Team
Meet Prairie Dog’s talented team!
Meet Our Team
Kelly Norton
Owner
About Me
I am so excited you found Prairie Dog Boarding Grooming Canine Daycare and Obedience Training. I personally have Streaker, a Hairless Chinese Crested, Pongo, a deaf Dalmatian, Nebula, a blue Pit Mix, and Wanda, a Bull Terrier! It was my dream to work with dogs all day. I was a Dental Assistant for 14 years and dreamt of someday operating my own business with dogs. Since May of 2013, we have been doing just that!
My team is enthusiastic to care for the dogs in our facility. We love to get to know each family and their dog(s). The dogs can not wait to come for daycare, doggy hotel time, and grooming! Do not be too surprised if they do not want to leave, we care a lot about your dog and they know it!
For daycare and boarding, your dog will get to play, belly rubs, treats, lap time, fetch time, daycare or one-on-one games, basic command training, enrichment, and movie time along with the selected music of the day all while supervised by dog-loving trained staff. Grooming dogs will receive belly rubs, treats, music, and come home smelling and looking fresh. One-stop doggy shop!
I want the whole community to know about our $10 nail trim, 9,000-square-foot facility, four inside play areas, and three outside turfed play areas!
Meet just some of my awesome team!
Management
Colleen
General Manager
About Me
What kind of dogs do you enjoy working with the most?
I love working with dogs that make you work at earning their trust a little more than others. It’s so rewarding to see them finally put their guard down and work on building a trusting relationship with them.
Do you have any pets of your own?
Yes, I have four! Pablo & Pearl are both French Bulldogs and I have two Domestic Shorthair cats, Lewis & Clark!
Where are you from?
I was born in Chicago, IL and moved to Sauk Centre, MN in 2006. I moved to Fargo in 2013 to attend college at NDSU and have been here ever since!
How long have you been working with dogs?
I’ve been working with dogs since March 2016. Before staring at Prairie Dog, I hadn’t had much experience working with dogs. I’ve learned so much along the way and look forward to growing even more!
What is your favorite dog breed?
I have quite a few favorite breeds! I love Afghan Hounds, Ibizan Hounds, German Wirehaired Pointers, Golden Retrievers, Irish Setters, Great Danes, Poodles, Rottweilers, Pugs, Pekingese, and Bull Terriers. However, my heart breed is definitely French Bulldogs. I love their goofy personalities, drive, energy level, and affection.
Janna
Grooming Manager
About Me
What kind of dogs do you enjoy grooming the best?
I love grooming Shih-Tzu’s but I really love all dogs! It’s a joy to watch them transform and feel good!
Do you have any pets of your own?
I have three dogs and two cats! My dogs are Freyja (Great Dane), Ludo (Pug), and Astrid (Standard Poodle). My cats are Aesop (Domestic Longhair) and Roxie (Domestic Shorthair).
Where are you from?
I’m originally from Germany, but I grew up in Mayville, ND. I currently reside in Fargo.
How long have you been working with dogs?
I’ve been working with dogs for many years starting by being a dog walker in my youth. I was a kennel attendant for two years before starting my grooming career. I started grooming in 2016!What is your favorite dog breed? It’s hard to decide! I’ve always loved Pugs and Great Danes but honestly I love all dogs!
What is your favorite dog breed?
It’s hard to decide! I’ve always loved Pugs, Great Danes, & Standard Poodles but honestly I love all dogs!
Anna
Assistant Manager
About Me
What kind of dogs do you enjoy working with the most?
I really enjoy getting to work with all dogs! Each day we see a wide range of dogs here and it is so much fun to be around each one’s different personalities!
Do you have any pets of your own?
I have two dogs and two cats! My dogs are Nova (Pembroke Welsh Corgi) and Howard (Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever)! My cats are Nala and Bandit (Ragamuffins)
Where are you from?
West Fargo, ND, born and raised!
How long have you been working with dogs?
