Meet the Staff
Tera
Office Manager/Scheduling Coordinator
My name is Tera Bartelt and I'm the Office Manager/ Scheduling Coordinator for Southern Paws. I've lived in the beautiful city of Hendersonville for 20 years with my husband Chris, our two adorable (and always entertaining!) kids Liv and Easton, and our Pomeranian pup, River.
Growing up, I spent my summers helping my sister with her dog grooming and boarding business on her horse farm in Manchester, TN. We took care of a variety of animals... from horses and barn cats, to Poodles and Dobermans. Our family was never without a fur baby and we've had it all- Pomeranians, American Eskimos, Poodles... and several kitties, fish, & birds too!
I started working for Kathy in 2017 as a pet sitter/dog walker. There is nothing more fulfilling and therapeutic than taking care of all your sweet and unique fur babies out there! We get that fuzzy feeling of seeing their faces each day, and it doesn't get any better than that in a day's work!
I'm proud to be part of such an amazing business and team!
Andi
Hello! I’m Andi. I’ve lived in the Nashville area my whole life and have always been a lover of animals.
I grew up watching family and friend’s pets from dogs to Guinea pigs. My family had dogs throughout my childhood and now I have the pleasure of having my very own puppy!
I’ve been pet sitting professionally for a little over a year now and love bonding with pets and getting to watch them grow. I was so excited to learn about Southern Paws and get to have my dream job. I look forward to meeting all of your pets!
Cherie
Caretaking and enrichment, once started as volunteer work, became a career choice. I first started volunteering at the local animal shelter (total 2 years.) I did feeding, cleaning, laundry, walking, transporting, and enrichment. It was here I got my first two Guinea pigs (Sammy and Clementine) that came from a hoarding case.
I helped with dogs and cats, some livestock and exotics. This made me remember my, "What do you want to be when you grow up," questions I would get as a child. "I want to work with animals." I became a receptionist at Hesperia Veterinary services, talking to clients, checking in patients, doing vaccines and helping the veterinary technicians. I got a job working with a senior dog sanctuary (4+ years). Here, I do more specialty care, giving medications, insulin, and topicals. There are various breeds, and temperaments. Enrichment was key to keeping dogs happy. I helped reduce anxiety, boredom, learned various techniques to walk dogs with mobility impairments, pulling, and trained dogs to become more social with people. At home, I have my own senior dog Max. With him, are my cat Pucca, and the Guinea pigs Black and Decker. Through the years (20+) I've also cared for reptiles, rodents, aquatic life, and some birds. I look forward to caring for your pets!
Dawn
I’m a Mimi to two wonderful little boys. But other than that, I’m a Jesus loving, country girl at heart, and entrepreneur on the side.
I have always loved animals and have a huge heart for the elderly.
I love singing karaoke & not many people know I have a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. I'm excited to be a part of Southern Paws and look forward to caring for your pets!
