Jennifer Broome, Founder

Quinebaug Kennels, LLC was founded by Jennifer Broome in 2001. Her experience extends from years of training and teaching. She is a highly professional, published author, and expert in raising and training dogs. Jennifer began her dog training career as a child. Her love of animals encouraged her to begin a dog walking and pet sitting service in her neighborhood. She quickly became an entrusted employee to many families that sought after her loving care and dedication to their beloved pets. As an avid outdoors woman and successful hunter, Jennifer simply loves spending time in the field with dogs. Clients travel from all over New England seeking Jennifer's advice as a prominent gun dog trainer. Her other passions include her artwork, fishing, shooting, and competing with her Arabian horse in endurance riding.

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Jason Smith, Operations Manager

Jason Smith is the silent force behind Quinebaug Kennels. He is Jennifer's husband, business partner and best friend. Jason and Jennifer built Quinebaug's new kennel complex themselves 9 years ago. It took a year to complete the building, working together as a team nearly every evening from 6pm until midnight. Currently, each season Jason works on new projects to add to the facility. Jason is an extremely talented custom builder. Since joining forces with Quinebaug full time in 2011, there is hardly a day that goes by where Jason is not on the farm solving maintenance problems, assisting employees, or on the tractor. He handles all of the "behind the scenes projects" such as the major day to day operations from ATV mechanic, to custom carpentry, to a supportive shoulder to cry on! Jason is a kind, caring animal lover and he allows QK to run like a well oiled machine. If it breaks, bleeds, or blows up....Jason can fix it! Jason is adored and respected by all who meet him, and he is Jennifer's greatest supporter.

Jan Kopec

Thank goodness for a license plate that read "Lab Lvr"! I saw this on a car parked at a bank and decided to leave my Quinebaug Kennels card on the window. Well it must have been fate, because that car owner quit her job (as a banker!) and has been with us for 8 years! Jan Kopec is the manager at Quinebaug Kennels, and she is truly spectacular. Jan loves dogs, plain and simple. Her yellow lab, Owen, and her black lab Jezzie, are her best friends. Jan is compassionate, caring, and manages the kennel superbly. She will give you updates on your dogs while they are here. For the many that stay with us for extended training, Jan will shed tears when they leave us! Our clients find Jan as well as the Quinebaug Kennels staff so personable, it is no surprise that many become our friends. Thank you Jan for all your hard work and dedication!

Patricia Barkas

Patricia Barkas has been with us for 5 years. She is our kennel assistant manager as well as our wonderful groomer. Patricia comes with a lifetime of dog handling experience and feels at ease helping with all aspects of canine care, from nutritional and health needs, to exercising and training. Patricia is simply in tune with the needs of dogs and quickly assesses each of our boarder’s temperaments and requirements so that they can be matched up with playmates (or NOT!). She knows how to keep our boarders happy, comfortable and content. Patricia is like a family member at Quinebaug Kennels and we adore her! “P” as we all call her is also extremely passionate about greyhound rescue and owns a wonderful greyhound rescue, Frankie, whom she has beautifully trained and given a wonderful loving home. Her newest pup is a lovely standard poodle named Chowder. Thank you so much Patricia for your outstanding dedication, devotion and commitment to Quinebaug Kennels!

Rob Becher

Born and raised in Connecticut, Rob grew up with Collies. Dogs have always been a part of his life. His passion is his Labrador Retriever, Cody, who has been both an Orvis and L.L. Bean catalog model as well as a therapy dog for the VA. Whether during the season, or in the off-season there is nothing Rob thinks about more than the aspects of waterfowling, upland bird hunting or fishing with his lab Cody. Rob assists the QK team through sales and networking. He works full time as a salesman in the boat department at Cabela's in East Hartford. Rob helps with some of our shows and demonstrations and is always willing and able to provide great information and insight into our training program and events. Rob believes that the dedication and devotion to both dogs, waterfowling and fishing will create memories for a lifetime. Rob has hunted and fished all over and has met some of the nicest people while doing so. Rob believes the education and understanding of both dogs, waterfowling and fishing needs to be correctly taught to our youngsters, and in doing so will provide them with the same fire that burns in many of us.

Joseph Carito IV

Joe Carito is from Brooklyn, CT and has worked for Quinebaug kennels for five years. Originally hired as a kennel assistant, Joe worked his way up to a full time dog trainer. Joe is currently our lead trainer and has had great success working with all breeds on many different aspects of training. One of Joe’s favorite breeds is actually the Pit-bull terrier. Joe enjoys many sports as well as anything outdoors. In his off time, he loves to hunt and fish. He has also begun to handle pointing dogs in NAVDA and AKC hunt tests, and looks forward to trying his hand at some retriever tests as well. Prior to working at Quinebaug Kennels, Joe was a guide at a local hunting preserve. This is where Joe’s interest in watching a well trained dog and owner working together in the field sparked his interest in learning how to train hunting dogs. Joe spent a brief time in Texas training hunting dogs and working off horseback hunting and guiding for wild quail. Joe is the proud father of a three year old daughter, and feels that she has helped him relate better to the families he works with here at the kennel. Joe enjoys working with pet owners to better handle, understand and control their animals. He also believes with the proper training, it is possible to live in peace and harmony with your four legged family members.