I have been with Prairie Dog since January 2019!
What is your favorite dog breed?
That is a hard question! I love just about every dog I meet, but my favorite breed is Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers & Corgis- good thing, since I own them!
Groomers
Kat
Dog Groomer
About Me
What kind of dogs do you enjoy working with the most?
Hard to choose! I love working with and getting to know as many dogs as possible. I
think the dogs who give a little challenge are extra fun!
Do you have any pets of your own?
Yes, I have two dogs, Piper & Lily!
Where are you from?
I am from Crookston, MN.
How long have you been working with dogs?
I have been working with dogs for 8+ years!
What is your favorite dog breed?
Tough question! I love most large breed dogs. Although, I especially love mini
shelties and shepherd breeds.
Sierra R
Dog Groomer
About Me
What kind of dogs do you enjoy grooming the best?
I love grooming Pomeranians, Yorkies, and Poodles. I also enjoy doing breed cuts on terriers as well.
Do you have any pets of your own?
I have an English Bulldog named Peaches, a Persian cat named Pearl, and a zoo of reptiles/arachnids!
Where are you from?
Sacramento, CA but I have been in Fargo since September of 2016.
How long have you been working with dogs?
I have been grooming since July of 2007.
What is your favorite dog breed?
It’s hard to pick just one, but if I had to, I would have to say English bulldogs. They are the squishiest, most loveable babies in the world, and I could not imagine my life without one.
Trainers
Sydney
Dog Trainer
About Me
What kind of dogs do you enjoy working with the most?
I love working and training with all kinds of dogs! But, I would say I love working with puppies the most as it’s fun to watch them grow and learn.
Do you have any pets of your own?
Yes, I have a rescue dog from Turtle Mountain! Liebe is a good, old fashioned mutt, mostly husky/lab. She loves to run, hunt, and do rally obedience.
Where are you from?
I am from Minot, ND
How long have you been working with dogs?
I have been around dogs my entire life. As a career, I have worked with dogs since 2018. I’ve worked with various groomers and trainers in that time. Over the years, I have found a passion for obedience training.
What is your favorite dog breed?
It is very hard to pick just one, but I would have to say huskies and beagles. I had one of each growing up and they hold a very special place in my heart.
Kennel & Daycare Attendants
April
Kennel Staff/Daycare Attendant
About Me
What kind of dogs do you enjoy working with the most?
I’ve found that I love working with our older dogs! They’re all super sweet and I love
how chill they are.
Do you have any pets of your own?
I have two! Poppy is a Boxer mix and Finn is a German Shepherd/Husky mix.
Where are you from?
I’m originally from Sioux City, Iowa and I moved to Fargo in 2012.
How long have you been working with dogs?
Since February 2023, this is my first time working with dogs!
What is your favorite dog breed?
I have a huge soft spot for pit bulls! They’re all so sweet.
Emily
Kennel Staff/Daycare Attendant
About Me
What kind of dogs do you enjoy working with the most?
I love the big hairy dogs, especially the ones who think they are lap dogs!
Do you have any pets of your own?
Yes, I have two! Penny, a Newfoundland, and Maverick, a Corgi!
Where are you from?
Champlin, MN
How long have you been working with dogs?
Since August 2022!
What is your favorite dog breed?
Newfoundlands or Bernese Mountain dogs!
Hunter
Kennel Staff/Daycare Attendant
About Me
What kind of dogs do you enjoy working with the most?
The ones with a fun, but respectful, personality! I also love the dogs who “smile”!
Do you have any pets of your own?
I have two cats! Luna is a brown tabby and Oliver is an orange tabby.
Where are you from?
Barnesville, MN
How long have you been working with dogs?
Since 2021!
What is your favorite dog breed?
Basset Hounds!
Katie
Kennel Staff/Daycare Attendant
About Me
What kind of dogs do you enjoy working with the most?
I really enjoy working with the shy dogs and getting them to open up!
Do you have any pets of your own?
