Chelsea Turcotte
Owner & Animal Care Expert
I founded Prairie Poppins with the mission to offer pet owners peace of mind by ensuring their beloved animals receive exceptional care in their absence. As a pet owner, I know first-hand how difficult it can be to leave your animal family.
My lifelong love affair with animals began at just 1 year old with my first best friend, Elmo, a Lab Doberman mix. From there, my passion for animals grew as I welcomed several rescue dogs into my life and fostered cats, fish, exotics, and amphibians in need of temporary homes. My professional journey in animal care started in a boarding facility, where I gained hands-on experience exercising, medicating, and feeding a variety of animals. Later, I expanded my expertise working in a veterinary hospital, honing my skills in medical care and client support. This journey led me to pursue my degree in veterinary technology, which I completed with dedication and enthusiasm.
In 2015 I received my bachelors degree in Veterinary Technology from Mount Ida College. Unexpectedly, my educational journey led me to a career as a scientist in oncology research, where I've dedicated myself to advancing cancer treatments for those most in need. Now, as I expand my family, I'm returning to my roots in animal care, eager to provide dedicated care to my clients.
Today, with over 16 years of experience in the animal care industry and a background in veterinary nursing, I bring comprehensive knowledge and a deep commitment to the well-being of every animal I encounter.
Currently, I share my home with 3 wonderful tuxedo kitties and a lively flock of chickens, alongside a lifetime of caring for various animals. I've had the privilege of working with a wide variety of animal species. If there's a species I haven't worked with yet, I'm dedicated to learning about their specific needs to ensure top-quality care.
Samantha Durant
Overnight Care Specialist
A seasoned in-home and overnight pet care professional since 2015 with a degree in Animal Science from The University of Vermont. Samantha has experience in diabetic animal care and medication administration. Sam brings a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience to every pet she cares for.
Her journey in animal care started early, growing up with beloved pets including dogs, cats, hamsters, and bunnies. This lifelong passion led her to intern at a veterinary clinic and gain valuable insights while working in a doggy daycare setting.
In 2018, Sam expanded her expertise with a canine behavioral class, further enhancing her ability to understand and nurture pets of all kinds.
Sam takes great pride in providing compassionate, attentive care tailored to each pet's unique needs; ensuring they feel safe, loved, and happy in their own home environment. Whether it's administering medications or simply sharing companionship, Sam approaches every pet with the same level of care and dedication as if they were her own.
Sarah Dorval
Animal Care Specialist
With over a decade of hands-on experience in pet care, Sarah’s journey began at the age of 15, nurturing animals of all shapes and sizes at a bustling pet care facility. Specializing in handling "high-risk" or affectionately termed "will bite" dogs, cats, and a myriad of other creatures, Sarah honed her skills in administering medications and conducting basic diagnostic procedures crucial for their well-being.
Since then, Sarah’s passion for pet care has led her on a diverse path, extending her services to shelters, farms, and beyond, spanning across various states in the US and even venturing into international territories like Mexico. In her adventures, Sarah has proudly worn the hat of a dedicated pet parent, overseeing a household teeming with dogs, cats, rabbits, a flying squirrel, and a lively crew of rodents. Each animal under Sarah’s care receives the same level of unwavering respect and love as her own pampered companions.
Not limiting her expertise to traditional pets, Sarah can also cater to the unique needs of reptile enthusiasts. If you're seeking compassionate and knowledgeable pet care services, look no further. Sarah is dedicated to ensure your beloved companions receive the exceptional care they deserve!
Ericka Avery
Animal Care Specialist
Ericka is a dedicated and compassionate pet care specialist with a lifelong love for animals—especially dogs. As a proud dog mom many times over, she brings both personal and professional experience to every pup she meets. Her background includes time as a FedEx driver, where she formed countless bonds with four-legged friends along her routes, and a rewarding role with a company specializing in wheelchairs and mobility equipment for handicapped animals of all kinds.
Ericka is known for her reliability and keen observational skills. She pays close attention to the unique needs and behaviors of every animal in her care, always going above and beyond to ensure they feel safe, loved, and enriched. Whether it's a daily walk or specialized care, Ericka brings warmth, attentiveness, and a deep respect for animals to every interaction—treating each pet as if they were her own.
Emily Mangiaratti
Animal Care Specialist
Emily’s love for animals began early and never stopped growing. At just eight years old, she started her own neighborhood pet-sitting business, riding her bike from house to house to care for every pet she could. By fourteen, she was already working in a boarding facility, gaining hands-on experience and developing a calm, intuitive approach that has followed her throughout her career.
Today, Emily is an experienced trainer and animal care professional whose life revolves around helping pets feel safe, confident, and understood. She has spent years working in a wide range of settings—from dog daycares and hiking groups to professional training programs and in-home behavior support.
Emily currently works as a Senior Dog Trainer at Operation Delta Dog, where she evaluates incoming dogs, trains them to perform specific tasks, teaches classes, supports program participants, and manages kennel staff. She also facilitates a volunteer program and holds her CPDT-KA certification, reflecting her commitment to positive, science-based training.
