Zhenya LaMotte
Zhenya joined The Grinning Dog team in May 2025, bringing several years of hands-on experience working with dogs in a variety of settings. Her passion for animal care, calm focus, and dependable nature make her a natural fit for The Grinning Dog’s collaborative and caring culture. Whether she’s out exploring the trails with our canine guests or ensuring each dog receives attentive, individualized care, Zhenya approaches every day with dedication and heart. We’re thrilled to have her on the team!
“From raising puppies in pre-training for Guiding Eyes for the Blind to working in various animal related jobs (grooming shop, pet store, dog daycare/boarding facilities) to interning at several wildlife rehabilitation centers, my life has revolved around animals in one way or another. My other love is being in nature and I can often be found exploring various hiking trails with my own personal dog, Espie who’s an Italian Wirehaired Pointer. Seeing the excitement when she’s in her purest element only strengthens our bond which enables me to learn and strengthen bonds with other peoples’ dogs.”
