The Story Behind Our Dog Boarding
and Training Philosophy
Walks and Wags was born from a simple question: If you could do anything regardless of money, what would you do?
My answer came instantly, play with dogs and Corvettes all day! I’d loved both since childhood, but after hitting the glass ceiling in automotive, I realized which passion truly called my soul. Animals always got the short end of the stick. It wasn’t fair. I imagined a different life for them. Days filled with excellent care and pure joy, the same unconditional love they’d shown me when I was young.
That dream grew with every wag. What started as one person’s vision to right an unfairness became Mobile’s most trusted full-service provider of dog boarding and training. Twenty years later, that same heart-led commitment drives everything we do, because every dog deserves the life I imagined for them back then.
Today, Cindie and her family, along with the excellent staff at Walks and Wags, continue to lead with the same heart-led commitment that started it all. We’re not just caring for dogs—we’re transforming lives, building a team-led organization, and working toward our next big vision: an indoor training facility dedicated to rescuing shelter dogs and training them as life-changing service animals. Because for us, this has never been just a business. It’s a calling.
Why Families Come and Stay?
Families trust Walks and Wags because our services are designed to support real life. We offer long-term dog boarding, daycare, and training that adapts to your dog’s needs, grooming care that explains—not just lists—dog grooming prices, and a staff that sees your questions as part of the journey, not an inconvenience.
Whether you’re curious about how dogs are grouped during daycare or what your pup’s day will look like after a training session, we’re always here to walk you through it.
Certified. Experienced.
All Heart.
We’re Alabama’s first PACCC-certified facility, and we wear that responsibility with pride. But credentials alone don’t create magic – people do. Every team member brings professional training in behavior, safety, and emotional care, but more importantly, they’re here because this is their calling, not just a job.
At Walks and Wags, being a dog washer means knowing how to ease anxiety with a soft voice and steady hands. Our trainers celebrate the small breakthroughs that build trust. And even with the easiest dogs to train, we never take shortcuts—because we know that lasting change takes patience, consistency, and heart.
For us, this work is personal. We show up every day because we truly believe in giving dogs their best possible lives—and helping their humans feel empowered along the way.
Meet the Team
Angy
Your First Friend at Walks and Wags
3.5 years
Raised on a farm with a lifelong love for animals, Angy is the warm voice on the phone and the welcoming face at our front desk. With five years of experience at IBPSA and an extraordinary ability to sense what families need, she creates immediate connection and trust.
“I love my family, friends—furry and human,” Angy shares. “I’m excited every day to realize I am blessed to be able to enjoy them.”
Her deep respect for all living things and her genuine care for every family shines through in every conversation. When she says, “Love them as deeply and as long as you can,” you know she means it—and lives it.
Angy’s wisdom: “Hearts expand when love is allowed to grow freely. When love flourishes, everything changes.”
Abby
Manager & Heart of Our Pack
5.5 years
“I cherish any playtime I get with the dogs, and I love seeing them light up,” Abby shares. After 5½ years at Walks and Wags, her passion for canine care has only deepened.
Abby’s gift is extraordinary: she builds bonds with timid dogs and becomes the safe person they can trust. Her ability to read body language—noticing what dogs communicate through their voices, cuddles, and concerns—makes her exceptional at ensuring every dog feels understood and cared for.
“These dogs truly feel like my family, and they deserve the best,” she explains. Her commitment to management reflects her dedication to elevating care standards for every canine who walks through our doors.
Her favorite transformation? Watching the team change lives for shelter dogs. “Holly will forever be my favorite success story.” ❤️
Abby’s motto: “Regret for wasted time is more wasted time.”
What she wants you to know: “How much I appreciate you sharing your babies with us. The level of care we put into the dogs AND staff makes this place special.”
Max
Senior Marketing Manager 3 years
Max didn’t just find her way to Walks and Wags—she found her calling. With a background in customer service, global communication, and certified digital marketing expertise, Max brings genuine passion for dogs combined with professional skill to every post, photo, and video she creates.
“What truly energizes me is witnessing the pure joy dogs experience every day through the pictures and videos that the team captures,” Max shares. Her superpower? “The love I give to dogs. When you give dogs unconditional love, they will also return it with trust and loyalty.”
But Max’s story goes deeper. Her own dog, Diwal, transformed not just her life but her entire family’s perspective on what dogs truly are. During the darkest moment of her life in 2016, Diwal sat with her, letting her know “You are not alone. I am here with you.” That moment changed everything—revealing that dogs aren’t just pets, but family members who bring joy, comfort, and unconditional love to our lives.
Her dream? To build a sanctuary in the Philippines for the 12-13 million stray cats and dogs who need a forever home. “I know I can make it happen!” she says with determination.
