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.

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.

Kaija Williams
Afternoon Walks, Group Hikes, Private Hikes

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!

​​Arie Hansen
Afternoon Walks, Group Hikes, Private Hikes

Check back later for bio :)

​​Kenzie Lane
Afternoon Walks, Group Hikes, Private Hikes

​Check back later for bio :)

​​Sunny Muldoon
Afternoon Walks, Group Hikes, Private Hikes

Hi I'm Sunny! I'm so happy to be back working with Hiking Hounds after living in Los Angeles for a few years. Dogs are quite literally my life, and their well-being is something I prioritize above all else. I have over 18+ years of professional experience with not only dogs but all sorts of animals.

​I've worked as a professional dog hiker for many years, including Hiking Hounds and my own company Dogs Only Hiking Club. I started in a dog daycare when I was 18 and have gained extensive knowledge of dogs and their behavior ever since.

As a kid, I was always volunteering at shelters, and later would go on to work in a vetrinary clinic where I learned how to administer medication and vaccines. I am pet CPR and first aid certified. I can't wait to see all my old furry friends and meet some new furry faces!

​​Garrett Bishop
Afternoon Walks, Group Hikes, Private Hikes,
​Doggy Day Trips

​​Check back later for bio :)

Amber Witten
Afternoon Walks, Group Hikes, Private Hikes

Growing up with dogs as best friends, Amber has been passionate about dogs their whole life. From walks, to training, to general pet care- Amber has years of experience taking care of four-legged friends. Amber’s favorite thing to do with dogs? Hiking!

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!