Brooke, Aquamation Director

Brooke started working for Paws into Grace in 2020, to help us launch our aquamation facility. While she currently manages our Escondido-based aquamation facility, she has supported Paws into Grace in many areas over the past years and is truly a “jack of all trades.”

Brooke is a San Diego-native, is Fear-Free Certified and loves helping people. In her free time, she enjoys creating metal art, going fishing, and exploring new places to hike with her husband. She enjoys living the country life with goats, pigs, chickens, turkeys and her dogs Max & Sasha.

Brooke says, “I am very fortunate to be working with Paws Into Grace. We encompass a family atmosphere, and have built an amazing team of genuinely compassionate individuals.”

“I care so much about what we do, and most importantly about helping our clients through the loss they are experiencing.” She adds. “This is sacred and fulfilling work, and we treat every pet as if they are our own.”

“Not a lot of people know about Aquamation, and I love the opportunities to educate our clients about the environmentally friendly cremation process we offer. We even have unique Memorials and Private Viewings where we honor the pet, and I am able to have our clients be a part of the process, and give them a look behind the curtains and explain everything in depth.”

Bryan, Driver

Bryan is a passionate animal lover with a diverse working background, always bringing a unique perspective to everything he does. When he’s not behind the wheel, he’s a proud father of two, sharing his love for adventure and imagination with his kids. His interests extend far beyond the family car—he’s a devoted fan of Star Wars and The Lord of the Rings, frequently immersing himself in these iconic universes through movies, books, and cosplay. As an avid cosplayer, Bryan brings his favorite characters to life, embracing both heroes and villains that have shaped his life and creativity.

Bryan is also a talented musician, playing both drums and bass, fueling his passion for music and self-expression. Whether jamming with friends or exploring new rhythms, music remains a key part of his life. With a deep appreciation for fantasy, adventure, and family, Bryan combines these passions into a fulfilling and exciting lifestyle.

When asked why he enjoys his job, Bryan says, “It is nice working with a team that is passionate with the same goal in mind, which is helping our clients through their difficult times.”

Courtney, Chief Operating Officer

Courtney joined the Paws into Grace team in 2020 to support the company’s marketing efforts. She quickly realized the importance of offering Paws families a cremation experience entirely handled within Paws into Grace, and she began planning and building the Paws into Grace Aquamation Office.

A Southern California Native, Courtney has a Master’s in Organizational Management and a Bachelor’s in Journalism. She has been working in marketing for more than 20 years and has owned animals her whole life. She is a Board Member of the International Association Of Pet Cemeteries & Crematories (IAOPCC), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing the standards, ethics, and professionalism of pet cemeteries and crematories around the world.

“I am honored to be able to support the families that trust Paws into Grace with their beloved pets,” she says. “Having experienced the loss of my first Corgi in 2022, I am so grateful that Paws’ veterinarians and team members support all parts of the end-of-life process. It brought me comfort to know my precious boy was being treated with love and respect even after his passing, and I’m proud of our team that treats every single pet in our office the same way.”

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, swimming, and cooking. She has a Pembroke Welsh Corgi named Rebel Skywalker and a Cardigan Welsh Corgi named Rey Skywalker.

Delaney, Client Care Specialist

Delaney was born and raised in Southern California. She joined Paws into Grace in April 2021 and has been working in various aspects of the animal industry for almost 5 years.

Her love of working with animals started at a rescue in San Diego, where she fell in love with helping sick and scared animals heal and thrive before finding their forever homes.

At Paws, Delaney loves getting the chance to make a real difference for our Paws pets, and helping owners find peace while making an impossible decision.

In 2022, Delaney relocated to Yellowstone National Park, with her young son, husband of 10+ years, and their cat named “Po Boy.” In her free time, she is an avid reader and podcast listener, and she keeps plants and enjoys hands-on arts and crafts, like needle point and crochet.

Deven, Client Care Specialist

Deven grew up in the Central Valley, moved to San Francisco for several years and has been in San Diego for the past 5 years. She joined Paws into Grace in August 2021 and has been working in the animal industry for the past 10 years.

