MATTAPOISETT, MA • (508) 758-8276

N. DARTMOUTH, MA • (774) 206-1019

MATTAPOISETT, MA • (508) 758-8276

N. DARTMOUTH, MA • (774) 206-1019

MEET THE STAFF

Familiar faces who strive to make you and your pet happy.

Johnelle Ciano

Owner, Certified in Pet CPR and Pet First Aid

Johnelle opened Emma Marie’s in 2010 after years of operating her mom’s dog grooming business. Coming from a grooming background, she loved what she was doing, but as she continued to groom, it became apparent that the community needed more than just a grooming shop. She felt the dog community needed a safe place for dogs to expel energy, provide quality grooming services, offer balanced diets, and provide overnight lodging all in one facility. So, with her mother’s blessing and her husband Chris’s help, she opened Emma Marie’s in Mattapoisett named after their late Australian Shepherd. In October 2020 Johnelle & Chris expanded opening a second facility located in North Dartmouth this facility provides quality services and care for the pet community.

Chris Ciano

Chris is the husband of Emma Marie’s owner, Johnelle. He grew up in Salem NH & graduated with the class of 97’ at Salem High School. Chris owned and operated 7 Honey Dew franchises for over 20 years, in 2016 he changed paths & started his own excavation & real estate development company. When he’s not digging holes, Chris assists with building, design & maintenance of Emma Marie’s two locations.

Laura Goguen

Certified in Pet CPR and Pet First Aid

Laura grew up in Marion and graduated from Old Rochester Regional High School in 2009. She joined the staff in 2014 and graduated from Animal Behavioral College 2016 to become a certified dog groomer. Laura resides in Rochester with her husband and is a proud owner of two German Shepherds Gunther & Red . In her spare times she enjoys taking them on hiking adventures.

Laura is Canine and Feline CPR and First Aid Certified by Pet Emergency Education.

Jessica DiOrio

Certified in Pet CPR and Pet First Aid

Formerly known as Jessica Souza, Jess grew up in Acushnet, MA and graduated from Old Colony Regional Vocational High School. She grew up around animals all her life, and now owns a french bulldog named Abby, and a french mastiff named Nala. She currently resides in Riverside, RI with her husband Matt, daughters Kyra & Mia, and son Matt Jr. She has been with Emma Marie’s since 2011 and has worked in all of the departments, but her passion is in the grooming room.

Jess is Canine and Feline CPR and First Aid Certified by Pet Emergency Education.

Shelli Knox

Certified in Pet CPR and Pet First Aid

Shelli has been with Emma Marie’s since its opening. She enjoys working with the clients and their pets. Shelli has a chocolate lab named Bitty! In her free time she enjoys spending time with her husband, children and her grandchildren.

Shelli is Canine and Feline CPR and First Aid Certified by Pet Emergency Education.

Chelsea Petrouski

Certified in Pet CPR and Pet First Aid

Chelsea grew up in Fairhaven and currently resides in Swansea with her husband Nick. She grew up on her grandparents family farm and always had a love for animals big and small. Chelsea attended Bristol Aggie and graduated in 2010 from Small Animal Science. She joined the staff at Emma Marie’s in the fall of 2012. In Chelsea’s free time enjoys being with her two corgi’s Yogi & Meadow.

Chelsea is Canine and Feline CPR and First Aid Certified by Pet Emergency Education.

Leslie Boyle

Certified in Pet CPR and Pet First Aid

Leslie lives in Mattapoisett with her husband Kevin. She was a client for two years before joining the Emma Marie’s team. She enjoys spending her time with her rescue dog Gidgette. Leslie loves researching and testing all the latest dog products on the market, not to mention Gidgette loves being a test dummies!

Leslie is Canine and Feline CPR and First Aid Certified by Pet Emergency Education.

Brittany Baptista

Manager

Brittany graduated from New Bedford High School in 2011 and currently resides in New Bedford with her fiancé, Jordan. Together they share a love for their 3 reptiles, Sir Chunky Boi, Derp & Bruce. After spending her spare time volunteering at animal shelters, Brittany joined the Emma Marie’s staff in October 2014. She enjoys adventuring, traveling, doing anything creative and spending time with her loved ones.

