Our caring, friendly staff is here to provide the best “home away from home” resort experience for your best friend!
Kennel Manager, Nicole Hern
Nicole’s animal experience comes from her work as a zookeeper, and in veterinary hospitals. She also comes with ten years of experience as a manager/social worker with a private family/child services agency. In addition, she has a Bachelor’s degree in Education of the Deaf. When earning this degree, she became fluent in American Sign Language, and although she can still communicate in American Sign Language, she is very much out of practice, “I need to work on that”. She also earned a Master’s degree in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling.
“As a huge pet lover, I have to mention my spoiled little boy, Bounty. He is an adorable (of course) Boston Terrier who loves to meet new people and give kisses.”
Administration/Dog Trainer, Monika Jud
Monika Jud has been with Thousand Hills Pet Resort since September 2007. She comes with over 10 years of professional experience in the animal care field including boarding, grooming, veterinary assistance and dog training. Monika graduated with an Associate Degree of Science in Assistance Dog Education from the Assistance Dog Institute in Santa Rosa, and has been training Service Dogs for various organizations before she joined our team. She still assists with dog training at Thousand Hills and is in charge of our office. Monika has a Labrador Retriever service dog, Norman, who assists her with her mobility when needed, and a retired service dog, Cathy, a Golden Retriever.
Bather, Bonnie Calhoun
Bonnie was born and raised in Lompoc CA. She moved to San Luis Obispo in 2004 and started her years at Cuesta College. She played soccer and volleyball for Cuesta. She got her AA in General Studies and started working. She’s grown up with cats and dogs and has 2 of her own now. She loves animals. She says that she is so lucky to have the opportunity to be the one that makes sure your precious dogs get all nice and clean before returning to She. She loves coming to work and seeing the regulars and meeting the new members of the THOUSAND HILLS PET RESORT family.
Groomer, Judy Javert
My name is Judy Javert and I’ve been and working with pets and their families on the Central Coast for about four years. There’s no better job in the world. Grooming is a skill and an art, but must be done with love and patience. Every pet is someone’s baby, and they deserve my best. I’ve been grooming on the central coast for about four years and am all-breed certified with extensive training in Terriers, Aussies and Goldens.
I love a beautiful dog. Each breed, each mix, has something wonderful about it. Many of my clients have led me to go beyond my all-breed certification and pursue advanced education. Honey, a Golden rescue was brought to me two years ago for grooming and I fell in love. She led me to rescue groups and breeders who kindly shared their knowledge and experience about this wonderful breed. And then there’s Jack, the Lakeland Terrier. Jack’s got ATTITUDE. Funny and smart, his Mom brought him to me four years ago, and I just had to learn more about handstripping these hardcoated breeds. I was fortunate to work with an AKC breeder/handler in the Bay Area and spent a year in training. Natty, the beautiful Aussie, led me to learn more about this wonderful breed. His Mom is an obedience trainer, and I’m honored she trusts me with his grooming.
Every pet and parent is important to me. I attend trade shows, grooming expo’s, and workshops to stay informed about the best products, and grooming techniques for your pet. Thousand Hills shares my philosophy of a friendly and caring environment in which grooming, boarding, day care, and training are a fun and happy experience. I’m so happy to be joining their staff!
I look forward to meeting you all, and hope you will give me the opportunity to know and care for your pet. I promise to make them look and feel their best, but most of all, to love them.
Resort Host, Conor Long
Conor was born in Sacramento, where he lived for about 3 months when his family moved to Santa Barbara. He lived Santa Barbara with his family until he moved to San Luis Obispo to attend Alpha Academy, a mentoring program to help young men get a head start living on their own. Conor graduated from Alpha Academy, but still lives on the property at THOUSAND HILLS PET RESORT, so he doesn’t have a commute. He has always loved animals, dogs especially. His family owns two dogs, McDuff and Ender, who stay with his parents in Santa Barbara so he doesn’t see them often but they have stayed at the pet resort once or twice. At present, he plans on going to school, so he’s saving up to go next year. He is also working towards earning ownership of a dog, Thomas, he has been training and hopes he Thomas will officially be his dog by the end of April. Conor states that he looks forward to working with you and your dogs.