At Paws into Grace, Deven enjoys being able to help people during such a difficult time with their loved ones. She feels this is such a great service and wishes she knew at home euthanasia was an option when she needed to say goodbye to her beloved pet Sparky.

In her free time, Deven enjoys  reading, cross stitching and knitting. She also loves spending time with her three cats Eowyn, Chrundle, and Natalia and her horse Lady.

Erika, Senior Client Care Specialist

Erika “with a K” is originally from Germany and has been living in Southern California since 2013. Her very first adult dog companion, a beautiful blue pittie named Monty Burns, inspired her to pursue a career in working closely with animals. Erika has been involved in animal care since 2013, with experience in caretaking, breeding, training, handling, boarding, vet assistance, and clinic technician work.

Since February of 2022, Erika has been with Paws Into Grace, a company she is grateful to be a part of, with integrity and compassion as its core values. Her role allows her to embody these qualities, helping families during difficult moments. Erika believes in the healing power of a beautiful goodbye at home and feels privileged to guide families through these steps.

When not at work, Erika enjoys spending time with her husband and their boxer, Maps. She loves connecting with her family, plants, books, and her community. As a holistic spirituality practitioner, Erika organizes public and private Sound Journeys, incorporating crystal singing bowls and other modalities for healing.

Heather, Memorial Items Specialist

Heather has lived most of her life in San Diego and loves being in the sunshine! Her degrees are in Education but she loves any chance to be creative. She has always had a soft spot for animals as well which is why she jumped at the chance to help the Paw’s team with memorial items!

In her free time, Heather loves to be outside with her husband and kids, craft, volunteer,  organize, and bake! She is thrilled to join our team and looks forward to making beautiful items to help those who lose their beloved pets remember them in a special way.

Josh, Lead Driver

Josh is originally from Los Banos, California and relocated to San Diego in 2020. He joined Paws into Grace in August 2020 and has more than 10 years customer service experience.

As Lead Driver, Josh says, “The care and attention that goes into the entire process, from the appointment to the transportation to cremation, is what impresses me. I love working for Paws because it gives me a sense of purpose and gratification to be able to help grieving families through a difficult time.”

In his free time, Josh can be found rooting for his favorite football team, the San Francisco 49-ers, listening to his favorite YouTube series” Good Mythical Morning,” or spending quality time with family.

Having experienced multiple pet losses, Josh understands the incredibly sensitive nature of the situation at hand. He wants families to know that he takes care and handles each pet as if they were his own.

Kayla, Aftercare Specialist

Kayla is a valued member of our team here at Paws into Grace and brings a deep passion for animals and compassion for families during difficult times. Kayla’s dog, Ronin (a Shiba Inu), often joins her at the office, and her love for animals is clear in everything she does.

Outside of work, Kayla enjoys spending time at the beach, going on cruises, and taking boat rides. She’s also a volunteer at rescue stables, where she’s had the chance to work with horses and indulge her love for these majestic animals. A self-proclaimed Harry Potter nerd, Kayla has the Deathly Hallows symbol tattooed on her arm. She is currently reading Atomic Habits and is a big fan of books and reading.

Kayla is married to her high school sweetheart, Nick. Together, they enjoy visiting themed bars and speakeasy-style places. Kayla loves being outdoors and soaking in the beauty of nature. She’s also highly competitive and loves sports.

Lauren, Marketing Manager

Lauren attended San Diego State University and received a degree in Business Marketing. She has worked in marketing for over 10 years and has experience in various types of marketing and communications.

She feels so grateful to be working at such an amazing company with caring and thoughtful employees who all care deeply for clients and their pets.

She can be found spending time with her husband, two children, and her spunky Maltipoo/Minpin Mia who she adopted in 2016. In her free time she enjoys camping, gardening, hiking, interior design & cooking.

Manu, Client Success Specialist

Manu is originally from Spain and has been working with animals since 2013. He joined Paws into Grace in June 2021. Manu is compassionate about animals and has 9+ years of experience working at animal clinics including ER for animals. He loves helping people provide a space where their pets feels safe and secure.

