Susan Engelsman

Owner of Just Like Home Canine Bed & Breakfast Inc. has been a dog lover and owner all of her life. She has trained dogs and had her own dog grooming business for many years. 

The kennel was designed by Sue's late husband, Andy, and opened in May of 2011.  Since that time, Sue has been hard at work making her canine bed and breakfast the best it can be for the dogs in your life.                        

Experience Counts

• Business Owner
• Dog Trainer for 12+ years.
• Dog Groomer
• Raised/trained 10 puppies to completion for Can Do Canines Service Dogs, and fostered over 15 puppies for them 'short term'. 

Ann Sheehan

Ann has been on staff with Just Like Home since the fall of 2014.  She has been a great asset for us with her dog/animal knowledge.  Ann lives in Big Lake and is the proud mom to over a dozen dogs, 5 horses, 2 mini donkeys, 2 goats, 2 sheep, and 1 pot bellied pig!  Whew!  In the past, Ann and her horses have volunteered their time working with kids preparing for the Special Olympics. 

She is pictured her with two of her dogs, George and Jax.

Trina Ulven

Trina has been with our staff since the fall of 2019.  She lives in Big Lake with her husband, her 2 girls, her dog Mocha (pictured) and her cat. She is a real dog lover and has owned many dogs including 4 shelties, a beagle, an American Eskimo, a pekingese, a collie, and her current mini Aussie.  Trina says she feels a real connection with dogs and believes they are very therapeutic and calming.  She has had previous kennel experience working at a facility in Sabin, MN.  When not spending time with your dogs, she enjoys being outdoors, hiking, reading, and spending time with her family.  

Britt Mattson

Britt comes to us with a lot of animal experience.  She is a former vet tech who worked primarily with small animals and birds.  She is currently a volunteer at Ruff Start Rescue as a cat caretaker and occasionally as a member of the vetting team helping with Texas transports.  She is a participant in the Animal Humane Society Barn Cats program where she adopted 4 out of 7 of her cats.  Britt also has 3 dogs, a Senegal parrot, an African ringneck parrot, and a flock of chickens!  She lives in Milaca with her husband and likes to garden in her spare time.

Katie Mullen

Katie works at Just Like Home every other Saturday, as she is busy with her full time job 5 days a week.  She says working at Just Like Home is literally fun and relaxing for her as it is a nice change of pace.  Katie has been a foster for Ruff Start Rescue since 2017 and has had many foster dogs come and go, as she helps them find their forever home.  She finds this work very rewarding.  She has 2 dogs and 2 cats of her own.  Katie has been married for 21 years and has 2 daughters.

PHOTO COMING SOON

Zoey Wirz

Zoey's love for animals is evident is the way she tenderly cares for them.  She joined our staff in September of 2022. Zoey lives in Nowthen and shares her home with her 2 dogs, 3 cats, 3 fish, and 1 leopard gecko.  She grew up around many farms and spent time with the farm animals, which fostered her love for animals.  She said she loves coming to work, where she makes sure all your dogs are happy and comfortable, and to ensure they have an awesome day!  Some of her hobbies include hiking, photography, and gardening.

Kenzie Johnson

Before coming to Just Like Home Kenzie worked as a PCA and was part time at Paws Up for You.  When they closed, Kenzie joined the staff of Just Like Home in the summer of 2022.  She said her favorite part of working here is getting to know the dog's personalities and seeing all the different breeds.  Kenzie has rescued and adopted labs, miniature pinschers, English mastiffs, and pit bulls.  Her current dog is a pit bull named Ozzy, who has been the baby of her family since he was adopted in 2019, but in December of 2023, Kenzie will be welcoming a baby girl into her family.

Becky Thurber

Becky has been a great asset to our staff with her love of dogs and her hard working attitude.  She loves spending time with your dogs to make sure they have an awesome day!  She has two dogs of her own, five cats, and 19 chickens!  She and her family live in Zimmerman.  In her spare time, Becky and her family love spending time with friends and family, and doing outside activities.

Brenda Smith

Brenda started working here in June 2023.  As a special education teacher for 11 years, she decided she wanted a change of pace, and became heavily involved in rescue.  She has been a volunteer with Ruff Start Rescue for five years now working primarily with cats.  She currently has 18 cats in her home (5 are her own).  In the last 5 years she has cared for over 250 cats in rescue, from seniors to bottle fed kittens.  She also helps RSR the the transport of dogs.  Besides her own five cats, she also owns a lovable Rottweiler mix.

Nola Robeck

Nola joined Just Like Home in August 2023.  She is a high school senior and will graduate in 2024.  She and her family own 4 dogs - 2 labs, a Great Pyrenees, and a Newfoundland, which they rescued from a puppy mill in Missouri.  Nola is a gymnastic enthusiast and has been in the sport for 10 years.  Nola says she really enjoys working with the dogs and building special bonds with them.  In her free time she loves hanging out with friends, family, and of course - dogs!

Mindy Kichler

Mindy is the newest member of our staff and we're excited about her joining our team!  She has worked the last 32 years as a veterinary assistant (where she still continues to work) at a pet hospital in Brooklyn Park, so she comes to us with much pet experience and knowledge.  Mindy has one dog, a beautiful pointer named Nala.  She has always enjoyed working with animals and has a specific interest in educating clients regarding their pet's health.