About Us & Our Staff

Gretchen Toorock
Gretchen is the founder and owner of ruff life, LLC. She is the mom to two lovely Beagles, Piper (10) and Porter (3) once strays and adopted from local rescue networks. Gretchen was a practicing attorney for close to 10 years before deciding to leave her Washington, D.C., big law firm life, to pursue her dreams of becoming the owner and operator of Rhode Island's best dog daycare and overnight facility. Gretchen has a passion for all animals, but especially dogs. She took a hiatus from the law and was a professional dog walker in London, UK from 2002-2004. She is a strong advocate for animal rescues. She volunteers regularly with local rescues and loves to foster dogs in search of their forever homes. In addition, she has owned and loved dogs all her life. Because of her time as a busy attorney and devoted dog owner, she knows all too well the desire to give your best buddy the best care. Not ever being completely satisfied with level of care in the current market, Gretchen decided to create the ultimate in dog care at ruff life.

 

Jill McLaughlin
Jill is the manager at ruff life and a senior pack leader.  She is also mom to the lovely Lana. 
Jill has had dogs all her life and has a particular love for the lab and golden retriever. Jill has said “dogs rule my life…but in the best way possible”.  Ruff life is a special place, but becomes more special when Jill is in the house.

June Cook
June is the creator of the founder of ruff life (Gretchen’s Mom), and a doting Nana to Piper and Porter.  June has been a long-time animal lover and spends her time away from ruff life kissing and loving her cats Elmo, Moses, Angel and Harry Potter.  June had always had a dog or two, as part of the family.  Now dog-less at home, June gets her canine enjoyment while helping care for the dog guests at ruff life... plus June's cats have said they would rather she did not get a dog of her own.

Paula Parlato
Paula is a ruff life pack leader and is also Gretchen’s aunt.  Paula is a true friend to the world of the rescue dogs.  She enjoys spending her free time volunteering for local rescues and has a special place in her heart for the Shar Pei.  She is now the proud Mom of Emma, a seizure that made her way to a local Shar Pei rescue.  Paula has also been a doggie mom to many others, and misses her girls Chelsea, Coco, and Sing-Sing.  Paula is well trained in animal behavior and especially astute in the areas of canine health and nutrition.  She is a true packer leader and has a special way with all dogs big and small.

Jan Garbutt
Jan is a ruff life pack leader.  Jan has said that before she started to sleep with two black pugs named Pearlie and Poppy, she was happily married to a kind and gentle veterinarian named Tom.  When he left her a few years ago a little girl from her neighborhood said, "Now Dr. Garbutt is taking care of all the cats and dogs in Heaven."  Of course he is!  Over the years Jan has had a sequence of careers - teaching; technical writing; program development and management and, finally, grant-making in a large corporation.  ruff life gives Jan the golden opportunity to match all that she has learned - from my work, my husband and just plain living - with her deep and abiding love for all creatures, great and small.  Jan says “This is the best job ever!”
 

Julie Kizlinski 
Julie is a ruff life senior pack leader.  She has had a love for dogs her whole life.  The proud mom to Charlie, her lab mix, she appreciates the genuine love dogs bring to humans.  Each dog at ruff life has its own personality and Julie enjoys getting to know each and every one.  Julie's love is not just limited to dogs, but extends to all nature.  She enjoys camping, hiking, swimming, and of course just taking a walk, which is much more fun with Charlie.  Her love of nature further extends to the insect world.  Julie and her husband Andrew are local beekeepers who are constantly in awe of the tiny little creatures and the vital role they play in our environment.              

Joy Padula
Joy is a ruff life pack leader. She has always held a deep respect and profound love for all dogs and considers some to be her best friends. Joy has raised animals all her life but loves dogs the best and says, “Dogs are miracles with paws.”  When Joy is not playing with all of her canine buddies at ruff life you will find her romping with her favorite nephew, “Dylan Drake”, a 115 pound yellow lab.

Christine Chase
Christine is a ruff life pack leader. She lives with Ruger, a silky terrier, Sadie, a pit bull terrier, and has joint custody of Harley, her son's rottweiler. She doesn't remember a time there wasn't
a dog or two in her house. Christine volunteers at the Wildlife Clinic of Rhode Island and is currently becoming certified in Wildlife Rehabilitation.  She loves all animals but thinks dogs are the best. "They remind us that life is simple...without saying a word!"

Sydney Day

Brian Mulvey
Brian is the newest pack leader at ruff life.  He has had dogs his entire life.  Brian shares his home with Sybil and Jasmine, mixed breed littermates rescued in 2004. Brian previously worked as a veterinarian assistant and technician until leaving to pursue a career in nursing.  The positive environment of ruff life has been a perfect fit for him.

ruff life is a member of :

• American Boarding Kennels Association New England
  
• International Association of Canine Professionals
  
• All Pack Leaders are Certified by the American Red Cross in Dog and Cat First Aid