Paul (Dr. Schifano) has been working with animals since the age of 15. Growing up in Michigan, Paul knew early on that he wanted to be a Veterinarian. He worked at area kennels to gain experience. At the age of 16 his family purchased the nation’s longest running pet center called Silver Maple Farm which brought them to the St. Louis area. In 1988, the dream of Petropolis became a reality. Paul currently owns and operates both facilities. You may not see Paul very often because he spends most of his time working with the Petropolis team to improve our facility and the service we provide our guests. He is always around though and you are always welcome to ask him to come downstairs to say hello. In his free time you will find Paul hanging with his 4 boys or on the ski slopes. He is known to sneak away from time to time when the weather is nice for a round of golf.
Job title: Owner Birthplace: Detroit Michigan Home: Town and Country Favorite music: Michael Buble Favorite television show: House Favorite movie: Taken Who should play me in a movie: Chevy Chase Guilty pleasure: Buddy’s Pizza (Anybody ever visited Detroit and tried it?) Favorite snack: Watermelon Coolest job: Sitting back watching the Petropolis team at work. Favorite animal: Picabo. Have you ever seen a Dandie Dinmont Terrier? If not Picabo is always with Paul and he loves showing her off.
Guy Nielsen
Guy grew up in the country. Farm animals was a big part of his life. With his brothers he built a construction company that grew to 35 employees in Southwest Missouri. This lasted until 2009 when the market changed, and it was time to see where the cheese had moved. He joined the Petropolis team in January 2011. Adapting to the city life has been interesting. But everybody needs a laugh, now and then. Guy has had extensive training/experience in employee management, business operations and day-to-day workflow. He believes that a positive attitude and setting high goals are the most important part of a successful life.
Job title: GM Birthplace: Salt Lake City UT Home: St. Charles County Favorite music: Beauty & the Beast Favorite television show: The Big Bang Theory Favorite movie: Ice age Who should play me in a movie: The donkey in Shrek with Eddie Murphy’s voice. Guilty pleasure: Thinking I’m still 21 Favorite snack: My wife’s bread Coolest job: Fresh out of high school, I bought some jet skis and setup a rental company on a lake in Southern Utah. It was awesome! (or as we used to say in the 80’s “It was Narly.”) Favorite animal: The Mammoth on Ice-Age who thought he was a possum.
Rob
Rob, the “Dr. Phil” of Petropolis, has had an extensive career in the pet care field as a Professional Trainer, behavior modification educator, and conductor of drug search and police department training services. Golf and fishing are Rob’s favorite pastimes, but don’t ask when he’s had time for either one! But the clubs and fishing rod remain in his van, just in case…! Take a moment to speak with Rob and you will be struck by his charm, engaging sense of humor and caring nature.
Job Title: Director of Training Birthplace: St. Louis, MO Home: St. Louis, MO Favorite Music: Classical Favorite Television Show: M.A.S.H Favorite Movie: Scarface Who Should Play Me In A Movie: Grizzly Adams Guilty Pleasure: Golf and Fishing Favorite Snack: Ice Cream Coolest Job: Petropolis – Training Pet Owners
Favorite Animal: Hippo
Roxanne
...And out of the training corner weighing in at 127 pounds, standing 5ft 5 1/2 inches tall manager of training and admissions coordinator. She is the current, reigning, and defending training champion. Training out of Petropolis Pet Center: Roxanne...the training Goddess...Sullivan!! Roxanne has been working with dogs and studying their behavior for 20 years. In 2006 she graduated from the Petropolis training academy, and since then has been training dogs professionally. After becoming the training manager she has taken on the roll as coordinator of our training/grooming academy. She loves giving tours of the facility and welcoming new students in to the Petropolis family.
Job Title: Training Manager/Director of Admissions Birthplace: Connecticut Home: Chesterfield, MO Favorite Music: All of It Favorite Television Show: Real Housewives of Any County Favorite Movie: It's Complicated Who Should Play Me In A Movie: Sandra Bullock Guilty Pleasure: Girls Nights Favorite Snack: Wine and Cheese Coolest Job: Petropolis
Favorite Animal: Oliver
Jan
If a trip to the groomer is your pet’s least favorite thing to do, you pet hasn’t met Jan. Jan has gained the trust of so many pets with her patience, calm, and relaxed nature. She gives a great hair cut too. Jan has been with Petropolis since 2001. Jan is a Pet stylist and Academy Instructor.
Job title: Pet Stylist & Academy Instructor Birthplace: St. Louis, Mo Home: St. Louis, Mo Favorite music: Jazz & Blues Favorite television show: Two and a Half Men Favorite movie: Comedies Who should play me in a movie: Brett Butler Guilty pleasure: Haagen – Dazz Vanilla Swiss Almond Favorite snack: Pistachio nuts Coolest job: Petropolis Favorite animal: Polar Bear
Bradi
Small town girl transplanted to the big city, Bradi was born and raised with the corn and cows. After deciding she wanted something more to life than chickens and pigs, she sought out Petropolis' grooming school. Without quitting her job of teaching tap, jazz and ballet in the small city, Bradi would drive back and forth from Iowa to St. Louis to learn to groom dogs and cats. Although she was learning on dogs and cats, she would practice poodle trims on sheep and lion trims on the farm cats at home.
