About Colby's

Finn, February '23 Pup of the Month
Colby's Pup since May 2022

Long May The Tail Wag

We think dogs are pretty amazing. They are incredibly loyal, an endless source of comic relief, and a generous giver of nuzzles and cuddles when you need them most. They even helped a lot of us stay sane through endless months of quarantine. Dogs are always there for us, and we built a business around being there for them.

We’re Colby Dogcare & Spa—a safe, clean and loving provider of luxury canine care, delivered by the world’s biggest dog lovers. We offer Daycare, Sleepovers, Grooming and Training, and our staff is focused on promoting healthy and happy dogs, while delivering convenience and peace-of-mind to the humans who love them.

Colby’s is here to make sure no pet is left behind. We’d be honored to care for and spend time with your pups, so they’re less anxious during the day and happier when you return home.

Meet Our Team

Prior to opening Colby’s, Michael spent 2 years studying, training, and traveling to learn the best in state-of-the-art Daycare design.

He spent 25 years as CEO of Illinois’ Elgin Symphony Orchestra, The Florida Orchestra, and as the Executive Director of The Washington Ballet. He was recognized by the Chicago Tribune as a Chicagoan of the Year and by Musical America as one of the top 30 international arts leaders in 2015.

Michael Pastreich
President

Jake started his pup-care journey in '09, training & caring for pups as a Special Operations Canine Handler in the U.S. Army until he moved to the DMV to work as an explosive detection dog handler for the IRS.

Before moving into Dogcare management at Affectionate Pet Care, Jake was training service animals for veterans at Walter Reed.

Originally from Missouri, Jake now lives in Virginia with his 3 pups & cat.

Jake Harman
Manager

Brandford is from MD and has been part of the family before we opened our doors in May '22. He has more than 10 years of experience working with pups.

He takes care of making sure Colby's is running smoothly with all the administration and HR - we wouldn't be here without him! You'll sometimes spot him in the office.

Brandford has a pup named Princess at home.

Brandford Kincaid
Operations Manager

Liana is from Virginia and is both a professional dog trainer and a personal trainer. She started has been part of the Colby's family since opening day in May '22.

Liana became a pup trainer after training her cat at home. She now has a kitty and a pup named Puff!

When Liana is not training pups she is working out. She holds regular fitness classes and is a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do!

Liana Burgoyne, CPDT-KA
Head Trainer

Kamoni was born and raised in D.C. She grow up with her family fostering pups and has always been around them.

Kamoni has been part of the Colby's family since January '23. You will usually find her at the Front Desk with a big smile or in the Yellow or Brown Playrooms.

She loves big pups and has an American Staffordshire Terrier at home named Dana.

Kamoni Smith
Assistant Manager

Kelsey is from Chicago and has almost 10 years of experience as a groomer.

Kesley has been part of the Colby's family, making our pups look their very best, since December '22. You'll find Kelsey in the Spa on Sundays.

She loves rock climbing and oil painting... and you might recognize her from her extras appearances in Easy on Netflix, Empire on Fox, or 4400 on CW.

Kelsey Little
Groomer

Josh Manners
Groomer

Kegan is from Washington, D.C. He joined us in May '23 from Duncan Dog Hotel. He started his grooming career in 2011 after entering the pet care industry in 2009.

Kegan is a published author, a tabletop game designer, an award-winning role-playing game designer, and a professional bartender.

He has his own pup at home, Dana Skelly, a Mastiff mix.

Kegan Queen
Groomer

Amaris is from Maryland and has been part of the Colby's family since August '22.

You will usually find her hanging out with the medium pups in the "Yellow Playroom"... sometimes even with her own little helper, her pup, Maxine (also pictured)

Amaris is currently working on her bachelor's degree and will soon be starting grooming school through Colby's!

Amaris Redrick
Grooming Apprentice & Playroom Attendant

Shae is from Washington, D.C., and has been part of the family for 8 months.

Shae is our Grooming Apprentice and currently takes care of all Bathing, de-shedding, de-matting, nail trims, and all those other fun doggy-Spa treatments.

She has 5 pets at home, 2 cats, 2 ferrets, and a very fluffy bunny!

Shae Mills
Spa Assitant & Playroom Attendant

Andrei Chemeris
Playroom Attendant

Yessica is from Landover, Maryland, and has been part of the family since August '22.

You can usually find Yessica at the Front Desk, in the Orange Playroom, or in the Yellow Playroom... though the Yellow has her heart 💛

Yessica has a pup of her own at home named Chico!

Yessica Flores
Playroom Attendant & Front Desk Associate

Mariana was born in Brazil and raised in Venezuela. She joined the Colby's family in January '23.

You will find her at the front desk on the weekends or in the Orange Room talking to all the pups! When she is not at Colby's, Mariana works for a nonprofit.

