Our Team

  • A man in a brown hoodie and gray cap squatting outdoors with a black and white husky dog, in a snowy forest with tall green pine trees and mountain background.

    Jason Ripp

    Owner. When Jason was looking for the perfect place to board his companion, 2-year-old husky, May, he came up feeling like there could be better. Something worthy of his best friend. Dog Dayz was the answer to the question: “Where would I want May to stay?" He packed it with ideal elements - a fun, clean, active, caring, comfortable, professional daycare and boarding kennel, with a groomer he trusts, close to Bozeman, and full of really great people. Then he threw in some extras, like daily mountain hikes for daycare dogs and boarders, extra social time, one-on-one time, spacious kennels, and quality overnight care. All part of the deal. No extra charges.

    Jason's goal is to make a dog haven here in Bear Canyon, a doggie Disneyland, a cat retreat, and a home away from home.

  • A person riding a white horse in a grassy field with four dogs nearby, under a cloudy sky.

    Renee Daniels-Mantle

    General Manager. With 30 years in the Montana ranching and horse & hounds business, Renee comes to Dog Dayz with a deep connection to the Montana Way of life, and a love of the land, the people, and the animals who live here.  She believes everything thrives with a purpose, including our pets.  Whether it be as a trusted companion, a furry sidekick, or a working dog, her animals have been a vital part of her family and her businesses.  Along with management and business development at Dog Dayz, Renee maintains her kennel full of foxhounds for Big Sky Hounds. When she's not at Dog Dayz loving your 4-legged friends, you'll find her riding to hounds, writing, or travelling.

  • A young woman standing outdoors on grass, holding two horses, with a background of trees.

    Emily Stephens

    Pet Stylist. Emily Stephens has been training animals and handling dogs since 8 years old! And it shows. Her clients become family and they wouldn’t have anyone else groom their beloved furry companions. She has a special way about her because she spent a great deal of time figuring out how best to motivate and properly discipline different personalities in dogs, cats, and even horses. With her extensive experience studying veterinary medicine, handling rescues, working in doggie daycares, and being around dogs with anxiety and aggression issues, she can maneuver through the varying needs of her doggie clients. She can also help pet parents set boundaries and deal with less-than-ideal behaviors. Emily’s relationships with her four- and two-legged customers last years. She takes special care to ensure she gives back to animals.

  • A man in a blue t-shirt, gray shorts, sunglasses, and a pink cap holding a small black and tan dog in a grassy outdoor area.

    Conner Wise

    Assistant Manager. Conner brings a deep passion for animals and a commitment to ensuring a safe and enjoyable stay for every pet in our care. With experience as a doggie daycare attendant and pet retail specialist, Conner has a strong foundation in animal care. At home, he lives with his wife Danielle, their dachshund Nellie, their cocker spaniel Sirius, and their cat Emily, who all keep life lively and fun. Outside of work, Conner enjoys hiking, snowboarding, and is an avid baseball fan. He is excited to be part of a team dedicated to providing the best possible experience for furry guests.

  • A woman with dark hair and sunglasses on her head, smiling, kneeling on a large rock in a grassy outdoor area with tall green grass and a rocky hillside in the background, holding a black puppy with a colorful harness.

    Danielle Payne

    Care Team Lead and Social Media Coordinator. Danielle grew up in Colorado surrounded by four dogs, which sparked her lifelong love for animals and deepened her appreciation for their care and companionship. With experience working with animals, she’s learned how to understand and connect with pets in meaningful ways. Danielle now shares her home with her husband Conner, their dachshund Nellie, cocker spaniel Sirius Black, and their cat Emily. In her free time, Danielle enjoys training her dogs in nose work and agility, strengthening their bonds while learning new skills. She also loves exploring Montana’s beautiful outdoors, whether hiking, kayaking or simply enjoying the natural beauty of the area. Her experience and passion for animals drive her to contribute to a community that values the special connection between pets and their families.

  • A woman with sunglasses sitting on a light-colored horse in a scenic open field with mountains in the background, accompanied by a small brown and white dog.

    Lily Crummey

    Kennel Lead. Lily grew up fostering dogs and dog sitting. A junior at Montana State, she is pursuing a degree in Aviation and Fish and Wildlife Management. She has three dogs and a bunny back home in California.

  • A person standing in front of a large aquarium filled with colorful fish and coral.

    Shayla Sickles

    Daycare Specialist. I’ve loved dogs since I was little. Dog behaviors and breeds have been a special interest of mine. I’ve worked as a dog attendant for 5 years now. I own a small chihuahua/miniature pincher named Snookie. I love working with dogs and meeting all the specific breeds that you normally don’t see in public! Outside of work, I partake in hiking, rock collecting, practicing the alto saxophone, writing, and art. I’m also a senior at Montana State University with a major in Paleontology.

  • A young woman with glasses grins as her dog licks her cheek inside a room with a window showing a mountain landscape.

    Dakoda Smith

    Care Team and Kennel Attendant. Dakoda is a 7th generation Montanan! She knew from a young age that she wanted to work with animals, specifically horses and dogs. She enjoys horseback riding, hiking, and adventuring in the outdoors with her 6-year-old Australian Shepherd/Border Collie, Charlee.

  • girl with dog

    Jade Biitner

    Care Team and Kennel Attendant. Jade grew up in the Sierra Nevada mountains of Northern California. She spent her summers backpacking with her dogs and volunteering at local animal shelters. She grew up around all types of animals, from the farm to the house and everything in between. Through pet sitting, shelters, and travel Jade has developed a deep passion for animals and hopes to have a future career with them. She is currently at sophomore at MSU pursuing a degree in hospitality. Her favorite things to do include hiking, backpacking, running, and skiing.

