Leaving teaching gave me the opportunity to ask a question I hadn't had time to ask before. What kind of life do I want to build? I already had 40 acres of forest, a family that wasn't afraid of hard work, and a head full of ideas. I've always loved creating—whether that's gardening, cooking, designing spaces, building something with my own hands, or dreaming up the next project. I love being outdoors, and I've always believed the best experiences happen in nature. Dogs became a beautiful way to bring all of those passions together. The Homestead was never meant to feel like a kennel. I wanted it to feel like coming to your favourite aunt's house—a place where you're always welcomed, where there's something new to discover, and where every detail has been thoughtfully created. Somewhere dogs can spend their days hiking the trails, swimming in the pond, celebrating birthdays, making friends, or simply relaxing under the trees. I love dogs deeply, but what truly inspires me is creating a place where they can live fully while they're here. Watching a nervous dog gain confidence, seeing old friends race down the trails together, or hearing a client say, "My dog couldn't wait to get out of the car," reminds me why this work matters. People often tell me that The Homestead feels different. I think that's because it isn't just a business—it's our home, our creativity, and our way of sharing a lifestyle we genuinely love with the families who trust us with their dogs.

If you've ever wondered what makes The Homestead feel so welcoming, there's a good chance Bri has had something to do with it. Her role reaches far beyond caring for dogs. Bri is constantly looking for ways to make life easier for the people around her. Whether she's covering a teammate's shift, driving across town to help a client, lending a hand to our family, or quietly stepping in wherever she's needed most, she's always asking, "How can I help?" That willingness to serve others is what makes her our Homestead Experience Lead. She has an incredible way of seeing what needs to be done and simply getting on with it, often before anyone has to ask. Her dedication to The Homestead is hard to put into words. She would much rather find a way to help than a reason she can't. That's the kind of teammate she is, and it's one of the reasons she's become such an important part of our leadership team. Bri is also the proud mom of three boys, including a set of twins, and shares her home in Collingwood with four dogs. (And yes—she and Jay are twins too!) Caring for others has always been part of who she is, and it's something you'll feel from the moment you meet her.

Julia recently graduated from high school and has already built a life surrounded by animals. She lives with her sister in a charming old farmhouse, where horses, goats, ducks, and dogs are all part of everyday life. One of those dogs is Maple—or, as she's affectionately known, Maple Syrup. Maple joined Julia's family after one of our Homestead clients realized she wasn't the right fit for their home. Julia welcomed her with open arms, and Maple quickly found exactly where she belonged. You'll often see Julia bringing her parents' dog, Chompers, along for the adventure too. Although Julia makes nearly an hour-long drive to The Homestead each day, her enthusiasm has never faded. She has a quiet confidence, a strong work ethic, and a patient way with dogs that helps them feel comfortable. Whether she's walking the trails, teaching Maple a new trick, or making sure the cottage is spotless for the next day, she takes pride in every task she takes on. For Julia, there's no better way to end the day than heading home to an old farmhouse full of animals—including one special dog who reminds her every day that sometimes the best families are the ones we choose.

Ewan has never really known life without dogs. Growing up at The Homestead, he's spent countless hours exploring the trails, throwing endless games of fetch, and convincing our Golden Retrievers, Jasper and Georgia, that his bed is just as much theirs as it is his. If there's a couch nearby, chances are you'll find a dog curled up beside him. He shares his dad Stu's love of the outdoors and enjoys helping with property projects, always happy to lend a hand building, fixing, or improving something around The Homestead. He's also the reason our ducks call the pond home, and on a warm summer day you'll often find him swimming with the ducks and the dogs. Adventure doesn't stop when summer ends. In the winter, Ewan is a competitive ski racer, travelling throughout Ontario, Quebec, and the United States for training, races, and family ski trips. The rest of the year, he's usually mountain biking—often riding more than 100 kilometres in a day—fly fishing for trout, researching the latest fishing techniques, or meticulously cleaning his bike... if only he showed the same enthusiasm for cleaning his room! When he slows down, you'll likely find him hanging out with friends, visiting his Grandpa Al from Elliot Lake, or golfing with his Nana Patti at OslerBrook Golf Club. Ewan brings endless energy to every adventure, and the dogs are always happy to try to keep up.

If you've visited The Homestead and enjoyed our forest trails, open spaces, or the care that's gone into the property, you've experienced Stu's handiwork. While Maureen imagined what The Homestead could become, Stu has helped bring that vision to life. From maintaining the grounds and improving the trails to managing the financial side of the business, he's always working on the next project that will make The Homestead even better. Outside of his full-time career, you'll often find him on the tractor, repairing, building, mowing, or dreaming up the next improvement. His energy, practical mindset, and tireless work ethic have shaped The Homestead into the place families know today. Like many who call the Collingwood area home, Stu loves making the most of the outdoors. Whether he's downhill skiing in the winter, mountain biking and running the trails, or golfing in the summer, he believes life is best lived outside—and that's a philosophy reflected throughout The Homestead. Together, Maureen and Stu have created more than a dog care business. They've built a place where dogs can experience adventure, families feel welcome, and every visit feels a little like coming home.