Brittany is Canine and Feline CPR and First Aid Certified by Pet Emergency Education.

Adam Bigos

Team Leader

Adam lives in Fairhaven and has been with Emma Marie’s since 2011 and loves it. Along with his love for animals he enjoys hiking, camping, and basically anything that involves being outside. Adam has a daughter that is coincidentally named “Emma Marie” and another one named Ellie. On a typical day you will find Adam outside enjoying the day with the dogs.

Adam is Canine and Feline CPR and First Aid Certified by Pet Emergency Education.

Matt Alves

Team Leader

Matthew lives in Fairhaven and graduated from Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School, in the Computer Aided Drafting shop. He is now currently attending UMass Dartmouth to further his degree. As a child he grew up next to a dog breeder and has always loved dogs. Matt joined the staff in the fall of 2015 and works in the boarding/daycare area. He currently owns a yellow lab named Hunter who he loves to spend time with.

Matt is Canine and Feline CPR and First Aid Certified by Pet Emergency Education.

Anne Harrison

Team Leader

Anne joined the staff in December 2017 working as our marketing & design specialist. If she’s not working here you will find her modeling part time. She graduated from Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School, in Health Career Services in 2016. She currently resides in Mattapoisett with her fiance Alex and crazy Vizsla sisters, Hazel and Harlow.

Anne is Canine and Feline CPR and First Aid Certified by Pet Emergency Education.

Jillian Mattson

Certified in Pet CPR and Pet First Aid

Jillian, also known as “Jill”, joined the staff in the summer of 2018 and graduated from UMass Dartmouth with a degree in Biology and minor in English. Jill always had a passion for helping animals and for awhile she worked in the Marine Biology field, but then realized that wasn’t for her. Jill currently resides in Rochester with her husband Ben and their rescue dog Scooter.

Jillian is Canine and Feline CPR and First Aid Certified by Pet Emergency Education.

Kim Aguiar

Team Leader

Kim was a client of Emma Marie’s before joining the staff in October 2019. She resides in Rochester with her Husband Carlos and her two son’s C.J. & Dylan. Kim and her family are the proud owners of two Portuguese Water dogs Leo & Adele. When Kim isn’t spending time with her family you will find her enjoying her other passion fitness. Besides working here Kim is a personal trainer and fitness instructor.

Samantha Croke

Certified in Pet CPR and Pet First Aid

Samantha also known as “Sam”, currently resides in Wareham with her husband and daughter. Sam has three pups of her own: two German Shepherds, Zeke and Mater, as well as Noodle, her standard poodle. Sam graduated from Brockton High in 2005 and attended UMASS Dartmouth. She began her grooming career 10 years ago, along with her love for grooming and animals she enjoys camping, and beach days with her family.

Shi Major

Certified in Pet CPR and Pet First Aid

Shi Major grew up in the central part of Massachusetts. She joined the staff in November 2020. Resides in Mattapoisett along with her husband, son, horse, two Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Breeze and Piper and six chickens. Shi enjoys including her dogs in all her outdoor adventures and training them for obedience, duck hunting, dock diving and being model canine citizens.

Ashley Smith

Manager

Ashley grew up in Providence, RI and is now living in New Bedford with her fiancé, Daniel. Growing up, she always had a passion for all animals, big and small. She graduated with her degree in Veterinary Technology and became a Certified Veterinary Technician in 2014. After spending 6 years as a CVT at the Mattapoisett Animal Hospital, she joined the Emma Marie’s team in March of 2021. Ashley has 2 dogs, Chevelle and Hennessey, a cat named Shenzi, and a bearded dragon named Mushu. In her free time, she enjoys going on hikes, playing video games, and traveling, especially to Disney!

Lea Seablom

Certified in Pet CPR and Pet First Aid

Lea joined the staff in June 2021. She grew up in Lakeville and graduated from Apponequet Regional High School. Lea has been around animals her whle life, knowing she’s wanted her career to involve dogs. In her spare time she enjoys going camping with her family, going to the beach with friends and hanging with her dog, Remi!

