Brooke VanEllen · Assistant Lodge/Daycamp Manager

I grew up in Pleasantville, Iowa. I always had dogs and cats growing up and was raised with a great love for all animals. Growing up with Labs and Goldens have made them my favorite breeds. Inspired by my mother’s work as a zookeeper in my youth I decided I too wanted to work with animals. I went to Iowa State University where I got my BS in Animal Ecology. My love for dogs brought me to Dogwoods for a Summer Internship in college and was drawn back to continue working here post-graduation. Moving to the Pleasant Hill area to be closer, I learned almost all departments and worked my way to become a Lodging/Daycamp Assistant Manager. In this position, I love getting to know all the pups that visit Dogwoods and learning from them! Apartment living doesn’t allow me to have dogs of my own but I make frequent trips to see my girls Lottie and Winnie at my family home.

In my free time: I love reading, crocheting and snuggling up with my cat, Bella.