Michelle Geis
​Afternoon Walks, Boarding, Doggie Day Trips, Group Hikes, Private Hikes & Runs
Michelle started with Hiking Hounds in March 2020 - coming to us through a recommendation from one of our clients. 

She initially moved to Salt Lake to complete a 'one' year fellowship in health administration as part of her master's degree from South Carolina. She fell in love with the mountains and met her future husband, 'one' year grew into 20 (and counting)!

Michelle worked in healthcare for over 20 years and spent the last 10 years working primarily in Africa on various public health issues. She loves international travel and her job allowed her to have many adventures -  including climbing Kilimanjaro!
 
Like everyone at Hiking Hounds, Michelle is an animal lover. She has always had a special affinity for rescues, especially working dogs. In fact, it was due to her first Australian Shepherd and his insatiable energy that she started exploring the Wasatch.

Michelle is taking a break from the business world to spend time with her family including her Australian Shepherd and Border Collie. She is so excited for this new adventure with Hiking Hounds. 

​Sean Smith
Doggie Day Trips, Group Hikes, Private Hikes

Sean, a nature lover and devoted dog enthusiast, spent his formative years surrounded by the diverse landscapes of Utah, Alaska, Florida, and Germany. This upbringing kindled a deep fondness for the environment and a genuine affection for dogs. Sean delved into a vibrant 15-year career in creative fields like Advertising, Vehicle Wraps, and Political Campaigning, before embarking on a new purpose-driven journey.

Atop peaks in the heart of the Rockies, often accompanied by his faithful companion, Hyka, Sean discovered a profound sense of purpose and a strong bond with nature. Beyond his work, Sean seeks thrills on the slopes, enjoys creating music, cycling open roads, and pondering the mysteries of life. With a unique blend of creativity, a deep respect for nature, and a love for dogs, Sean is dedicated to providing expert care, exercise, and guidance for your cherished companions on the trails. They'll not only relish the beauty of nature but also develop the skills for off-leash adventures.

With an artist's eye, Sean captures every step of your dogs' adventure, freezing their moments of pure, untamed joy in the wilderness. Through his lens, their spirit and the wild beauty that surrounds them come to life, creating memories to cherish for a lifetime. Sean is excited to be hitting the trails with your furry family members and sharing in their joy for the great outdoors.

Savannah Evensen
Afternoon Walks &, Group Hikes

Raising her Saint Bernards, Bianca and Dottie, drove Savannah to research more deeply into pet care and enrichment, leading her down a fascinating rabbit hole. Because of them, she entered the pet professional world as her dog grooming husband's assistant bather. From there, she worked her way up from animal transporter to kennel technician to dog trainer. She loves watching dogs have their "lightbulb" moments after working with them!

In her time off, she enjoys tending to her pet snakes and their enclosures. When she’s not playing with reptiles, she spends time with her cats and dogs, often coming up with new puzzles for them to complete.

​She can't wait to work alongside Hiking Hounds to help dogs spend more time outside sniffing!​

Devin Pearson
Doggie Day Trips, Group Hikes, Private Hikes & Training

Devin comes to Hiking Hounds with a great deal of experience and passion for dogs and the outdoors.

He has a decade of dog training experience in both military and civilian life.

​He served in the US armed forces from 2008-2016.

He has assisted in helping train service dogs for vets at the VA and still loves helping our fluffy friends in any way he can.

Michelle Forsgren
Afternoon Walks & Group Hikes

Adventurous soul who loves to connect with all walks of life but especially the four legged friends. I have grown up in Utah exploring the beautiful mountains of the Wasatch my whole life. I love being able to take the pups out and connect with them in nature and give them the energetic release they all need.

Beside playing my guitar, and nature, animals have always been a number one passion of mine. It's pure joy to get to connect with these pups and have them show me a thing or two about being a compassionate living being. Can't wait to get to connect with your pup!

​​Michael Long
Afternoon Walks, Group Hikes, Private Hikes

​​​​​With years of experience working with dogs and a passion for the outdoors, I specialize in providing adventurous, safe, and stimulating walks tailored to each dog’s needs. As a professional dog walker, aspiring hunting dog trainer, and dog owner, I understand the importance of both exercise and mental engagement for every breed and energy level.

​My background as a fly fishing guide and my time spent hiking with groups of dogs have given me the skills to handle diverse personalities with ease. Whether it’s a casual walk or an energetic off-leash hike, your pup will return home happy, exercised, and cared for like my own.

