Meet The Canine To Five Staff!

Liz Blondy, Owner

Liz Blondy is long-time Detroiter who, after a decade in sales, decided to combine her love of animals and her hometown passion into a career. She opened up Canine to Five Detroit Dog Daycare in Midtown in 2005 and hasn't looked back. Blondy has emerged as a staunch and prominent advocate for Detroit's resurgence. Firmly convinced that small businesses are the key to a true revival, she co-founded Open City Detroit, a networking group designed to encourage entrepreneurship. Blondy resides in a renovated Eastern Market storefront with her fiancée, Pat Deegan, as well as two dogs, Bunny and Argon.

Michelle Brynaert, Groomer

Michelle Brynaert traded in a career in the unstable auto industry in July 2006 for what she feels is the most rewarding job she has ever had. Michelle is a graduate from the American School of Dog Grooming and has three dogs of her own: a yorkie named Rico and two lab mixes, Roxy and Luna.

Kendall Cassidy - Dog Handler
Kendall Cassidy has five pets: four dogs and a cat named Sibilo Tigre. She finds it nearly impossible to be in a bad mood around dogs and dreams of one day opening a center for troubled teens in which they rehabilitate dogs. the 21-year-old Grosse Pointe Woods resident has trained police dogs and worked at a boarding facility.

Alyssa Corrado, Dog Handler
Alyssa Coorrado has some unusual pets: a rat and a lion-head dwarf rabbit. She lives in the Woodbridge neighborhood of Detroit and particularly enjoys spending one on one time with the dogs she works with so she can get to know their quirks. Her interests include cultural anthropology, natural survival techniques, working with children, and all aspects of creation and art.

Shannon Eatmon, Groomer
Shannon Eatmon started grooming in 2003 and wouldn’t trade it for the world -- she absolutely loves working with dogs! The 23-year-old Detroit resident has two of her own and and enjoys ride a four-wheeler on her days off.

Keeley Fuller, Facility Manager

Keeley attended the University of Findlay and majored in pre-veterinary medicine. She has worked in veterinary specialty and 24-hour emergency care hospitals and has spent a lot of time fostering dogs and finding them homes. She lives in Yale with her three dogs and enjoys photography, painting, writing, listening to music, camping and hiking.



Nick Horbes – Dog Handler
Nick Horbes is a graduate of Triple Crown Academy for dog trainers and has two German Shepherd and a cat named Lucy of his own. He loves watching dogs interact with each other in a social environment like Canine to Five. When Nick is not at work, he enjoys time with his wife and family traveling, fishing, and going to sporting events. He has worked with animals for about a decade, and at Canine To Five since May 2010. Nick commutes every day from Port Huron!

Holly Lenhart, Groomer

Holly Lenhart is a graduate of the Academy of Animal arts. The Detroit resident joined the Canine To Five grooming staff in May 2006, and she excels at both dog and cat grooming! She has a passion for animals in need, and often fosters strays. She has two dogs, four cats and four tanks full of fish at home. Holly's gentle way with the dogs makes her a great addition to the team.

Jessica Reichwage, Dog Handler
Jessica is a Warren resident who joined the Canine To Five team in February of 2008. She enjoys working at Canine to Five because the dogs are always happy to see her! A dog lover since she was a kid, Jessica has a Golden Retriever and a German Shepherd and has worked at various animal shelters, veterinarian hospitals and dog daycares. She also loves sports, especially softball, which she has been playing since she was four years old. Next time you visit Canine to Five, bring a softball, so Jessica can play catch with your dog.


Carol Skinner, Facility Manager
An animal lover through and through, Carol Skinner doesn't have any non-animal interests. When not at Canine to Five, Carol rides and trains horses -- at college in Kentucky, she worked as a foal attendant at the ICU of a local equine hospital. Carol has also worked as a kennel manager for the local Humane Society and several veterinary clinics in Colorado prior to moving to Michigan. Next time you drop of your pooch, say hello to Carol and her canine kids, Buffy and Jack, who usually come to work with her!

Matt Somiski, Dog Handler
Matt Somoski is 23, a lifetime Hamtramck resident and proud pop to an American bulldog mix named Delilah. Blame his family for his start working with animals at a young age: his mom managed the Royal Oak Animal Hospital and also works with a cat rescue group. Matt relaxes by playing basketball and video games, watching hockey -- especially the Red Wings -- making art and hanging out with his friends.


Nicole Somoski, Dog Handler
Nicole Somoski is 25 years old, lives in Warren and works at Canine to Five for a very simple reason: she loves dogs and all their different personalities. When she was just 10 years old, she began volunteering for a variety of animal-focused organizations, from Companion Pet Rescue to H-CAT (Hamtramck Cat Assistance Team). Her mom used to manage the Royal Oak Animal Shelter, where she gained tons of experience. Nicole loves to go on road trips, get tattoos, play Halo 3 on Xbox, work on her reptile collection and shop -- when she is not playing with your dog!