In his free time, Manu can be found at the beach with his family and his French Bulldog “fur son” Shiloh, or taking care of his many fish and coral tanks. He also enjoys fitness, healthy foods and outdoors sports like hiking and  swimming.

Marc, Chief of Staff

Originally from New Jersey, Marc made San Diego his home 17 years ago. His academic background is in Criminal Justice and Sociology, where he pursued a dual major for his Bachelor’s. Though he began his journey in the veterinary industry in August 2021, he feels fortunate to join the Paws family in July 2023 as the Chief of Staff.

What truly stands out for him at Paws is the opportunity to work alongside colleagues who are deeply passionate about animal welfare and understand the importance of empathy toward our compassionate pet owners. In his free time, Marc immerses himself in creative writing, loves to travel, and occasionally indulges in a bit of stand-up comedy. On the personal side, he is a proud pet owner to his delightful chihuahua, Edna, who is 7 years old, and three lovely cats: Mongoose, 12 years; Thorin, 11 years; and Khan, 10 years. Marc feels truly privileged to be part of a dedicated and diverse team at Paws, and together, we’re committed to working for the betterment of all loving pets.

Rebecca, Client Care Manager

Originally from San Marcos, Rebecca now resides in North Carolina. She joined Paws into Grace in June 2022, and has been in the industry since 2018. Growing up, Rebecca fostered cats and dreamed of being a dolphin trainer! She is fear-free certified and has provided care for animal for many years.

Roxanne, Aftercare Assistant Manager

California-native Roxanne joined Paws into Grace in February 2022. With more than 10 years experience in the pet industry, Roxanne has helped animals in all stages of life.

“I love working at Paws for many reasons; one being the people,” she says. “Surrounding yourself with gentle, compassionate people is important. The work we do is a loving service for our community, and meeting pet owners from all over is beautiful to experience so much love. When I meet families and hear the special stories  and see photos of their beloved pet, I know I am in the right place.”

In her free time, Roxanne enjoys hiking, reading, journaling, relaxing in nature, and spending quality time with her husband, two senior chihuahuas, and two cats. All of her vacations are scheduled around their dogs being with them; they are truly her best friends.

“I would like clients to know that each pet is treated like family,” adds Roxanne, who works in both the front office and warehouse at the Escondido Cremation office. “We love them each as individuals and honor their life with gentle care. It is an honor to be here for these beloved pets and their families at such a sensitive time,” she says.

Ruby, Driver

A San Diego native, Ruby joined Paws into Grace in 2022. Prior to joining Paws, Ruby was  going to school to be a veterinary technician. She says, “What I love most about working with Paws, is the opportunity to make a difference in the lives I encounter. I love making a difference and being able to help as much as I can in those difficult times.”

Ruby wants Paws families to know that this isn’t just a job for her, it’s a career. “I like to think of Paws into Grace as my second home,” she says. “I was never able to find my spot in the work field. I was unable to find something I was passionate about until I found Paws into Grace.”

In her free time, Ruby enjoys visiting new places, writing, reading, spending time with her family and partner,and trying new foods! She also loves spending time with her two beautiful American bullies, Bruno and Peaches.

Sasha, Occasional Office Greeter

Sasha is our beloved 13-year-old husky and Occasional Office Greeter at Paws into Grace since Feb 2022. Rescued by Dr. Benson from a scheduled euthanasia appointment, Sasha has since become a cherished part of our team—offering warmth, calm, and comfort to everyone she meets.

She lives a peaceful country life with the Aquamation Director, Brooke, and her animal siblings, but loves joining us in the office whenever Brooke is at work. Sasha genuinely believes every family who visits is there to greet her, and she’s always ready with tail wags and gentle kisses.

Recently, Sasha was diagnosed with Diabetes, an Enlarged Gallbladder, and went blind. She’s receiving the care and treatment she needs to stay comfortable and happy.

Any donations made on Sasha’s behalf are deeply appreciated and go directly toward her ongoing veterinary care.

Sasha continues to bring light and love to our space—just as she always has.