She grew up with 3 Bulldogs and a Newfoundland, and is now an aunt to a Golden and a proud momma of a miniature Dachshund!

Mariana Franco
Playroom Attendant & Front Desk Associate

Rodney Graham
Playroom Attendant

Johnathon Green
Playroom Attendant

Sophia Hooper
Playroom Attendant

Amos Mithika
Overnight Custodian

Marquis is from Washington, D.C. He has been part of our family since July 2022.

You can usually find him in the Blue Playroom with the large pups, where his best friend George (pictured here) likes to demand attention from him 🤪

He also spends time at the front desk and in the Brown Playroom.

Marquis has 3 pups at home, Nala, and her 2 babies Nuke and Lady.

Marquis Monroe
Playroom Attendant

Maurice is from Washington, D.C. He has been part of our family since March '23.

Maurice has had pups his whole life and recently experience his pup having a litter of puppies!

You'll usually find him in the Yellow or Brown Playrooms playing around with all his pup pals! He says the Brown Playroom is his #1 and that he doesn't have a favorite, but I think his picture gives some things away...

Maurice Monroe
Playroom Attendant

Arina Ogienko
Front Desk Associate

Marc Peterson
Front Desk Associate

Alyx is from Camp Springs, Maryland. He has been part of the family since February '23, bringing 10 years of pup care experience to Colby's!

You can usually find Alyx in the Blue Playroom with the large pups, but he loves spending time with all the Colby's pups.

He has two pups Nova and Orion, and two cats of his own at home.

Alyx Smith
Playroom Attendant

Micah Stevenson
Playroom Attendant

Leo Warner
Night Monitor

Dennis Washington
Playroom Attendant

Darian White
Playroom Attendant

Tamara is from Washington, DC, and has been part of the family since January '23, having worked at another doggy daycare for 8 years.

You can usually find Tamara in the Yellow or Brown Playrooms with the medium-sized pups.

Tamara has a Jack Russel at home named Neptune - you can sometimes find him hanging out (and helping) in the Yellow Playroom.

TC Woodland
Playroom Attendant

Ellie is from North London and moved to DC in 2017. She has been helping at Colby's since opening day in May '22.

You won't see Ellie at Colby's every day, but you will see her for events and on social media - be sure to send her a message and say hi!

Ellie has two pups of her own, an English Bulldog named Hardy and a German Shepherd named Goose. Her mantra is Dogs > People.

Ellie Shewring
Marketing Director

Google Review - December 2022

Lisa Wardell

Colby's Dogcare & Spa is absolutely amazinng! Not only does our pup Zambi absolutely love going to Colby's, the professionalism of the staff is unsurpassed. We first took Zambi for an assessment day when he was a 5 months old puppy - it is the first and only daycare and sleepover center we will ever use for him! The packages are affordable, Michael is a joy to work with and so is each and every staff member I have ever interacted with. I highly recommend taking your pup to Colby's!

Google Review - March 2023

Emily Shaw

Colby's is an excellent daycare and groomer. They keep the census very low compared to other places in the city--they're more expensive than average, but you get what you pay for. In fact, at Colby's, you get what you can't buy--genuine kindness and compassionate care for your dog. In particular, Michael, the owner, is one of the nicest people I've met (and I'm from the Midwest), and he seems to be on site and working with the dogs most days.

Google Review - January 2023

Anne Dukes

My Ernie really enjoys going to Colby's. I most love the kind and considerate staff and how they are attentive and care for my special needs (diabetic) boy. From the first day with his assessment, I felt safe and confident leaving him in their care. With my work schedule, I appreciate the early opening time and that he can stay overnight if need be. I'm so grateful I found this place! Ernie now rides to DC with me and is only a few blocks away from my office.

Google Review - January 2023

Lana Keusch

I have a sometimes shy 2 year old pup who is clearly very picky about his daycare. We’ve tried several places over the last two years and he makes it known which ones he likes best. In DC, Colby’s is it. Initially somewhat scared cause he thinks he’s at the vet anytime he smells lots of other dogs, he now RUNS inside in excitement. They clearly take very good care of my boy and he gets all the play time he needs while also getting his necessary downtime alone to recoup (like an introvert at a party, he’s gotta have his alone time after). I boarded him for the first time ever a few weeks ago and he came home happy and tuckered out after three days. Very grateful for Colby’s!

Google Review - January 2023

Alec Gershen

We love love love Colby’s! Our dog, Mordi, literally runs down the block and towards the door as soon as he realizes where we are going. Mordi comes home tired (in the best way) and happy every time. All the staff are extremely loving, even getting excited when they see Mordi on a walk around the neighborhood. Michael and his team are so responsive and very accommodating. We have only great things to say! So thankful we are part of the Colby’s community.