Meet the writers who love dogs as much as you do

Jeff Butler

Jeff has been covering dog-related topics since 2012. He can’t remember a time in his life without dogs. He resides in Cleveland with his wife and three children, and his dog Gary is essentially the fourth child. Jeff has over a decade of management experience. In his free time, Jeff can be found on a golf course or playing guitar while dreaming about being a member of My Morning Jacket.

Sadie Cornelius

Sadie has more than 15 years of digital and traditional media experience for a wide range of companies and industries. Sadie graduated from the Moody School of Communications at the University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor’s in Advertising and a business concentration from UT’s McCombs School Of Business.

Kimberly Alt

Kimberly has more than a decade of professional writing and editing experience under her belt, including working for multiple newspapers, magazines, and websites. Some popular companies she has helped with include Better Homes & Gardens, Parents.com, and the International Brotherhood of Electric Workers.

Kimberly received her Bachelor of Arts in multimedia journalism from Simpson College. She has been writing about dogs since 2014, covering subjects such as dog insurance, training, health, accessories, and more. She is a member of the Dog Writers Association of America, and her work has appeared in many notable brands, including The New York Times’ Wirecutter, Reader’s Digest, Forbes, People, Woman’s World, and Huffington Post.

In 2017, Kimberly and her husband adopted their Coonhound mix, Sally, from a local shelter. Sally is a great family dog and is gentle around Kimberly’s two children, who are completely infatuated with her. When Kimberly isn’t writing about all things dog, you can find her taking walks with her family, playing in her yard with her kids, trying a new recipe in the kitchen, exploring the national parks, and spending as much time outside as possible.

Dr. Joanna Woodnutt

Dr. Joanna Woodnutt MRCVS is a qualified veterinarian working in the UK. She has a passion for educating owners to help them understand their pets: she believes that knowing why something happens, how drugs work, and even when to worry helps owners to feel more confident in caring for their dogs.  Jo is one of our featured vets here at Love Your Dog.

At school Jo was one of those students who didn’t know what they wanted to do. She loved science, but wanted to be an author, too! Luckily, common sense prevailed and she decided to pursue the sciences in the hope of a simpler career path.

Jo graduated from the University of Nottingham and holds a degree in Veterinary Science (BVMedSci) and a degree in Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (BVM BVS). After graduating, she worked in companion animal practice in the UK for several years, dealing with patients young and old.

She found a love of consulting, and particularly loved it when a complex concept needed to be explained to an owner- but she could only help one owner at a time. Thanks to an old school friend, Jo was thrust back into the world of writing and realised she could combine her two loves after all and help more people understand their pets!

Jo now works as a vet two days a week in a large companion animal practice. The rest of the time she spends writing about animals for websites and magazines, continuing her work of helping owners to better understand their pets. Her rescue terrier, Pixie, can often be found on her lap when she’s writing- she makes a great hot water bottle!”

Danielle DeGroot

Danielle is a professional writer, pet lover, and book nerd. She has experience writing in communications, freelance writing, copywriting, blogging, PR, marketing, and education. Danielle graduated from the University of Colorado Global and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications with a specialization in Marketing. She is a lifelong supporter of rescue pets and has adopted almost every animal she ever met that needed a home. Big or small, she falls in love with dogs of all shapes and sizes. If she could, she would adopt them all!

Sally Jones

Sally has been a writer and copy editor for Canine Journal for many years. She has 25+ years of professional writing and editing experience. She also has years of experience in public relations, marketing, and fundraising communications, specializing in health care communications. Her past work history and major freelance clients include the UVA Health System, the VCU Health System, the MCV Foundation, and various local and regional publications. Sally holds a BA in English from James Madison University and began her writing career as a graduate student at the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Journalism & Mass Communications.

Dr. Rebecca MacMillan

Rebecca MacMillan VetMed MRCVS is a companion animal veterinarian and surgeon who has always had a passion for writing and client communication. Since her graduation from England’s Royal Veterinary college in 2009, she has gained a wealth of experience in first opinion small animal practice, in both clinical and managerial roles.

Rebecca currently works in the South West of England and deals with a variety of routine and emergency appointments, but particularly enjoys medicine cases. Outside of work and writing, she enjoys spending time with her family, including her bouncy flat-coated retriever George!

Dr. Holly Anne Hills

Holly graduated from Nottingham in 2018. After some time as a farm animal vet, Holly travelled to India and volunteered with dogs and other small animals there. She is passionate about the health of the planet’s non-human creatures and providing veterinary care to those most in need, she also spent some time in India where she volunteered as a small animal vet. Holly now combines writing with working as a small animal vet, as well as volunteering with VetSustain’s communications and social media team. Holly loves anything to do with pet owner education and preventative healthcare. When not working or volunteering, she can be found outdoors bird watching, swimming, running, and spending time with her pets!

