Christie Newton-Schmidt, Owner/Operator – Animals have always been a part of Christie’s soul! Christie grew up in her family home without any animals, but she made up for that time lost as soon as she had a place of her own with her now husband, Greg. Starting with 1 dog, and then 2, a few small animals, a couple of farm animals, a 3rd dog and then a farm full of different animals. All of these experiences over the years have been a wild ride of hands on learning. She says “There is always so much to learn about any species, and it makes life very interesting at times (not always positive), but at the end of the day if we can learn something, it helps make everything worthwhile.”
Christie lives on the farm where Country Creek calls home with her husband, 3 kids and all their animals. She was blessed with many dogs over the years, with many different behaviours (biting, etc.) and situations (abuse from a previous home, or owners who let them run the house) at the time she didn’t realize how much that would help her in what she set out to create at Country Creek Pet Hotel. Christie is also enrolled in a professional Trainer program to be completed 2025.
She has owned a couple different businesses in her past and was ready for another adventure when the prospect of owning a Pet Hotel was brought to her attention. Of course, starting a new business shortly before Covid (which was based on people going places) made it another interesting ride. Slowly but surely her and her supportive team along with the support of family and friends, were able to build the business they were looking to make, but are constantly learning.
During her down time she enjoys spending time with her family, just enjoying the animals on the farm as well as the land itself and photography. She also enjoys the agility and herding training she does with her dog, Aurora. Christie is very grateful for this adventure and hopes that you will feel like an important part of the Pet Hotel extended family.
Carrie – Carrie, also known as Christie’s sister has been working here since the beginning of 2020 (before Covid hit). She has a passion for animals, which she realized even more so after having pets of her own. She decided to take up some education in Animal Sciences, after which she expanded her knowledge with assorted animals by working on a couple of different farms. You’ll often see her with her “little” shadow Georgia following her around the kennel and around at home. If you ever see her “little” shadow around the town of Mildmay along with Carrie’s family, be sure to say “hi”. Along with Christie, Carrie is also enrolled in the Professional Dog Trainer program to be completed in 2025.
Clara – Clara loves animals especially dogs. She has a very close bond with her dog Oliver, which has encouraged her to work with animals. There was a recent addition to her house, a husky puppy named Bear. Clara has lived in the Grey/Bruce area for around 9 years now and has worked at the kennel since 2021. She briefly went to school and has been back making friends with your pets since early 2022. If Clara isn’t at work she is most likely to be with friends or bunched up at home watching her favourite show.
Liberty – also known as Christies daughter, she has been involved in everything to do with the kennel from initial discussions until today. Liberty has a natural way with many types of animals and has learned lots over the years with being involved in many different types of animal care and breeding. She has been involved with everything from hamsters, bunnies, poultry, cows, pigs, goats, dogs and donkeys. She is a high school student in Hanover and in her down time she enjoys her animals, her phone, playing ringette, board games with her family and agility training with her Jack Russells.
Jess – Jess started volunteering here in mid summer of 2021, she was later hired. Jess works here part time while also attending high school here in Walkerton. She’s always enjoyed spending time with animals and hopes to have a career working with animals. Outside of work and high school, Jess enjoys spending her time with her dog, Mocha.
Hannah – Hannah started volunteering and eventually working at Country Creek in the summer of 2022. As a high school student, this is her first job, and she finds herself feeling very lucky that she gets to work in such a wonderful environment. One of her favourite things about working here is meeting all the different dogs and expanding her knowledge of the canine world. Her own dog, Gus is a 4 year old yellow lab whose friendliness knows no bounds (as her cats can attest to) and she has already been able to apply what she learns here to raising him.
Avery – Avery began volunteering in 2021 which led to her working here since 2022. She has always had a special place in her heart for dogs and it shows as they seem to gravitate to her. She plans to make a career in the animal world and has learned so much by being part of the Country Creek Pet Hotel team. Avery also has a love for horses and has been riding since she was 8. She has one fur baby at home named Nessa who is the most spoiled one of the family.
Kylie – Kylie started working at Country Creek during the summer of 2023. She works part time and is currently a grade twelve student at Sacred Heart in Walkerton. She has a 11 year old cockapoo named Zoe, who loves to bark at anyone and everyone. If Kylie isn’t at work, you’re likely to find her at home watching her favourite shows on Netflix, or reading a good book.
Ava – I started working here January of 2024. Having grown up with a large variety of animals, I’ve always seemed to gravitate to them, especially dogs. So fortunately, working at the kennel has expanded my knowledge about the canine world. Including temperaments and behaviours of such a large variety of breeds, how to properly read body language and what I can do better as an individual when it comes to caring for our furry friends. A breed I always keep an eye out for here at the kennel, and one I hope to eventually own, is a Bernese Mountain dog. When I’m not working here, at my second job, or at highschool, you can find me curled up with tons of blankets, a good book and my Golden Retriever, Bailey Boo.
Laurie – Laurie started working at Country Creek in 2023 but is no stranger to the dog industry. She has worked in the vet industry, she works in the grooming industry and she is also in the breeding industry. She has a true passion for dogs, which is evident through the 5 little pups that keep her busy at home. Laurie resides in Walkerton with her son.
Cassandra – Cassandra has a big love for all sorts of animals with the biggest love of dogs, she has her own little pup at home named Muggles who she loves spending time with. Cassandra has always loved animals, which is what made her decide she wanted to work with the dogs that come into the kennel. She loves seeing all the different dogs and learning about different breeds that she didn’t even know about. When she is not at the kennel she is at home with her dog either making art, reading or writing stories for fun.
