Personalized Dog Daycare & Boarding
Kristin - owner
While growing up behind the iron curtains of East Germany Kristin always longed to spend her time with animals, but the result oriented realm of the socialistic republic required her to keep her focus on top grades and top results in sports (a major value in the country). Set on her path by this upbringing, Kristin went on to become a professional Kiteboarder (9 years after the wall came down), winning 9 world championship titles, a Guinness World Record and multiple other awards. Later Kristin founded and ran a non-profit association for female kiteboarders and managed the KSP world championship tour for 3 years before finally saying good bye to the life of a nomad and settling down on the island of Maui with her now husband Sky. As soon as she had left the limitations of her upbringing as well as the limitations of a nomadic life behind, Kristin fulfilled her longing to work and live with animals. She started apprenticing at Ohana Pet Training in 2017 where she now teaches pet dog group classes and private lessons. Kristin was certified as a Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers in March 2019 and enjoys working with dogs of all ages and sizes in the training environment as well as by having them over as boarding guests.
Sky - partner in crime
Born to nomadic, windsurfing parents in California, Sky was raised between the Caribbean island of Bonaire, California and Oregon where he spent most of his waking hours in the ocean doing things like fishing, surfing and windsurfing. In 2002, at the age of 18, Sky’s passion for sports and the ocean led him to begin a successful career as a pro kitesurfer. After traveling for many years, Sky (and Kristin) settled down on Maui in 2013 where he now designs all types of wave riding crafts for a living. Sky grew up with dogs by his side and has a deep love for all four-legged companions.
Makana - Dog Boarding Attendant
Makana is an absolute animal lover with a background in canine behavior. Although she was originally born on Maui, she grew up in New York. After graduating from High School Makana chose to follow her passion for animals and went on to earn a certificate in professional dog training, pet sitting, and dog walking through the Animal Behavior College. In 2019 she moved back to Maui and worked as a Veterinary Assistant at Maui Humane Society where she learned a lot regarding veterinary care. Now Makana is am using all the skills she learned over the years to help provide the best of care to our doggy friends here at Happy Dogs Maui. We love having Makana as a part of Happy Dogs Maui :)
Skye - Dog Boarding Attendant
Since she was a young girl Skye knew she had a passion for caring for animals. Her mom is a veterinarian, she grew up with at least two dogs in her household at all times and had a variety of pet sitting jobs over the years. Skye grew up in New Zealand where she leaned to love and value animals and the environment. In 2019 Skye joined Rover and gained a lot of experience with all different types of dogs through that. Her love for animals carried over into her studies at University where Skye graduated with an Honors degree in Zoology. Skye now feels very fortunate to work on Maui in the field of conservation as well as at Happy Dogs Maui, caring for the animals here too and says that being her with the dogs makes her happy. Skye makes all of us happy too :)
Dyllyn - Seasonal Work
A born and raised Maui girl, Dyllyn grew up with dogs and loves working with them. She got into dog walking and sitting in 2021 and working at Happy Dogs Maui as a seasonal Dog Boarding Attendant was a natural next step for her. Dyllyn loves seeing all the different dog personalities come out as the pups play and snuggle at their happy place. Skye currently studies in Oregon but she will be back during her breaks to support the Happy Dogs Maui team during peak times. Mahalo Dyllyn :)
Lily
It was at one of the HARF adoption days that Sky and Kristin saw Lily sitting in her little crate. She looked at them with her scruffy face and made this pleading sound that said "Please take me home". Knowing that Red would benefit from another canine sibling in the house, Sky and Kristin agreed to foster Lily for 2 weeks. Red and Lily hit it off great and could be seen sharing their doggie beds as well as running around exploring at the beach and at home, so Lily got adopted without any questions asked. Lily is curious to meet any 2 and 4 legged friend and is a real talkative character. She also is a bit of a drama queen and a mama's girl though...
Harley
Another foster failure, Harley originally came into the Solbach Ohana with his sister Gracy when they were 10 weeks of age in December 2017. Gracy got adopted quickly, however, Harley stuck around adoption weekend after adoption weekend and eventually Sky and Kristin just could not let him go anymore. While Harley was terrified of any human being for his first month at Happy Dogs Maui, he has always LOVED other dogs. Over time he has also learned to like humans (with lots of socialization and even more delicious treats) and loves his human parents and his furry and feathered sisters.
In loving memory
Red
R.I.P. sweet little Red Dog... you will always be in our hearts and your spirit will always be here with us. Red Dog left us in May 2020. Even though she is no longer here in person, Happy Dogs Maui would not exist without her doing and therefore we want to give her a special place not only in our heats but also on our website. A true survivor, Red lived on the overgrown property that Sky and Kristin bought back in 2013 and had been seen around by the neighbor for years. Once Sky and Kristin started building their house, she watched the process from a distance, but over time dared to come closer and closer until she finally ate out of Kristin's hand. From here things went quick and Red moved into the house she lives in today, before it even had a roof. Red was a very special little pup and she definitely was the queen of this little valley property. She was wise, gentle, tough and oh so incredible accepting and agreeing of everything and everyone and over the years she was a wonderful older sister to goats, chickens, turkeys, two other dogs and a human baby, but most importantly she opened up her home and property to the many boarding dogs we had staying with us in her later years of life. She rests in peace in a special place under our mango tree and continues to guard and overlook everything that happens at Happy Dog Maui.