TEAM
Beyond Animal Lovers
Lacey Hotte
Owner
Lacey eagerly took over from the previous Doggy Daycare Care business which was named Playful Paws Doggy Daycare in 2019. Lacey is an extremely loving person who is passionate and knowledgeable about personal care of family dogs. She has six dogs; Kali, Kobe, Kaine, Frapp, Tink, and Snowflake, Alongside being certified in Walks N Wags Pet First Aid, she also attends seminars, courses, and Doggy Daycare Expos to stay up to date and continues learning in science based, positive reinforcement dog care techniques.
In addition to owning a Doggy Daycare, Lacey is also a Min Pin Breeder. She is currently in the process of becoming CKC breeder and will compete in dog shows in the near future with her lovely min-pins: Kobe, Kaine and Kali.
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Education:
​Walks N Wag Pet First Aids
​Bravo Dog- Dog Body Language
University of Edinburgh - Animal Welfare Behavior
AKC Canine College- Breeder Education
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“Dogs are not our whole lives, they make our lives whole.”
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Tanisha joined the Playful Pups family as junior handler in October 2021. Her passion and energy is amazing whenever it relates to dogs. She is a professional dog handler and currently is under DogSafe Pet First Aids training. Most likely you will see her during pickups and in the yards with the big dogs.
Tanisha is an integral part of the team who you can almost always see at daycare cause she comes to hang out with her favorite dogs even on her days off.
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Education:
Walks N Wags Pet First Aid Certified 2024
Playful Pups: September 2021 - Present
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Tanisha Herft
Senior Handler/ Manager
Hey there, it's Mads! This prairie girl moved to BC for the ocean and stayed for the amazing people and sweet pups! For nearly 3 doggone years, I've been living the dream at Playful Pups! The pups and Lacey have been my guiding stars, shaping both my career and personal life. With a childhood filled with furry friends and early K9 training, it was destiny to end up here. The wealth of knowledge gained through various courses has been a treat, and I'm wagging with excitement for what's next! When I'm not living the pup life, you'll find me chilling with my own pack at the beach or exploring the bog on leisurely walks.
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Education:
​Animal Welfare Behavior
Walks N Wags Pets First Aid Certified 2024
Playful Pups: August 2021 - Present
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Madison Legere
Senior Handler/ Manager
Danica Shuen
Senior Handler/ Manager
Hi! My name is Danica and I have loved all animals and aspired to be a dog behaviorist from a very young age. I see how the pups in our lives are like family and so I treat every pup that comes through our doors as if they were my own. I enjoy getting to know and bond with each and every pup as an individual. I studied at the University of British Columbia and have a BA in Psychology with a minor in Applied Animal Biology. In my spare time, I spend it with my two dogs, Chloe and Tata, and my two cats, Salem and Kota. I have been a part of the PPDD team since July 2023 and love every minute of it.
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Education:
UBC BA in Psychology
Minor in Applied Animal Biology
Walks N Wags Pet First Aid Certified - May 2024
Experience:
Playful Pups: June 2023 - Present
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Tayla Lal
Senior Handler
Hey there! I’m Tayla, a senior handler here at Playful Pups! Growing up, I always dreamed of having dogs but I didn’t get the chance—luckily, Playful Pups made that dream come true! I love getting to know each pup on a personal level and it’s such a privilege to care for them and provide them with a second home. You’ll often see me in the yard having a fun-filled day
with all the dogs! When I’m not attending my classes at UBC, I can be found here watching movies overnight with the pups and making sure they have a cozy, restful night!
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Education:
UBC BA in Psychology - Present
Experience:
Playful Pups: June 2023 - Present
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