ABOUT US
Meet the Owners of Dog Party USA
Meet our team
Staff members
Andy York
Hi my name is Andy and I’ve been with Dog Party since the summer of 2022. I actually adopted my baby Chiweenie Carly from Dog Party and she is the love of my life! My favorite thing about working at dog party is being around all the dogs, they absolutely are my passion. My hobbies are playing music, brewing beer, playing with pups and eating good food!
Alex Barrales
Hi my name is Alex and I’ve been with Dog Party since the summer of 2017. I grew up with 2 dogs and had no idea what to do at first. I then got Lucy (my pit) and started to learn more about dogs and dog training. My Beagle Isabella needed some training so I started working with her learning more and more about dogs and now I’m the trainer at Dog Party. My hobbies are soccer and dog training. I also like to make/edit videos and eat food of all kinds.
Megan Burlingame
Megan has been with Dog Party USA since the Fall of 2005. She was in high school at the time, and she is an integral part of everything we do here at Dog Party. She worked here all through college, where she studied architecture and historical preservation. She is now a designer for Innovative Business Furniture, but she still works doing the late-night takeout for the dogs on weeknights. She still enjoys seeing all of her furry friends at night.
Virginia Huff
Hi, my name is Virginia and I've been at Dog Party since the fall of 2022. Although I grew up here in NWA, I spent a few years in Colorado on the management team of another daycare and boarding factility. I have a cat named Euripides (Euri). I love working at Dog Party so I can be around dogs, while letting Euri be an only pet. My hobbies include reading and playing pool.
Jen Stoufer
Hi my name is Jen and I’ve been with Dog Party since the summer of 2022. At home I have cat named Momiji (Mo). My favorite thing about working at Dog Party is getting to hang out with dogs since Mo is not okay with other animals. My hobbies are video games and comic books. I also like to watch professional wrestling and go out to eat.
Steve Lilly
Hi my name is Steve and I’ve been with Dog Party since the Spring of 2022. I am currently waiting for the right dog to rescue. My favorite thing about working at Dog Party is the time with the dogs. If I was a dog, I’d be a lab. My hobbies are watching Razorback sports, camping and hiking.
Sheila Brizendine
I have been at Dog Party since the Spring of 2010, after moving here from Kansas City in 2009. I’m a huge K.C. Chiefs fan. I love getting to know the dogs and their funny quirks!
Garrick Tompkins
Hi I'm Garrick and I joined dog party the summer of 2022. I have two dogs of my own, Lovey and Colin. I grew up with 8 dogs so working here has been right up my alley. When I'm not at home or Dog Party I can be found at the University of Arkansas studying for my Masters in Accounting. On the off chance I have free time I enjoy hiking, video games, and watching tv.
Brian Stone
Hi my name is Stone and I’ve been with Dog Party since the winter of 2022. I have one black cat names Cosmo. My favorite part about working at Dog Party is of course just being with the dogs. My hobbies are playing shows with my bands and being outdoors.
Jay Hollingshead
Hi my name is Jay and I’ve been with Dog Party since the fall of 2021. I’ve been working in the pet care industry for 13 years now and I absolutely love it and can’t imagine doing anything else. The love you get from the dogs and their parents is priceless, plus at Dog Party it’s not just a job, it’s family! I am certified pet care technician certified by both pet care service associations 2010 and pet tech 2017. My hobbies are swimming, playing drums in my band, and hanging out with friends.
Lecie Dalton
Hi my name is Lecie and I’ve been with Dog Party since the Summer of 2021. I have about 20 rescue dogs at home and 1 cat. I couldn’t live without them. They give me somebody to talk to. I like working at Dog Party because of the people. They would do anything for you! Also I love working with dogs rather than people. My hobbies are gardening, sewing and going to car races. I also like to be around my family and animals.
Lilly Crawford
Hi my name is Lilly and I’ve been with Dog Party since the Spring of 2021. I have two dogs at home named Jules & Hugo. My favorite thing about working at dog Party is getting to know all the dogs and learning their quirks! My hobbies are reading and music.
Cathy Cates
Hello! My name is Cathy and I have been with Dog Party since the Fall of 2006. I’m also the in house photographer. I have three dogs of my own Adale(French Mastiff), Frida(Chihuahua) and Maya(Husky). When I’m not at Dog Party I also work on a farm with my husband. I enjoy nature, taking pictures and spending time with my family.
Brennan & Karissa Starks
Juliet Chekofsky
Hi my name is Juliet and I’ve been with Dog Party since the summer if 2017. I have two dogs who I love so much, Paris & Sage. The best part about Dog Party (of course besides the dogs) is how we are all family…from the dogs, the customers, the staff and all. My hobbies are thrifting, geocaching, anything outdoors and I also consider myself a paranormal investigator!
Matt Kumpe
PACCC Certified
Matt has been a part of the Dog Party Team at various levels since the Summer of 2008. From a weekend and holiday worker while in high school, to a full-time college student and full-time employee. More recently Matt has taken on a shift manager role as the “Question Man, answerer of all, confounded by none!” When not drowning in puppies and phone calls, he can be found “getting Swoll” at the gym, mountain biking local trails, or hiking with his wife, Michaela, and 3 small dogs, Spencer, Gypsy, and Bean.
Nick Kumpe
Nick is the Husband of Stacey, Father of chance, Son of priscilla, brother of Ron and Chaddie, Uncle of Matt, Tristan, and Veronica. Also the father of- Blitzen, Ping, Houston and Goliath (G) and Balls. I love working and playing with the dogs because they are always in the moment. All they really want is some love and attention, however much your willing to give is just fine. Nick is remembered as a smiling wonderful part of the Kumpe and Dog Party family from early 2017 through early 2022, until he lost his battle with cancer.
Will Sheffield
Hi my name is Will and I’ve been with Dog Party since the Spring of 2022. I have a cat named Jack. He’s ok for a cat. My hobbies are music and the outdoors. I also like to eat and nap.
Kylee Ramsey
Hi my name is Kylee and I’ve been with dog party since the spring of 2013. My favorite thing about working at dog party is the lasting bond I make with the dogs and knowledge of the different dog breeds. Not only do I enjoy coming to Dog Party, but so does my dog, Hollyhock who loves to come and play with her friends. My hobbies include the arts and being in nature. I like to paint dog portraits & take long hikes with my dogs.
Ryan Vaught
Hi my name is Ryan and I’ve been with Dog Party since the Fall of 2012. I have two human kids as of Fall 2022 and four dogs one cat and some chickens. My favorite part of work is seeing both the dog and owner’s reaction when they come pick up from daycare, or a particularly long stay. My hobbies are fixing things and playing army with my son. I also like to grill out and spend time with friends & family.
Derek Thompson
Derek has been working at Dog Party USA since the spring of 2018. Derek says that the best part of his job is watching happy families be reunited after long boarding stays. In his free time Derek works on programming as a hobby and plays Dungeons and Dragons. Derek's long term goal is to be able to combine his passion for animals with his love of software development.