Every dog has a story, and so does every owner. Carly believes both deserve to be heard. When families arrive at The Homestead, Carly has a remarkable ability to put them at ease. She listens carefully, asks thoughtful questions, and pays close attention to the little details owners share about their dogs. Whether it's a favourite bedtime routine, a quirky habit, or a concern they're almost hesitant to mention, Carly knows those details matter. She makes sure every family feels heard and every dog is understood as an individual. That same thoughtful approach extends to the dogs themselves. Carly has developed a strong understanding of canine behaviour and enjoys building trusting relationships with each dog. She helps bridge the connection between our families, our team, and the dogs in our care, ensuring the experience owners hope for is the experience their dog receives. At home in Flesherton, Carly shares a busy household with her partner, her dog Willow, three family dogs, cats, and chickens. Surrounded by animals both at home and at work, caring for them isn't just part of her job—it's simply part of who she is.

Currently completing her Master's in Archaeology at the University of Edinburgh, Naomi brings a natural curiosity and attention to detail to everything she does—including her work with dogs. When she's home in Creemore, Naomi enjoys life on her family's farm, where caring for chickens, honeybees, Highland cattle, and the land itself is part of everyday life. Growing up surrounded by animals has taught her that every animal deserves patience, compassion, and individual attention. She loves being outdoors, enjoys getting to know each dog's unique personality, and is always ready to lend a helping hand. Her calm nature, strong work ethic, and genuine love of animals make her a wonderful part of The Homestead team, and we're grateful she spends her summers with us.

There are certain people who have a natural instinct for understanding animals. Jay is one of them. Growing up around horses and dogs, she developed an exceptional ability to read body language, understand behaviour, and recognize what each dog needs to feel safe, confident, and successful within the pack. Her calm, confident approach helps dogs settle in, build trust, and simply enjoy being themselves. If something needs attention, Jay usually notices it before anyone else. Whether it's the slightest change in a dog's gait, a subtle shift in behaviour, or simply sensing that something isn't quite right, she has an incredible eye for dog health, wellbeing, and care. Her attention to detail gives both our team and our clients confidence that every dog is being thoughtfully observed throughout the day. As Canine Experience & Team Lead, Jay mentors our team, helps guide daily operations, and plays an essential role in maintaining the high standard of care The Homestead is known for. She leads with quiet confidence, sound judgement, and a genuine commitment to every dog in her care. Ask Jay about the dogs, and she'll likely tell you, "They've all become my own." That simple statement says everything about the love, dedication, and responsibility she brings to The Homestead every day. When she's not at The Homestead, Jay enjoys spending time with her husband in Collingwood and sharing life with their two dogs and cats.

If you've emailed, called, or booked with The Homestead, chances are Mackenzie was one of the first people you connected with. As our Client Care Coordinator, she keeps everything moving behind the scenes. From managing Gingr and coordinating schedules to ensuring every dog's meals, medications, and care instructions are accurate, Mackenzie thrives on organization. She enjoys creating systems that work, solving problems logically, and making sure no detail is overlooked. Her background in client care and animal care gives her a practical understanding of both the dogs and the families we serve. Outside of The Homestead, Mackenzie loves playing baseball, working on classic cars, curling up with a good book, and spending as much time as possible with her dog, Enzo.

For Fiona, one of the best parts of The Homestead is building real relationships—with both the dogs and the people who love them. She's happiest when she's spending one-on-one time with the dogs, whether that's chatting to them while they follow her around, cuddling up on the couch after a busy day, brushing them, giving them a bath, or simply making sure every dog feels noticed and loved. She believes the little moments are often the most meaningful. Fiona also enjoys getting to know each dog's family. She loves hearing stories about their lives at home and seeing the excitement on everyone's faces when familiar dogs return for another visit. Around The Homestead, Fiona is always looking for ways to make each dog's stay a little more special. She loves creating crafts and activities for our Summer Camp dogs, helping them make friendship bracelets, swimming in the pond, and making everyday moments fun. At the end of the day, she's often the one happily tackling the cottage close, enjoying the routine of cleaning, organizing, and getting everything ready for tomorrow. When she's away from The Homestead, Fiona enjoys running with friends, playing team sports, teaching skiing during the winter, and expressing her creativity through arts and crafts.