Founder & Pack Leader : LeAnna
LeAnna, the founder of Reservoir Dogs, has over 14 years of experience in the pet care industry. She owned and managed a dog walking and pet sitting business in Brookyln from 2010 until 2021, when she decided to move upstate full-time after owning a weekend home in the Catskills since 2018. LeAnna first starting bringing dogs from the city to have weekend excursions at her upstate home, since many dogs didn’t have the opportunity to experience nature on a regular basis. It allowed the dogs to relax and unwind away from the hustle and bustle of city life. LeAnna is excited to be transitioning her dog walking business to the Catskill Mountains, offering dogs the opportunity to explore and thrive in a natural environment.
As a professional dog walker, LeAnna prides herself on building strong bonds with both pets and their owners, providing reliable and compassionate care. With a keen understanding of canine behavior, she strives to make each walk a positive and enriching experience for every four-legged friend, incorporating elements like leash training and positive reinforcement.
LeAnna’s experience in pack walking goes beyond just physical coordination; with a keen eye for canine body language and behavior, her expertise has gained an understanding of canine social dynamics, ensuring a harmonious and enjoyable experience for every member of the pack. LeAnna mentored under Dani Santanella, owner of Urban K-9 training in NYC, where she gained valuable hands-on experience in canine behavior and training techniques.
During LeAnna’s free time, you can find her spending time with her partner and her own dogs, Mookie + Cinder, or passionately renovating houses in the Catskills.
Pack Leader : Renee
Renee has lived in the Catskills on and off for the past 9 years and has always had animals in her life. Whether as pets at home or through volunteer work, she has a passion for creatures great and small. Currently she cares for a feral cat colony in Brooklyn and monitors buildings in the city during the Spring and Fall for injured migrating birds, which she then brings to the Wild Bird Fund for rehabilitation. In her spare time upstate, you can catch her photographing wildlife and talking to the snakes and bugs that live in her yard.
She also grew up hiking and backpacking, an interest she still cultivates in the Catskills and beyond. Most recently, she hiked what most consider to be the hardest hike on the East Coast — the Devils’ Path — in 1 day and has also completed 934 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail.
Her passion for hiking and animals makes her the perfect addition to the Reservoir Dogs team. Hiking is fun, but it’s way more fun with dogs!
Pack Leader : Riss
Riss currently lives in Kingston and has always had animals in their life. Growing up, Riss and their family adopted dogs with troubled pasts who required attentive and specialized care in order to feel safe and loved. Gaining their trust sparked Riss’s love for dogs and all creatures big and small.
After moving to the Hudson Valley in 2020 to receive their Bachelor of Science in Visual Arts, Riss has cared for dogs, horses, geese, and cats of various sizes and demeanors.
Their wide-ranged pet experience helps them adapt to the needs of any animal they care for.
Outside of their passion for animals, Riss is a multi-media artist and educator. In their current practice, they enjoy working with textiles and handmade paper.