About
Nicole
Our founder Nicole was raised with animals, and always had an entourage of at least two or three by her side.
While she had a career in film she began volunteering weekly with animals in 2009. In 2014 she decided to dedicate her life to animals and founded a non-profit foster based rescue. They were able to save many pets lives while setting up a medical needs fund to rescue pets with life threatening medical illnesses who would otherwise be put down in a shelter. This medical fund paid to get these pets the treatment they required before being adopted to their forever home.
Nicole has extensive experience rehabilitating animals, caring for sick pets, caring for puppies as well as kittens, boarding, walking dogs and more. She knows what to do in an emergency and is prepared for everything. She is able to administer any medication your pet may need. Besides her experience with cats and dogs she has extensive wildlife experience having volunteered for a few months at a time at various sanctuaries in Africa. While in Africa she worked with creatures big and small in vet tech capacities from meerkats and baboons to cheetahs and lions.
During the pandemic Nicole, frustrated with the pet technology softwares available to her put her rescue on hold and pivoted to focus on creating a software that would help simplify the adoption process for adopters and rescue organizations. Thus Rescue Spot was born, a web platform and software that simplifies the pet adoption process for both adopters and rescues while connecting the two.
Nicole created Hiking Hounds so that she could still give her loving care to pets while she works on her pet technology from home.
About
Keebie
With over 40 years of experience caring for animals, Keebie brings a wealth of knowledge, compassion, and confidence to every pet she cares for. She’s looked after nearly every type of companion—dogs, cats, birds, rats, mice, fish, guinea pigs, hamsters, chickens, and even horses.
Keebie began working with animals at 16 at a Pharoah Hound breeding facility, and later spent years in rescue at Animal Farm Foundation. There, she started in the shelter, received ongoing dog training, and was assigned a “project dog” to work with through weekly progress check-ins—an experience that deepened her understanding of canine behavior. She eventually transitioned to working in the office but never lost her connection to hands-on care.
She’s experienced with everything from puppies to seniors, comfortable giving medications and injections, and never stresses about a mess. Whether it’s a spirited pup or a special-needs senior, Keebie provides thoughtful, capable care that pet parents can count on.
About
Chrissy
Chrissy has been an animal lover since day one, she has a special connection with them and always treats them like her own!
"I've often wondered why we have pets. What is it about humans that drives us to seek companionship in animals and form relationships with them? What made us feed the wolf who was peering out at us from the edge of the forest? How did this relationship originate?
Having a pet is a gift. Their innocence, loyalty, sensitivity, unconditional love, and individual, quirky personalities make life better. When I meet a new dog, cat, bird, and they respond to me and start to like me, I feel so lucky!
I see my little girl Yorkie and I want to give her the happiest life possible. I think she's adorable. My friend made me laugh when I told him that. He said, she thinks you're adorable too! I guess it's our tiny mutual admiration society!"
About
Michele
Michele brings over 20 years of professional nursing experience and a lifelong devotion to animals to our team. Known for her calm presence and deeply empathetic nature, she offers the kind of intuitive, attentive care that puts both pets and pet parents at ease.
A lifelong golden retriever lover, Michele once raised and bred a trio of Goldens she considered her children. Her home has always been full of animals—dogs, cats, birds, and bunnies—and her background makes her especially skilled in caring for elderly and medically fragile pets. She’s experienced in administering injections, medications, and even IV fluids at home, always following a vet’s care plan with precision and compassion.
Michele treats every animal like her own: with love, patience, and the kind of care that only comes from a true caregiver’s heart.
About
Marla
Originally a Jersey girl, Marla spent over a decade running a successful brand marketing agency in NYC, specializing in the wine and spirits industry. Amid the hustle of corporate life, she found a deeper calling in yoga—a practice she began in the early ’90s and eventually followed full-time. After earning her 200-hour certification in 2007 and later completing her 500-hour training with Raji Thorn, Marla began teaching throughout New Jersey, New York, and now Connecticut, where she continues to share the life-changing power of yoga.
Alongside her love for wellness, Marla has always had a special connection with dogs. Over the years, she’s shared her heart with several pups, each one unique and unforgettable. She cherishes dogs for their loyalty, gentleness, and the unmatched comfort they bring—whether through warm snuggles, goofy antics, or quiet companionship. To Marla, dogs are purehearted souls who remind us to slow down, be present, and love unconditionally.
