About Us
Sarah Jahnke, lifelong animal lover, has been working with animals since 1992. Having worked at other grooming facilities, she witnessed too many times the stress that animals experience during the grooming process and started to dream about how she could change that.
Sarah, along with her husband Brett, decided it was time to embark on a journey to create a calming pet spa, unlike any in the area. EmBARK! Pet Spa was the result.
Our grooming team consist of Sarah and Brett Jahnke, Meenah, Amanda, Dani, Chris, Lily and Zara. At EmBARK! Pet Spa, every animal is an individual. And our groom team takes great pride in creating custom trims for every pet.
Amanda Venturelli: Expert Pet Stylist
Amanda's lifelong devotion to animals truly shines the moment she steps up to the grooming table. Raised surrounded by pets, her early days working in barns and caring for her own horse laid the foundation to her deep understanding of animal behavior. Amanda stepped into the professional pet industry in 2005, earning her pet stylist credentials in 2006 and a specialized cat grooming certification in 2007. After honing her craft and practicing for years at other facilities, she brought her incredible talents to Embark in 2012. Famous for her flawless breed standard trims and unmatched patience, Amanda treats every dog and cat with the gentle respect they deserve. When she isn't making Milwaukee's pets look and feel their absolute best, she is usually out hiking in nature, tending to her garden, cooking a delicious meal and hanging out with her own incredibly cute Jack Russell Terrier, Bonnie.
Chris: Pet Stylist and Team Anchor
Chris has been a vital part of the animal care world since 2006, and his journey with Embark is a true testament to his dedication. He first joined our family as a bather in 2010, learning the ins and outs of pet comfort before transitioning to full-time grooming in 2018. Chris quickly excelled in his scissoring skills, becoming our go to expert for perfectly shaped doodles and plush, stylized trims. Known just as much for his talent as his massive heart, Chris is always the first to offer an extra hand to his fellow groomers or assist a teammate in need. Off the clock, Chris is a proud father to two grown boys and a dedicated "cat dad" to his wild and beloved cat, Mazin. He loves spending his free time outdoors and cherishing quality moments with his close friends and family.
Dani: Pet Stylist, social marketing, anchor of Embark
Dani's deep devotion to animals is woven into the fabric of her life. Her journey in professional pet care began in 1996, inspired by a lifelong love of animals nurtured by her late mother, whom she misses dearly. Together, they shared a beautiful connection to the animal world and a particularly special place in their hearts for Golden Retrievers. Since bringing her warmth and passion to Embark in 2010, Dani has become an essential pillar of our team and family. Her ultimate specialty is simply putting her entire heart into every detail of the business-and it shows in the joy of the pets and parents who walk through the doors. A proud local with deep roots in the community, Dani spends her free time with her loving family:her husband Dan, her child Kana, and their sweet Golden Retriever mix, Stich. When she isn't caring for local pets, Dani loves traveling to learn about different cultures, and is a massive horror movie bufff who loves traveling to scary movie conventions!
Lily: Pet Stylist, creative pet care
Lily's journey with Embark began in 2017, driven by an immediate curiosity and excitement for the art of pet grooming. Her dedication paved the way for her formal training, officially stepping up as a full-time groomer in 2021. Lily treats the grooming table like an art studio, viewing every pet as a fresh canvas. Highly detail-oriented, she has a gift for finding the unique, special traits that make each pet shine. At home, Lily is a devoted pet parent to her beloved rescue dog, Penelope, and three rescue cats: Sunny, Mc'lovin, and Asia. Outside the spa, Lily loves fishing with her mom, live music, camping with friends, and taking Penelope along on every adventure. She treasures spending quality time with her best friend Meenah, fellow Stylist here at Embark.
Meenah: Pet Stylist De-shedding Specialist
Meenah has been a vital part of Embark since 2018, officially stepping up to the grooming table in 2023 after completing her training! Growing up in an animal-loving family, Meenah brings a wealth of passion, precision, and incredible strength to her craft. She enjoys working with large dogs and specializes in mastering thick de-shedding treatments. A natural problem solver, Meenah is incredibly helpful and always keeps the spa schedule on point, making her a massive favorite among us and our pet parents. When she isn't making the big pups look fantastic, you can find her traveling, lost in a good book, spending time with her mom, or hanging out with her bestie, Lily. She is also a proud dog mom to Gamora and Declan-be sure to wave hi to Declan next time you are visiting the shop!
Zara: Grooming Assistant and Client care
Zara officially joined the Embark family in 2023, bringing a beautiful legacy of animal love to our team. As the owners niece, she grew up completely immersed in a world of pets, always surrounded by the dogs, cats, and various creatures cared for by her dad, grandmother, and aunts. While you won't see her behind a styling table, Zara is an essential heartbeat of our daily operations. As our dedicated assistant, she excels at keeping the spa spotless, assisting the groomers, and providing hands-on comfort to make sure every dog feels safe, relaxed, and loved during their stay. In her spare time, Zara is a gifted creative who loves working on art and crafts, enjoying quiet time, and cuddling with her own cat Bumi.
Meet the team!
We are Sarah & Brett—partners in life and partners at Embark! With a shared obsession for happy, clean pets, we combined our skills to create a stress-free grooming space in Bay View. Sarah carries the Shears, Brett carries the ladders, and the party!
