Erin and Leif Onstad

Hi! We're the proud owners of Ponga's Pet Palace. Our business opened August 26, 2006 and we truly enjoy pampering the pets of the Northshore.

Erin has always had a love for animals. This passion was exhibited over many years of volunteer work with groups such as the Visiting Pet Program, LA-SPCA, LISA, St. Tammany Humane Society and annual participation in Woofstock and Mardi Paws. She also assisted in caring for abandoned pets in the aftermath of Katrina. Erin's career with pets began in 1990 when she was employed as a veterinary technician who was quickly promoted to clinic manager for nine years.  Over the years, she has obtained numerous certificates related to the pet industry. She has been named a veterinary nutritional advisor and consultant through the Hill's Pet Food Company. She regularly attends seminars and continuing education classes focusing on pet nutrition, illness, skin conditions and treatment, dental procedures and most recently pet CPR. Erin attended Mount Carmel Academy in New Orleans for a portion of her freshman year before moving to Gulf Shores, Alabama and completing her education at Foley High School. Although she did not graduate from college, she attended the University of New Orleans while managing the veterinary hospital. Erin was a biology major and earned over one hundred credit hours.

Leif was a senior vice president of a Louisiana based corporation for fifteen years, managing large and small commercial facilities. After college, he was involved in the television and film industry. He is a Brother Martin High School graduate and a University of New Orleans graduate with a degree in Communications.

Erin and Leif have been married for nineteen years. Although they have no human children, their babies are their two dogs, Belle and Jazz Dancer, and their five cats Mitzi, Maddy, Macarena, Joe Joe and Mickey. They enjoy attending pet seminars to expand their knowledge in order to educate their clients and staff members as well as keep up with the latest trends.

Erin and Leif always envisioned opening a pet resort and work happily together daily to truly make Ponga's a one-of-a-kind Pet Palace!

Jazz Dancer

Jazz Dancer is a seven year old maltese. Erin and Leif acquired her about four years ago. She had been abandoned in St Bernard Parish at a veterinary hospital during Hurricane Katrina. She initially had extreme food aggression but with hard work and perseverance she is finally overcoming that issue. The name Jazz Dancer is most fitting as she regularly does stretches and splits throughout the day. She is the referee of doggie daycare and although her size is tiny, her bark is mighty when it comes to keeping the other pups in line. She enjoys dressing up for the clients to dote over her.

Belle

Belle is a five year old sheltie. She works behind the front desk greeting customers and their pets. She enjoys assisting clients in their selection of cookies and baked goods because she's sure to get a treat! Belle was an agility school drop out who now prefers to just be a pampered pet. She chases the UPS driver, pizza delivery man and landlord out the door on a regular basis. In the evenings, while the staff is cleaning, Belle diligently protects her mom, Erin, from the villianous vacuum cleaner.

Shrek and Fiona

Shrek and Fiona are five year old siblings. When Ponga's first opened four years ago, they were found outside in a box at the front door. Erin took them in with the intention of finding them a loving home. However, after bottle feeding them for weeks, she fell in love and decided to keep them as mascots at the shop. Shrek is very lazy and is often found sleeping in the grooming room or on the front desk chair. As he is quite large himself, he loves big dogs, especially golden retrievers. Children enjoy coming in to see the dress of the day that Fiona is modeling.

Blackie

Blackie is a 13 year old lab/chow mix. He was the very first client of Ponga's Pet Palace. He has separation anxiety and in order to prevent him from chewing through his home, he comes to Ponga's every day while his parents are at work. He's often spotted walking through the hallways or hanging out in the grooming room. Blackie loves to beg all the staff members for some of their lunch and really enjoys taking long walks outdoors.

Whitney Chapman

Whitney graduated from highschool in May, 2011. She has worked at Ponga's Pet Palace for over three years and can't imagine a better place to work. Her passion for animals started at a very young age. She can not resist the wrinkled face of a Bulldog or the sad, droopy eyes of a Bassett Hound. Some of her many duties at Ponga's include caring for boarding pets, greeting and checking in and out pets, managing the front desk and keeping each day running smoothly. She started with us as a dog walker and worked her way up to staff supervisor. Because she has been involved with us for so many years, clients and their pets know her and often compliment and htank her for her caring nature. Whitney intends on a future with animals always being in her life and plans on obtaining a degree as a vetinary technician in order to further her knowledge of pet care.

