Our Staff Midtown
Meet our team! Did you know? Each staff member is required to become Pet CPR & First Aid certified before completing their status as a Trainee. This helps ensure our Pack Leaders know how to handle any situations that may arise. We are proud to be surrounded by a team of dedicated dog lovers, some of whom have been with us for over 10 years! Read all about your dog's BFFs below.
Alison Balow
Facility Manager
Joined Canine To Five team in 2024
Pets: Imogen Elizabeth, a Toy Fox Terrier, Octavia Eleanor, a Min Pin/Chihuahua mix, and two black cats: Titus Andronicus and Mercutio Alexander.
Alison was raised in the Detroit area, where her lifelong passion for animal care first took root. In 2008, she relocated to Colorado to pursue a degree in Equine Science. Following graduation, she dedicated nine years to the animal welfare field, where she focused on strengthening the bond between pets and their people. Alison is enthusiastic about working with both animals and their owners, and she takes pride in delivering outstanding customer service. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking and camping with her dogs, horseback riding, and rock climbing.
Kayla Mundy
Customer Service Since 2023
Missy Thompson
Customer Service Since 2023
Kelsey Hall
Customer Service Since 2024
Paige Gutholm
Customer Service Since 2024
Katie McGurn
Customer Service Since 2024
James Fuson
Supervisor since 2022
Brandon Ly
Supervisor since 2023
Diamond Walters
Pack Leader Since 2017
Gina Ledesma
Pack Leader since 2022
Caitlyn Thomas
Pack Leader since 2023
Candice Rivers
Pack Leader/Customer Service since 2023
Madeline Franko
dog care attendant since 2023
jaime burean
pack leader since 2024
Aliyah Minnick
pack leader since 2024
Xaviera Gaynor
pack leader since 2024
Renetta Jones
pack leader since 2024
Ryleigh Shaughnessy
pack leader since 2024
Airee McAdory
pack leader since 2024
De'Andre Morris
pack leader since 2024
Deondray May
Overnight Technician since 2024
Lauren Blanchard
Groomer since 2013
Lisa Barnett
Groomer since 2013
Jennifer Rehfuss
Groomer since 2022
Morgan Hawkins
groomer since 2023
Liz Blondy
Founder and Owner
Founded Canine To Five in 2005
Pets: A Landseer Newfoundland named Clover
Liz is a long-time Detroiter who, after a decade in sales, decided to combine her love of animals and her hometown passion into a career. In 2005, she opened Canine To Five Detroit Dog Daycare in Midtown, Canine To Five Ferndale in 2013, Canine To Five Commerce in 2021, and Canine To Five Eastside in 2023. All facilities offer daycare and boarding, plus Midtown and Commerce offer grooming! The business also hosts events like pack walks and dog-friendly happy hours.
Canine To Five is now recognized as a Detroit small business success story, and Liz has emerged as a staunch and prominent advocate for Detroit’s resurgence. Firmly convinced that small businesses are the key to true revival, she co-founded Open City Detroit, a networking group designed to encourage entrepreneurship, and participates in many initiatives to foster a strong grassroots business community.
Samantha Hillmer
Chief Operating Officer
Joined Canine to Five in 2017
Pets: A Cattle Dog/Terrier Mix named Violet & A Miniature Australian Shepherd named Willow
Samantha is the doer of all things. As our Chief Operating Officer, she plays a key leadership role in shaping the direction of Canine To Five across all four locations. From mentoring managers and guiding our concierge team, to developing company policies, overseeing operations, and optimizing client experience — Sam ensures our business runs smoothly inside and out.
She manages our reservation software, brainstorms new services, creates client retention strategies, builds training materials, facilitates meetings, and monitors performance and reputation across locations. Samantha also leads our marketing efforts — including social media, website updates, blog posts, newsletters, and promotional campaigns — and she’s the voice behind many of our thoughtful responses to online reviews!
Outside of having a knack for technology and process improvement, Sam brings over 15 years of experience working with animals — from grooming salons to veterinary clinics, border patrol K9s to newborn puppies. She loves that her role at Canine To Five blends her passion for pets with her strengths in leadership, writing, graphic design, and systems thinking.
Samantha currently resides in Allen Park with her husband, Matt, their two daughters, Hailey and Hannah, and their two dogs, Violet and Willow.
Melissa Daris
Human Resources Manager
Joined Canine to Five team in 2021
Pets: A Sheltie named Luna and a Bengal cat named Ivan
Melissa came to Canine To Five with a background in Human Resources and Management. She previously worked in animal medicine at an ER and Specialty Veterinary Hospital. This combined experience made her the perfect fit for Canine To Five.
Melissa takes care of all of Canine To Five's employees whether it be recruiting, benefits, payroll and anything else "HR"
Melissa currently resides in Royal Oak with her husband Tom, daughter Eva, son Tommy, her dog Luna and cat Ivan.
Kaitlin Lulofs
Canine Concierge Manager
Joined Canine to Five team in 2016
Pets: A Cocker Spaniel named Noah, and two delicate Millipedes named Thorne and Admiral Rodcocker
Kaitlin is a Pack Leader who joined our team in 2016. She previously lived in Denver, Colorado where she was a live-in care provider for a special needs Chow Chow and studied Mortuary Science. The very first day she moved back to Michigan, she was walking around her neighborhood and saw Canine to Five.. her eyes lit up! She knew she had to work with us.
Kaitlin currently resides in Ferndale with her roommate, her Cocker Spaniel, Noah, and her different species of insects! During her free time, she legitimately plans all year for Halloween, watches Law & Order, and is currently learning how to drive so she can get her license! She is also always trying to convince the world that leggings are pants. Her favorite this about Canine to Five? “All the dog kisses, duh!”
Lou Ray
director of finance
Joined Canine to Five team in 2019
Pets: Suzie & Blue Ray the Lab Mixes
Lou is a Certified Public Accountant who joined our team to provide our company assistance with accountability, metrics, and strategy development. Prior to Canine to Five, he owned and operated an industrial supply distribution company. When he isn't talking finances, Lou enjoys golfing, cycling, hiking, and traveling up north. He has owned dogs his whole life, and currently resides in Grosse Pointe with his wife and two dogs, Suzie & Blue Ray. Lou says his favorite thing about Canine to Five is our employees and their enthusiasm for the dogs in our care.