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 and Jade
Pack Coordinators
Dedicated and attentive, Yaxen and Jade keep the daily rhythm of our resort running smoothly. From feedings to playtime, they help maintain a calm, structured environment that supports our philosophy of stress-free pet boarding in Atlanta. Dogs quickly warmup to their calm presence and
reliable care.




Shannon and Caroline
Canine Concierge
The friendly faces that greet every guest, Shannon and Caroline, 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 treat for your pup.


What Our Clients Families Say

Eric HrankowskiTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Excellent service and absolutely wonderful staff! They take great care of our pups. Shannon CTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Nice dog boarding facility with super responsive staff. Plenty of options for boarding to make your doggie comfortable while they’re away from home. William ColemanTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great staff! great facilities. They love dogs! Julie HoffmanTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We’ve been clients for over five years. My dogs love their time at five star and come home happy sleepy and clean. Karen PellegrinoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Cooper is happy when we arrive and happy when I pick him up! That speaks volumes! Thank you!! Erin TathamTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We worked with Five Star for on and off leash training for our doodle. We were very happy with the experience and can still contact Darren with questions or any time we need extra advice. Our dog also stays here when we go on vacation. He’s always well cared for at Five Star. Luke LevinerTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 5 Star is fantastic! Our dog loves it here and the staff is wonderful Brandon JacobsTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My dogs LOVE it here!! It’s their home away from home. The whole staff is friendly and my dogs get so excited every time we pull in. Erica CrivelloTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Kyla has been going here for 6 years. They take great care of her. Morgan MaegerTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Five Star is great! Always kind and they make sure to take great care of our dog when we board!Google rating score: 4.9 of 5, based on 147 reviews


