Meet our Main Gal, Fran Menley!

Fran has over 30 years of professional training, behavior modification & evaluating dogs.  Fran believes that training should be fun for everyone, enhancing the human-animal bond through positive reinforcement training.

Fran moved to Denver. CO in 2009 and began giving private session dog training. Soon afterward she met Dawn Olson of Ken Caryl Pet Spa & Pet Supplies & Distinctive Pet Care Pet Sitting & Dog Walking and put on some training classes at the shop.

In 2004 Fran built and managed her own boarding and training facility near Fayetteville, Arkansas. Fran got her professional start in dog training at 17 years old, preparing, training and evaluating the young dogs for the competition ring for a large show kennel. She studied Agri-Business at Sul Ross State University in Alpine, TX. Later she spent over 3 years as a veterinary lab tech and surgical assistant. She has over 30 years of being an owner-manager of a 200 acre, 70 cow/calf unit ranch in Texas and later in Arkansas with her husband. During this time Fran trained dogs and horses for competition on a national level in AKC dog shows and the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association.

Fran “officially” joined our pet sitting team in January 2019 after working with Freedom Service Dogs as a Service Dog Trainer since August 2012 becoming the Foundation Training and Intake Manager in January 2017. She has traveled to shelters all over the US and met over 200 dogs to see if they would be good candidates for the service dog program. She has had extensive experience with many behavior issues frequently seen by shelter & adopted dogs.

Fran and Dawn have a passion for helping pets, especially adopted pets that need to have a forever home. Through a few breakfasts & some time in Estes Park, the concept of Creating Forever Dogs was born.

Fran cannot wait to meet your dog and team up with you to create the best 4-legged family member possible!

Meet Dawn!

Dawn Olson brings over 30 years of professional pet industry experience.

Dawn grew up in Alaska, spent her young years with her pet ducks, rabbits, and Lady, a Beagle and Tramp, a Black Lab. She also adopted her first Siamese cat while working at her first job in the local humane society. She headed to Colorado in 1997 to attend Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology, graduated, passed the state board exam and worked as a Certified Vet Tech before starting

Distinctive Pet Care Pet Sitting & Dog Walking in 1995.

In 2005 she purchased the Ken Caryl Pet Spa & Pet Supplies and has spent the last 13 years growing and learning with new pet industry trends, especially in the area of nutrition.

Dawn & Fran have known each other for almost 10 years and have the same passion for wanting to help pets “live better, longer” which includes being confident, happy & healthy in their forever home.

“Every day, clients will tell us or we see dogs that are nervous or anxious. We have focused on all pets having the best experience at our pet spa, with our motto being ‘Where We Love On Your Pets’. I even saw this 20+ years ago in kennel situations, which is the reason why I started my pet sitting company and anxieties have only gotten worse as pets have become such a big part of our families.

I’ve always said to new team members that once you are working with dogs and cats for a period of time, it becomes almost like an innate second language. Creating Forever Dogs is a passion to see dogs love their new home, becoming comfortable and well-adjusted as soon as possible.”