Our Professional Team
We choose pet sitters and dog trainers who have excellent people and pet sitting skills. Connecting quickly even during the first one-on-one meeting with your pets. Our pet sitting/dog walking team goes through a rigorous hiring and training process. They go through online training which covers modules on animal behavior, safety, and animal health.
Our dog trainers, dog walkers, and pet sitters are committed to developing a personal and long-term relationship with your pet.
Before pet sitting/dog walking services begin, we’ll match you up with just the right dog walker or pet sitter and set up an appointment for a private meet-and-greet in your home so you can get to know your pet’s new caregiver and discuss your pet’s individual needs.
Our Dog Training team can give you the skills and the knowledge to better manage your dog. Expert Board and Train Services in a Home-Like Environment, and Personalized In-Home Dog Training: Tailored Solutions for Puppies and Adult Dogs.
This is our commitment to uphold and go beyond our industry-standard of care. We are continuing looking for ways to improve our staff knowledge.
Our Values
At 2 Paws Up Inc we couldn’t provide the loving, knowledgeable care without our team of amazing pet care professionals. We train and encourage them to be the best every day.
Each day we strive to be better than the next day. The work that we perform matters. We don’t just play with kitties and puppies all day. It’s more than that. We promise to provide our clients with exceptional pet care to give you peace of mind when having to leave your pets. We accomplish this with our “The 2 Paws Up Difference”. We step in and become you when you are away.
We are more than your average person off the street or app. We are creating a loving safe environment for your pets and home. We demand more from our employees, and our employees demand more of themselves. There is so much that goes into having a consistent and efficient team.
It is our hope, love, and commitment that we put into caring for your pets that you understand what matters most to us, and that is your pets.
Barbie Klapp
Founder & CEO
My love for animals has always been a driving force in my life. Working with animals brings me immense joy, and the wagging tails and content expressions of my four-legged friends affirm that I’m living my dream.
Over the years, 2 Paws Up Inc has experienced remarkable growth, and I take pride in helping pet owners and their beloved animals. In my previous roles, from assistant manager to loan closer, I’ve learned valuable skills like handling diverse personalities, problem-solving on the go, and making decisions that lead to positive outcomes for everyone involved.
At present, I share my life with two dogs Winston and Gigi. Animals have always been an integral part of my world, and I believe that nurturing and caring for them has a profound impact on individuals and communities. As Gandhi wisely said, “The greatness of a nation and its moral program can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”
When I’m not caring for pets, you’ll find me exploring the great outdoors. I love taking dogs, maybe even a cat, on exciting walks, ensuring they have a fantastic time while staying fit and healthy. I’m also a water enthusiast, and when the weather permits, my life partner, and best friend Michael can be found sailing.
I’m thrilled to get to know you and your beloved pets. Together, we’ll embark on a journey of joy, adventure, and care!
Leadership Support Team
Teresa Benbow
Client Relations Manager: Expertly Orchestrating Schedules and HR Matters
I have an extensive human resources and office management background, where most recently I worked for an educational technology/software company handling facilities and office functions for two locations. In my professional life, I enjoy trying to bring organization and structure to everyone’s day-to-day activities.
In my free time I love cooking, reading mystery/thriller books, jigsaw puzzles and non-stop cuddling with my furry girls!
Beverly Adams
Social Media Manager
Hi, I’m Beverly. My husband and I recently moved from San Diego California to explore this part of the country and be closer to my grandson, Sammy. I married my high school sweetheart 32 years ago and have two grown children.
I am an avid football fan and love to travel and experience new cultures especially the food.
I currently have one fur baby named Bailee. She is a super sweet Maltipoo with a fun-loving spirit. I have always had dogs and cats all my life, including 4 German Shepards who hold a special place in my heart.
Meet Our Pet Care Specialist Team
Brooklyn Ruge
Field Training Manager: Cultivating Pet Sitters, Dog Walkers, and Dog Trainers
Certified in First Aid and CPR for Pets
Hi! I’m Brooklyn, originally from Ohio but have lived in Georgia most of my life. I’m a wife of 8 years and have 4 fur babies – 2 dogs (Dakota -Alaskan malamute and Nova-husky German shepherd mix) and 2 cats (Selena and Harley).
I love spending time with my pets and with my family and friends, especially my nieces and nephews.
I’m an extreme animal lover of all kinds. I’m excited to meet and take care of your pets and I’m excited to be a part of the 2 Paws Up team!