Dr. Ellen Marcinkiewicz

Ellen Marcinkiewicz BVSc. MRCVS, graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2012. She’s since worked as a small animal veterinarian in her home country of Australia, as well as at the Massey University Teaching Hospital in New Zealand. Her most memorable experience as a teaching vet was running a charity spay/neuter program for final year vet students in Samoa.

Her love of traveling the world has now led her to the UK, where she currently works as a veterinarian and freelance veterinary writer based in Somerset.

Ellen is passionate about education and all things pet health including surgery, medicine, behavior, and nutrition. In her free time, Ellen enjoys hiking, travel, yoga, and modern calligraphy.

Dr. Emma Rogers-Smith MRCVS

Before qualifying as a Veterinary Surgeon from Cambridge University, Emma worked part-time at a small animal veterinary clinic. After graduation, that role evolved into her first job as a veterinary surgeon. After 18-months, she decided to advance her veterinary training, undertaking rotating internships followed by 2.5 years of residency training as an Internal Medicine Clinician at a large multidisciplinary referral hospital in the UK.

She has always had a passion for solving puzzles, and the really tricky Internal Medicine cases are her favorite. Emma has published several first-author research papers and is actively involved in ongoing Internal Medicine and Antibiotic Stewardship research projects.

Dr. Hannah Godfrey

After graduating from the Royal Veterinary College in 2011, Dr. Hannah Godfrey BVetMed MRCVS went on to work in a busy practice dealing with animals of all shapes and sizes. She’s since found a love of smaller animals and now works in a small companion animal practice in Wales, where she combines her love of animals with her love of writing.

Amber LaRock

My name is Amber LaRock. I am a Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) with an A.A.S in veterinary technology. I’ve taken my career online to spread knowledge on animal welfare, as far and often as I can! I grew up with a deep passion for helping animals and knew that it was my life’s purpose. After gaining my degree in veterinary technology along with my license, I began work in an emergency animal hospital.

With the experience I gained from my time in the hospital, I have been able to travel the world, offering my services to as many animal rescues as I can find. If I am not at my laptop, or back home visiting family, you can find me somewhere in the world, cuddling every furry friend that I can find!

Emma Braby

Emma Braby is a writer with experience in blogging, copywriting, and ghostwriting. She left her almost decade-long job as a Police Officer in the UK for a better life traveling around Europe. Her time as a Police Officer was spent in the Investigation Unit interviewing witnesses and suspects, as well as writing complex crime files for the Crown Prosecution Service. She currently travels with the love of her life, Bonkers her rescue dog, whilst her husband Matt tags along.

Emma enjoys writing about all things dog, traveling, and health and wellbeing. Her hobbies include taking an obscene amount of selfies with Bonkers, and all the other dogs that she is lucky enough to look after along her travels, as well as long walkies in the forest and embroidery.

She has vast experience in looking after all kinds of dog breeds with their different personalities, due to her many years of experience as both a professional dog sitter and as a volunteer in her local dog shelters.

Emma’s long-term plans are to fine-tune her successful writing career, to keep traveling until she finds somewhere to settle down, to have some little humans, and to rescue as many dogs as her backyard will allow.

Emma is one of our featured writers who contributes regularly to LoveYourDog.com.

MJ Shaffer

MJ Shaffer graduated from Duke University and North Carolina State. She teaches High School English and runs a working Kiko goat farm with her three children. With her goats, MJ keeps Sam, an Anatolian Shepherd, and Sadie, an Anatolian/Kangal mix to guard against coyotes and other predators.

Yani Perez

Yani is a freelance writer, dog lover, educator, and theater fan. She was raised in a home with a variety of pets, including fancy pigeons, dogs, bunnies, and cats. Growing up, she and her family rescued animals, which is a practice she continues today. She is an avid animal advocate and enjoys helping others learn about and appreciate animals. She has worked in veterinarian clinics, a doggy daycare, a zoo, and the ASPCA.  Her four dogs, two pugs, and two Shih Tzu mixes passed away, but she carries them close to her heart.

Shannon Maguire

Shannon Maguire is a seasoned traveler, reader, animal lover, rescue advocate, and dog mom. Her zest for life and its adventures has always contributed to a deep passion for storytelling. This love of storytelling became intertwined with her love of dogs during the slow summer walks of her childhood with her beloved Golden Retriever named Guinness. As an adult, the special bond she shared with Guinness shines through in all facets of her writing and her life.