Max’s wisdom: “Live now, like the past didn’t happen, and tomorrow doesn’t exist.”
Her message to dog parents: “Your dog knows exactly what you need, even when you don’t realize it yourself.”
What makes Walks and Wags different? “Every day is a learning opportunity for everyone. The difference is that I get to work with amazing people who have a love and care for animals.”
Alyne
Chief Operating Officer
11 Years
When Alyne broke her foot the day after receiving her interview call from Walks and Wags, most people would have given up. But destiny had other plans. A year later, they called her back—and 11 years later, she’s still here.
Alyne’s journey into dog training began with an aggressive, headstrong husky puppy who taught her invaluable lessons. “If you get frustrated, communication stops. Everyone needs a little grace to get to a calm place to work together.” That patience became her superpower.
Now certified through Dog Gurus and PACCC, plus her role as an AKC CGC evaluator and trainer, Alyne leads with both strategic thinking and deep compassion. Her gift? Stepping back to see the bigger picture and building people up. “I love to see our team grow, learn, and build confidence.”
Beyond training, Alyne volunteers at the Environmental Studies Center and loves creating new enrichment activities. She’s attended countless conferences and workshops because “there is always something to learn from others.”
Her favorite transformation? Holly—her first official training client who went from aggressive and reactive to a sweet, inquisitive dog who came out of her shell at home too.
Alyne’s philosophy: “We need to care, not just show up to do something but to care about our lives and those around us. That’s how we will make the world a better place.”
Her promise: “We truly care about these guys. We aren’t here for the money—we are here to take care of these babies and make their lives better.”
What she treasures: “My team is amazing. They have the biggest hearts for the dogs and for each other.”
Rachel
Manager
7 years
Since 2018, Rachel has brought certified expertise (PACCC, Pet First Aid, Dog Language, Group Play, Dog Guru College) and something even more important to Walks and Wags: love and compassion.
“When I talk about how passionate every person that works at Walks and Wags is and how many great things we offer,” she shares, her enthusiasm is contagious. Rachel stays connected to clients through face-to-face communication and detailed report cards, ensuring families feel part of their dog’s journey.
Her favorite transformations tell the Walks and Wags story beautifully:
Tosh transformed from a terrified dog who had to be walked to the gate by his dad into a confident pup who walks himself down the driveway and plays happily with others.
Sierra evolved from shy and quiet to becoming a manager on her way to head trainer.
When she’s not helping dogs and people grow, Rachel pursues her passion for hair styling and dreams of traveling everywhere.
Rachel’s motto: “Your attitude is contagious, both positive and negative. So be positive!!!”
Her gratitude: “Thank you for letting us love your dog.”
What makes this place special: “Our culture. We all want to continue learning new things not because it is our job and we have to. We do it because we want to be the best we can be for the dogs. It is their day!”
Summer
Senior Manager
4 Years
Summer found her true calling when she traded teaching children for teaching “furry toddlers.” After becoming an elementary school teacher and getting her first Golden Retriever, she realized her heart belonged at that fun place with cute tennis ball sayings on the fence she’d driven by for years—Walks and Wags.
Though she’d never worked with animals before, Summer is now PACCC certified and has discovered her superpower: finding what makes each dog shine. “Just like humans, each dog is different and has a unique personality,” she explains. Whether it’s fetch, enrichment activities, or snuggle time, Summer figures out what brings each dog joy.
“I enjoy creating special bonds with dogs that come every week! It’s so special watching a dog get more and more comfortable with us and grow each time they come.”
Her vigilance comes from listening—truly listening. When a client or dog isn’t acting normal, she knows there’s usually a reason, and sometimes just a chat can brighten someone’s day.
A Disney and Superman enthusiast who loves to read, Summer has a 1-year-old Golden Retriever who is her entire world.
Summer’s message: “Don’t take your dog for granted. They should be treated like family because they are. You are their WORLD.”
What she treasures: “The culture. Everyone here truly cares about each other and the dogs.”
Her philosophy: “There should be no limits to how much you can love. A heart can stretch and fit as many things, people, and experiences as you let it.”
Sierra
Head Trainer
When Sierra’s husband asked, “If you could have any job in the world what would it be?” her answer was immediate: working with dogs. She applied to Walks and Wags and discovered her calling.
Now PACCC certified and working toward her CCPDT, Sierra’s superpower is patience and optimism. She specializes in high-energy pups who need extra training and loves learning about different breeds to tailor each dog’s experience to their unique needs.
“Nothing makes me happier than watching a shy pup get his first friend or a very excited pup get their door manners perfect,” she shares.
Her dream? Training service dogs—combining her heart for people with her heart for dogs in a way that feels completely natural.
