About Us

This is Dawn Olson, CPPS, CMPTI, owner, and operator of DPC, and one of her pets, Hopi, a Siamese mix. Dawn moved to Colorado in 1987 from Juneau, AK to attend Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology. After graduating with an Associated Degree in Applied Science, and passing the state exam she began her career as a Certified Veterinary Technician. After several negative experiences with pet boarding, she decided to launch Distinctive Pet Care in 1995, and it became her full-time job in nine months, hiring her first sitter one year later. Wanting to have more influence in the Littleton pet community she purchased the Ken Caryl Laund-Ur-Mutt in 2005 which was renamed The Ken Caryl Pet Spa in 2013. She is committed to helping pet owners learn the most practical and best ways to enjoy their pets and give them the best care and pet information possible.

**In March of 2011, Dawn became a certified American Red Cross Pet First Aid Instructor. In March of 2012, Dawn became a Canine Colors Facilitator and a PetTech Certified Instructor.** In December of 2013 Dawn became a Master PetTech Instructor.  In September 2015 Dawn completed a 100-hour course in Canine Nutrition.  In June 2019, Dawn completed the Pet Nutrition course through Dogs Naturally University. In 2022, Dawn completed another dog nutrition course by The Science Dog.

In 2019, Dawn started Creating Forever Dogs, dog behavior & training, and then found a Littleton facility in 2020 called Colorado Pet Education to provide all different types of education & services.  Check out our event calendar for information!

Kathy started with Distinctive Pet Care in August 2016. Prior to joining Distinctive Pet Care, Kathy worked as a geophysical analyst in the oil and gas industry. When she left her oil and gas industry position, she knew it was time for a change. Since she grew up with cats and dogs and enjoyed pet sitting for neighbors, she decided it was time to focus on what she enjoys – taking care of furry family members. Kathy supports Warrior Canine Connection, Morris Animal Foundation, and Canine Companions for Independence. She lives in Littleton and is pictured here with her 12-year-old fur kid Cody. Kathy enjoys hiking, golfing, kayaking, and mountain biking in Grand Lake in her free time.

Kathy used our services when Cody was a puppy and was interested in joining our team when she left her previous career.  Cody has crossed over the Rainbow Bridge and she now has a new Labrador named Coal.

Kathy completed her Pet Tech First Aid and CPR training in August 2016 and renewed in 2019.

Cathy T (aka Cat), Associate Pet Sitter

Cathy joined DPC in September 2016, after recognizing that she wanted to spend her days caring for animals. She has worn many hats since moving to Colorado from Nebraska in 1996, but most recently was a graphic designer and proofreader for 15 years. Cathy has a BS degree in Psychology with a minor in Gerontology, and an AAS degree in Multimedia and Graphic Design. She is a lifelong fan of animals big and small and grew up with a dog, a bird, and several tanks full of fish. In her 20s, she started adopting rabbits, then added cats, chinchillas, and guinea pigs to the mix. At one point, there were 17 critters living under her roof! Cathy first began pet sitting for friends and family approximately 10 years ago and worked at two doggie daycares in the metro area. She is very excited to devote her time to caring for animals regularly, and can’t wait to meet your furry (or feathery, or scaly) family!

Cathy completed her Pet Tech Pet First Aid & CPR training in October 2016.

Fran M, Associate Pet Sitter, Trainer

Fran Menley joined our team in January 2019 after working with Freedom Service Dogs as a Service Dog Trainer since August 2012 becoming the Foundation Training and Intake Manager in January 2017. Fran moved to Denver. CO in 2009 and began giving private session dog training. Soon afterward she met Dawn Olson of Ken Caryl Pet Spa & Distinctive Pet Care and put on some training classes thru the shop.  In 2004 Fran built and managed her own boarding and training facility near Fayetteville, Arkansas. Fran got her professional start in dog training at 17 years old, preparing, training, and evaluating the young dogs for the competition ring for a large show kennel.  She studied Agri-Business at Sul Ross State University in Alpine, TX.  Later she spent over 3 years as a veterinary lab tech and surgical assistant.  She has over 30 years of being an owner-manager of a 200-acre, 70-cow/calf unit ranch in Texas and later in Arkansas with her husband.  During this time Fran trained dogs and horses for competition on a national level in AKC dog shows and the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association.

