Meet Our Team
The BEST pet care team in the Chippewa Valley!
To serve our clients in the best way possible, our team has to be the best. Our staff is upbeat, happy, professional, and knows what’s expected of them. We are all constantly doing continuing education to keep our skill set fresh and up to date.
We all are well-versed in communicating with prospects and clients alike. Every job function is documented and fully systemized. There’s a special “way” we do everything, and we reward our employees for the great work they do. We all take ownership of our responsibilities and feel great about knowing that our efforts are rewarded. Meet the team that will make your pet's daycare, boarding, and grooming experience the very best!
Stephanie, Owner
Stephanie Sorensen has been loving, and working with dogs her whole life. She started showing dogs at age 13 and after her first show, she was hooked! She's competed in Conformation Shows, Agility, Rally, Obedience, and Earthdog with her dogs. In 1996, Stephanie decided to turn her passion into her career. That year she opened the original Paws and Claws in Eau Claire, intending to provide a place where clients can feel comfortable bringing their furry friends to stay for the day, a week or to get a great haircut. Throughout the last 28 years, she's attended various seminars and continues to communicate with others in the pet care industry to keep up to date on knowledge, education, and trends.
Avery, General Manager
Avery Oja has been a part of our team since December 2017, but her love for animals is lifelong. She started as a receptionist, kennel, & daycare attendant, eventually ending up as our General Manager. Avery also runs our social media and website. Avery enjoys spending time training & teaching aerial at Moonrise Aerials, watching true crime and stand-up comedy shows, and hanging out with her 2 cats, Juno & Athena.
Brenna, Assistant Manager
Brenna Bowe has been a member of our team since July 2019. She started as a kennel & daycare attendant and receptionist and is now our Assistant Manager. Brenna lives with her fiance and their zoo: four cats, two ferrets, and their turtle. In her free time, Brenna enjoys making art and watching horror movies.
Hannah, Groomer
Hannah Farr has worked for Paws and Claws since June of 2008, taking on many different roles over the years; she started grooming in 2019 and loves getting to make dogs their cutest selves! In her free time, she loves to garden, make art, go on hikes with her husband & cuddle with their 2 dogs, Willy and Porkchop, and their cat Ernie.
Libby, Groomer
Libby Wood started working at Paws and Claws in June 2020. She trained under a longtime professional Groomer and Dog Breeder from the Milwaukee area. In her free time, she loves to go to dog shows, spend time with her family, and play with her dog D'Artagnan (Dart).
Erin, Groomer
Erin Scanlan is one of our newer groomers to join the team, having joined us in January 2022. She trained under our other groomers and owner Stephanie. She loves hanging out with her 2 bunnies, dog, & cat, Eeyore, Iris, Kiddo, & Ozzy along with doing puzzles in her free time.
Mary, Groomer
Mary German is one of our newest groomers, having started at Paws & Claws in May 2024. She was trained here by our lovely Groomers Hannah & Libby. In her free time, Mary enjoys taking her 2 dogs, Fluffy & Indie, to the park, giving herself tattoos, watching shows, & taking care of her personal zoo which includes her 2 dogs, 3 tarantulas, 2 hissing cockroaches, 16 scorpions, a mouse, & a snake!
Julia, Groomer
Julia Fransway has been a kennel and daycare attendant here since September 2023, and is also one of our newest Groomers! Julia was trained here by our lovely Groomers Hannah & Libby, as well as taking classes online at Paragon Grooming School. Outside of work, Julia loves going to concerts, doing arts and crafts projects, and collecting vinyl records. She has a dog, Monster, a ball python, Felix, and a cat, Mars.
Gabby, Groomer
Gabby Diedrich is one of our newest groomers, having joined us in July of 2024. More info coming soon!
Thea, Operations Assistant
Thea Lessard has been a Kennel Attendant at Paws & Claws since August 2022! She is one of our main Kennel Attendants and is also one of our 2 Operations Assistants. Thea is fabulous at noticing small details about each pet! In her free time, you can find Thea reading or outdoors. She has 4 cats, Ducky, Spike, Star, and Lilith, 2 dogs, Bluebell & Brownie, along with helping care for her family's mouse, 2 turtles, & 5 chickens.
Sierra, Operations Assistant
Sierra Douglas has been a receptionist, kennel, and daycare attendant at Paws & Claws since September 2023, and is now one of our Operations Assistants as well! She’s got 2 dogs, Luke & Leia, and 2 cats, Casper & Toast. In her free time, Sierra enjoys diamond paintings, camping, going to the beach and taking her dogs for walks!
Samantha, Administrative Assistant
Samantha S. has been a Receptionist here since September 2023, and is now our Administrative Assistant! When she is not at work she continues taking care of animals at home! She has been taking care of ferrets for 15 years. Samantha also has a 4-year-old Eclectus Parrot named R'lyeh, a 12-year-old Ball Python named Schmoopy, and an Anatolian Shepherd mix named Maple! Maple loves Daycare so much that she even has a button for asking to visit her dog friends!