​Shaelyn Openshaw
Afternoon Walks, Group Hikes, Private Hikes

Shaelyn joined Hiking Hounds as a passionate outdoor enthusiast and a devoted animal lover. Currently a student at the University of Utah, she is majoring in Human Development and Family Studies, Psychology, and Chinese, having studied Mandarin for 14 years. Shaelyn also recently returned from a study abroad experience in South Korea, which further fueled her love for cultural exploration.

Originally from Taylorsville Utah, Shaelyn’s love for the mountains began with trail running and camping, and she quickly developed a deep connection to nature. Her adventures are often accompanied by her loyal dog, Lola, as they explore iconic destinations like San Francisco, Moab, and St. George. In addition to hiking, Shaelyn enjoys skiing, roller skating, and paddleboarding, finding peace and adventure on the water as much as on the trails.

Shaelyn has always had a special bond with animals, having previously worked at a dog daycare where she developed a deep appreciation for furry friends. Now, at Hiking Hounds, she is thrilled to combine her love for the outdoors and animals in her work, providing the ultimate care and attention to dogs on their adventures.

In her free time, Shaelyn enjoys traveling the world and spending time with Lola, finding joy in every new place they discover together. She’s excited to be part of the Hiking Hounds team and looks forward to all the adventures ahead!

Andrew Hermansen
Afternoon Walks, Group Hikes, Private Hikes & Training

Growing up in the sports-centric environment of the Salt Lake Valley, Andrew Hermansen immersed himself in various athletic pursuits throughout his childhood, traveling across the US to compete. He graduated from Bingham High School in 2013, followed by a Bachelor's Degree in economics from the University of Utah. Andrew plans to remain in the Salt Lake Valley for the rest of his life, cherishing time spent with his family and exploring the great outdoors with his furry companions.

In 2023, Andrew married his wife, Jessica. Before their marriage, while dating, they welcomed a small puppy into their lives. For the next two years, this furry companion became integral to their lives, sparking in Andrew a passion for dog training.

This newfound passion led him to make a significant career change in mid-2024, as he attended the Tom Rose School for professional dog trainers. There, over six months, he trained under the guidance of some of the industry's most accomplished professionals at a renowned institution. He successfully completed the program, graduating as a Certified Master Dog Trainer.

For the past few months, Andrew has been diligently establishing his new business and training his own beloved dogs. He is the proud owner and founder of Herm's Hounds K9 Academy and shares his life with three special dogs: Daisy (the Mini Bernedoodle who started it all), Ruth (the German Shepherd Andrew trained during his time at Tom Rose), and Rhino (their Rottweiler personal protection dog in training and enthusiastic destroyer of all things fabric). Andrew eagerly anticipates exploring the local trails daily with his hiking companions, regardless of the weather, and finds great reward in the challenges of training lessons, helping dogs to become their best selves.

​Gwenllian Horne
Afternoon Walks, Group Hikes, Private Hikes

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Kaija Williams

I've always had a love for dogs and years of experience caring for them, from daily walks to training and play.

Working with Hiking Hounds lets me combine my passion for animals with the outdoors, and I love helping pups stay active, happy, and healthy on every adventure!

Lia Cline
Office Manager

I’ve been with Hiking Hounds since October 2024, keeping the day-to-day operations running smoothly—handling scheduling, hiring, and making sure everything’s organized so our handlers can focus on what they do best: hiking with happy pups! I love working with Ellen—she’s got big plans for the future, and we’re excited to hit those goals together.

I’ve always been the go-to dog-sitter among friends and can never resist a quick cuddle with one of our pack members. My favorite dog of all time? My fur nephew, Milo—he’s the sweetest sidekick a girl could ask for.

When I’m not in the office, you’ll find me chasing after my two boys, getting a workout in at the gym, or recharging by cooking big weekend breakfasts and planning our next family adventure.

Jacob Twitchell
Billing Specialist

Jacob started working with Hiking Hounds in May of 2025 with the need of a billing specialist. He brings previous experience working with billing.

Born and raised in Herriman, Utah, Jacob served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Honduras from 2021-2023. When he returned he began studying accounting at Brigham Young University and plans to graduate in 2027 with his bachelor’s degree.

He enjoys playing various sports, reading, being outside and loves to continually learn. Jacob is very excited about this new opportunity with Hiking Hounds!

Makeena Davis
Personal Assistant

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