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.

Sarah Bohannon - Sarah is the Manager of ruff life and a Certified Veterinary Technician. Her first career was in Washington DC as an executive assistant after getting her bachelor’s degree from George Mason University in Virginia. When she started working with animals she never looked back. After graduating with a degree in Veterinary Technology she moved with her husband from Virginia back to Rhode Island where she was from originally. She has been working with animals for many years now and enjoys all aspects of their care. She is also a member of the North Kingstown Community Chorus, and can often be found singing around the house to her three cats, two dogs and one bird!

Jill McLaughlin - Jill is the Senior Pack Leader at ruff life. 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.

Jessica Hamilton - Jess has been working with animals practically her whole life. As a child she pet-sat instead of baby-sat! She has worked as a Veterinary Technician for 4 years and has been with us since we opened. She is a Senior Pack Leader and also our In-Home Care coordinator.

Sydney Day - Sydney is an animal-adoring girl who has always has a special relationship with dogs.She has been working at ruff life since the Summer of 2009. Sydney lives at home with her 3 siblings; her sister shih-tzus Cookie and Pepper, and her brother chocolate lab Spanky.

Rachel Burnham - Rachel has been with ruff life since September 2010. After working with children in an educational setting for many years, she discovered her true love of working with animals after she started pet-sitting. She dreams of one day rescuing both dogs and cats.

Caitlin Groder - Caitlin has been a dog lover her whole life. She grew up with golden retrievers, and will always have a special place in her heart for the breed. She does not currently have a dog of her own, but enjoys dog sitting for friends and family in the meantime. She thinks her cat, Mittens, would like a canine brother or sister in the near future. Caitlin works with children full time, but loves coming to ruff life at the end of the day to play and snuggle up with the pups.

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