David Salonis

Certified in Pet CPR and Pet First Aid

David joined the staff in the summer of 2021. He lives in Fall River & graduated from Durfee high school in 2013. He has an American terrier lab mix; and takes value in spending time with his friends & family. If David isn’t at work, you’ll find him hiking & watching sports!

Sandra Vardo

She grew up in Halifax, Ma on a small farm raising sheep and chickens. Not long after graduating high school Sandra found her passion in grooming dogs and has been doing it for the past 8 and 1/2 years. Currently she resides in Fairhaven with her husband Jon, twin sons Jameson and Joseph and dog Rice. She enjoys the outdoors, gardening, hiking, camping, and doing many house projects renovating their 1880s home.

Jodi Donahue

Certified in Pet CPR and Pet First Aid

Jodi grew up in Fairhaven where she still resides with her family including three kids, 3 dogs and a tortoise. She graduated from Bridgewater State University and became a teacher, but always knew that her passion was for animals. She volunteers in rescuing dogs from Aruba, where her 3 dogs are from, by fostering them and helping to find their forever families. When she is not working she enjoys hiking with her dogs and hanging out with her kids.

Meg Ferrari

Certified in Pet CPR and Pet First Aid

Meg joined the staff in September of 2021. She grew up in Westport, MA and graduated from Bishop Stang High School in 2012. Since then, she has studied bioengineering in New York, Colorado, and Sicily and will soon complete her PhD in the subject. Meg grew up with all types of animals and has been passionate about caring for them since a young age. Meg currently resides in New Bedford, MA with her cat, Rue and rescue mutt, Rora. She enjoys hiking, gardening, and spending time at the beach. She likes to read and listen to true crime podcasts.

Brittany Faria

Head of Purchasing

Brittany, aka “B”, joined the Dartmouth staff in October 2021. She grew up in Fall River and Dartmouth, having graduated from Dartmouth High School in 2004. She is “Joey’s mom”, “Aunty B”, PTO Secretary, and self-proclaimed ‘Chaos Coordinator’ of her family. When she isn’t working or planning family adventures, she is usually with friends and extended family, making memories and soaking up quality time.

Megan Loforte

Megan is a crazy cat lady who has dedicated her life to strengthening the bond between people and their pets. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science in 2011 and has been working with animals ever since. Her experience includes professional dog training, exotic animal care, and companion animal medicine. Megan joined the Emma Marie’s family in March 2022 after 8 years in the veterinary field (both emergency and general practice). Originally from upstate New York, Megan now resides by the New Bedford shore with her 2 kitties, Fiona & Josie. In her spare time, she enjoys practicing yoga, kayaking and spoiling friends and family with her baked goods.

Evan DeSousa

Evan grew up in Acushnet and graduated from Old Rochester Regional High School in 2020. He joined the Emma Marie’s team in June of 2022, currently resides in Fairhaven and is getting his degree in Business. Evan loves spending his time watching sports and going on adventures with his Border Collie, Molly.

Wendy Nunes

Wendy joined the staff in June of 2022. She grew up in Westport, MA and currently resides in New Bedford with her husband, two sons, and their sweet poodle pup Myrtle. Wendy graduated from Fisher College with a degree in Early Childhood Education and worked as a teacher before changing her path to work with animals; as she’s always enjoyed the company of dogs! When Wendy isn’t working, you’ll find her doing fun things with her kids!

Joanna Giamette

Joanna, aka “Jo”, joined the staff in the summer of 2022. She currently resides in Fall River with her wife and two pups; Lyuba, a golden doodle and Cooper, a three-legged beaglier. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time at the beach, camping, photography, and arts and crafts.

Haley Dumoulin

Haley grew up in Fairhaven, always going to her family’s dairy farm, where she got her first dog, Pawzy, a red heeler/mix. She graduated from Bristol County Agricultural High School in 2022 & joined Emma Marie’s staff July of 2022. Haley has worked at Hoof-N-Paw Labradors for over 2 years now and absolutely love working with dogs! She now resides in Rochester with her family, silver lab Bull, and their 3 cats Winston, Leo, and Thomas. If Haley’s not working, you’ll find her hiking, doing photography, riding 4wheelers, going to the beach, and making memories with her friends and family.

