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
Certified in Pet CPR and Pet First Aid
Brittany graduated from New Bedford High School in 2011 and currently resides in New Bedford with her three cats; Binx, Salem & Sonny. After spending her spare time volunteering at animal shelters, Brittany joined the Emma Marie’s staff in October 2014. She enjoys finding new trails to hike, traveling and spending time with her friends & family.
Brittany is Canine and Feline CPR and First Aid Certified by Pet Emergency Education.
Adam Bigos
Certified in Pet CPR and Pet First Aid
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
Certified in Pet CPR and Pet First Aid
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
Certified in Pet CPR & Pet First Aid
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
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.
Paige Swaye
Bather at Dartmouth Location
Paige joined the staff in October of 2020. She grew up in Taunton having all sorts of animals, big and small! Paige has a love for animals and always knew she wanted to work with them someday. She currently resides in New Bedford with her daughter, miniature dachshund and two cats. If Paige isn’t at work you’ll find her exploring the outdoors and spending time with my daughter.
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
Certified in Pet CPR and Pet First Aid
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!
Jennifer Sanford
Jennifer aka Jenn joined the staff in March of 2021. She resides in Plymouth with her husband Michael. They have 3 children, 2 granddaughters, and 2 pups to complete the family: a charcoal lab Bruschi and a black lab Remmy. Jenn loves to spend her spare time cooking, baking goodies & making memories with her beautiful family.
Lauryn Mort
Lauryn joined the staff in May of 2021. She grew up and currently resides in Mattapoisett with her two dogs, two cats, and several chickens. Having a passion for animals since she was a child, Lauryn has spent most of her life working with animals of all sorts. When not working, she can usually be found hiking with her dog, riding horses, or reading a book.
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; she’s currently at Umass Dartmouth studying to get her degree in business. 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, goping to the beachwith friends and hanging with her two dogs, Snickers and Oreo.
Megan Coleman
Megan joined the staff in June 2021. She is from New Bedford, where she currently lives with her four cats Ryuk, Lynx, Elphaba, and Morticia. Growing up with a mastiff and a pitbull, she has a soft spot for these breeds. She has always known she wanted to devote her time to making animals look and feel their very best. Her favorite part of being a groomer is getting to know each dog’s personality. In her free time, when she isn’t cuddling with her cats she loves cooking, baking, and spending days at the beach.
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. Her research focuses on developing new ways to diagnose babies born with heart defects through imaging analyses and computer programming. Meg grew up with birds, guinea pigs, dogs, cats, riding horses, collecting bugs, and has always been passionate about caring for animals. She has volunteered at several shelters and participated in numerous canine training classes.
Meg currently resides in Dartmouth, MA with her cat, Rue and labradoodle, Millie. She enjoys hiking, gardening, and spending time at the beach. She likes to read and listen to true crime podcasts.
Brittany Faria
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.
Lilly Rogers
Lilly currently resides in Dartmouth, MA with her dad, sister, and two dogs Nala and Bailey. She graduated from Mashpee High School in 2018, and currently attends Bridgewater State University for public relations and marketing. In her free time, you’ll find her reading or playing with her two pups!
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 boyfriend and 2 kitties, Fiona & Josie. In her spare time, she enjoys practicing yoga, kayaking and spoiling friends and family with her baked goods.