Our team is deeply dedicated:
to the dogs we care for
We don’t just love dogs, we’re dedicated to their happiness and safety. That means I chose our walkers for their commitment to small groups and individualized attention over easy profit.
to the clients we serve
Boy do we love dogs. But we also love people. Our clients are part of the OPC family and we never forget that part of our job is to make your week easier.
to the neighborhood we live in
We serve Rockridge dogs and dog lovers exclusively. We live here, too, and take pride in making the days of fellow sidewalk users brighter for having crossed our path.
to the professional dog walking we believe in
Anyone can have a dog drag them down the street. If you’re to trust us with the safety of your best friend, you deserve to know we are educated, trained dog professionals.
Meet Delia Burdeyney, CDW, ACDW
OPC Owner & Team Leader
Delia was a Dog Walking Academy certified dog walker, and one of only a handful of dog walkers in the Bay Area who also held her Advanced DWA certification from dogbiz (formerly dogtec). Her early dog education included learning from Ian Dunbar, widely considered the father of modern dog training.
Delia believes passionately in a professional approach to dog walking that includes encouraging ongoing professional development of her roster of dog walkers. Toward that end she meticulously vetted all walkers on her roster.
Meet Laela Peterson-Stolen, CTBC
Team Trainer
Laela earned her designation as a Certified Trainer and Behavior Consultant through DTIA in San Francisco. She is dedicated to force-free, fear-free, science based methods and believes in the Humane Hierarchy. She is a member of the Pet Professional Guild, is an IAABC supporting member, and is studying to become an accredited Family Dog Mediator.
She believes that true behavior change comes from clear two-way communication with our dogs, respecting their agency, and meeting their needs as a species and an individual. Her goal is to improve the relationships between canines and humans with compassion for all involved.
When she’s not training dogs, she’s on stage or in the recording studio playing violin and viola, making intricate quilts, and encouraging her adolescent dog Bacon to sniff.
Meet the OPC Dog Walking Team
Aly Romero-Zavala
Aly is a pack leader with OPC with ample experience and the confidence to lead her off-leash groups on the trails! She’s been a dog lover and a part of the community for years. She started walking dogs around her neighborhood at a very young age, and decided to make her passion her career. She is a certified vet assistant through California State University, East Bay; certified in animal CPR; and has been an animal care specialist for about 2 years. She gives back to her community by volunteering in shelters and fostering rescue animals. She found her first rescue companion through fostering and fell completely in love. She’s a fierce advocate for the fostering of rescued dogs and how much both humans and dogs can learn from the experience!
She believes pets are more than just animals – they are a part of the family and deserve the same love and compassion that we receive as humans. When she’s not leading her pack or walking dogs in the neighborhood you can find her making stickers for her tiny business, drawing with her cat Ziggy on her lap, and going on adventure hikes with her two companions – her husband Marcio and dog, Hanky Panky.
Mary McCullough
Mary is our Operations Manager who helps with our day-to-day administrative duties. She handles all of the administrative projects, and will likely be the person responding to your email inquiries!
Mary has been a virtual assistant for various companies since 2011. Research, organization, and communication skills are some of her top assets and she loves being a team player engaged in moving the business forward. When Mary is not assisting businesses you can find her relaxing by the pool or spending time with her family and two furry felines.
Melissa Kent
Ever since Melissa could remember she has felt a deep connection and love for dogs. Raising her own dog has brought her a yearning to successfully and effectively train dogs, and more importantly to understand them. She is also an aspiring artists using different mediums like pencil on paper or paint and canvas. She loves music, being creative by cooking, crafting and making random knick knacks. Much like dogs she loves nature, the outdoors, hiking and site seeing.
Isabel Espinoza
Hello! My name is Isabel and I’m a professional dog walker and sitter, I’ve worked with dogs for more than 6 years now and have worked with a couple companies that focus on pack walks and dog training. I worked with more than 6 dogs at a time and have dealt with a variety of difficult dogs who have behavioral issues. I know how to handle tough situations and can be hyper vigilant to my surroundings. I walk dogs constantly ,and it’s a huge part of my life. I take dogs on leash and off leash depending on how well behaved the dog is and how they handle other dogs. It’s very important for my client’s pets to be as safe as possible. As for my personal life,I’m continuing my journey through education studying environmental science and literature. I also skateboard and maintain a very active lifestyle, always hiking, always exploring. I hope to explore more and adventure with my furry friends and give them the love and energy they need to stay happy and healthy!
Greg Szatmari
Greg is a Bay Area native who studied business and film at San Francisco State University. He made the move to Washington D.C. in 2010 after college and came back to his home state in 2020 where he lived in Los Angeles for a year before returning to the Bay Area. During his time in D.C. he was a star mixologist and later moved his way up to management and consulting for bars and restaurants where he created intricate and delectable cocktail menus. While he loved the restaurant industry, the east coast’s late hours made him decide that it wasn’t conducive to his future plans so he looked to other ventures.
Having grown up with animals from cats and dogs to fish and lizards ( at one point a pet crayfish!) he decided to try his hand at dog walking in 2016. Initially just a part time gig for him he quickly realized that he had a way with dogs and in 2017 he started a full time job with Brookland Dog Walking Company as a pack walker. While working for the company he was one of the top walkers with one of the largest routes, sometimes walking up to 10 dogs in his pack at a time!
After over a year with the company he had to take some time off due to an injury. However at this time his company was starting a training program and wanted him to be a part of it! This led him into an apprenticeship at Spot on Dog Training where he completed 300 hours of CCPDT, non dominance, reward based training. There he learned a range of skills from basics and behavior to working with reactive dogs and practicing CCD ( counterconditioning and desensitization ). During his time at Spot On the pandemic hit and prompted the move to L.A.
With his newfound knowledge he started professionally training dogs and was also the daily operations manager for a full service pet company with a twist, they offered dog spa, dog reiki and dog yoga! L.A. was nice but his love for the Bay Area and missing his home got the better of him and brought him back! Now he is an exceptional trainer and marketer for the Oakland Pet Care team who can teach dogs the essentials as well as turn an anxious and misbehaved pup into a calm and well mannered member of the family! In Greg’s free time you can find him zooming through the city streets on his bicycle, climbing a mountain, at the theater glued to the seats and screen , on the dance floor at a concert or festival, or embroiled in the latest rpg! Where will his journey into the dog world lead him next?
Klove Wilson
Klove is a DC import who’s been working with dogs since they got their first dog- a lab puppy at 7 years old.
They use force free methods and have continued to stay up to date on the latest training methods and animal psychology.
Alison Joo
Rosalyn Shyu
Our team would love to show your best friend a great, safe time!
