Downtown Dogs - Daycare, Boarding and Training for your Dog

Management Team

Kelly Alves Helsing, CPDT Founder/Training Manager	Mark and Kelly are natives of San Jose, who saw the need for a place where busy dog owners could get their dog exercised, as well as have some fun along the way. They saw this need clearly because they had two dogs at home that were bored all day, finding many varied ways to entertain themselves. Most of their games though, were not "Owner Approved". So in 1998 (back when the term "Doggie Daycare" got funny looks from people) they set off to create a place that would provide their own dogs, as well as others with a safe, fun and interactive experience. Mark's previous career, as is so common in SV, was in the high tech industry, working in the fields of telecommunications and network management. While he enjoyed his time working with people, Mark finds dogs much easier to get along with :-) Mark has received his Certified Advanced Pet Care Tech certification from the Pet Care Services Association and is currently working toward his Certified Kennel Operator, a certification that designates individuals who demonstrate competence and commitment to ethical standards and business practices. Kelly's passion is learning. It didn't start with dogs though. She pursued and completed a Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education and follwed that path into a career teaching preschoolers. Her transition to working with dogs came easily, as she found the basics of learning behavior are universal, allowing her to apply much of what she learned with children to her new canine charges. Kelly is a graduate of San Francisco SPCA Academy for Dog Trainers and has received her CPDT certification from the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers.
Mark Helsing, CAPCT Founder/Daycare Manager
Mary Lou Lopez, CAPCT Office Manager	Mary Lou is a native of San Jose where she still lives with her husband and two dogs, Jack and Libby. She gained her love of the doggie daycare industry from the experience she received while working as a manager at another doggie daycare in Sunnyvale for 3 years. She has attended the CC (Counseling Certificate) class at the SPCA in San Francisco, is an PCSA Certified Pet Care Technician, and is certified in pet first aid. Mary Lou brings with her a love of dogs of all sizes. She states that there is nothing better than a job where the customers are always happy to see you. No matter how good or bad the day is, they always make her smile.