Rakhee, Owner

Rakhee’s longtime dream of owning a dog business recently came true when she was fortunate enough to have Dana pass on her lovingly built Geneva franchise of Dogtopia.

She grew up in Dehradun, India, a beautiful town in the foothills of the Himalayas, surrounded by dogs. Some of her earliest childhood memories are of playing with Sheru, the family’s handsome German Shepherd whose name means “lion cub.”

Rakhee immigrated to the United States about 25 years ago and built a successful career in the banking industry, working primarily as a business banker with Bank of America.

Although she found reasonable success in the corporate world, her heart always longed to be with the love of her life: dogs.

Crystal, General Manager

Crystal is originally from Naperville, Illinois, but life took her on a few adventures—three years in Clearwater, Florida, followed by five years in Asheville, North Carolina. She returned to Illinois after Hurricane Helene and couldn’t be happier to be back home.

With over a decade of experience working with animals, Crystal has built her career in dog daycare and boarding, veterinary and surgical assisting, behavioral rehabilitation, and canine physical therapy. She has also studied pet nutrition and is a certified dog trainer (ABCDT). During her time in North Carolina, she spent two and a half years with the ASPCA, an experience that deepened her passion for animal welfare and rescue work.

For Crystal, working with dogs isn’t just a job—it’s what she’s made for. She’s proud to lead a team that treats every dog like family.

At home, she shares her life with two small pups: Lacey, her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and Foxy, her spirited Papillon rescue with a big personality.

Julia, Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA)

Julia has been studying dog behavior and training since 2001, when she first began volunteering with the Louisiana SPCA in New Orleans. Since then, she has worked with a wide variety of breeds, temperaments, and behavior needs, building over two decades of hands-on experience helping dogs and their families succeed.

She has trained and titled dogs in agility, tricks, rally obedience, dock diving, herding, and nosework, and has also worked extensively with therapy dogs who visit schools and senior care facilities.

Julia is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), Certified Trick Dog Instructor, and AKC-approved evaluator for STAR Puppy, Canine Good Citizen, Community Canine, Urban CGC, and Trick Dog.

At Dogtopia of Geneva, Julia is excited to help pet parents build real-life skills through puppy foundations, basic obedience, leash manners, recall, confidence building, and behavior support.

Megan, Groomer

Megan began her career in the pet care industry as a bather and has been grooming professionally since 2022. During her early experience, she built a strong foundation in coat and skin care, developing an understanding of different coat types, skin sensitivities, and allergies, and how to choose the right products to support each dog’s individual needs.

Through hands-on experience and continued growth in the field, Megan discovered her passion for grooming and has never looked back. She takes pride in creating a positive, low-stress experience for every dog, recognizing that each pup is unique and deserves personalized care and attention.

For Megan, grooming isn’t just a job. It’s something she truly enjoys. Whether it’s a busy day or a slower one, she values the opportunity to work with dogs and build trust with each one she meets.

Outside of work, Megan enjoys spending time with her daughter, her own dog, and being with friends and family. She also has a love for live music and creative expression.

Megan is excited to be part of the Dogtopia of Geneva team and looks forward to meeting you and your pup.