Yes! I have a calico cat, Penny and a Heeler Mix named Hazel!
Where are you from?
I am from Fargo, ND!
How long have you been working with dogs?
I have been working with dogs for 5+ years!
What is your favorite dog breed?
I LOVE bull terriers and dachshunds!
Kylie
Kennel Staff/Daycare Attendant
About Me
What kind of dogs do you enjoy working with the most?
I love working with the sassy dogs the most… They make me laugh quite often!
Do you have any pets of your own?
I have one tabby cat, named Evy!
Where are you from?
Rochester, MN
How long have you been working with dogs?
Since 2022!
What is your favorite dog breed?
Rottweilers, but I am really starting to love Chihuahuas too!
Maya
Kennel Staff/Daycare Attendant
About Me
What kind of dogs do you enjoy working with the most?
Little dogs! I love to be able to pick them up and snuggle with them. I also really
enjoy working with the nervous dogs, helping them warm up to us and the facility.
Do you have any pets of your own?
Yes! I have a yellow lab named Skye, a cavapoo named Rocky, & a bunny named
Storm!
Where are you from?
Fargo, ND
How long have you been working with dogs?
I have been working with dogs since February 2022, but am very excited for my
future of working with dogs/animals.
What is your favorite dog breed?
Pomeranians, Labs, Shih-Tzu’s, & Great Pyrenees are some of my favorites!
Noelle
Kennel Staff/Daycare Attendant
About Me
What kind of dogs do you enjoy working with the most?
I adore the calming and loving nature that senior dogs have to offer!
Do you have any pets of your own?
I have one dog, Beau, who is a Border Collie/Australian Shepherd Mix!
Where are you from?
Fargo, ND
How long have you been working with dogs?
I have had dogs my entire life, but this is my first job professionally working with them.
What is your favorite dog breed?
My absolute favorites are collies, but I also love Shelties, Pit Bulls, Basset Hounds, and Great Pyrenees!
Olivia
Kennel Staff/Daycare Attendant
About Me
What kind of dogs do you enjoy working with the most?
I enjoy working with the dogs that are shy and need some extra love and attention.
Do you have any pets of your own?
Yes, I have two mini golden retrievers, Loki & Theodore!
Where are you from?
I am from Fargo, ND
How long have you been working with dogs?
I have been around dogs for my whole life, but have been professionally working
with them since May 2022.
What is your favorite dog breed?
My favorite dog breeds are Golden Retrievers. Dachshunds, and German Shepherds!
Reba
Kennel Staff/Daycare Attendant
About Me
What kind of dogs do you enjoy working with the most?
I enjoy working with the cuddlebugs the most! At the end of the day, the dogs are
very snugly while waiting for their mom/dad to come get them, it’s great!
Do you have any pets of your own?
Yes! My best friend Temperance is a blue heeler/pitbull mix!
Where are you from?
I am originally from West Monroe, LA! I have lived all over the U.S. until 2010, where
my family & I moved to ND. In 2015 I moved to Fargo and never left!
How long have you been working with dogs?
My family raised and showed dogs while I was growing up and we also always had
our own personal pets! My love for dogs came from my aunt, who currently raises &
trains service dogs!
What is your favorite dog breed?
I love Akita’s! They are one of the oldest breeds in the world, they are also very tough & smart!
Tianna
Kennel Staff/Daycare Attendant
About Me
What kind of dogs do you enjoy working with the most?
I love to work with the more nervous dogs, to help them feel more comfortable. I also really love the big, giant dogs!
Do you have any pets of your own?
Yes! I have a Blue Heeler/Australian Shepherd mix, named Ethel, a Lab Mix named Sydney, and two domestic shorthair cats (Frankie & Twilight)!
Where are you from?
I am from here. (Fargo, ND!)
How long have you been working with dogs?
I have been working with dogs since 2019.
What is your favorite dog breed?
I LOVE Anatolian Shepherds!.
