The Ruff Team

Co-owners CJ Tomlinson and Crystal Jacobson are sisters who have a mutual love for animals, especially dogs. They have owned numerous breeds and sizes throughout their lives, treating each of them as family members.  They bring years of business and customer service experience to Seattle's premier canine social club.  

Our Ruff team members have taken Pet CPR/First Aid training

CJ is the creator and General Manager of House of Ruff. She previously owned and operated Fetch in the City, a pet care business, started in 2007.  CJ has spent hundreds of hours year-round at local dog parks, experiencing unpredictable weather and cleaning a ton of dirty dogs afterwards. She felt it was time for an improved environmental choice for exercising our dogs, with less mud and cold being a must!   CJ has 20+ years of diverse experience from warehouse and inventory management, bartender at a night club, to serving as general manager for a start-up business.  CJ's true passion is being surrounded by dogs!  

Kyra, our Night Supervisor, moved to Seattle and joined the House of Ruff team shortly after graduating from New York University where she studied environmental science and biology.  After interning at a marine biology organization, she realized working with animals was her real passion.  She has always had a special connection with dogs and is thrilled to be working beside them every day!  On her days off, Kyra enjoys running, watching football, reading fiction, and spending time with her friends and family. 



Molly, our Daycare Supervisor moved to Seattle from New York where she worked as a book editor. She still inhales as many books as she can but has realized she’s more passionate about caring for animals. When Molly’s not wrangling pups at House of Ruff, she regularly pet sits and volunteers with cats at PAWS Cat City. She grew up caring for cats and dogs and appreciates each dog's needs and quirks, and favorite blankets. She also relishes trekking along on bakery crawls, discovering new cat and dog memes, and adventuring across the Pacific Northwest.

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Sydnee was born and raised in Seattle.   She enjoys working with dogs and aspires to be a dog trainer in the future.  In her spare time, Sydnee likes to hike and go to the beach with friends .   As one of House of Ruff's overnight Inn Keepers, Sydnee spends many evenings with our member dogs sleeping by her side. ​ Her favorite breed is the German Shepard.





Alli has lived in the Seattle area most of their life. Before coming to House of Ruff, they worked in the music industry as an event photographer. After doing a few pet portrait sessions, they realized that nothing makes them as happy as working with animals and sought out such a job. They love every dog breed, but their favorite is the Newfoundland. Dance music has remained Alli's main interest outside of work. In their free time, they still frequent shows all over the city, as well as help run the longest running Drum and Bass weekly in the world. 


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​Puna  grew up in Tacoma, WA and developed a passion for animals at a young age by taking care of the stray animals in her neighborhood. She went to Union College in Lincoln, NE and majored in International Relief and Rescue where she took an EMT Certification course. Soon after her first year of college, she realized she has a burning passion to help those who are unable to help themselves. While previously working in an emergency veterinary clinic, she recognized her enthusiasm for working with animals. She loves challenging herself and working with animals in an assortment of settings. In her spare time, Puna likes to travel, hike, be outdoors and spending time with her family. 

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Taj is a huge lover of dogs. She grew up with dogs, mainly Pitbulls. Taj has lived in the Seattle area all her life. Currently, she is in school studying to be a psychiatrist. Outside of dogs she likes to cook, travel and watch movies. 








Maddy ​moved to Seattle a few years ago to work with population health data. She has been pet-sitting on and off for quite a while, and eventually decided she wanted to work with dogs on a day-to-day basis. She is a big believer in the (scientifically backed) mood boosting benefits of contact with dogs.  Plus dogs are so much fun to be around so Maddy uses any excuse to spend time with friends' dogs, strangers' dogs, and dogs at work.  Maddy is also a Graduate Record Exam tutor, dance instructor, and lover of movement of all kinds.




 
Julia ​is a student at UW.  She's passionate about all animals and has fostered dogs!  Julia has experience with many types of canines while working at various facilities. 









​Sierra is a former barista turned dog wrangler because of her love of canines. She enjoys her job because she gets to interact with many breeds and learn more about dog behavior.  She loves hanging out and rough-housing with her doggy friends here at House of Ruff.  Sierra is also proud owner of a rambunctious and sassy Shiba Inu named Intoku who comes to work with her everyday. 



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Daevion ​has always loved animals from a young age and as he grew up, he knew that working  with dogs was a passion worth pursuing. The dogs keep him going throughout the day, bringing him laughter and love at every turn. As a proud pet parent of a German Shepherd named Nyah, they are both excited to go to The House Of Ruff and spend time with all of the daycare dogs! When he's not hanging out with dogs, Daevion likes to spend time acting and modeling. One day, he hopes to open his own doggie rescue shelter.  





Eli was born in Seattle.  He has always loved dogs and really enjoys working with them at House of Ruff. 
He is currently a student and works part time.








Ashley was born in Seattle and has lived in Federal Way all of her life. She is currently attending UW Seattle and plans to major in sociology. Growing up, she has always loved animals, so coming to House of Ruff has been an exciting experience. Outside of work and school, she enjoys hanging out with her own dogs around the house. 



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