Meet the Pack at Five Star Dog Resort
The Heart of Five Star
At Five Star Dog Resort in Alpharetta, our greatest strength is our people. Every member of our team shares one goal — to provide compassionate, professional care that helps dogs feel happy, safe, and understood. From specialized dog training in Alpharetta to gentle daily care, our staff treats every guest like family.
Daren Hamlin
The Heart of Five Star
With more than 30 years of experience, Daren Hamlin leads Five Star Dog Resort with unmatched skill and dedication. A former trainer for military, police, and search-and-rescue dogs, Daren combines world-class expertise with a warm, personal approach that makes both dogs and owners feel at ease.
Today, he specializes in helping family pets through positive reinforcement, behavioral understanding, and calm, confident communication. His programs for dog training in Alpharetta and surrounding areas are known for transforming anxious or reactive dogs into well-balanced, confident companions.
As a certified Reiki practitioner, trained at Mt. Kurama in Japan, Daren brings a holistic touch to every session. By combining traditional training with emotional healing, he helps dogs overcome fear, stress, and past trauma — ensuring they not only behave better but truly feel better.
“Training isn’t just about commands — it’s about connection, healing, and trust.”
— Daren Hamlin
Teresa
Resort Operations Assistant
Kind-hearted and meticulous, Teresa ensures that every suite stays clean, safe, and comfortable. Her gentle touch makes even the most nervous dogs feel at home. She’s known for her patience, her eye for detail, and the way she always goes above and beyond for our guests — one reason families trust us for dog boarding in Alpharetta and beyond.
Yaxen
Pack Coordinator
Dedicated and attentive, Yaxen keeps the daily rhythm of our resort running smoothly. From feedings to playtime, he helps maintain a calm, structured environment that supports our philosophy of stress-free pet boarding in Atlanta. Dogs quickly warm up to his calm presence and reliable care.
Shannon
Canine Concierge
The friendly faces that greet every guest, Shannon and Sara, make every visit easy and enjoyable. Whether you’re scheduling puppy training in Alpharetta, checking in for boarding, or arranging a bath and brushout, they’re always ready to help with a smile — and a few treats for your pup.
What Our Clients Families Say
Colleen SummersTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My girls were so excited to go to their favorite “weekend retreat! “ Paul VogtTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We’ve been using them for years for kennel services. They have always been fantastic. Recently we’ve leveraged their dog training services as we got a puppy that was a bit more out of control than we were prepared to handle. Not only have they greatly assisted in his training, but they’ve built up his confidence (he was pretty skidding) without breaking her sweet personality. I strongly recommend Darren and his staff. They are the only place I would trust my fur family members. Beth TennebarTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The team at Five Star take great care of my dogs - highly recommend L STrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We’ve been boarding our dogs here for several years, and have always had a great experience with them. Kim LittleTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Best doggy day stay and training ever!!!! Deborah UrsoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We’ve been bringing our two dogs, Rusty and Cyrus, to Five Star Dog Resort in Alpharetta, GA for the last five years, and it truly feels like their home away from home. The care, attention, and love the staff gives is unmatched. From the moment we drop them off, we know they’re in the best hands. The facility is always spotless, secure, and welcoming. The team goes above and beyond to make sure both dogs are comfortable, happy, and well-exercised. We get regular updates and pictures, which gives us such peace of mind while we’re away. Rusty can be a little shy, while Cyrus is full of energy, and they both come home calm, clean, and content — a true testament to how well they’re treated. We’re so grateful to have a place we can trust completely. Thank you for taking such great care of our boys for all these years! Renee LeoninoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I have 5 stars to the Five Star Pet Resort because they are friendly, the lace is super clean and my dog actually loved staying there. He is 5 years old and this is the first time he really likes the place. He simply tolerated the other places. This makes me so happy. I would definitely recommend this for boarding especially if your dog is like mine just a little picky. He likes the highest quality of surroundings and people. He is only a 12lb Cavapoo but he has great judgement when it comes to people and places. Thank you to everyone at Five Star for taking care of my little guy. He will definitely be back. Alan DavidTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Grest place for your dog to be boarded with caring staff who know what they are doing. Get your pup a bath too.Google rating score: 4.8 of 5, based on 128 reviews