  • Kiley Smieja

    Care Team and Kennel Attendant. Kiley was born and raised in Belgrade MT on her family’s farm and ranch where they grow hay, grain, pigs, and cattle. She has always had a love for animals and enjoys spending most of her time with them. She recently graduated from Montana State University with a degree in Agriculture Business and would love to stay connected within the Ag industry. Kiley also enjoys reading, music, watching football, and traveling!

  • A woman smiles while standing outside a gray building with two Siberian Huskies sitting in front of her. There are potted plants on either side of the entrance and a bench to the left. An open door leads into the building with colorful leashes hanging on the wall.

    Zoe Davenport

    Care Team and Kennel Attendant. Zoe is from central Pennsylvania, where she grew up riding horses and hiking the Appalachians with her childhood dogs. She’s currently a sophomore at Montana State University, and hopes to become a small animal veterinarian in the future. In her spare time, she loves to hike, fish, and ski!

  • Trevor Martinez

    Care Team, Kennel Attendant, and Cat Specialist. Trevor's had a love for all animals since childhood. He comes from the veterinary field where he spent years caring for dogs and cats as a Vet Assistant. He enjoys training and working with animals one on one. When Trevor's not with the dogs and cats at Dog Dayz he's managing a herd of Nigerian Dwarf goats and spending time with his 3 dogs- Cowboy, Junebug, and Mimi. 

  • Brighton McCaffrey

    Care Team and Kennel Attendant. Brighton was born in Billings, MT where he regularly traveled with his grandpa all over the state to help with his veterinary work. Brighton is currently a sophomore at MSU majoring in animal science. He grew up with numerous animals and has a deep love for dogs. A dream job of his is to become a veterinarian just like his grandpa. His hobbies include skating, hiking, camping, fishing and being active.

  • Elissa Martin

    Grooming Apprentice. Elissa is a lifelong animal lover who grew up with dogs and now shares her home with her two adorable and spicy cats. She truly enjoys meeting every dog (and giving them all the pets) and is excited to be learning all about her new career in dog grooming. Her goal is to make each pet feel safe, comfortable, and cared for. 

  • A woman with two children and a black dog in a living room. The woman is smiling, the boy is smiling, and the girl is looking at the camera. The dog is sitting next to the woman.

    Dakota Banks

    Overnight Attendant. Dakota grew up in New Mexico tagging along with her dad, who was a farrier and her mom, a veterinary assistant, learning about horse anatomy and animal behavior. They were constantly bringing home strays and at one point they had an assortment of over 50 animals.  Dakota moved to Montana a few years ago after 10 years in management. customer service, and training. Now, in a addition to keeping the home fires burning overnight at Dog Dayz, she is mother to two homeschooled children, who she is teaching to love animals as much as she does. They have one family dog, Seamus, a 7 year old English lab/blue heeler mix she and her husbnad got the year they were married. They all spend lots of time outside exploring and learning. 

  • Kiersten Orning

    Overnight Attendant

A woman with blonde hair and glasses smiling while bonding with a German Shepherd dog outdoors.
A woman wearing glasses, a white cap, and a pink jacket sticking out her tongue and licking a dog. The dog is light brown and black with long ears and is licking the woman's face. They are in front of a wooden lattice fence.
A man smiling and holding a small black and tan dog outdoors in a backyard, surrounded by five other dogs of various breeds lying and standing on grass and dirt.
A woman wearing sunglasses taking a selfie with a large white dog outside on a sunny day. The dog has closed eyes and appears to be enjoying the moment. There is a building and blue sky in the background.
A woman wearing glasses and a gray shirt smiling while holding a fluffy white puppy outdoors with a wooden fence and hillside in the background.
A woman with reddish hair, wearing a blue hoodie, taking a selfie with a brown and white dog outdoors on a grassy area, with a metal building in the background.
People walking their dogs in a grassy field with hills in the background.
A woman standing outside a gray building with two huskies, one sitting and the other standing, on a sidewalk lined with potted plants and flowers.
A girl smiling as her dog licks her face outdoors during the daytime.
A girl with a braid smiling and holding a small black and brown dachshund puppy near a lake surrounded by trees and mountains.
A person wearing glasses, a dark cap, and jewelry is taking a selfie with a large, fluffy, curly-haired dog outdoors. The dog is smiling with its mouth open, showing its teeth, and has a mix of gray, black, and white fur. In the background, there is
A woman smiling and wearing glasses taking a selfie with her black dog outdoors.
A woman and a husky dog sitting on rocks at sunset with a mountain and sky in the background.
A person in a dark jacket and cap leading a group of multiple dogs of various breeds in an outdoor snow area surrounded by a wooden fence, with snow-covered trees and mountains in the background.
A woman wearing sunglasses and a brown and black jacket riding a light brown and white horse in an open field with a dog nearby, and mountains in the background.
A woman with dark hair, wearing a sleeveless gray shirt, black pants, and sunglasses on her head, is kneeling on green grass and holding a black, curly-haired dog on a rock. They are outdoors near a rocky hillside with tall green grasses.
A man walking multiple dogs in a fenced backyard with green artificial grass and a wooden fence.
A woman with curly hair, wearing a blue cap and a black jacket, is kneeling on a rocky beach with a large, white dog with golden ears, near a body of water during sunset.