team - Gainesville

As Dogtopians, we're a unique breed, we love and care for your pup like our own furry family.

At Dogtopia, our passion is giving every single dog the best-individualized care with their health, safety, and comfort as our top priority! Our home away from home environment is the perfect place for your pup to learn, play, and socialize with their BFFF (Best Furry Friend Forever).

Meet the Team

Suzanne Dukes, Owner

Suzanne is originally from Southern California, where she received her Business and Accounting degree from UC Santa Barbara. When she moved to Bristow, VA in 2003 with her two-year old Labrador, Casey, she wanted to create a safe place for Casey to play and stay overnight. Dogtopia of Manassas was built in 2008 to help meet the needs of all dog parents in Prince William County. Suzanne still lives in Bristow with her husband, David, their two sons, five-year old, Sylas four-year old Zane and their 1 year old girl, Delilah. Sadly, Casey passed over the rainbow bridge in Feb 2016 at the age of 14, but the family has been joined by an adopted Jack Russell Terrier, ten-year-old Jackson and Great Dane puppies, Ziggy and Daisy. Suzanne received her updated Pet First Aid and CPR Certification in May 2017.

Brian Fitzpatrick, Owner

Dogtopia of Gainesville’s other Owner and Operator is Brian Fitzpatrick, who hails from Long Island, NY. He is a Yankee and Giants fan and loves to talk sports to all of our doggy parents. With an extreme love for dogs and a passion for customer service, Brian is our Front Line Manager. He lives in Manassas with his rescue dog, Ella, and enjoys travelling and attending live sporting events when not at Dogtopia. Brian received his updated Pet First Aid and CPR Certification in May 2017.

Ashleigh Walker, Regional Manager

Ashleigh joined our team in May 2015 while still in school. She graduated from Virginia Tech in 2017 with a degree in Animal Sciences. She currently lives in Nokesville with her black lab, Bella, her two snakes, Klaus and Ole, and her tarantula, Tulip. In her free time, Ashleigh loves to go hiking with Bella! She received her Pet First Aid and CPR Certification in October of 2017

Leah Glass, Groomer

Leah is one half of our award-winning grooming team. Leah began her Dogtopia career in June 2008 as a Playroom Attendant. She quickly moved up the ranks to Shift Leader before leaving Dogtopia for grooming school in 2011. She was a star student at Featherle Grooming School and became our full-time Groomer in 2012. Leah lives in Manassas and has an adorable seven-year-old Bichon, Sophie, and two cats, Budders and Tipsy. Leah received her updated Pet First Aid and CPR Certification in May 2017.

Brittany Walter, Groomer

Brittany is the other half to our award winning grooming team! Brittany is new to our team here at Dogtopia, joining us in April 2018. She graduated from Canine Clippers School of Pet Grooming in 2015 and has loved grooming ever since. Some of her favorite pups to groom include puppies, poodles, yorkies, and doodles, but is well versed in all breeds! Brittany lives here in Gainesville with her 6 year old pit bull mix Clyde, her kitty KK and guinea pig named Floyd.

Katie Retson, Customer Care Specialist

Katie joined the team in April 2018. She’s currently finishing her Associates Degree in Psychology at NOVA. She lives on top of a beautiful mountain in Linden with her partner and their four pets , Bean the Staffy mix, Gus-Gus Françios the Bugg, Little Dog the Maltese and Fezzik the Maine Coon. When she’s not working, taking a class or hanging out with the chunks and family. She enjoys camping surrounded by trees and enjoying the sound of streams & creeks next to the crackling of a fire. She is pictured with Dogtopia dog, Bear.

Manny Sattler, Assistant Manager

Manny joined our team in July 2017. She studies part time at NOVA. She lives by the motto “adopt don’t shop” and hopes to clear all the shelters one day! She currently resides in Gainesville with her mini poodle, Ally. She pictured with Dogtopia dog, Finn. Manny received her Pet First Aid and CPR Certification in October of 2017.

Matt Croce, Playroom Manager

Matt joined our team in February 2018. Originally from Newburgh, New York, he moved down to Virginia to reside in Woodbridge with his Vizla/Pitbull Mix, Chino. He likes to make music and play basketball with his free time. He is saving up to go to school for musical engineering. His love of dogs makes him want to work with rescue teams and shelters for his whole life. He is pictured with Dogtopia dog, Chief.

