About the Owner

Maree Chiera
Maree ChieraFounder
As a resident of Loudonville New York for the last 26 years and a lifelong capital district resident I have tried to give as much as I can to the community and have always been that person to support small local businesses. I have graduated from St. Rose in Albany New York with a BS in Psychology and Mathematics. I have an extensive background in sales, management, company ownership, and a true passion for building relationships with people and of course dogs. I am a local real estate broker and investor for 27 years. I also do part time work as an interior designer. I have owned two gyms and built the very key relationships that it takes to maintain and keep the business thriving. I also throughout the years have taken in several dogs to board and care for at my home in Loudonville. I love to make clients smile. I love to make dogs happy. When they are happy I’m happy!

My passion for animals has been since I can remember. I have three amazing dogs of my very own. Everyone that knows me knows I adore them and treat them as my little king and two queens. I have a 9 year old fawn long haired chihuahua named Winston, another 10 year old long haired chihuahua named Lily, a 3 lb short haired chihuahua named Douglas , and last but definitely not least, an adorable 8 year old Tri colored Papillion named Emma. They are my life and the unconditional love and happiness they bring me is unexplainable. If I could, I would take in every dog I could but I know that’s just not realistic. So, I have decided to create The Little Dog Lounge to feed this fun passion. The excitement I have to build friendships with other dog owners and hopefully build friendships from client to client is definitely a big part of the plan. We are a close knit community of dog lovers that I plan on building a bigger bond with one another. I want a family type feel and a friendly warm environment. The dogs we take in as daycare, grooming, boarding, or our express wash and go will be pampered, loved, played with, and of course they will have the time of their life at The Little Dog Lounge.

Doggy Daycare Staff

Sara Petersen
Sara PetersenExecutive Manager
Meet Sara!

Sara grew up on Long Island surrounded by dogs and horses. She graduated with honors from Casenovia College, where she worked tirelessly to achieve her dream of securing a Bachelor of Science degree. Her journey in the animal world began with her work in Therapeutic Horseback riding and extended to Environmental Conservation, where she taught and implemented wildlife and environmental educational and conservation programs. She also managed a substantial team at the renowned Bronx Zoo, where she proudly served as the presenter for all exotic animal species during educational programs. Sara worked extensively with veterinarians to ensure the proper care and growth of several rare exotic zoo animals and was closely involved in emergency procedures across various zoological settings.

After college, Sara immediately assumed management responsibilities at a horse show barn and a wildlife education center. With her warm and lively nature, she has always been drawn to working in the animal field, driven by her deep love for animals in general. Sara will be an invaluable addition to The Little Dog Lounge, where she will take on the role of Executive Manager, encompassing a wide range of responsibilities. She recently relocated to the Capital District with her cat, dog, and horse, and she is thrilled to become a part of The Little Dog Lounge family!

Val Dessingue
Val Dessingue
Meet Val!

Val has been a valued employee at the lounge for the past 7 years. Her love for animals is what makes Val a cherished employee. All the dogs and the pup parents look forward to seeing her each day! In her downtime, Val really enjoys traveling and reading and spending time with family. Val is a perfect fit for The Little Dog Lounge.

Groomers

Bridget Harvey
Bridget Harvey
Meet Bridget!

Bridget, a graduate of the highly coveted New York School of Grooming in Manhattan, has been grooming for 13+ years. She also has over 20 years of experience working with animals in various animal hospital environments. Bridget has always had an unwavering love for animals and knew from the start that she wanted to expand her knowledge in animal care. Therefore, grooming became the natural progression for her to achieve her goals and nurture her passions. As a highly accomplished Vet Tech, she excels in providing comprehensive care for animals and prides herself on ensuring the utmost safety and comfort for your pet during the grooming process.

Bridget has a special place in her heart for elderly pups. She seizes every opportunity to groom an elderly pup because the joy she derives from making them feel good and sending them home happy brightens her day and brings a smile to her face. Bridget also possesses a calming demeanor and a gentle approach, which instills calmness and serenity in your pup as they head into their grooming experience.

Bridget has a Yorkie named Rufus who is her constant companion, except when he’s enjoying daycare at The Little Dog Lounge, playing with his buddies. Bridget’s favorite dog breed is the Pomeranian, and her preferred breed to groom is also the Pomeranian.

In her free time, Bridget loves to bake and spend quality moments with her wonderful family.

Tyler Lasher
Tyler Lasher
Meet Tyler!

Tyler is one of our top-producing master groomers here at The Little Dog Lounge. Her genuine love for dogs makes her an exceptional companion for your pet. Her primary focus is always ensuring your pet’s comfort, calmness, happiness, and safety. Before entering the grooming field, Tyler gained extensive experience working with animals at local veterinary hospitals.

With over 12 years of grooming experience after graduating from an accredited grooming institution, Tyler excels in breed-specific grooming techniques. While she originally had a passion for grooming large breeds, her time at The Little Dog Lounge has led her to develop a deep affection for grooming small breeds as well. Tyler’s dedication to excellence drives her to stay updated on grooming through continuous education and the adoption of new techniques to enhance her grooming practice.

Tyler has a Maltipom named Bandit, who visits The Little Dog Lounge daycare daily to play with his buddies while waiting for mom to finish her day of grooming. Tyler’s favorite dog breed is the Afghan Hound, her preferred breed to groom is the designer breed known as a “Doodle,” and her favorite pastime is spending quality time with her wonderful kids, along with maintaining an active lifestyle through exercise.

Ella Voss
Ella Voss
Meet Ella!

Ella has been grooming for over 6 years. Her passion for grooming goes above and beyond, as she actively seeks out elderly dogs to groom. Having worked with animals for so long, she can’t imagine a life without her career in grooming. She also has experience working in a daycare setting for animals. Ella’s favorite breed to groom is the Shih-tzu!

In her free time, Ella enjoys reading, drawing, various forms of art, and gardening. She shares her life with a Lhasa Apso named Jazz and two cats named Odin and Griswald.