Meet the Personal Paws Family

Patrick and Samanntha have always had an affinity for animals. Having five dogs of their own with three of them being rescues, along with a donkey named George, cats, cattle, chickens, turkeys, ducks, peacocks, and guinea fowl. The Stout’s love ALL animals. Their journey started in the pet industry with grooming dogs shortly after Patrick’s retirement of 20 years of proud service in the U.S. Army in 2014. Personal Paws Mobile Grooming was created and continues to grow where it now services over 13,000 animals each year. During this time, customers of Personal Paws had concerns regarding the local facilities that provide daycare, boarding or training. Their concerns, just like the Stout’s were similar regarding wanting a facility that was clean and safe while allowing the dogs to be dogs and not just sitting in a cage while pet parents are away from home. Patrick and Samanntha decided to create something different that didn’t exist in the tri-city area and exceed the needs of customers in the tri-city area. Columbus Boarding and Training was built with your dog in mind, giving you peace of mind while you are away.

Samanntha grew up in a military family and graduated from Austin High School in Decatur, Alabama.

She went on to attend Troy University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology (Pre-Veterinary Medicine) while on a full athletic scholarship for volleyball.

Samanntha discovered that grooming allowed her to combine her passion for science, education, and animals into a career dedicated to improving the well-being of pets. She is an International Advanced Certified Groomer (ICG) through the International Professional Groomers (IPG), a member of the National Dog Groomers Association of America (NDGAA), and is Advanced Pet First Aid and CPR certified. She regularly attends grooming seminars, training programs, and continuing education classes to stay current with the latest techniques and industry standards. Samanntha’s goal is to provide a highly skilled, education-focused grooming environment where pets receive exceptional care and leave looking and feeling their very best.

Bryan was from a military family but landed in Decatur, AL and graduated from Decatur High School. His love for animals started at a young age and continues to be proven through his compassion and patience while grooming today. Bryan is a Certified Professional Groomer (CPG) through the International Pet Groomers (IPG) and certified in Advanced K9 First Aid and CPR. He participates in yearly continuing education training to include classes on proper coat and skin care, safe and compassionate handling of difficult or senior dogs, and staying up to date with new and trending styles.

Izzy graduated from Smiths Station High School in Phenix City, AL. As an upcoming senior in high school she began working at Maringo Creek Farms, not only a farm but a dog boarding and training facility, through the co-op program. This sparked her interest and began her passion of caring for the over-wellbeing of dogs. She quickly became a manager and apprenticed under the owner Stewart Harvard, a world-renowned dog trainer with 45+ years in police canine training and family obedience training, for 2 years. While working alongside her mentor, she also became a Lead Dog Trainer for 3 years. She has trained a wide variety of breeds of different ages with different backgrounds and circumstances for on-leash and off-leash obedience training. After her time at Maringo Creek Farms, Izzy joined Personal Paws Mobile Grooming for a year to gain a deeper knowledge of the health and well-being of dogs. She is a Certified Professional Groomer (CPG) through International Pet Groomers (IPG) and has her K9 CPR certification. She also has an associate degree in general sciences from Snead State Community College. She is currently working to obtain her Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT) credentials through the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers endorsed by AKC and Canine Good Citizen Evaluator Certification (CGC) as well as her bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Damon grew up in a military family and lived in a variety of places including England and South Korea. He graduated from Menwith Hill High School in England in 2014. Upon graduation, he moved back to Maryland where he attended Carroll Community College and received his associate degree in journalism.

Between 2016 and 2020, Damon dog sat for friends of family. In 2021, he joined a daycare facility where he supervised 25 dogs per day in an open play environment. In 2023, Damon moved to Columbus, Ga with a lifelong friend and joined the team here at Columbus Boarding and Training.

He is pet-first aid CPR certified. In Damon's spare time, he enjoys watching movies and sports with his favorite cold beer. In the future, he hopes to continue to care for and meet new dogs, wherever he goes.

Cara is from Phenix City, AL, and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Apparel Merchandising, Design, & Production Management from Auburn University. With over 2 years of professional experience in social media and digital marketing, she is passionate about creating engaging content and building connections through digital platforms.

Cara has always had a deep love for animals and is a proud dog mom to her Maltese, Sophie, who has been with her since childhood. In her free time, Cara enjoys playing soccer and pickleball, and she loves bringing Sophie along with her wherever she goes, tucked in her purse.

