Meet Our Team
Meet the Owner: How Paws and Claws Got Started
Samantha Brooks
Owner
My name is Samantha Brooks (you can call me Sam!), and I’m the Owner and Founder of Paws and Claws. Growing up in Orange County, going outside and being with animals was always what brought me the most joy, and I majored in Biology, with a focus on animal physiology, at UC San Diego. When I began a new life in the Bay Area in 2013, I went through a major career change. While I was deciding what direction to go in, I began dog walking and pet sitting as a way to earn a little extra income, and it was the first line of work I’d ever had that didn’t feel like “work” to me. As I bonded with my furry clients and their people, it became clear to me how many pet owners love their pets like children, and how important it is for them to have someone they can trust to care for their pets and home while they work and travel. My client list grew quickly, and my new career became obvious! As Paws and Claws has grown bigger, I’m happy and proud to have an amazing team of pet sitters and dog walkers who are just as dedicated to animal care and client relationships as I am. Our top priority is to be there for you and your furry loved ones, so you can trust us to care for your pets when you’re working, traveling, or just busy! When I’m not visiting pets or working with staff members, I enjoy hiking, running and exploring new places with my husband Liam and our little boy.
Meet Our Team
Our Dream Team of Pet Professionals
Katie Brevik
Office Manager
Hey y’all! My name is Katie and I am so excited to be part of the Paws and Claws team! Ever since I can remember, I have had a love for animals. I was the kid studying the Dog Encyclopedia in my free time and convincing my grandma to take me to the reptile store on the weekends. Today, I am a proud dog mom of two – my cuddly French Bulldog, Maggie and crazy Border Collie, Koda. I have always grown up around dogs from Chihuahuas to Great Danes, as well as cats from Munchkin to Maine Coon. I cannot wait to meet and work with all your furry friends!
BG Gogineni
Pet Care Professional
Hi, I’m Bhargavi, but you can call me BG. I’ve always had a deep love for animals—yes, even the creepy crawlers! Right now, I’m studying to become a Vet Tech because I’ve known since I was four years old that working with animals is my true calling. I have a strong understanding of animal behavior and know when a pet needs their space, which helps me build trust with them. I’m also more than comfortable handling the not-so-glamorous side of pet care, like cleaning up after accidents. Every pet is unique, and I always approach them with respect and care. You can count on me to be open and transparent with you about your pet’s well-being while I’m with them.
Cass Rickard
Pet Care Professional
Hello everyone, I’m here to be of service to your furry family members. I follow instructions well and take pride in efficient communication. I’ve had pets my entire life and love them with all my being! Your furry loved ones will be in great hands. Thank you for your time.
Isabel Swanson
Pet Care Professional
Hi, I’m Isabel! I’ve always loved animals, since I was little. Some of my favorite memories are of spending time with my family’s dogs, cats, fish, and hermit crabs. Over the last several years as a pet sitter and dog walker, I’ve built trusting relationships with a broad variety of pets and their people. I find joy in helping pets feel happy and secure by getting to know them, being in tune with their emotions, and keeping their routines consistent. I continually educate myself, whether by taking classes in pet CPR and first aid, or seeking new perspectives on dog behavior and training. When I’m not pet sitting or dog walking, I like having board game nights with friends, playing video games, and traveling with my husband. I look forward to meeting you and your pets!
Liam Dumenjich
Pet Care Professional
Hey everyone! I’m Liam. As a guy who grew up spending lots of time around dogs and cats, I love taking care of people’s pets. Pets are like family and I believe they should be treated as such. I love brightening up their day by giving them love, affection, and taking them on walks so they can enjoy the outdoors. When I’m not hanging out with my four legged friends, I work full time as an Accountant. I’m also married to Sam, and we have a toddler boy. I enjoy running, hiking, snow sports, water sports, reading, and writing. I’m looking forward to working with you and caring for your four legged family members!
Nicole Slovinec
Pet Care Professional
Hello! My name is Nicole and some of my best moments in life have been in the company of animals. I grew up in a household with dogs, cats, ferrets, bearded dragons, and even a tarantula named Cuddles. I believe it’s a joy and duty to treat animals with kindness. In my years as an animal shelter volunteer, I worked most with dogs and cats that were considered shy or aggressive. It was fulfilling to gain their trust over time. It would be an honor to help care for your pet or pets. I greatly enjoy interacting with fellow animal lovers. You can count on clear communication from me and all pet instructions you provide will be meticulously followed. After all, you know them best.
Susan Gueldner
Pet Care Professional
Hi, I am Susan Gueldner. My passion is to take care of animals. Myself, I grew up with pets such as hamsters, cats, reptiles and dogs; I have also worked with horses. 14 years ago, I rescued my beloved Daisy. Daisy was a very shy dog, a throw away puppy that lived on the streets for a while and the animal control authority picked her up and were going to euthanize her because she was a pit-bull. So I rescued her, and worked with her, and she turned out to be the biggest confident love bug and she wouldn’t hurt a fly. I’ve worked with so many different personalities, and love every minute of it! I would love to walk your dogs and take care of your pets.
Sweta Sanyal
Pet Care Professional
Hi I am Sweta! I am an avid, cheerful and enthusiastic dog lover. A true cynophile. I have a 9-year-old Shih Tzu/Poodle whom I consider my second child. I love taking care of my family members, friends, or neighbor’s dogs. I have good experience taking care of several breeds and sizes of dogs. My husband and I are tech geeks and love buying all the latest gadgets and devices to make life more interesting. I used to work in sales and marketing in software and hardware industry but left it behind to become a full-time dog walker. I love to take my dog and my daughter on short hikes and to the beach on weekends.
Tyler Sprecker
Pet Care Professional
I’ve lived with pets of one form or another for most of my life. I love animals because they each have their own personalities and simply are who they are. We had cats and dogs around the house growing up, as well as fish for a time and even a gerbil. For work, I am a Client Advisor with Neiman Marcus. I spend my days interacting with the general public, so spending time with animals is always a welcome respite. When I’m not at work, I try to get outdoors as often as possible. I like to go camping, fishing and hiking when I can. Some of my other interests and hobbies include reading, investing, cryptocurrencies and graphic design.
Uttara Saha
Pet Care Professional
I grew up here in the Bay Area, and am still exploring new parts of it whenever I get the chance. My friends say that I am a very friendly and approachable person who is easy to get along with. I am dependable and make it my highest priority to be on time and communicate efficiently. I am a huge crime show lover but am also known to spend my free time reading or doing arts and crafts as well. I also love to knit blankets though it can be a bit difficult sometimes due to my crazy cat, Ollie, getting tangled up in the yarn. I am eager to meet new clients and provide their fur babies with the best care possible.
Book Your Pet Care Today!
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