Amanda Shipley, Shift Leader

Amanda joined our team in April 2018. She currently lives in Bristow, Virginia with her French Bulldog, Blue, Boston Terrier, Sara, and her Poodle Mix, Macie. She plans on finishing her degree in Psychology, and wants to help provide service dogs for Veterans. Her dream is to be surrounded by all the Boston Terriers and Great Pyrenees dogs in the world! She is pictured with Dogtopia dog, Judge. Amanda received her Pet First Aid and CPR Certification in June 2018.

Katie Engle, Front Desk

Joined our team in August 2018. She is pictured with her own dogs, Tallie (left) and Finn (right). Katie joined the team in August, 2018. She lives in The Plains with her husband, two dogs, & three cats. Her passions are animals & psychology and hopes to one day combine those passions to enrich the lives of both animals & humans. She is pictured with her own dogs, Tallie the Dalmatian (left) and Finn the Irish Setter (right).

Emily Russ, Front Desk

Emily joined our team in August 2018! She currently lives in Nokesville, Virginia with her two dogs Coco, a German Shepherd/Aussie Mix and Pearly, a Collie Mix. She has always loved dogs and wants to someday own property large enough to house problematic, disabled and ‘unadoptable’ dogs! Until then she will love on our fur babies here at Dogtopia. She is pictured with Dogtopia dog, Genesis.

Kaitlyn Nelson, Canine Coach

Kaitlyn joined our team in August 2018! She lived in the northern Virginia area her entire life. She lives with her family of seven and her German Shepherd, Samson. She’s wanted to work with animals ever since she was little! She is looking to pursue a degree in liberal arts because she wants to be an author or a journalist someday. She loves to write or read in my free time and gets creative with the daycare cards that our parents love! She is pictured with Dogtopia dog, Leia.

Lindsay McAteer, Playroom Manager

Lindsay joined our team in August 2018. She is currently residing in Gainesville with her Bichon, Oliver. She plans on finishing her degree in Occupational therapy and earn her PATH certification. In her spare time she trains horses and volunteers at The Rainbow Therapeutic Riding Center in Haymarket. Her dream is to provide equine assisted therapy to children, adults, and veterans. She is pictured with Dogtopia dog, Drego.

Rachel Francis, Canine Coach

Rachel joined our team in August 2018. She studies Political Science at Northern Virginia Community College and hopes to run for office one day. She lives with her three-legged rescue dog, Kuzy, and her Bichon, Kiki. She has a soft spot for dogs with disabilities and wants to adopt as many dogs as possible! She is pictured with Dogtopia dog, Charleigh.

Hannah Jespersen, Front Desk

Hannah joined our team in October 2018. She is currently studying psychology at NOVA and plans on transferring to George Mason University. She lives in Haymarket with her two dogs, Mila the pit mix and Kuzy the beagle mix. She has always loved dogs and hopes to one day own an English Bulldog! In her free time she likes to go to Capitals games and spend time with her friends! She is pictured with Dogtopia dog, Atlas.

Ashley Stafford, Front Desk in Training

Ashley joined our team in October 2018. She is member of the local Matttaponi Kennel Club and competes in AKC dog sports with Nessa, her Doberman Lab mix. She believes in adopting shelter pets but also believe that purebreds help protect and preserve historic breeds. She hopes to be a dog behaviorist or dog trainer one day. She is pictured with Dogtopia dog, Hank.

Sarah Warner, Canine Coach

Sarah joined our team in December 2018. She currently resides in Manassas with her two dogs, Buddy, an American Staffie/Boxer Mix, and Foxie Roxee, a Papillion. At the age of 14 she was diagnosed with AML Leukemia and has been cured since 2011. It inspired her to fight for childhood cancer and spread awareness that kids get cancer too. Her favorite dog breed has been the Golden Retriever ever since she watched “Air Bud”. She has always had a love for animals and has the dream of becoming a vet! She is pictured with Dogtopia dog, Kane.

Bailey Nelson, Playroom Manager

Bailey joined our team in February 2019. He currently resides in Haymarket with his Bulldog Mix, Goliath. Bailey spends his free time gaming, reading, and practicing many hand coordination style hobbies including Cardistry, Begleri, Pen Spinning, and many more! He also prides himself in his vast Playing Card Collection. He currently estimates it to include more than 700 decks of playing cards. He is pictured with Dogtopia dog, Juneau.

Helen Getachew, Canine Coach

Helen joined our team in February 2019. She is studying History with hopes of transferring to VCU to finish her degree. She hopes to teach English abroad in Portugal. When she is not loving on our Dogtopia dogs, her hobbies include playing the flute and running cross country. After a long day she puts on some Netflix and snuggles up with her Goldendoodle, Leo. She is pictured with Dogtopia dog, Mei.