Melanie Boucher

Melanie (Mel) lives in East Freetown with her two parents as well as two of her three siblings. She graduated from Apponequet Regional High School in 2015 and attended BCC Fall River right after for Health-related General Studies. Mel is very excited to start another new chapter of her life in Summer of 2022 working for Emma Marie’s. Until now, she has mostly had experience in customer service-related jobs as well as her most recent one where she worked as kitchen staff for an assisted living facility for the last four wonderful years. Only in recent years has she had more free time to explore some of the places she’s wanted to visit as well as partake in some of her favorite activities. Some of which include hiking, sightseeing, and cuddling with her four family dogs (Maisie, Seamus, Loki, & Laila). This experience working with animals and a friendly crew is sure to be her newest favorite adventure yet.

Mckayla Almeida

Mckayla joined the staff in July of 2022; she grew up in New Bedford & still resides there, today. She graduated from Greater New Bedford Vocational Technical High School in 2020; took cosmetology as her vocational trade & got her cosmetology license. Mckayla has two dogs she calls her own, a Shih tzu named Nalah and a Schnoodle named phantom. She has always had a love for animals and knew that working with them is where she was meant to be.

Paige Pimental

Paige, a lifelong resident of New Bedford, started at Emma Marie’s in the fall of 2022. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in 2016 focused on captive wildlife care and education. She comes with experience working in veterinary medicine: particularly enjoying the scientific/research aspects and has a soft spot for senior pups. Her free time is spent with two of her dogs- Russet the Portuguese Podengo & Harlot the Australian Cattle dog. Together they enjoy practicing agility, going hiking, beachcombing, and making crafts.

Rachael Kubik

Rachael grew up in Berkley MA & graduated from Somerset Berkley High School in 2012. She has always been passionate about all animals, which led her to begin a grooming career in January of 2020. Rachael grew up with cats, dogs, bunnies, hamsters, birds, but truly didn’t figure out just how much she loved dogs until she got her German Shepherd, Leo, in 2016. Rachael has a beautiful son who is her entire world; if she’s not working, you’ll find her enjoying her spare time with family, going hiking, or going to the beach.

Skylar Plaud

Skylar grew up in Tiverton Rhode Island always having a hand in some art, from sculpture to wood carving. After graduating from Bishop Stang High School in 2014 Skylar pursued experience in customer service with Marriott, before making a career change into pet grooming in 2018. Apprenticeship and employment with a number of salons over Bristol County has been an integral part of rounding her ability to groom both dogs and cats. Skylar joined the staff in 2022 as a Pet Groomer and is looking forward to pampering and caring for your beloved pets. She currently has a mini zoo at home, as her friends call it, consisting of 2 dogs 3 cats 2 birds 2 hamsters a tarantula and a pet rat colony of over 20! Providing pet rats to the Southcoast area some have even been adopted as classroom pets in schools!

Cheyenne Smeaton

Certified in Pet CPR and Pet First Aid

Cheyenne joined the Emma Marie staff in February of 2023. She’s from Westport, MA, living with her boyfriend and their two fur babies. She has always loved working with animals, so much so, she also works as a veterinary technician assistant. Cheyenne hopes to soon obtain a bachelor’s degree in animal science. Her australian shepherd/german shepherd mix, Harley, and her senior cat, Oreo, have stollen her heart completely. In Cheyenne’s free time you can find her going on walks with Harley, spending time with Oreo & spoiling them both.

Owen Marshalek

Owen grew up in Dartmouth and graduated from Dartmouth High School in 2020. He is enrolled in the Veterinary Health Care program at Bristol Community College and joined Emma Marie’s team in March of 2023. Owen’s interests include small engine repair and auto detailing. In his free time, he enjoys being with his Lab rescue Hailey and his sister’s Newfie, Odin.