Shannon is a Content Creator for Pet Industry websites and businesses. She is a passionate rescue advocate and has fostered many dogs from local shelters. She is a part-time dog sitter and a full-time dog lover. Shannon resides in Los Angeles with her two rescues, a 10-pound spaniel mix named Boots and a 100-pound Great Dane/Lab mix named Bear. This oddly sized pair informs much of her writing. If you’d like to keep up with Boots and Bear’s many adventures, please check out Shannon’s personal blog at Doggo Dance.

Gemma Johnstone

Gemma is a freelance writer and official dog nut.  With 15 years of experience in the Pet Industry, she is a passionate animal welfare advocate and enjoys furthering her dog-related knowledge.   Gemma has worked for the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, ran her own specialist dog shop for ten years.

Gemma has also volunteered for her local rescue shelter, and is studying towards completing an Advanced Diploma in Canine Behaviour. Gemma is currently traveling around Europe with her wonderful rescue dog, Annie.

Kristin Hitchcock

Kristin Hitchcock has loved pets since she was a child. She grew up in Tenessee and continues to live there today with her husband and young daughter. She currently has a multitude of pets, including four dogs, three cats, two fish, and three lizards.

She is passionate about helping pet parents make informed, educated decisions and increasing awareness on little-known pet topics. She loves helping owners stay up-to-date on current scientific information as well as giving practical advice on all things pet.

Kelly Wilson

Kelly Wilson is a dog lover and mother of four.  She currently owns two English Mastiffs named Uhtred and Freyja. Before her human-sized fur babies, she owned a German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, and a Chocolate Lab. She’s enjoyed working with and training each of them.

Kelly is the former CEO of LoveYourDog.com but is no longer affiliated with the site.

Janet Wall

Janet Wall is the founder of LoveYourDog.com. She gave the website the base it has today and has many years of experience handling and training dogs.

Jan grew up in Southfield, Michigan, with two brothers and a sister. When Jan was two years old, her parents took in a collie named Laddie. The family also had a fox terrier, a dachshund, and a German shepherd at the time.

Through Jan’s teenage years, she studied all she could about dogs, their care, and training. She loved reading books about dogs, especially Lassie Come Home by Eric Knight and the Lad a Dog series by Albert Payson Terhune. Jan joined dog clubs, and her collies won ribbons at dog shows.

After High School, Jan went to Eastern Michigan University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education and her Teaching Credential. She began teaching in Michigan Public Schools in 1974, the first nine years with deaf and hard-of-hearing students. Jan was awarded a Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education at Western Michigan University in 1980.

Collies remained Jan’s passion, and she enjoyed competing in the AKC competition. She trained Duke, Star, and Brandi for obedience trials. She conducted dog obedience classes for children and adults.

Jan moved to San Diego, California, in 1982 and received a Communication Handicap Specialist Credential from San Diego State University and her Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential for California Public Schools. Jan continued teaching special and general education, kindergarten through sixth grade, in Chula Vista, California.
In 1985 Jan designed a Humane Education Program to teach kindness and responsibility to children. She developed a lesson series using dogs as the theme and, along with her collies, Trouper and Kelly, Jan taught the lessons at schools in Chula Vista, CA. Later, Jan would adapt her Humane Education Program for the Internet and create the website HowToLoveYourDog.com.

Besides her professional work, Jan served as a volunteer puppy trainer for Canine Companions for Independence. She promoted pet food drives for Animals. Jan joined Therapy Dogs International in 1988 and began regular therapy dog work with Trouper in health facilities for severely handicapped children and Alzheimer’s patients.

Jan joined the volunteer staff at Alvarado Hospital in 1991. Along with Trouper and Kelly, her second therapy dog, she visited stroke and brain-injured patients.

Jan took leave from the school district in 1998. She found a partial replacement for her love of teaching in the creation of this website. How to Love Your Dog was based on Jan’s original Humane Education Program. In 2003 Jan launched a second website as a resource for therapy dog owners, Therapy Dogs.Net.

Until the spring of 2006, Jan volunteered at Kaiser Hospital in the pediatric oncology department. Cody and Bailey, Jan’s registered therapy dogs, provided comfort and friendship to children receiving chemotherapy treatments.

Jan also was responsible for the orientation of new therapy dogs and their handlers at Alvarado Hospital. Currently, she enjoys her hobbies: dog agility, gardening, and photography.

Some of her content has been updated and revised, but we’ve strived to keep the original theme of LoveYourDog.com intact. Jan is no longer affiliated with the site.