Darin Greene
Afternoon Walks, Boarding, Group Hikes, Private Hikes & Training

Darin joined Hiking Hounds in December of 2019 and is super excited to be working with the pack!

He has worked in Real Estate as a Graphic Designer.  In 2014, after adopting his pitbull Smokey and learning everything he could about being a responsible owner of the breed--as well as watching almost every episode of Cesar Milan's "The Dog Whisperer"--Darin decided that his truest passion would be to work with dogs.

Since then, Darin  worked as a kennel technician in Las Vegas and worked his way up to being the kennel manager and veterinary technician at the same hospital.  He then went on to manage two different dog daycares and apprenticed as a dog trainer.

Darin is currently enrolled at Animal Behavior College and will soon be a certified Professional Dog Trainer.  He looks forward to working with you and your furry companion(s) to help give them the exercise, training, and care that they deserve!

Kelly Nelson
​Boarding & Group Hikes

Hiking with the pack since March 2019, Kelly brings great energy and humor to her groups!

Kelly has had a lifelong love affair with dogs and the outdoors.  An Arizona native, she worked her way through college in North Carolina as a veterinary technician where she was affectionately nicknamed "the dog whisperer" and where she relished the opportunity to learn about, work with and come to respect not only all breeds of dogs but dozens of other animal species as well.
 
After graduating from East Carolina University in 2007 where she studied psychology and neuroscience, Kelly began her career at the University of Utah in the bio-engineering department doing research and development on a neural prosthetic chip for a government funded bionic arm project, and a few years later moved to the University hospital's Moran Eye Center to study the biochemistry and biophysics of age related macular degeneration and other inherited ocular diseases.  After a very fulfilling twelve years at the University of Utah, Kelly is excited to make a career change that will enable her to spend more time with her husband of fifteen years, their six-year-old son, and their autism therapy dog: a five-year-old, eighty-pound labradoodle named Sawyer.
 
In addition to her love of hiking and dogs, Kelly is an avid skier, world traveler, musician, computer nerd and an adventurous spirit with an insatiable appetite for learning and trying anything new.  One of Kelly's life motto's is; "experiences are always better than things" and she is so excited to meet and have new experiences with the Hiking Hounds pack and have a great time doing it!

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. 
Amy King
​Afternoon Walks, Doggie Day Trips, Group Hikes
Amy has had a love for all animals and dogs since she was a kid. Along with her love for animals, she has a passion for the outdoors, all things that creep and crawl, and protecting the environment. She is a Utah native, and grew up camping, fishing, hiking and more. Amy graduated from Utah Valley University with a degree in elementary education. Amy was involved with non-profit education while attending college, then moved on to being a classroom teacher for 3 years.

Amy is very skilled at managing a classroom of children, and has transitioned those skills to working with your furry kids! Amy has always wanted to work with animals, and highly enjoys hiking with a pack around the Wasatch Front.

Amy has a 4 year old, aussie mix named Indie. Amy and Indie spend a lot of time on the trails and at the parks around Salt Lake. In her free time, Amy loves to ski, hike, read, puzzle, and spend time with friends and family. She’s very excited to be spending time in the mountains with all your furry family members!

Maddie Smith
​Afternoon Walks, Boarding & Group Hikes


​I started working for hiking hounds in November 2022! I’m from Northern California and moved to Utah to attend a Vet tech program where I studied for 2 years. I worked at VCA Cottonwood for 10 months where I gained loads of experience. My love for animals is so great. Everyday I look forward to seeing your pups and exploring beautiful nature with them.​

Sean Smith
Afternoon walks, Doggie Day Trip, roup 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.

Rhys Wisner
​Office Assistant, Afternoon Walks, Boarding & Group Hikes

Riley Belle
​Afternoon Walks, & Group Hikes

My name is Riley Becker. I'm an avid skier from Big Sky Montana. I'm currently a senior at the University of Utah studying political science and english. I absolutley love, love dogs and all animals in general!

Daniel Griffin
​Afternoon Walks, & Group Hikes

Kelsey Jensen
​Afternoon Walks, & Group Hikes

My name is Kelsey Jensen. I was born and raised in Salt Lake City. I’ve always had dogs and love taking care of others dogs too! Hiking is one of my favorite activities and being able to take a pack of dogs to get some exercise is a dream come true! In my spare time I trail run with my dog, hike, camp and love snowboarding in the winter. 

Maddie Moeller
Afternoon Walks, and Group Hikes

I started working for hiking hounds in July of 2023. I’m a lover of all animals, and getting to hike with your dogs is something I absolutely cherish. I’m a psychology student at the University of Utah, and as much as I’m fascinated by the human mind, the minds of your dogs are arguably more entertaining! I can’t wait to continue spending time with your pups on the trail, and I look forward to meeting new pack members!

River Nicholas
Afternoon Walks, & Group Hikes

River is an experienced adventurer, outdoor sports enthusiast, and animal lover from the Ozarks, Missouri. After completing a two-month barefoot backpacking trip in Utah in the summer of 2022, he fell in love with the land and decided to make it his home. He has a deep connection with animals and has cared for six rescue dogs, a rescued skunk, as well as horses, goats, and chickens on his farm in the Ozarks. River has also been involved with rescue organizations in the greater St. Louis area, helping to rehabilitate aggressive stray dogs. In addition to his passion for outdoor activities and animal rescue, River is also continuing his education in the healing arts. He is dedicated to exploring holistic approaches to well-being and helping others on their healing journeys. He's stoked to join the team and make a positive impact! ​