Co-Owner and Kennel Manager

Jess has worked with Animal Magic since 2018, beginning first as a kennel attendant. Through the years she rose in rank to a management position, before eventually getting the opportunity to invest in the company as an owner along with Marielle Luke. Jess has had a lifelong passion for animals, ever since she was a kid in Kansas City, Missouri, watching Steve Irwin and the Kratt Brothers after school. She worked for a few years at KC Pet Project, the city’s no-kill animal shelter, before she moved up north to be with her fiance, now husband, Rodney. When Jess isn’t watching over the kennel, she’s usually out at Dropzone Games in Nanaimo playing Dungeons and Dragons or testing her cooking skills at home with her husband. She has a handsome bearded dragon named Bender.

Co-Owner and Groomer

Marielle started grooming at Animal Magic in 2019 and became a part-owner in 2021 along with her partner Jess. She is passionate about her work and loves meeting all the dogs that come through our doors. She got her start in hairdressing before deciding she would rather work with dogs. Her grooming career started at Petsmart where she began as a bather and soon after trained to become a groomer. She was born and raised on Vancouver Island and enjoys outdoor adventures with her fiance, Mark, and pups Obi & Oso.

Kennel Attendant and Groomer

Sydney has been with Animal Magic since May 2019 and was a full-time dog bather before then. She works very hard as a kennel attendant and groomer and always tries to do what is best for the animals in her care to make them feel as comfortable as possible. Sydney also grooms cats as well as dogs and enjoys the extra experience. Sydney is our on-site staff member and enjoys playing accordion, making art, costume design, and many other hobbies in her free time. She has several pets in her home, Dogs Ori and Princess Peach, bird Kipper, and Cat Mishka.

Groomer

Rachael is a full-time groomer who started with Animal Magic in 2019. She has been grooming for 12+ years and loves being around animals. She has a very handsome cat named Steve who she raised as a dog. He's a good boy and an excellent snuggler!

Kennel Attendant

Denny started working at Animal Magic in 2021 and has been loving it ever since. Her connection to animals has resonated with her ever since she was little and in turn, has owned dogs her entire life. Denny’s love for animals also extends to wild animals where she volunteers as an animal care attendant at the North Island Wildlife Recovery in Errington. When she is not taking care of other animals, you can find her hanging out in nature with her son and with her two chihuahuas, Jellybean and Mocha.

Grooming Apprentice

Katelyn has been working at Animal Magic since August 2022 and is currently training to become a dog groomer through Marielle Luke, as well as helping in the kennel. She started off beforehand as a full-time bather and has a strong passion and motivation for dog grooming. She loves and cares for all the dogs, and has a cute chocolate lab of her own named Duke! Katelyn loves working at Animal Magic and is super grateful for the amazing co-workers that she gets to work with.

Kennel Attendant

Laura comes from a previous kennel and has a background in pet training. We are happy to have her as the newest addition to the Animal Magic family!