Happy Tails Travel Driving Team

Aaron Cross

Gainesville, FL
Dodge Grand Caravan

My name is Aaron. I have been working with Happy Tails Travel since 2018. I have always been an animal lover. Prior to working here, I have worked for various animal rescues, so this job was made for me. I enjoy traveling and getting pets safely to their families. This has become a lifestyle, not a job.

Amanda Bowersock

Gainesville, FL
Dodge Grand Caravan

Hi! I’ve spent most of my life in central Florida where it’s a little country and a bit of city.  We’ve had all kinds of pets- from cats and dogs to iguanas and chickens! I like to have an easygoing fun time and enjoy seeing new sights, going on outdoor adventures, photographing almost everything, plus meeting great people. I am always honored to spend time with new animal friends of all sizes, who need a trustworthy and conscientious companion along their journey back to family.

Cody Kemp

Bowdon, GA
Ford E350

My family and I live just outside Atlanta, Georgia. My wife and I have two kids, two dogs, and a cat! I enjoy riding bikes, rock climbing, snowboarding, hiking and camping. We raise a large garden every year that keeps us busy, and we almost always have a foster dog/cat around to love on for a few months before they find forever homes. l love meeting new people, animals and helping pets get to their new homes!

Frederick Socco

Houston, TX
Volvo S60

Combining 30+ years of corporate life, my love for pets, long driving and outdoor adventures, I look forward to each pet transporting assignment with enthusiasm and excitement.

Jason Maxham

Roxbury VT
Dodge Grand Caravan

I have raised and handled animals my whole life. I try to make every transport as enjoyable for your pet as I can. I text lots of pictures and videos of our shenanigans for your enjoyment. I do have a sense of humor and will try to make you laugh and feel confident that we are having a safe and fun time. I go out of our way to stop at Petco’s or Petsmart to let the dogs pick out treats and have some fun. My van is almost a driving salon; I like to groom the animals and make them beautiful before I drop them off. I will spoil your pets if allowed and try to make it more of a vacation then anything else. I love animals and transporting them and most animals love me.

Jeff Boger

Tucson, AZ
Chevy Silverado 4-door

Hi I’m Jeff,

Taking care of your pets like they are one of my own is something that comes naturally to me. Having lived and worked a few thousand miles apart from my family and pets for years, as well as having moved my own pets across country several times, has taught me the best possible strategies for making their journey as easy as possible; that’s why your pet and I will get along immediately. I am well seasoned in this and I treat them like they are my own. I am uniquely qualified for this job. My love of animals and my love for very long road trips make this a great job that I look forward to each week. As a Realtor in North Idaho for the last several years I have had the opportunity to see every type of anxious moment that comes with relocation.  I am here to ease the worries. I understand, and have been there, I am going to make it easy for you and your pet family members to make this transition.
 

I take time to get to know your pets and understand the quirks that make them unique and special to you. I will give you as much communication as you would like and make sure you are satisfied every step of the way. 

Karen & James Schilling

Geneva, OH
Nissan Murano

Meet Karen and James, the Schilling's. Both Karen and James have been in the driving field for many years. They have delivered items from car parts to medical equipment, medicines for nursing homes, to animals. Safety is always their number one concern.

Driving has always been a passion for this pair, "much of our dating days involved all day drives around Ohio," says Karen. James says that "pets have always been a big part of our lives. We have 5 grandpups, a couple of grandkitties as well as our own senior dog."

These two have been a pair for over 35 years and work seamlessly together.

Ken Whitney

San Diego, CA
Chrysler Pacifica

I am retired U.S. Navy and retired Teamster. I love pets, driving and working out with my wife. Having the opportunity to transport pets has allowed me to combine my passion for driving and pets, while being able to spend time with my wife, who usually accompanies me on transports. We also cook for seniors and veterans groups when we are home.

Matthew Piatkowski

Sedona, AZ
Toyota C-HR

I was born in Australia, grew up in Florida and currently reside in Sedona, Arizona. When I am not transporting pets, you can usually find me in National or State parks, taking photos and enjoying hiking.

I am motivated by my love for animals, hiking and photography and want to travel the country and help with pet relocation! I have been relocating pets with Happy Tails Travel for since 2018. My favorite parts of the job are being able to go on hikes in national and state parks with dogs and reuniting pets with their owners.  Dogs especially get super excited when they see their human family and  realize that I helped them get to their new home or vacation (holiday) home.

Mia W.

Reston, VA
Honda Odyssey

I grew up around pets and animals of all sizes and the passion to care for them has continued throughout my life. I have volunteered at numerous animal shelters and nature conservations, within the U.S. and abroad, caring for exotic & domestic breeds.