In addition, Emily serves as a dog trainer at Aintree Kennel and provides private in-home training, helping families with behavior modification, group classes, communication skills, and confidence-building. Her earlier experience as a dog hiker and daycare manager strengthened her ability to keep dogs safe in group environments, solve problems quickly, and communicate clearly with pet parents.
At home, Emily is a proud pet mom to her Australian Cattle Dog, Angie, and two guinea pigs, Popcorn and Piccolo. Animals truly are second nature to her, and she brings patience, gentleness, and responsibility into every visit.
Whether supporting nervous pets, managing active dogs, or offering guidance to families, Emily is dedicated to creating a safe, loving experience for every animal in her care.
Alyssa Nickola
Adventure Group Lead & Animal Care Specialist
Alyssa brings over 2.5 years of professional experience working in doggy daycare and boarding environments, where she has confidently managed groups of up to 25 dogs of all sizes, temperaments, and energy levels. Her calm, attentive presence and deep understanding of canine behavior create a safe and enriching environment for every pup in her care.
Alyssa’s passion for dogs runs deep—fueled in part by her own journey with her first dog, who was highly reactive. Through that experience, she learned firsthand that reactivity isn’t a flaw—it’s a form of communication—and developed a profound respect for the individual needs of each dog. This perspective continues to shape her compassionate and patient approach to animal care.
She is certified in obedience dog training through the Karen Pryor Academy and holds additional certifications from FetchFind and PackPro, along with up-to-date training in canine CPR and first aid.
For Alyssa, working with dogs is more than just a job—it’s her calling. She finds true joy in helping dogs thrive, whether it’s seeing a shy pup come out of their shell or witnessing a breakthrough in a reactive dog’s behavior. Her commitment to bringing out the best in every dog makes her an invaluable part of the Prairie Poppins team.
Jenna Sipos
Animal Care Associate
Jenna is a dedicated and compassionate pet care associate with over five years of hands-on experience as a trusted dog sitter. Since 2019, she has provided attentive, personalized care for dogs of all breeds and temperaments—ensuring they are well-fed, exercised, groomed, and most importantly, loved while their families are away.
Jenna brings a naturally calming presence that animals gravitate toward. As a lifelong pet owner herself—including dogs, geese, and other animals—she deeply understands the trust it takes to leave a pet in someone else’s care. She follows all client instructions with precision and treats every animal like her own, offering companionship, safety, and fun. Jenna’s caring energy and dependable nature make her a valued member of the Prairie Poppins team.
Maura Heye
Animal Care Specialist
Originally from Arizona, Maura has been passionate about animals for as long as she can remember. Growing up with pets and witnessing the overwhelming number of stray dogs in her community, she knew from a young age that she wanted to make a difference.
As soon as she was able, Maura began volunteering with a local rescue, where she quickly immersed herself in hands-on work—fostering dogs, learning canine behavior, and helping rehabilitate dogs with bite histories that were once considered unadoptable. Her experience spans caring for pregnant dogs, newborn puppies, feral strays, and administering various medications. She has also been deeply involved in rescue efforts, including street saves and humane trapping of fearful dogs.
In addition to her rescue work, Maura has worked in a variety of professional dog care settings, including dog walking, pet sitting, and managing playgroups of up to 20 dogs in doggy daycare environments. She also holds certifications from FetchFind and Pack Pro, further expanding her knowledge in professional pet care and handling.
At home, Maura is surrounded by her own animal family—9 beloved dogs, a cat, and a lively flock of chickens. Her lifelong dedication to animals continues to inspire the work she does every day.
Jessica Barlow
Animal Care Specialist
Jessica has always had a natural connection with animals — caring for them feels like second nature. She approaches every pet with patience, gentleness, and responsibility, whether she’s tending to barn animals, walking energetic pups, or giving extra love to indoor pets. As a devoted mom to five cats and one sweet dog, she understands just how important it is for pets to feel safe and supported while their families are away.
Jessica brings years of hands-on animal care experience, including dog daycare and kennel work, dog bathing, and nearly a decade of dog walking and pet sitting. She’s confident handling pets of all sizes, temperaments, and needs, and she enjoys building trusting relationships with every animal she meets.
In addition to her animal care background, Jessica’s work as a Skills Instructor for adults with disabilities and as a Personal Care Assistant has strengthened her patience, empathy, and calm, reliable presence — qualities that naturally extend to the pets she cares for.
Whether your pets need comfort, structure, playtime, or simply someone who genuinely loves being around animals, Jessica is ready to be their new best friend.
Ella Mouradian
Animal Care Associate
Ella is a compassionate and dependable pet care specialist with a natural understanding of animal behavior and a deep commitment to providing loving, individualized care. As the proud owner of three dogs—including some with behavioral challenges—Ella brings valuable first hand experience in training, patience, and building trust with pets.
Before joining Prairie Poppins, Ella worked in a scheduling role at Kendall’s Canines, where she gained insight into the unique needs of pets and their families. Now, she focuses on what she loves most: caring for animals. Her calm energy, reliability, and attention to detail make her a wonderful addition to our pet sitting team. Whether it’s a shy cat or a spirited pup, Ella approaches each animal with empathy, confidence, and care.
