Million Dollar Dog, Inc. is owned and operated by Tara Pellegrino.  Tara went to a four year business school, Bryant University in Smithfield, RI, where she double-majored in Marketing and International Studies.  Upon graduation, Tara spent six years in the corporate sector in sales and recruiting management, but her true passion was and always has been with dogs. 

Tara became an apprentice for a Certified Master Dog Groomer where she learned the art of being a successful stylist.  During her apprenticeship, she learned everything needed to groom all breeds of dogs.  Further studying was required regarding dog illnesses, diseases and anatomy so Tara decided to work for an exclusive veterinarian practice in the Ballantyne area of Charlotte.  She worked there for three years as the small breed groomer to be able to responsibly answer all dog-related questions an owner may ask.  

Million Dollar Dog, Inc. opened its doors in September 2005!  With the background of the owner, the spa is run in a highly professional, organized manner and both clients and dogs benefit from these strong skills. 

When Tara is not working diligently in the spa, she enjoys spending time with her family: her husband Bob, her two children Mia and Mason, and her own dogs Rocky, Maybelline and Janet.  She also enjoys exercising, camping, hiking, home-improvement projects and volunteering for many different causes.    

Jennifer Evans, Spa Manager & Social Media Director, has been working behind the scenes at MDD since May 2009.  She created and maintains our website, Facebook page, MDD Blog and Twitter.  She brings 20 years of administration and marketing experience to our company.  She has assisted in creating and implementing all of our new office policies and procedures and continues to seek new ways to better MDD's marketing presence, spa atmosphere and to offer excellent customer service to our clients.  Jennifer enjoys spreading the word about MDD and making us 'look good'. 
                                                            
In her spare time, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her family: her husband David, two sons Sam and Micah, her dog Jake and cat Murphy.  She also loves to sing in her church choir, garden and handcraft glass-beaded jewelry.

Nicole Whitner, Assistant Spa Manager, joined MDD in February 2010.  She has an administrative background in the healthcare field and has used it postitively to strengthen our office procedures.  She is an excellent addition to our business.  Nicole will greet you with a freindly smile and a pleasant demeanor and will be more than happy to schedule your next appointment and answer any questions you may have.    

When Nicole isn't assisting our clients, she can be found at home with her husband Jeff and her dogs, Dusty, Sophie and Chloe.  She enjoys reading, volunteering for animal-related charities and learning all she can about our four-legged friends.  In addition, she runs a small pet-sitting business when she is not here.       


                      

 Melissa Barnette is The Grooming Director at MDD.  She has been grooming at the spa since July, 2008.  Melissa previously worked in the insurance industry for five years before realizing that she really wanted to work with dogs.  She grew up on a farm and was always surrounded by animals.

Melissa is a natural at grooming and her passion for dogs has been lifelong.  She is currently working towards her Sporting Group Certification, which will allow her to be an expert in grooming breeds such as Cocker Spaniels,  Irish Setters and Golden Retrievers.

When Melissa isn't washing, drying, grooming and pampering pooches at MDD, she enjoys spending time with her two sons, Luke and Logan, playing sports and vacationing at the beach.

Kat Rathbun, Senior Pet Stylist, has worked with animals for the past 13 years.  She has done everything from kennel work, vet assiting, pet sitting to grooming.  3 of those years she worked with Tara at a prestigious vet hospital in Ballantyne. 

Kat has always had a passion for the arts and has been able to merge her creative side with grooming.  Kat has been grooming in Charlotte, NC at Animal Artistry for the past three years creating one-of-a-kind hairstyles for many pets.  She has also worked Saturdays at Million Dollar Dog, Inc. for the past year.  
                                             
Kat has been given the opportunity to come on board with MDDi full-time to head up the creative side of grooming including stenciling and hair dyeing (using natural color enhancement and funky, eccentric colors).  At Animal Artistry, clients requested Kat for their "new do's" such as mohawks, braides and 'Kat's Original Sytles'. 
 
If you are looking for something different and fun, contact Kat.  Feel free to call and ask questions and we will customize a new look that is perfect for your pet!

Laura Montoya, our Groomer-In-Training, has been with MDD for over two years.  She has been an outstanding asset to our team.    Before joining MDD, she was a beautician in New York and then worked in a vet’s office in Pineville. 

Laura is now ready to expand her talents with MDD in scissoring and clipping our four-legged family members!!  She is in a very tough training program designed by MDD’s Owner and Certified Groomer (Sporting Group), Tara Pellegrino, which includes studying specific breed hair styles, and head, feet and tail styles, canine behavior and health of skin and coats.

Laura is pretty busy studying, but when she's not, she enjoys being with her family: husband Charles, son Jhett and dog, Tallulah Olive.

Heather McCurley, Professional Bather, started with MDD in February 2010.  Heather has worked in the animal care industry since she gratduated from highschool.  She was an animal caretaker for a vet for three years, then became a vet tech, where she worked for five years.  Heather has brought her animal care experience with her and is  very caring and hard-working.  She is excellent with the dogs and they all love her!  (and so do we!)  Heather's main goal is to become a full-time groomer and we will most certainly help her get there!