Resort Host, Nina Moody
My name is Nina Moody and I am just starting my fourth year at Cal Poly as an Animal Science major with a minor in Equine Science. I grew up just north of Salinas, CA in a little town called Prunedale, and have been fortunate enough to have animals around me my entire life. My passion has always been to work with animals, and while I have the opportunities at school to continue to work with horses, I am so grateful to have this opportunity here at Thousand Hills to play with, and take care of so many fantastic and lovable dogs and cats. I am excited to be a new part of this team, and I can’t wait to meet and care for your pets!
Resort Host, Lauren Mattina
Animals have always been an important part of my family, and dogs are no exception. From a young age I’ve enjoyed pet-sitting and spending time with animals in any capacity, so Thousand Hills is the perfect place for me. I love seeing the regulars come to daycare and boarding as well as meeting new “furry children”. All the dogs have such an insatiable zest for life and the people here are passionate about what they do–it’s a very positive environment. We look forward to giving your special pet a caring, friendly, fun experience at our resort.
Resort Host, Jonny Arnette
Jonny really loves dogs, kids, basketball, and traveling. He lived in Morro Bay for the past 10 years, and just recently moved to San Luis Obispo, and “it’s been really awesome”. He’s been working at THOUSAND HILLS PET RESORT for almost a year now, and he states that this is easily the most enjoyable job he’s ever had. Dogs and Cats have always been a big part of his life, “like dog-sitting for friends heading out of town, and of course my several pets throughout my life, like Ginger, Stripes, Sunshine, Midnight and Magic, to name a few. I’m very thankful for this job, and I’m extremely blessed to work with you and your pets and to have them be such an important part of my life.
Resort Host, Nick Cordes
Nick has been working at Thousand Hills for one year and “I love it”. He’s a student at Cuesta College in is my first semester. “I never thought college would be so fun.” He is from Houston Texas and came to California to go to the Alpha Academy located on the THOUSAND HILLS Ranch. He graduated from the Alpha Academy program but he still works at THOUSAND HILLS PET RESORT. He says that the dogs and employees are great and he can’t wait to see what next year holds!
Resort Host, Landon Case
Landon lived in Ithaca New York until he was 10, then his family moved to San Luis Obispo. Now he’s enjoying his first year at Cuesta College. He much prefers the weather here to that of New York. I have always loved animals ever since he was little, but wasn’t able to have one of his own until about 3 years ago. He now has a black Schnoodle named Bando who comes regularly when he works in daycare. He enjoys working daycare because even though the dogs leave, he always knows that they will probably be back tomorrow. Landon says he looks forward to meeting you and enjoying the opportunity to spend time with your pets.
Resort Host, Maddie Mattina
Maddie has lived in San Luis Obispo all the sixteen years of her life and she says she adores all the sights it has to offer. She loves spending time in nature, enjoying the landscapes and all of the wild life. Dogs have always been a huge part of her life for as long she can remember and she hopes to never be without one. She describes herself as very social and loves to meet new people and their furry friends! Maddie explains that THOUSAND HILLS PET RESORT is a perfect place for her to do both!
Resort Host, Elias Bermudez
Elias is 19 years old and he’s lived most of his life in Mendocino County. He lived off the cost in Fort Bragg, California. When he turned 18, he decided to move to San Luis Obispo to participate in Grizzly Youth Academy. It was a military based structured environment. After graduating, he entered Alpha Academy, a Christian based program that helps youth get back on track in life. While living at Alpha, he was given a job at THOUSAND HILLS PET RESORT. He recently graduated from Alpha Academy and continues to work at THOUSAND HILLS PET RESORT, and “love what I do”.
