Meet Our Team
The BEST pet care team in the Chippewa Valley!
To serve our clients the best, our team has to be the best. Our staff is upbeat, happy, professional, and knows what’s expected of them. We all constantly engage in continuing education to keep our skill set fresh and up to date.
We communicate well with prospective and returning clients alike, and we've documented and fully systemized all of our job functions. There’s a special “way” we do everything, and we reward our employees for the great work they do. We own our responsibilities and feel great 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 network with others in the pet care industry to keep up to date on skills, 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. She also runs our social media and website. Avery enjoys spending time training & teaching aerial arts 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.
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 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. Our lovely groomers Hannah & Libby trained her. 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! She 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. Our lovely groomers Hannah & Libby trained them. In their free time they enjoy hiking, mushroom hunting, jamming to music, and watching spooky movies with their 2 cats, Willow and Loki.
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 5 cats, Ducky, Spike, Star, Lilith, and Robin, 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!
