Meyer’s Tails Up Farm is piloted by owner Kent Meyer, third generation dog breeder of the Meyer family. Along with gaining knowledge from his family for decades both Kent and his wife and several team members have trained with John Rogerson of England and the late Lee Mannix and as such is versatile in canine behavior and understanding how dogs think. Kent has consulted with hundreds of dog owners to help them clarify and improve their relationship. As a youngster Kent worked his way up learning every aspect of dog language and behavior with a lot of trial and error. Over the past years Kent and Gwen have had the privilege of showing some of the US’s top show dogs and repeatedly winning top awards at national specialties and the Westminster Dog Show.
Kent Meyer
Lead Dog
Kent is a third-generation dog man with decades of experience as a trainer, behaviorist, and professional handler. He’s known for his deep love of dogs and calm, confident approach. Married to his best friend Gwen, Kent says life has never been better than watching their son Luke grow up.
Gwen Meyer
Wife Of Lead Dog
Over 30 years ago, Gwen met Kent at a dog show—never imagining the journey ahead. She’s been by his side ever since, helping build Meyer’s into what it is today. Gwen wears many hats, but her greatest joy and proudest role is being Mom to their son, Luke.
Nick Waters
Pet Styling Leader
Nick’s smile lights up the room, but don’t let that fool you—he’s a grooming powerhouse. Named a GroomTeamUSA Hall of Famer and Top 10 stylist, he blends artistry with ease. When not styling pups, he’s busy being a devoted dad to two lively daughters and breeds Brussel Griffons.
Michelle Carlson
Lead Groomer
Michelle has been our lead groomer for nearly two decades, and her work speaks for itself—every pet leaves looking their absolute best. She credits her success to the incredible Canine Colony team that help her prep. Behind the scenes, she’s also a proud and devoted grandma, full of heart.
Nicole Taylor
Assistant Groomer
Meet Nicole—our resident pet pampering pro! She loves making your furry friend look fabulous and feel even better. At home, she cares for a mini-zoo of animals with her awesome husband and three amazing daughters. Nicole’s passion shows in every tail wag and fresh new ‘do she creates!
Joyce Soderberg
Customer Care & Training
Joyce wears many hats—and rocks them all! She leads our training and aquatics teams, manages memberships, and brings heart to every call she answers. A Rockford native, she’s passionate about, her grandsons Tyler and Adam, and breeds the most lovable Bernese Mountain Dogs you’ve ever seen!
Hannah Cornelius
Daycare & Social Media Team
If Hannah’s not out running local trails, she’s likely in our daycare, loving on dogs—she truly has a magical way with animals. She’s also the creative force behind our social media. Those adorable photos of your pup? That’s Hannah. The hilarious TikToks with millions of views? Yep, her too.
Donna Anderson
Customer Care
You’ve gotta love Donna—the calm, dependable heart of our team who’s always ready to help with anything. She works tirelessly behind the scenes but treasures her most important role: grandma to sweet little Selah. Donna’s kindness and steady presence keep everything running smoothly around here.
Keith Kinzler
General Director
Keith keeps things running smoothly across all three locations with his calm and easygoing vibe. When the day gets hectic, he loves taking a little break to hang out with a puppy or say hi to a visiting cat. From big events to everyday chaos, he’s the go-to guy who always has the answers.
Elaine Henderson
Marketing Director
Meet Elaine—our marketing magic-maker! With 30 years of experience building iconic brands like Thomas & Friends and Disney favorites, she brings creativity and heart to all she does. From shaping our brand to sharing dog-loving tips, she’s all in. Her world? A fun-loving family & sweet pup Bailey.
John Oakes III
Maintenance
John is our go-to handyman, making sure everything runs like clockwork across all three locations. He loves being useful and enjoys the bonus of spending time with dogs, whose loyalty he truly admires. Dedicated, reliable, and a lot of fun, John’s the kind of guy we’d be lost without.