The Barks 5th Avenue team is a tight-knit group of professionals who just happen to be absolutely in LOVE with dogs! We are happy that you are entrusting us with your pet, and we want you to feel comfortable with our family members caring for yours!
PENNIE MAHON, OWNER
Pennie Mahon’s passion for animals started in her youth. She was first introduced to the world of animal training at the age of eleven, when she trained her first dog through her local 4-H club. This experience marked the beginning of a lifetime spent exploring and connecting with animals. She has successfully trained, competed and titled in elite level competition with her horses in multiple disciplines and her dogs in Disc, Dock Diving, Herding and Obedience. As a Certified Disc Dog Judge she enjoys traveling internationally to judge competitions and to share her passion teaching Disc Dog clinics.
Pennie has become a world-renowned Disc Dog competitor. She began this pursuit in 2001, and in 2012 she and her dog Psych received the ultimate honor when they were crowned the Hyperflite Skyhoundz Disc Dog World Champions. Pennie and Psych have finished in top ranked placement at the Ashley Whippet Invitational, UFO World Cup, and USDNN World Finals. This polished duo along with the rest of her pack, Disc-Functional K-9’s, are often the highlight at NFL, NBA college half time shows and many events within the community.
PAT MAHON, OWNER/GENERAL MANAGER
A member of the Houston business community for over three decades, Pat is an integral part of the community. Not only does he run the day-to-day operations of Barks 5th Avenue, he is the founder of the DAWG Foundation, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit charity that provides highly trained service dogs to military veterans battling Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), at NO CHARGE to the veteran. Pat’s love of family, country, and dogs shows through not only in his work, but in his volunteering, as well.
JOE SPENCER, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Joe joined the Barks team in October of 2014 as the Business Development Manager. A Tomball resident, Joe is a veteran of the War on Terror, a volunteer firefighter, and very active in veteran’s advocacy and volunteering. His passion for dogs comes from his three best friends; Prince, a 14-year old Lhasa Apso; Duke, a 3-year old Chiweenie; and Colbie, a 3-year old Rhodesian/Lab mix. When he isn’t knee-deep in paperwork trying to find ways to to pass bigger discounts onto our customers, Joe can be found playing with our Daycare and Boarding dogs, recording video of our dogs in training, or telling corny jokes at the front counter.
NICHOLE SALTER, MASTER TRAINER
If you could describe Nichole in one word, that word would be “Passion.”
A life-long dog enthusiast, Nichole knew as a child exactly what she wanted to do when she grew up; train dogs. After graduating high school, she attended Starmark Academy (formerly known as Triple Crown Academy), one of the most reputable animal training academies in the United States. Due to her professionalism, passion (there’s that word again!), and natural ability with the dogs she was training, Nichole was selected for a prestigious internship upon graduation. Eventually, she was brought on as a trainer by the Academy, and was responsible for the training of new academy classes. Nichole spent 4 years as a senior trainer at the Academy.
Nichole is a professional trainer of many disciplines; her formal education and dog training experience allow her to analyze the best method for communicating with the trainee pet, and formulating a training plan that has maximum impact with minimum stress. She is also experienced in training service animals, narcotics-sniffing dogs, personal protection canines, and other specialty working fields. When it comes to training, Nichole can do it all!
Call today for your FREE training consultation!
CHELSEA JONES, GROOMING SUPERVISOR
Chelsea is a graduate of Golden Paws Grooming Academy, and has been grooming with us for over a year now. Her clients love her attention to detail, stylistic sense, and loving demeanor. Her knowledge of common canine allergic conditions, special dermatological treatment, and diet-based remedies benefits her clients greatly!
BRITTANI CYCHOWSKI, GUEST SERVICES REPRESENTATIVE
A great mom, a great friend, and a dog lover, Brittani’s passion is to make sure you and your pet are satisfied with your Barks 5th Avenue experience! She knows what it is like to entrust others with your baby, so she strives to make sure your furry friend’s stay will be safe, comfortable, and memorable! Brittani is standing by to assist you with your Barks 5th Avenue experience!
AIMEE CRUZ, GUEST SERVICES/NUTRITION CONSULTANT
What can we say about Aimee? She loves animals! She owns an entire PACK of dogs (last count over 5) and 3 horses, and she loves them like her own children. Making sure her dogs live a long, healthy life is very important to her, and she has become one of our best resources for canine nutrition! If you are interested in converting over from your current dog food to a healthier, grain-free diet for your pooch, contact Aimee! Furthermore, the majority of the photography you see here on our site, on our official Facebook page, and on Instagram are provided by Aimee. She is a fantastic photographer!
OSCAR ALVAREZ,ASSISTANT TRAINER
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here is no better job in the entire world for a dog lover than to work as a Barks 5th Avenue Trainer! Oscar tirelessly cares for, monitors, and plays with our training dogs almost EVERY DAY! His stern yet caring nature is the perfect balance for keeping a group of over a dozen energetic dogs safe and active. Oscar’s love for your dogs is evident in the amount of time and energy he spends making sure they are all cared for and played with every day he is here. Be sure to thank Oscar for being such a caring friend to your dog!
NELLIE REYES, KENNEL TECHNICIAN
GERALD MAXWELL, KENNEL TECHNICIAN