Driving for Happy Tails Travel combines my passion for driving and caring for your pets while safely getting them to you in your new home.  I am patient & skilled at caring for your pets that need medical attention, large breeds, pets that are high energy and those that have acute travel anxiety.

Prior to the actual day of pickup, I prefer to do a meet & greet to help reduce everyone’s anxiety (whenever possible). This face to face allows me to walk or play with your pets and to talk more in-depth about your precious family members.

I can’t wait to meet you & your family!!!

Mike Utesch

Chicago, IL
Kia Soul

My name is Michael Utesch, but my best friends and family call me Mikey!  I’m a proud father of one boy and an uncle to about 12 and growing. Animals and the road are my passion! I’m the son of a seasoned long-haul owner operator truck driver who over the years taught me the road, and what it entails. This unique upbringing and my love for dogs and cats is what makes me built for this. I’m also a business owner who manages a team of drivers that deliver nuclear medicine throughout the Midwest region. I do pet transport because I love it and I love the personal rewards it brings me! There is something remarkable about re-uniting pets with their families! I take a personal responsibility in safely getting your precious cargo back to you! I’m highly aware of the road as I have over one million miles across our great country. I’ve raised many dogs and currently fill my passion to be with dogs and cats by getting yours back to you safely. Many of the families I service find that I genuinely care for every animal I transport, and I communicate to the best of my ability. I have a background in customer service and project management which has given me the skills to address problems that may arise and the experience to avoid such issues that can be unforeseen to someone less versed. Trust in the peace of mind myself, and Happy Tails, can offer you as well as the safety and comfort, your fur babies have come to know!

Ollantay "Olay" Corujo

Chicago, IL
Chrysler Town and Country

Olay loves traveling the country and as he grew up with animals, this job was the perfect fit for him. He loves reuniting clients with their furbabies and making sure everyone is looked after and cared for in the process. He is also a pilot and flies the “Batman Plane” when he is not driving pets across country for us (the tail of his plane has the batman symbol).  As he is based in Chicago, which is a major hub, Olay assists with many clients who have a combination of ground and air travel, as many times certain pets can only fly to and from certain airports.

Ruben Ramirez

Cypress, TX
Dodge Caravan

Greetings! My name is Ruben Ramirez.

It is truly an honor to have the opportunity of being entrusted with the care of your loving companion! I consider the transport of your pet an awesome responsibility, therefore, I feel it is important to tell you a little bit about myself and how I became a pet transporter.

I was born in a small mining town in Texas called Newgulf, which is where my parents were born. We moved to Houston when I was 4 years old and that became my hometown. I entered the restaurant and hospitality industry in 1980 and stayed there until 2016. After 36 years as a restaurant manager, I decided to retire. Knowing I would need something to do in my retirement to keep me busy (and to keep from annoying my wife), I started ridesharing with the two leading ridesharing companies. I was browsing through a Facebook page one evening when I ran across a company looking for a driver willing to drive some pets to their new home. I answered the call and from then on, I was hooked. Although the restaurant business, and its many obstacles, was very challenging, I find driving pets to be much more fulfilling.

I can honestly say that I’ve slept in every state in the continental United States. I’ve carried every size pet from kittens and Chihuahuas to Saint Bernards and Great Danes. My friends and family love to hear my stories about my travels. My favorite part of America is the Midwest. The roads are wide open, and the skies are always blue. I also like to brag that I have traveled from border to border all in the same week (Mexican border to the Canadian border).

I plan to continue driving pets as long as it is safe for me to do so. When my wife retires (in a few years), she says she would like to accompany me on trips sometimes. I’m looking forward to that.

Roderick Stevens

Sierra Vista, AZ
Toyota Prius

Hi, my name is Roderick. I am an entrepreneur, artist, writer and filmmaker with a passion for road trips, Audible books and fur-babies. From my home in southeastern Arizona, I have visited 47 of the United States, many of them with precious pets on board. My compassion for my passengers is matched by my attentiveness to communication.  I look forward to escorting your precious family members!

Robert Ruvalcaba

Carson, CA
Ram Promaster

My name is Robert. I have been working in the transportation & delivery industry since 2011. I am half Mexican, half Filipino. I live in Los Angeles, California with my wife, Yojana, my daughter Brisa, 8, my 2 sons, Sebastian (8) and Rafael (5 months), and our Cane Corso puppy, Champ. I enjoy listening to music, going to the beach, watching soccer & eating burgers from In-n-Out.