Chris Kivett

Chris was first introduced to grooming as a teenager in order to pay for expenses for her Afghan Hound puppy. At that time, she became an apprentice to an Afghan breeder and manager of a small grooming salon. Over thirty years ago, she became a groomer and found the career she so loves. Although Chris is primarily self-taught, she has worked and trained with other groomers. She has had the benefit of veterinary advice while being employed for thirteen years as a groomer at a veterinary hospital. Chris enjoys attending educational seminars as well as reading current grooming publications. After an unfortunate injury, Chris was forced to close her own shop, Sunnie's Doggie Day Spa, and join the Ponga's Pet Palace staff. Chris loves the connection that she has with her clients and their pets. She believes that this is what makes her profession so uniquely special.

Janice Sayles

Janice moved to the United States from England in 1993. After spending two years in San Diego, California, she moved to Mandeville, Louisiana. She now lives happily with her three children and two grandchildren. Janice owns Chinese Crested dogs and has been working with animals all her life. Janice is very calm and popular among our four-legged geriatric clientele. After taking grooming lessons in South Carolina, she furthered her education in the business. She is now certified in skin care and CPR. Janice has been grooming for nearly twenty years.

Brittany Vanderliest

Brittany has been grooming for four years. Originally she began her training as a groomer as a pet bather. In addition to grooming dogs at Ponga's Pet Palace, she also assists in pet bathing. Although she grooms all types of dogs, Brittany owns and adores grooming poodles. She also specializes in applying fancy decals to her pawdicures and enjoys making beautiful bows to send her grooms home looking their best.

Katie Fogg

Katie is from Colorado. There, she cared for horses. She loves all animals and works at Ponga's as a pet bather. She also plays with dogs in daycare, walks dogs, and feeds and cares for dogs and cats boarding. She is also trained in administering medication and giving insulin injections when needed. Katie's Pomeranian and Dachshund have been long time clients of Ponga's. Katie is studying nursing in college and also coaches softball.

Kyle

Kyle is a high school senior. He is employed at Ponga's as a dogwalker and caretaker for pets in daycare and those boarding with us. He also has a great way with cats who can sometimes be tempermental. Whenever we may have an issue, we call Kyle to the rescue! His gentle nature and comforting voice can usually turn an ugly hiss into a soothing purr. He likes all dogs but generally prefers larger dogs. Kyle is involved with track at school. He works full time during holidays and summertime as well as part time in the evenings and weekends while school is in session.

Jamie

Jamie is a high school senior. She owns two dogs and two cats. She enjoys working at Ponga's as a dogwalker and caretaker for pets in daycare and those boarding with us. She is also a great fan of cats, especially.  She enjoys loving on and putting pets at ease while away from their home. Her goal is to assure that every pet's visit is a good and comfortable one. While not studying or working, Jamie is actively involved in sports. PLaying soccer is another big passion of hers.

Melissa "Tinkerbell"

Melissa is a high school senior. She has been working at Ponga's for over a year. Her family pets are long time clients. Originally, she was employed as a kennel attendant. Her duties included feeding and caring for boarding pets and walking dogs. Now, she also works at the front desk. She checks clients in and out, schedules appointments, takes reservations and assists customers with any questions regarding boutique purchases. Her three dogs and two cats are the loves of her life. Disney is Melissa's passion and she is truly the biggest Disney fan ever! Melissa enjoys her position at Ponga's Pet Palace and believes she is a part of a great team that she considers a second family.

Timothy

Timothy is a high school senior who owns a Labrador and a Shihtzu. His pets have been clients of Ponga's for many years. Timmy appreciated the care that had always been given to his pets and decided to join our team. He works full-time during the summer and holidays as well as in the evenings after school. He feeds and walks dogs boarding, plays and feeds the cats staying with us and also cares for the pets in doggie daycare. Timmy enjoys how some of his favorites excitedly greet him wiht a bark and a wag each time they see him.

Tiffany

Tiffany is a high school senior with a great passion for animals. She has attended training camps for dogs and plans to hav a career in dog training or rehabilitating abused or neglected animals. She volunteers at the St. Tammany Humane Society walking dogs. Her primary concern is to give affection and attention to the pets there eagerly waiting to be adopted by their forever forever family. Tiffany works at Ponga's as a dog walker, pet bather, and caretaker for pets boarding and dogs in daycare. Most recently, she has been promoted to kennel manager. She guides and assists her coworkers with their duties. Tiffany is the proud mom of a Corgi name Tucker.