Founder & Owner, Monterey Dog

Monterey Dog was founded by Leah Mendonca in 2024 and has since become the most popular dog walking and adventure service on the Monterey Peninsula, gaining a following of people who want more for their companions.

Before starting Monterey Dog, Leah built a career working with rescues and animal shelters. This formed her passion for animal care and influences every aspect of Monterey Dog’s services. Leah prides herself on focusing on animal well-being during all activities, going beyond basic services provided by other dog walkers to give your companion the attention and enrichment they need to live happy, healthy lives. 

Leah currently lives in Monterey, California with her husband and two dogs, Bernie the Bernese Mountain dog and Malibu the Siberian Husky.

Manager, Dog Adventure Guide

Dakota has spent most of her life caring for animals and serving her community. Before joining Monterey Dog, Dakota worked as a veterinary technician, where she gained hands-on experience with dogs of all ages, breeds, and personalities. She also served five years as a Surface Warfare Officer in the U.S. Navy and continues to serve in the Navy Reserves today.

With Monterey Dog, Dakota gets to combine her love for dogs with her passion for adventure, with a focus on making every outing a safe, fun, and enriching adventure for your companion - whether it’s a walk, hike, or something more!

Dakota currently lives in Monterey, California with her dog, Millie the Australian Shepherd.

Manager, Dog Training

Specializing in positive reinforcement, real-world dog training designed to empower people and their dogs to live life together to the fullest, Katie comes to us with a wealth of expertise and certifications including:

• Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA)

• AKC Canine Good Citizen & Trick Dog Evaluator

• Certified Trick Dog Instructor (CTDI)

• Fear Free Shelter Certified

• American Red Cross Pet First Aid Certified

At Monterey Dog, she works with dog of all ages on obedience, recall, reactivity, confidence building, and dog sports: including scent work, agility, parkour, rally obedience, rally freestyle, treibball, and trick dog training.

When she’s not training, Katie is out exploring Monterey with her Samoyed, Ghost, putting skills into practice where they matter most.

Dog Adventure Guide

Jillian has always felt a strong connection to animals and the outdoors. After growing up with a beloved family dog and spending years in the Girl Scouts, she developed a deep sense of community, environmental care, and animal companionship. She is currently pursuing a degree in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Sustainable Communities at CSU Monterey Bay.

With Monterey Dog, Jillian brings patience, attentiveness, and a thoughtful approach to every adventure. Through her time volunteering with shelter dogs, she has gained valuable experience reading body language, building trust, and adapting to each dog’s unique needs to ensure every outing is safe, enriching, and fun.

Dog Adventure Guide

With over 15 years of experience caring for dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, and other companions, Jo brings calm, reliable, and compassionate care to every pet she meets. Before joining Monterey Dog, Jo ran a successful and a trusted pet-sitting business in Los Angeles, serving hundreds of families and specializing in animals with medical or behavioral needs. Jo brings that same seasoned care and steady confidence to every walk and visit. Every walk and visit is a chance to build trust, share joy, and make tails wag.

Jo lives in Marina, California, with her Amazon parrot, Kook — and loves helping pets feel as happy and secure as he does at home. 

Mentor Dog

With a calm disposition, Bernie has grown into the role of a mentor dog, helping new dogs ease into group walks and learn to walk in a pack. He’s also our go-to companion for social walks, offering support to dogs who prefer a buddy over a crowd.