Northwind Pet Care Center - Meet Our Staff

Meet Our Staff

Vicki Forster, Owner
Vicki started Northwind Pet Care Center (formerly known as Northwind Kennels) in 1991. She is involved in several community animal programs. She is President of the Pegasus Program, member of Concern for Animals, member of Hooved Animal Rescue of Thurston County, and is an active and avid supporter of Thurston County Animal Services.

Jodie McDonie CKO, Manager
Jodie joined the Northwind staff in October 2002 and her warm and friendly attitude toward animals and people alike has made her an appreciated member of the team ever since. Jodie has her Bachelor of Science with a major in Chemistry and a minor in Biology from The Evergreen State College. She is a Certified Kennel Operator. Jodie became the Manager of Northwind Pet Care Center in June 2004. Her past working experience includes vet hospitals, pet stores, and a doggy daycare facility. She shares her home with 3 horses, 3 dogs, 1 cats, 2 llamas, and her husband Brian. In her spare time Jodie loves to spend time with her animals, horseback ride, and compete in Endurance Riding.

Crystal Mobbs CAPCT, Assistant Manager
Crystal joined the Northwind staff in August 2004. Her love for animals has made her a wonderful asset to the team. Crystal has many years of experience in the boarding industry. In the future she plans on pursuing her education in the science field. Crystal became Assistant Manager of Northwind Pet Care Center in August 2005. She is a certified Advanced Pet Care Technician. Crystal actively shows rabbits and chinchillas and has participated in the 4H rabbit project for over 11 years. In addition to rabbits and chinchillas, she shares her home with dogs, cats, sheep, and horses. When she's not busy with her animals she enjoys reading, hiking, camping, and fishing.

Alyse Spears CAPCT, Assistant Manager
Alyse joined the Northwind staff in November 2006. Alyse is the Personnel Manager and she is a Certified Advanced Pet Care Technician. She has always loved caring for animals and her love for animals is evident through her work here at Northwind. Alyse worked as a Medical Assistant before joining Northwind. She has 1 dog, 2 cats, 2 birds, 5 red eared sliders, 2 leopard geckos, 2 aquatic frogs, and a tank full of fish! When she is not busy at work or at home with her animals, Alyse enjoys camping, scrap booking, fishing, and spending time with her husband!

Nikki Jackson CAPCT, Assistant Manager

       Nikki joined the Northwind Staff in May 2008. She became our Quality Control Manager shortly after and is a certified Pet Care Technician. Nikki considers herself blessed to have the opportunity to be on staff here again. She was one of the original employee's when the facility was first started. All her life's work has revolved around animals. Nikki shares her home with her Min Pin Java, and 4 Treeing Walker Coonhounds: Buck Jr., Pony, Rock, and Duke. She bred, raised, and trained all of her coonhounds and many more for other people. Any chance Nikki gets she competes with her hounds in everything from conformation shows, competition hunts, field trials, and water races. She is a PKC Hunt Director, UKC Licensed Master of Hounds, UKC Coonhound Bench Show and Beagle Bench Show Judge. Nikki is also the President of the Washington State Coonhound Association.

Diane Salts NCMG, Master Groomer
        Diane joined the Northwind staff in March 2004. She is a National Certified Master Groomer and has 30+ years of experience. Diane has been certified with the National Dog Groomers Association of America since 1992. She started grooming in the seventies in Kay's Poodle Parlor, which was owned by her mother, Kay Salts. Her loving kindness toward animals shows through in the way she takes special care in all the pets she grooms. Diane is very active with her 4 whippets in performance field events during her spare time.

Sal Acahua CPCT, Maintenance Supervisor
        Sal joined the Northwind staff in February 2004 and his dedication and hard work has made him a wonderful addition to the team. He is a Certified Pet Care Technician. Sal is responsible for making sure our facility and property stay beautiful and our pets stay safe. Sal shares his home with 1 cat named Minnie, a beagle named Tonka, his girlfriend Sarah, and their son Salvadore. He enjoys working with all different types of animals here at Northwind.

Mary Larman CPCT, Receptionist
       Mary joined the Northwind staff in November 2006 as our Receptionist.  She is a certified Pet Care Technician.  Mary was born in Southern California, moved to Southern Oregon with her family of 5 brothers & sisters at the age of 7. They lived on a small farm where she got to have her first Boston Terrier. Mary fell in love with Bostons and always wanted to have another one someday for her own children. She has raised 6 litters of Bostons and has 4 of her own. Mary has been an active member of the Boston Terrier Club of Western Washington where she has helped with the "Ways & Means Committee." She is also a member of the Boston Terrier Club of America. Mary had the opportunity to travel to Tampa, Florida with her friend and her boston for the Eukanuba Tournament of Champions Invitation Only Dog Show, which she describes as an experience of a lifetime! She now lives in Yelm with her 4 Boston Terriers and 1 cat. Mary has 3 grown children, 1 daughter and 2 sons and they all love dogs!

Julie Gibson ACPCT

Julie joined the Northwind Staff in May 2008 and her love for animals and her fun personality have made her essential to the team! Julie is an Advanced Certified Pet Care Technician. She grew up in Wellington, Ohio and lived between her mother's and father's house, but every weekend would be different. She moved to Washington when she was 19 with her husband Joseph. Julie loves to go mountain bike riding and kayaking. Julie has always loved animals; her father was a dog trainer so she grew up with many breeds of dogs. Her future goals are to become a PRN. She shares her home with her husband Joseph and their dog Kyra.

Tanya Mount ACPCT

Tanya joined the Northwind Staff in July 2008. She is an Advanced Certified Pet Care Technician. Tanya grew up on a farm with her dad in Tenino, WA where she helped raise cattle, chickens, and turkeys. She graduated Tenino High School in 1993 and then moved to South Dakota for three years. After that she moved back to Rainier, WA and raised her two daughters Taylor and Hope. Tanya now lives in Lacey, WA with her daughters and her two dogs KiKi and Lilly. She enjoys walks on the beach, watching movies, and spending time with her family and friends.

Chloe Fetterly-Hepburn CPCT

Chloe joined the Northwind Staff in April of 2009. She is a Certified Pet Care Technician. Chloe grew up in Yelm, Washington with her Mom, Dad, two sisters, brother and their childhood dog Pepper. Chloe has loved animals her entire life and enjoys working with them everyday. She enjoys watching movies, being with friends and family, trying new things and also enjoys traveling. She currently does not own a dog, but hopes to eventually have a border collie.

Cynthia "CJ" Woytovech CPCT

CJ joined the Northwind Staff in August 2009. She is a Certified Pet Care Technician. CJ is a native born Texan who has always enjoyed spending working with animals. She moved to Washington in the summer of 2006. She loves to spend her free time outdoors with her two dogs Sybil and Bear. She enjoys hiking, hockey, cycling, and water polo. CJ is also interested in the medical field and plans to go to school to become a Registered Nurse.