Stacy
Certified in First Aid and CPR for Pets
Hi, I’m Stacy! I’m a Georgia native – have lived here all my life. My great love of animals began as a young child. My grandparents had a working farm in rural south Georgia, complete with livestock, as well as cats and dogs. I currently have an African Grey parrot, a blue front Amazon, and 2 Australian red rump parrots.
In addition to my birds, I also have 9 dogs, and 5 cats, with most of them being rescues. I have a special place in my heart for rescues and the seniors. In my spare time, I love to crochet, bake and listen to classic rock music.
I look forward to meeting you and your fur kids, and taking great care of them!
Ashlyn
Pet Care Specialist: Your Trusted Companion’s Guardian
Certified in First Aid and CPR for Pets
Hello, my name is Ashlyn! I’m 18 years old and I’m attending Georgia Gwinnett College and plan to major in Information Technology, specifically Systems and Security. I love playing video games and doing various other hobbies.
Currently, I have 5 pets – 4 cats and a dog. They’re all named after video game characters due to my parents and me being video game lovers. Growing up, I also had a ton of pets, being cats and dogs! I can’t wait to meet everyone else’s pets!
Kymberly
Certified in First Aid and CPR for Pets
Hi! My name is Kymberly. I’m a native Georgian and have always had pets to take care of. I currently have three pets of my own, a big dog (Bear) and two cats (Midget and Moe)…I’m a HUGE pet lover of all kinds.
In my free time, I also enjoy reading books and listening to music. I look forward to taking care of your furry family!
Natalie
Hi! I’m Natalie! I’ve lived in Georgia for five years now but am originally from Ohio. My husband and I have moved around quite a bit but we just recently settled in the Lawrenceville area.
Primarily I am an actress, but my previous jobs include pet sitting and working at the Columbus Zoo in Powell, Ohio. I’ve always had an avid love for animals, especially cats, birds, and dogs. We have one cat named Solo, she’s a 7 year old tabby with a crazy personality (to say the least).
In my spare time, I love to cook, paint, fish, and write music/plays. I look forward to meeting with you and taking great care of your fur babies!
Grace
Hello! My name is Grace. I am 20 years old and have lived in Gwinnett County my entire life. I am currently enrolled as an undergraduate at Georgia College & State University.
I am a psychology major with a criminal justice minor, hoping to go to law school one day. For now, I focus on school and love to play video games in my free time!
I have had animals all my life including dogs, guinea pigs, lizards, and fish. I currently have two dogs, one of which is 12 years old and the other is 9 months. I have always loved animals and my parents would probably tell you as a child I liked them more than humans!
Summer & Holiday Pet Care Specialist
Personalized In-Home Dog Training Trainers and Expert Board and Train Trainers
Andre Diggs
Hi, I’m Andre! I’m originally from Queens, NY but have lived in Georgia for the past 4 years. In college, I loved learning about the various areas of science, and dog training is very much oriented around the psychological aspect of science. I’ve got 3 years of dog training experience with about 5 years experience in the pet care industry (pet resorts/shelters/vet clinics/grooming).
I’m familiar with most dog training styles, however, I’m an advocate for positive reinforcement dog training and prefer a balanced/methodical approach to all dog training. I personally feel balanced training is usually the most effective/realistic method of training for family pets.
I’ve always been drawn to animals and thoroughly enjoy helping others with solving problems they may have with their pets. Being a huge advocate of pet adoptions and keeping as many dogs as possible out of shelters is also very important to me.
In my free time, I like to spend time with my dogs, enjoy being outside with nature, and playing video games. I look forward to helping clients build a strong and healthy relationship with their dogs!!
Jamon Skakel
Hi, I’m Jamon, but everyone calls me Jay! I was born in DeKalb but raised in Lilburn and currently have two fur babies of my own – a boy named Hades, and a girl named Sin.
At the age of eight, my father decided to introduce me to dogs by giving me my first puppy. Unfortunately, I was absolutely terrified of the puppy and didn’t want to play with him, touch him or even look at him. Months later, that same dog became my best friend. From that point on, I knew he would protect me, always love me, and would always be there for me.
Because of the relationship I had with my first companion dog, I knew I’d like to share that same feeling with everyone else. Years later, I became a dog trainer and have been training other people’s dogs for about two years now…and I’ve loved every minute of it!
My ultimate satisfaction is to see a dog’s behavior change within minutes after introducing two or three reps of a command, as well as the priceless smile on pet owners faces. I truly believe there is no such thing as a bad dog!
Providing True Peace of Mind by Keeping Your Pets Safe, Healthy and Happy!
You can call us at 770-695.3096