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.
What Our Bath & Brushout Service Includes
Daren Hamlin
The Force Behind Five Star
Daren has spent more than 30 years working with dogs at every level, from high-drive working breeds trained for military and law enforcement to family pets that simply need a steadier foundation at home.
Most families come to Five Star Dog Resort because their dog’s struggling or needs their behaviour reassessed. Daren’s approach starts with understanding why, not just what. Cookie-cutter programs rarely address the real issue, and every dog training plan he develops is built around the individual dog in front of him.
His background includes formal certification and decades of hands-on work covering obedience, puppy behavior, dog rehabilitation, confidence building, and companion training. He is also a certified Reiki practitioner, trained at Mt. Kurama in Japan: a credential that reflects his belief that emotional wellbeing and behavioral progress go hand in hand.
Dogs that carry stress or past trauma respond differently to training, and Daren’s ability to address both dimensions is one of the things that sets his programs apart.
Teresa
Detail-Driven. Dog-Devoted.
Teresa is the reason our suites stay in the condition they do. Her standards for cleanliness, organization, and the overall feel of the facility are high, and she holds them consistently every single day.
Dogs notice their environment more than most people realize, and a space that is calm, clean, and well-maintained contributes directly to how settled a boarding guest feels during their stay.
Beyond the physical upkeep of the resort, Teresa has a particular gift with dogs that arrive anxious or unsettled. Some dogs, especially those new to boarding or staying away from home for the first time, take longer to adjust. Teresa’s approach is unhurried and attentive; she reads each dog’s body language, adjusts accordingly, and never rushes the process of building trust.
Yaxen and Jade
Always Present. Always Attentive.
The daily rhythm of a boarding facility depends entirely on the people maintaining it, and Yaxen and Jade are at the center of that. From morning feeding rounds to midday wellness checks to afternoon potty breaks and play sessions, they are the ones keeping every dog on schedule and making sure nothing gets missed.
They are also an important part of how we support the add-on activities that make a boarding stay more than just a place to sleep. Field walks, play sessions, and snuggle time are all handled with the same attentiveness they bring to the rest of the day: never rushed, always present.
Shannon and Caroline
The Faces That Start Every Visit Right
First impressions shape the entire boarding and training experience for a dog, and Shannon and Caroline understand that better than anyone. The way a dog arrives often sets the tone for how quickly they settle in, and a smooth, warm check-in makes a real difference.
Shannon and Caroline manage that transition every day. They handle bookings, answer questions, coordinate schedules, and make sure every family knows exactly what to expect before, during, and after their dog’s stay. For new clients especially, that clarity and reassurance matters.
They are also the connection point between the team and the families we serve. When owners call to check in on their dogs during a stay, it is usually Shannon or Caroline they speak with first. Their familiarity with each dog’s history, preferences, and personality means those conversations are always informed, not generic: a small detail that reflects something larger about how this team operates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Daren the only trainer at Five Star Dog Resort?
How does the team support dogs that are nervous or new to boarding?
Does the team handle puppies differently from adult dogs?
What Our Clients Families Say
