able work with the furry friends that Prance Around cares for!

Kathy is a retired federal Police Office after 36 years of service.  She has been working with dogs since she was 18 years old.  First starting  out working in a kennel for a few years.  While being a Police Officer she adopted retired K9 Officers from my department who needed a home until  they crossed the rainbow.  She has owned and bred Min Pins and Cocker  Spaniels and has trained numerous dogs for fellow Police Officers and  took care of them when these Officers were out of town.  She has taken in  dogs that needed training so they could be adopted out.  She has had a variety of dogs throughout her life, from small dogs to larger dogs including German Shepherds, Caucasian Ovacharcha and Sarplninaac. Her last 4 dogs all had passports, how neat is that?! Kathy likes to add a little bit of dog training and mental stimulation when walking dogs. She believes dogs need to work their minds just as much as their bodies. Her methods include giving commands followed by  positive reinforcement.  She currently has no dogs but recently did adopt two wonderful kittens from a rescue who keep her busy!

Oscar grew up in Germantown so he's a local boy but he's traveled quite a bit. In his spare time Oscar creates digital art and is a novice photographer. Growing up as a kid, he never had a chance to have a dog or cat in the house. But, once he reached adulthood, he made the choice to own, and got a best friend for life - a beautiful Siberian Husky named Dante. Oscar raised him for 13 years from small puppy to senior and looks forward to meeting and caring for your pets both young and old!

Stephanie is a U.S. Army veteran with a big love for all  animals. She currently lives with two dogs (Stella, a Pit Mix and Benji, a  Chihuahua/Yorkie mix) and two cats: Kylo Ren, the gray tabby and Boots, who is a rag doll mix. In high school she spent her mornings helping on her great uncle’s farm. She has worked with race horses, dogs, cats, chickens, and even peacocks, reindeer, goats, ducks, and pigs. She has also helped in delivering baby calves, goats, foals, kittens, and puppies.  

Stephanie finds great joy in helping animals and nothing beats the reward of seeing a happy animal.  She cannot wait to meet yours!

Amanda grew up in  Columbia, Maryland. She started dog walking/pet sitting when she was fifteen years  old. She has serviced her church with all of their animal care needs. Throughout her entire life, she has  always had at least two cats at one time. She had a cat that recently passed that she rescued from outside and named him bandit because he stole the hearts of her and her family. Amanda  has a bachelors in criminal Justice with a minor in psychology. Cesar  Milan is her mentor when it comes to animals, as well as Jackson Galaxy. 

 Rachel has been an animal lover since she was a kid. She grew up with many animals in her household, dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, hamsters, and fish. She started walking dogs/pet sitting throughout college where she attended Marymount  University and even later after attending college when she got a full-time  position in Human Resources. Rachel enjoyed working with animals so much that she also volunteered at Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation, where she helped  at adoption events and would take dogs out for daily walks/play time.  Rachel recently moved to Frederick, MD where she is working as a full-time HR Coordinator working, remotely. This has allowed her the extra time to care for other’s  pets. She is a current volunteer with Key to Lion’s Heart Rescue where she also  fosters puppies and helps at their adoption events.  She was fostering my current  fur baby, Axel whom she later adopted.  Rachel looks forward to meeting and  caring for your pets!  

Sheryl is a life-long animal lover who is recently retired from medical and pharmaceutical sales and is now free to have fun working with animals! Sheryl studied Zoology in college and always dreamed of  being a vet. She worked with a vet during high school and college and gained valuable knowledge about medicating animals, including giving injections.  She lives with her husband of 40 years and her lovable Lab named Buzz, plus Seamus the opinionated former barn cat. She looks forward to meeting you and your pets.

Natalie has had many pets over the years including a rat, a  hamster, a rabbit, three dogs, and cats.  The dogs and cats were all  rescues from BARCS and the Canine Humane Network.  The Canine Humane  Network does a very good job screening for happy homes for the dogs that  are rescued. Currently, Natalie owns a rescued Pit mix named Sugar pie.  Natalie loves to walk Sugar Pie and take her to local parks.    Previously she owned a Jack Russell (Phoebe) and a Lab-Shepherd-Akita  mix named Sammy. 

Natalie  has career experience with pet salons, pet boutiques, and pet stores.   In her free time she likes walking her dog, enjoying nature and  sunsets, and spending time with her parents’ Russian Blue, Ragdoll  Seal-Point, and a fiery-tempered female black domestic short-hair.     Her favorite part of vacation is walking her dog on the beach. Natalie  is also a natural-born artist and considers herself a very creative  person.  Natalie and her fiancé reside in Howard county, as long-time  residents, and both come from a very close-knit family. They are  planning to add a rescued cat to their little furry family sometime  soon. 

 Andrew  was born and raised right here in Montgomery County, Maryland and has  had a passion for animals for as long as he can remember.  He currently lives with his parents and siblings in Gaithersburg with his cat, Malik and two rabbits.  He is  currently studying Communication Studies at Montgomery College and will  be transferring to University of Maryland later this year to complete  his Bachelor's.  Andrew's passions include taking care of animals,  cooking and hiking.  He has big ambitions and has already fulfilled one  of his dreams by adopting two wonderful rabbits, Mr. Bun Bun and Ziza  (pictured).  He looks forward to meeting and taking care of your pets!  

Melissa has loved animals all her life! She loves all the furry friends, birds, fish, and reptiles! She is a Towson student with a focus in English and creative writing. She enjoys crochet, drawing, needle art, and is earning her green thumb. Melissa lives with her black rescue cat named "Wyborne," an elderly tuxedo cat named "Boogaloo," and a beagle-mix named "Kiko." She also has experience with animals with chronic health conditions who may need medication or have special needs. Melissa has a passion for making sure all animals feel loved and safe, and that all their needs are met. She is excited to meet your special companions and give them all kinds of love and attention! 

Brady grew up in  Gaithersburg, MD.  He started dog walking/pet sitting when he was in  middle school.  Brady studied Environmental Science in college and loves  all things about animals! Brady has a passion for caring for all  animals and making sure they are loved.  He looks forward to meeting and  taking care of your pets!