Fran and Dawn have a passion for helping pets, especially adopted pets that need to have a forever home.  Fran is happy to assist you with any behavioral issues you may be having with your dogs.   Please learn more at Creating Forever Dogs.

Fran completed her training in Pet First Aid & CPR in 2017 and became a Pet Tech Pet First Aid & CPR Instructor in the spring of 2019.  Fran teaches monthly classes at our education facility.

Teri B., Associate Pet Sitter

Teri is a Colorado native who grew up with a small dog, cats, and bunnies. She had an aunt and uncle who owned a ranch in South Dakota, where she spent a part of many Summers around their cows, horses, and pigs. She started pet sitting for friends and family when she moved back to Colorado after attending college in Nebraska and began to adopt and help stray animals as soon as she had her own apartment. Over the years, many of her pets needed medications at one point or another, and she learned to stay relaxed, focused, and calm when administering all types – from pills to injections, to sub-q fluids. She (and her family) knew from a very early age that she had an enormous love for all living creatures, as she would bring everything from a hurt toad to an injured baby raccoon back home to nurse back to health. Needless to say, limits had to be set when her mom came home to find Teri caring for an injured bat in the garage. More recently in Teri’s journey with animals, she has done volunteer work at the Humane Society of the South Platte Valley and completed a dog training certification course in 2018. Teri has always been drawn to working with animals in some capacity, so she is very excited to have the opportunity to do this through Distinctive Pet Care. When she has free time, she enjoys camping and hiking, or just relaxing with a good book or Netflix. She is married and currently has two cats – Chuck and Scarlet.

Teri joined Distinctive Pet Care in September 2019.  Teri completed her training in Pet First Aid & CPR in January 2020.

Terri S., Associate Pet Sitter

Terri is a Colorado native and a lifelong animal lover. Growing up, her home was a safe haven for stray and misfit animals and became the forever home for many of them.

Terri has parented and cared for multiple species, ages, and sizes of pets, including seniors and those with special needs. Presently, Terri is the proud parent of a  handsome, talkative, senior cat, Monk, and two playful, goofy, loving dogs, Bella and Hank.

Terri has loved pet sitting for friends, family, and acquaintances over the last 20+ years and is happy to be a part-time professional pet caregiver. She believes it is a great honor and privilege to care for pets while their families are away. In return for the trust placed in her to do so, she’ll give great service and peace of mind that your pets are in good hands. She cannot wait to meet you and love your critter kiddos!

Terri S. started with Distinctive Pet Care in December 2019. Terri completed Pet First Aid & CPR training in January 2020.

Samantha C., Associate Pet Sitter

Samantha is a native of Colorado and owns 3 dogs, 2 cats, and 6 geckos.  She grew up loving animals and got her own dog, a Malti-Poo named Riley when she was just 12.  He was a big piece of her life for 15 years and taught her a lot about caring for animals.  Sam has worked in a variety of jobs, including restaurants, social media marketing, pet sitting, and BIM design.  Each one of these has taught her what’s most important in a job and in life.  She’s decided to pursue a career working with animals because of how fulfilling and rewarding it is.  Sam joined our team in February of 2022 and is excited to work for Distinctive Pet Care and take care of your pet(s)!

Leah K., Associate Pet Sitter

Leah joined DPC in July 2022 after moving from Washington State to Colorado to be closer to family.

She worked for many years as a zoo professional caring for a wide variety of animals from black-tipped reef sharks to African penguins to clouded leopards. She has a BS in Biology and an MA in Peacebuilding & Conflict Resolution with a focus on Environmental Policy.

Leah has loved many pets of her own over the years, including many dogs and cats, ferrets, sugar gliders, hedgehogs, snakes, and tarantulas. She is experienced working and caring for horses and considers mucking stalls to be about as much fun as a girl could have.

Leah started pet sitting to return to her passion for working with animals and best get to know her new home within the Littleton and wider Denver communities. She is looking forward to meeting you and your amazing animal friends very soon!