The word dog lover hardly begins to capture Lila’s lifelong connection with dogs. Nicknamed “Woofie” as a child, she grew up surrounded by Rottweilers, Golden Retrievers, Australian Shepherds, and rescue dogs—along with an impressive collection of dog stuffed animals that hinted early on at a deep, intuitive bond with animals. From the start, Lila understood dogs not simply as pets, but as beings with emotional lives, social needs, and unique personalities.
Before founding Doggie Stays and Getaways, Lila spent seven years working with at-risk youth in California, Colorado, New Zealand, and Fiji, followed by another seven years in corporate fitness management and education in Colorado and Texas. Though humans and dogs are different species, she quickly recognized that many of the same principles apply: leadership, consistency, clear communication, emotional regulation, and the power of a supportive group. These insights became foundational to her work with dogs and later shaped the philosophy behind DSG.
In 2016, while living in Boulder Heights, Lila was asked to rehabilitate a German Shepherd with severe leash reactivity and aggressive tendencies. Through structured exercise, calm leadership, and gradual exposure, the dog learned to walk peacefully—both on and off leash—through the neighborhood. Word spread quickly, and soon Lila was working with multiple dogs, helping families restore balance and trust. By the end of the year, she relocated to Lafayette and intentionally built what would become Doggie Stays and Getaways: a thoughtfully designed, home-style retreat offering highly personalized dog boarding, daycare, training, and enrichment with 24-hour on-site supervision provided by a trusted, trained care team.
The program grew rapidly, becoming Lila’s full-time vocation. In 2017, she became certified in Dog CPR and First Aid through Pet Tech Training and expanded her vision by launching the Adventure Getaway program—offering small-pack adventures and off-leash hikes throughout Boulder County designed to meet dogs’ physical, mental, and social needs in a balanced, fulfilling way.
In 2018, after working with hundreds of dogs and families, Lila was selected as one of just 35 people worldwide to train directly with Cesar Millan at the Dog Psychology Center in Santa Clarita, California. There, she deepened her understanding of pack psychology, rehabilitation through structured socialization, and the role of exercise, mental stimulation, affection, and clear boundaries in creating stable, confident dogs.
Shortly after returning home, Lila was invited to foster and rehabilitate dogs for the SaveRescue Coalition in Houston, Texas—dogs deemed unadoptable due to severe behavioral challenges such as aggression, extreme anxiety, destructive behavior, and repeated escape attempts. Through careful assessment, structure, and individualized training, every dog fostered by Lila successfully found a permanent, loving home in Colorado.
In 2022, Lila returned to the Dog Psychology Center for an advanced seminar focused on extreme behavioral and physical cases. Inspired by the collaborative model she experienced there, she launched the Trainer Exchange Program at DSG, welcoming other trainers to learn, teach, and co-train. Cesar’s son, Andre Millan, was the first visiting trainer to participate. By 2023, Lila began traveling nationally to mentor and coach other home-based dog boarding and training businesses, sharing best practices while learning from diverse, heart-centered programs across the country.
In 2025, Lila traveled to Mexico to work hands-on with socially unfit dogs at the SULA rescue outside Puerto Vallarta. There, she focused on helping dogs achieve emotional balance, social stability, and improved adoptability—supporting their transition into permanent homes in the United States and further deepening her commitment to rescue, rehabilitation, and ethical rehoming.
Today, Lila remains deeply involved in every aspect of Doggie Stays and Getaways, overseeing and shaping all programs including its Boarding and Daycare Camp, Adventure Getaways, Board and Train, Socialization Training, and Offsite Training. Her long-term vision includes offering community education and classes on loose leash walking, leash reactivity, and conscious pack leadership—continuing her mission to elevate the standard of care, connection, and well-being for dogs and the people who love them.
At Doggie Stays and Getaways, Lila believes dogs thrive when their physical, emotional, and social needs are met in thoughtful balance. Her approach blends calm leadership, structured exercise, intentional socialization, and individualized care—creating an environment where dogs feel safe, included, understood, and fulfilled. The result is not just better behavior, but happier dogs who are able to show up as their best selves—at DSG and at home.
Hannah Dorsa
Doggie Daycare Specialist
Hi, I’m Hannah! I am excited to join the pack as a Doggie Daycare Specialist for DSG! I grew up in Texas and I started dog walking when I was a teenager, but my passion to work with dogs started when I rescued my late Great Pyrenees, Yeti, from a breeder mill. She was very anxious and malnourished and I wanted to learn and do everything possible to get her better, and that lead to an unforgettable bond with her and an intense passion for dog care. I moved to Colorado when I was 21 and continued my career as a kennel technician and a doggie daycare manager. I enjoy spending my days in group play with all the pups. My love for animals lead me to rescuing another Great Pyrenees, Alaska, from Greeley last year. When I am not at work, I am an avid concert goer and cook. I enjoy spending my nights either at my favorite venue, The Summit, or with my partner and Alaska at home learning a new recipe and losing at Mario Kart.
Kristen Prentice
Doggie Daycare Specialist
Hi, I’m Kristen! I’m a Colorado native from Black Forest, an empath, a Libra, and lover of trees, and mountain silhouettes. I’ve had a very strong connection with dogs from an early age. My first dog, Boomer, was a rescue who showed me a depth of love and companionship that remains one of the greatest gifts of my life. After spending more than a decade studying Psychology and building a career in Marketing, I still felt like something was missing. I wanted work that felt meaningful and connected to something I genuinely cared about. In 2025, I decided to pursue a career as a professional Dog Trainer. I have since graduated from the Professional Dog Training program at Aims Community College and completed a 320-hour Dog Training Apprenticeship with Complete Canine Training. This journey has allowed me to find more joy, foster my love of dogs and passion for the human-canine bond, and utilize my naturally compassionate, grounded, and giving nature. I’m excited to join the Doggie Stays & Getaways team, where I can provide excellent care for both dogs and their people, continue learning from every dog I meet, and be a confident, loving, Pack Leader that dogs can trust.
When I’m not working, you can find me snuggled up on the couch with my soul dog, Leo, contemplating the meaning of life, dreaming about the perfect dog toy to create, practicing my dog-training skills, or dancing around my house to R&B music. Looking forward to meeting you and your dogs!
Raven Hendrix
Doggie Daycare Specialist
Hi I'm Raven! I was born in 2001 and I absolutely adore all animals. I've been fascinated by animals ever since I was a little girl, I wanted to own everything as a pet, read about them, even draw them. Now that I've gotten older, I realize I can't have my house be a zoo... Molly Moo, my senior dog, I've owned since 2018. She's my first official dog and she's definitely the best one I could ask for. Molly is very goofy and vocal but not in ways you'd think! She walks around the house grunting and whining like a weirdo. She's a total stinker and I love her more than anything. I started working in doggie daycares in 2021 and ever since then I've never wanted to leave. Working with dogs is the best job I could have ever asked for! Playing and petting dogs all day? Yes please. I worked at two doggie daycares before transferring to DSG where I have loved continuing my education in Dog Psychology and animal behavior. Starting to finally figure out who I want to be as an adult is exciting and I truly believe I belong with animals. I'm to move forward soon and take things a step further by starting school in animal behavior. I have cherished the years I have been at DSG and truly adore the clients here - both dogs and their humans alike!
Kay Funk
Doggie Daycare Specialist
