MEET THE STAFF

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.

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 daughter. She 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 The Walker School of Allied Health.

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 The Walker School of Allied Health.

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 The Walker School of Allied Health.

Chelsea grew up in Fairhaven and currently resides in Swansea with her husband Nick and daughter Emilia. 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 The Walker School of Allied Health.

Leslie lives in Mattapoisett with her husband Kevin. She was a client for two years before joining the Emma Marie’s team. When Leslie’s not working you can bet she’s off traveling, adventuring with her rescue dog Gidgette or spending time with her husband, kids & grand fur babies. 

Leslie is Canine and Feline CPR and First Aid Certified by The Walker School of Allied Health.

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 The Walker School of Allied Health.

Matthew lives in Fairhaven and graduated from Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School, in the Computer Aided Drafting shop. 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 two labs who he loves to spend time with.

Matt is Canine and Feline CPR and First Aid Certified by The Walker School of Allied Health.

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, with their cat Hunter & crazy Vizsla sisters, Hazel and Harlow.

Anne is Canine and Feline CPR and First Aid Certified by The Walker School of Allied Health.

Stephanie attended Bristol Aggie and graduated in 2016 with a major in Small Animal Science. Stephanie joined the crew in September of 2019, working hands on with our Daycare & Boarding pups! She knew animals were her passion, which led to her graduating from Unity College in May 2020 where she majored in Captive Wildlife Care and Education with a minor in Zoology. She has been volunteering at the Fairhaven Animal Shelter since 2017 and still does it on her days off. In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her naked kitty, Creature.

Stephanie is Canine and Feline CPR and First Aid Certified by The Walker School of Allied Health.

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, their son, Wyatt and their rescue dog Scooter.

Jillian is Canine and Feline CPR and First Aid Certified by The Walker School of Allied Health.

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.

Kim is Canine and Feline CPR and First Aid Certified by The Walker School of Allied Health.

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.

Shi is Canine and Feline CPR and First Aid Certified by The Walker School of Allied Health.

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!

Ashley is Canine and Feline CPR and First Aid Certified by The Walker School of Allied Health.

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!

Lea is Canine and Feline CPR and First Aid Certified by The Walker School of Allied Health.

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!

David is Canine and Feline CPR and First Aid Certified by The Walker School of Allied Health.

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 their two dogs! She enjoys the outdoors, gardening, hiking, camping, and doing many house projects renovating their 1880s home.

Sandra is Canine and Feline CPR and First Aid Certified by The Walker School of Allied Health.

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.

Brittany is Canine and Feline CPR and First Aid Certified by The Walker School of Allied Health.

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.

Paige is Canine and Feline CPR and First Aid Certified by The Walker School of Allied Health.

Lyndsey is Canine and Feline CPR and First Aid Certified by The Walker School of Allied Health.

Lori resides in North Dartmouth with her husband & daughters. She has a heart for each & every pup…  owning BG (baby girl) the Boston Terrier and Lois, a rescue from Puerto Rico. Lori joined the Emma Marie’s staff in the October of 2023, in our Daycare & Boarding departments, working hands on with the dogs. When Lori isn’t at work, you’ll find her enjoying the outdoors, reading, boating, camping, fishing, four wheeling and spending time in Maine her my family.

Lori is Canine and Feline CPR and First Aid Certified by The Walker School of Allied Health.

Sarah grew up and still currently lives in Dartmouth with her parents and their rescued family dog, Levi. Since a very young age she has always loved all animals but especially dogs. She attended and graduated at Dartmouth High School in 2018. Sarah’s doggy career began soon after when she began dog training at Petco full time. After leaving Petco she started working at a different doggy daycare where her experience and passion really blossomed. Her favorite dog breed is a Bernese Mountain Dog and she dreams of owning her own one day. Being surrounded by dogs all day everyday is exactly the way she likes it and she wouldn’t change it for the world.

Sarah is Canine and Feline CPR and First Aid Certified by The Walker School of Allied Health.

Mary resides in Dartmouth with her husband Steve and their rescue pup Bruno. She’s always had a love for animals; joining Emma Marie’s crew in 2024, just proves it! If Mary’s not at work, she is happiest spending time with her two kids, Brandon and Paige, trailing with Bruno or taking long walks near the beach or state parks.

Mary is Canine and Feline CPR and First Aid Certified by The Walker School of Allied Health.

Courtney grew up in Dartmouth on her family’s mini farm & still resides there, today. She graduated from Bristol County Agricultural High School majoring in Arboriculture. After graduating, Courtney went to college at UMass Amherst to further her education in horticulture. After 7 years in the horticulture industry, she decided to go back to her true passion, animals. Courtney has worked with livestock, domestic animals, reptiles and more! She owns her own horse “Gunner” and dog a  border collie/ blue heeler “Dixie”. Joining the Emma Marie staff in the winter of 2025, she felt a deep sense of fulfillment as she returned to her passion. If she is not at work, you’ll find her with her horse or doing agility courses with Dixie!