Bradi is our resident chef and the expert on Terrier trims. Not a mean bone in her body, Bradi has been tapping her way into our clients hearts since 2003.
Job Title: Salon stylist/instructor Birthplace: Iowa Home: Maryland Heights, MO Favorite Music: Dance/Hip Hop Fav TV show: The Closer Fav Movie: Moulin Rouge Play Me in a Movie: Kirstie Alley Guilty Pleasure: White Chocolate Favorite Snack: White Cheddar Popcorn Coolest Job: Petropolis! Favorite Animal: Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Sheila
Sheila joined Petropolis in 2009 after graduating from our Academy. She truly enjoys working with all animals but prefers big dogs, the bigger the better, and the more slobbers the better! Sheila's day is not complete without being drooled on.
Job title: Pet Stylist and Academy Instructor Birthplace: California Home: Lonedell Favorite Music: Classic Rock Favorite Tv Show: American Idol Who should play me in a movie: Catherine O'Hara Guilty Pleasure: Shopping Favorite Snack: Ice Cream Coolest Job: Petropolis Favorite Animals: Any BIG dog
Mandy
Mandy is our cat and small animal grooming expert. She has been working with animals since 2001, and just knew grooming was for her. After attending the grooming school, Mandy decided to join our happy Petropolis family. Mandy is a Pet Stylist and Academy Instructor.
Job title: Pet Stylist and Academy Instructor Birthplace: St. Louis, MO Home: Manchester, MO Favorite Music: Whatever is on Favorite Tv Show: Scrubs Who should play me in a movie: Sophia Bush Guilty Pleasure: Chocolate Meltdown from Applebee’s Favorite Snack: Slim Jims Coolest Job: Petropolis Favorite Animals: Frogs
Candace
Candace joined the Petropolis staff in 2007 after graduating from our Academy. She had previously worked in childcare, but decided she prefers children w/ fur instead. Candace loves creative styling, so how about a Mohawk with blue streaks or maybe even hot pink nails. Candace would enjoy making your dog look like a rockstar.
Job title: Salon Stylist Birthplace: St. Louis, MO Home: St. Peters, MO Favorite Music: Alternative Rock Favorite TV show: Ghost Whisperer Who should play me in a movie: Molly Ringwald Guilty Pleasure: Shopping Favorite Snack: Pickles Coolest Job: Petropolis Favorite Animals: Dogs/American Pit Bull Terriers
Elaine
When you meet Elaine, a box of chocolates will come to mind. Elaine is sweeter than sweet and you will easily gain a pound just knowing her. Dogs lover her; cats think she is “purr”fect and we at Petropolis wouldn’t give her up for anything. So much so we can hardly give her a day off! When Elaine does get a day off though, you can find her camping, golfing or taking the day to just relax.
Job Title: Hotel Manager Birthplace: St Louis, MO Home: St. Louis, MO Fav. Music: Classic Rock/Country Favorite TV Show: CSI Favorite Movie: Wizard of Oz or Fried Green Tomatoes Play you in a movie: Guilty Pleasure: Chocolate Favorite Snacks: All sweets Coolest Job: Petropolis Favorite Animal: Dogs- Mutts in particular
Stacy
Stacy is dedicated, hardworking and lots of fun to be around. If you could ask the dogs in camp, they would all agree. Stacy is in charge of camp at Petropolis where fun and making friends is what it is all about for the dogs, and Stacy’s mission is to ensure that happens for all the dogs in her care. She will love your dog as if it were her own, and your dogs will leave feeling like they a part of her family. Mean or aggressive dogs don’t bother, Stacy won’t allow the behaviors on her watch! Bring your dog in for the day and he/she will not be disappointed.
Job Title: Boarding Associate Birthplace: Hannibal, MO Home: St. Peters, MO Favorite Music: Oldies, Rap or anything but country Favorite TV Show: Simpsons Favorite Movie: All comedies Play you in a movie: Holly Hunter Guilty Pleasure: Cooking Favorite Snack: Cherry Garcia Ice Cream Coolest Job: Petropolis Favoirte Animal: Dogs- Boxers
Nicki
When we look for employees to care for our pet guests, we want: sincere and caring people who look after our guests as if they were their own. When we found Nicki, we got exactly that and so much more. Nicki goes the extra mile for each and every pet, ensuring that they all are happy and well taken care of. That is not all though, Nicki then ensures that every pet owner understands and feels comfortable leaving their pets in her care by taking the time to understand their needs as well as their pet’s. Wearing her heart on her sleeve, Nicki gives 200% caring customer service to all our clients and their pets.
Job Title: Assistant Kennel Manager Birthplace: Twenty Nine Palms, CA Home: Ballwin, MO Favorite Music: Country / Classic Rock Favorite TV Show: Deadliest Catch Favorite Movie: Free Willy Play you in a movie: Allison Hannigan Guilty Pleasure: Oreos & Milk Favorite Snack: Fruit Snacks Coolest Job: Petropolis Favorite Animal: My cat - Tiny
