Meet the Team
Rick
Dog Groomer/Stylist, Trick Trainer and “Owner” (terms and conditions may apply)/
He’s been making dogs look fabulous since 2009, with a soft spot for puppy cuts and “let’s make this breed cut work in real life” transformations.
As a CTDI through Do More With Your Dog, Rick teaches tricks classes that are equal parts skill-building and comedy hour.
He may look like a “scary man,” but dogs disagree. Strongly. Most clock him immediately as a certified safe human with excellent treat distribution.
Lifelong herder dog guy (Aussies and Shelties since 2005), but deep down? He’s dreaming of a tiny, fluffy dog he can fluff to absolute perfection.
Big guy. Soft heart. Elite vibes.
Pictured: Junie has been Kim’s honorary baby girl since 2015 and has helped her raise 3 puppies!
Kim
Kim, CPDT-KSA, is TacoMo’s co-owner, class instructor, and resident “not-the-boss” bossShe’s a Fear Free trainer with a gift for helping nervous dogs level up their confidence and helping humans finally understand what their dogs have been saying all along.
If you’ve ever said “I think my dog is trying to tell me something,” Kim is your translator.
Self-proclaimed expert dog grooming assistant, frequent public spokesperson, and collector of many unofficial “dog babies,” she’s usually behind the scenes making everything work—while also somehow being everywhere at once.
Calm energy. Sharp eye. Soft spot for the shy ones.
Working professionally with dogs since 2009 and training since 2010, Kim earned her CPDT-KA in 2014 and CPDT-KSA in 2015. She maintains both certifications along with her Fear Free certification, staying current in compassionate, science-based training.
Dog Groomer/Stylist
Katelin joined TacoMo in 2023 as an apprentice, bringing with her a strong prior background in the dog world.
After dedicating herself to refining her craft, she became a full-fledged professional groomer in spring 2025. She’s especially known for her beautiful doodle and shih tzu cuts, combining precision with a gentle, patient approach that dogs truly appreciate.
Often the friendly face greeting you at the front desk, Katelin approaches each groom with thoughtfulness and care, always focused on doing what’s best for the dog in front of her.
Thoughtful, detail-oriented, and kind, she makes both dogs and their humans feel completely at ease.
Katelin
Kylie
Kylie: Rain, snow, muddy paws—she’s got it handled.
If there’s a dog that needs to go out, Kylie already knows—and probably has them on a schedule. She’s got a knack for building strong potty habits and making sure new pups learn that inside is for manners, outside is for business.
Her secret weapon? Impeccable timing. Seriously—those potty schedules work.
When the weather doesn’t cooperate, Kylie keeps things moving with indoor obstacle courses, enrichment activities, and just the right amount of structured fun. She also helps pups learn how to relax, working on settling skills so they can take a break from the excitement when needed.
Outside of TacoMo, Kylie is kept busy by her dogs Eggsy and Bandit, plus her cats—so managing a full house of personalities is kind of her specialty.
We’re working on collecting crew bios—think less ‘deadline’ and more ‘gentle recall with treats.’ In the meantime I’ll put in whatever info I want to:
Erin: trainer, trusted advisor, and TacoMo’s unofficial “we should probably listen to her” department.
With TacoMo since 2020 and teaching since 2021, Erin is a credentialed CTT-A through the Pet Professional Accreditation Board and now works extensively with private clients (many of whom refuse to go anywhere else).
She has a sharp eye for what works, what doesn’t, and what could be better—and lucky for us, she tells us.
Erin believes dogs deserve the same compassion and empathy as any family member, and she brings that into every session.
Also: if it’s big, fluffy, and sheds enough to build a second dog, she loves it. Proud human to Monty the Rough Collie, and previously to Hachi (Malamute mix) and Rueger (Australian Shepherd).
ERIN
GABI
Gabi is one of the bright lights of TacoMo’s playcare team, keeping things clean, organized, and full of enrichment for the dogs in her care.
She brings a thoughtful approach to playcare, making sure each dog gets not just exercise, but meaningful interaction and positive experiences throughout their day.
Outside of TacoMo, Gabi is a well-rounded student at Northern Michigan University and a dedicated caretaker to her many reptile companions at home.
Reliable, attentive, and full of positive energy, she helps make playcare a safe and happy place for every dog.
julie
Julie: part-time team member, full-time friend, and all-around priceless human.
She’s with TacoMo once a week, but the impact she brings easily fills the whole calendar. With her CPDT-KA certification and extensive experience working with rescue dogs, Julie brings a depth of compassion and understanding that’s hard to put into words.
She jumps in wherever needed—cleaning, organizing, record-keeping, assisting with classes and private sessions—and somehow makes everything run smoother while she’s there.
Julie has given second chances to countless dogs, and for many, she’s been their final safe place and trusted friend. (Yes, we’re emotional about it too.)
At home, she’s happily owned by her Chow Chow mix Shaggy and her “definitely not a foster failure” (okay, maybe a little) Rudy.
We’d have her here every day if we could.