Originally born in Columbus, Josh mostly grew up living in Augusta, GA. His passion for dogs is a life long one, as he’s always had at least two of them since the age of 3. After attending Augusta Technical College for Videography and Communications, he spent several years in the restaurant and hospitality industry before he decided to turn his focus to pet care, working at at boarding kennel for a year and a half until the Covid pandemic slowed things down in 2020. He then spent 4 years working as both kennel attendant and adoption counselor for Animal Ark Rescue in Columbus, where he gained a more hands-on understanding of the various needs and situations that can arise in the caretaking of abandoned and neglected dogs, cats, and other varieties of pets. The thing he loves most about boarding and training is that it helps dog owners to keep their pets easier to manage and ultimately helps keep them in homes. He is pet-first aid CPR certified.

Outside of work, you can usually find Josh in a hammock with a good book, wandering around in nature somewhere taking in the scenery, or curled up on the couch with his two black lab Rottweiler mixes, Luna and Lucille.

Mackynzie is from Smiths Station, Alabama, where she was always the go-to pet sitter for family and friends. After graduating from Smiths Station High School in 2021, she gained extensive experience in the service industry, from cleaning vacation homes to working in a high-demand restaurant. These roles helped her develop valuable skills in responsibility, time management, and customer service. While those jobs taught her a lot, Mackynzie felt drawn to work with dogs. Having grown up around dogs her entire life, joining the team at Columbus Boarding and Training felt like the perfect fit. She is pet-first aid CPR certified.

In her free time, Mackynzie loves spending her days with the people and pets she cares about most, especially her nephew and her yellow lab, Mave.

Jennifer was born and raised in North Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and graduated from Horace Mann High School in 2013. At 18, she joined the U.S. Army, where she served for six years operating unmanned aircraft. As an Aircraft Commander and Noncommissioned Officer, she trained flight crews, made flight decisions, and led a team of soldiers. Her service included deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan and a stateside assignment at Fort Riley, Kansas. After leaving the Army in 2019, Jennifer lived in Wichita, Kansas, before moving to Georgia with her wife in 2024. She has a background in IT and foster care, but dogs have always been her passion. Having grown up with dogs, she credits her mother with teaching her to respect animals and understand the care they need. Today, Jennifer and her wife share their home with five dogs and three cats. Their dogs include a long-haired Dalmatian, a Shetland Sheepdog, a Great Dane, a rescued Pit Bull, and a Chiweenie, each with their own personality and needs.

In her free time, Jennifer enjoys learning about animal behavior and psychology, hiking and doing enrichment activities with her dogs, fishing, kayaking, reading, and wood carving. She looks forward to continuing to grow as a dog handler and trainer, using what she learns to better care for her own dogs and those entrusted to her.

Amya was born and raised in Columbus, Georgia, and has always had dogs in her life. Her bond with her dog Zero inspired her to pursue a career in pet care, showing her how much patience, trust, and understanding go into caring for a dog. After earning her GED, she has continued to build her knowledge through hands-on experience working with dogs.

Amya enjoys getting to know each dog’s personality and taking the time to understand their individual needs. Working at Columbus Boarding and Training gives her the opportunity to turn her lifelong love for dogs into daily care for the pets she meets.

In her free time, Amya enjoys playing video games, spending time with her family, and cuddling with her dog Cyrus.

Eve graduated from Smiths Station High School in 2024. Growing up around dogs and a variety of farm animals sparked a lifelong passion for animal care. She began working with animal shelters in Phenix City through the police department, where she discovered how much she enjoyed working directly with animals. Her experience in several shelters has given her opportunities to care for animals with different backgrounds and connect with the local community.

Outside of work, Eve enjoys spending time with her rescue American Pit Bull, Coal, and her two cats, as well as playing video games with her fiancé.

Brittany Karch is a passionate and detail-driven pet groomer with more than 8 years of professional experience. She brings warmth, professionalism, and genuine care to every dog she works with. Known for her calm approach and commitment to quality, she strives to make each grooming experience comfortable, safe, and enjoyable for pets and reassuring for their families.

Outside of grooming, Brittany enjoys life with her husband — a retired U.S. Army veteran — and their four daughters, along with their dogs and cats who keep their home full of energy and love.