Her favorite transformation tells it all: Peggy, a foster who wouldn’t take treats and didn’t know her name. Sierra got creative, rewarding her with cuddles instead. One breakthrough day, sitting on the floor, Sierra loved on Peggy and shouted, “Yes! DOWN!” It clicked. Soon Peggy was taking cheese from her hand. “I was so excited I wrote on her chart in big letters: ‘Peggy loves cheese!'” Peggy was adopted months later. “She will always be my girl!”
At home with her husband Dallas and two dogs—Quill (training for search and rescue) and 13-year-old Theodore Roosevelt—Sierra lives the same values she brings to work every day.
Her promise: “We are huge advocates for your babies. We know they don’t have a voice so we make sure to be theirs, giving them the highest level of care and going above and beyond for your pups.”
What makes this place special: “We really are like a family. We genuinely love our job and the pups here. Every day we strive to make your dogs’ lives a little more fun and your lives a little easier.”
Byron
Senior Dog Care Specialist
Byron literally grew up with Walks and Wags, surrounded by dogs for as long as he can remember. After exploring other paths—furniture building, veterinary work—he found his way back. “After spending my whole life around so many wonderful dogs, it’s only fitting that I’d end up here once more.”
His superpower? Years of experience have given him an intuitive ability to read and understand dog language, often without conscious effort. He’s also gifted at calming anxious dogs and helping them feel comfortable.
“Getting to help the dogs safely play with their friends outside is always a highlight of my day, and so is swimming them in the pool. Few things are quite as heartwarming as seeing the dogs at their happiest!”
Byron’s special skills include remaining calm under pressure, taking responsibility and learning from mistakes, and maintaining professional boundaries—all while bringing genuine passion to dog care.
His favorite moments? Watching dogs who were initially unsure of him—like Remy and Layla, Daisy, and Emile—grow to trust and love him. “They used to bark at me every time they saw me, but with time and effort, they grew to accept, trust and love me, which was incredibly heartwarming!”
When he’s not caring for dogs, Byron enjoys reading and writing horror, exploring abandoned places, hiking, studying unusual history and psychology, and playing video games.
Byron’s philosophy: “Opening your heart to others, extending your good will to them, will see that positive energy returned to you.”
His advice: “Research dog breeds before getting one! They can have very different temperaments, some which may not be compatible with your lifestyle.”
What makes this place special: “I’ve never worked at another job with such amazing employees. It often times feels more like a family than a workplace!”
Kennedy
Client Care Specialist
Kennedy was inspired to join Walks and Wags by Sophie—a dog whose transformation showed her the lasting difference enrichment care makes. After working with animals at B&B, she knew she wanted to make a real impact in animals’ lives. When she saw Walks and Wags was hiring, she applied immediately.
With training certifications, pet first aid, and knowledge about exotic animals, Kennedy learns something new from her team every day. What makes her sparkle? “The way we’re all so positive towards one another. We’re there to have a good time, make sure the dogs have a great time, and we’re all willing to help each other out.”
Kennedy loves connecting with clients, hearing their stories, and offering solutions. “Even past coworkers from B&B tell me they recommend Walks and Wags based on the wonderful stories I share when I go shopping.”
Her approach? Stay smiley, professional, and welcoming—always ready to listen, whether it’s something serious or simply being there for validation and problem-solving.
Her favorite transformations include Sophie, Jake (who went from “complete menace” to thriving), and Buddy Lucas (who made incredible progress with his barrier aggression).
Currently studying criminal justice while exploring environmental work, Kennedy dreams of having a homestead with many animals. A self-described hobby hopper, she’s currently obsessed with crochet and loves making homemade gifts for coworkers.
Kennedy’s insight: “My mom would always say ‘you guys tolerated the humans and love the dogs’—and she thought that was an amazing quality. That ‘one on one time’ with the client does make a difference.”
What she treasures: “How open we all are allowed to be with no judgment and no drama—unheard of in the workplace industry. It’s such a blessing.”
Lucia
Volunteer
My volunteer work at Walks and Wags began after the passing of our Joey, a beautiful Australian Shepherd whom Cindie and her staff took care of while Richard and I were traveling.
The attention Joey received was beyond just caring. So how could I repay them in my own way?
Well, I’m doing just that.
I get to spend time with these precious dogs. Sometimes I will sit and try to calm an anxious one or spend time reading to them, but it is the pure love exchange that occurs that I feel makes a difference.
I also have the privilege of working with the incredible staff at Walks and Wags. All of them I have come to know and love
I thank you, all of you
Let’s Get to Know
Each Other
We believe great care starts with a real relationship. If you’re curious about our approach, want to meet our team, or wondering how we can help your dog feel happier and more confident, we’d love to talk with you. Reach out anytime, we’re here to answer your questions and help you find the right fit for your pup.