Brittany has earned multiple certifications that strengthen her ability to care for dogs of all breeds and coat types. She is a Certified Professional Dog Groomer by International Professional Groomers Inc. (IPG). She holds a certificate in Professional Grooming and Styling Techniques, helping her tailor each groom to the unique needs of the dog in front of her. She is also certified in Canine Hair and Skin Health, giving her the knowledge to recognize common issues and choose the right products to keep pets healthy and comfortable.

Her certification in Master Scissoring allows her to shape coats with precision, giving each dog a clean, polished, and breed-appropriate finish. Brittany is additionally certified in Pet Aesthetic Services, which means she knows how to safely enhance a dog’s appearance while protecting their skin and coat. Whether she’s soothing irritated skin, improving coat texture, or creating a stylish trim, she uses her knowledge to make grooming both beautiful and beneficial. Her Advanced First Aid and CPR training ensures she is prepared for emergencies and able to keep pets safe under her care.

Her goal is always the same: to ensure every pet feels comfortable, cared for, and confident when they leave her table. Brittany’s dedication to her craft shines through in every groom she completes. She combines skill, patience, and genuine care to ensure each dog looks and feels its best. Families trust her because she treats every pet as if they were her own, creating a safe, comfortable, and positive experience from start to finish. Her professionalism, expertise, and heartfelt commitment make her a groomer customers can feel fully confident and excited to choose for their beloved companions.

Emma discovered her passion for grooming while working with our sister company, Columbus Boarding and Training. During that time, she began assisting owner Samanntha Stout with bathing and prep work, where she developed a strong interest in grooming and the care that goes into helping pets look and feel their best.

Emma has continued her education within the grooming industry and is a Certified Cat Groomer (CCG), Certified Professional Dog Groomer (CPG), and is certified in Pet First Aid and CPR.

She has completed several professional grooming courses including Feline Safety, the 2025 Professional Pet Grooming and Styling course, and Skin and Coat Care courses. Through this training, Emma gained knowledge in safe feline handling, proper bathing and styling techniques, and how to care for pets with sensitive skin or coat conditions.

Emma continues to expand her skills through ongoing grooming education and training, growing her confidence in both everyday pet trims and breed-specific styles. Her goal is always to provide a safe, comfortable grooming experience while helping every pet look and feel their best. Emma currently has two cats and a toy poodle. She has had the pleasure of caring for a variety of other animals in the past, including dogs, cats, small animals, and reptiles. Her love for animals extends beyond grooming and is reflected in the compassion and care she brings to every pet she works with.

Krystle has over 8 years of professional grooming experience and a lifelong love for animals. She is known for wanting to help every stray she comes across, and that passion naturally led her into a career working with pets.

Krystle is a Certified Professional Groomer (CPG) and is Pet First Aid and CPR certified. She is committed to continuing her education and regularly attends advanced grooming seminars and hands-on training to refine her skills and stay current with grooming techniques and styles.

Through her training, Krystle has expanded her knowledge of canine anatomy, breed structure, and specialty grooming styles, allowing her to create balanced, flattering grooms while still prioritizing each pet’s comfort and wellbeing. At home, Krystle shares her life with four dogs, a cat, and a snake, further reflecting her deep love and appreciation for animals of all kinds.

Elissa has over four years of hands-on experience and is a Certified Advanced Professional Groomer (APG). She is also Pet First Aid certified, giving pet parents added peace of mind that their furry family members are in safe and caring hands.

Elissa has continued to expand her grooming education through advanced classes focused on teddy bear and Asian fusion styles, as well as grooming techniques for breeds such as Doodles, Poodles, and Yorkies. Her ongoing training allows her to refine her skills while creating balanced, stylish grooms tailored to each pet.

Animals have always been a huge part of Elissa’s life. At home, she shares her space with six dogs and three cats, affectionately calling them her “personal zoo.” With a gentle approach, creativity, and a strong dedication to each pet’s comfort, Elissa brings both skill and heart to every grooming appointment.

Jamie has been working in the animal care industry for over 14 years. She began her career as a veterinary technician and receptionist, gaining valuable experience in animal health and care before transitioning into grooming.

For the past 10 years, Jamie has worked as a professional Pet Stylist, where she has developed a passion for helping pets look and feel their best. She is a Certified Professional Groomer (CPG), Pet CPR certified, and has completed advanced education in Skin & Hair care to further support the health and wellbeing of the pets she works with.

Outside of grooming, Jamie enjoys spending time with her daughter and Labrador Retriever, often going on adventures together. She also enjoys attending and working at ComicCons, as well as spending time with friends and family.