Our Leadership Team

  • Hey folks, this is Hannah Banana. I was born and raised in Black Mountain, NC and hold a business degree from North Greenville University. I have been working with dogs for over ten years, and I have been at Barkmore Park for over seven. I have a cat named Boo who showed up on my front porch after Hurricane Helene.

    I love what I do, and I am super grateful for all my fur babies and staff. Team work makes the dream work!

Hannah

General Manager

  • Hello! My name is Hailey, I am 20 years old. Growing up I mainly took care of and owned farm animals, along with the occasionally barn cat. 

    I have been working at BarkMore Park for almost 3 years. I also do some occasional pet sitting on the side. I love working at BMP and working with animals! 

    Currently I have a one year and seven month old cat named BlueBelle. 

Hailey

Assistant Manager

  • I have always had pets in my life. Whether it be cats or dogs, I love them all! I currently have a pit bull mix named Ryder and adopted a kitten named Padmé. The couch is always a snuggle destination. My introduction to working with animals was pet sitting. Additionally it was my responsibility to take care and raise my family dogs growing up. I’m currently working on a bachelor’s degree in music and love to work out and create different forms of art. Specifically, I sing and play trombone, as well as create original electronic music.

    I enjoy learning new things at Barkmore, and it is a privilege working with your dogs!

Austin

Shift Lead

  • I began my animal welfare journey in 2010 as a shelter volunteer, walking large and hard-to-handle high energy dogs. Shelter volunteering inspired me, my husband, and a few other volunteer friends, to start an animal rescue initially geared towards adopting out pitbulls, but quickly expanded to include dogs of all breeds, as well as cats. My rescue, Sammy's Hope, opened a small brick and mortar rescue shelter in 2015 and is still thriving today, pulling dogs from local municipal shelters, and placing cats from municipal shelters and local TNR projects. I served as Sammy's Canine Behavior Director.

    In 2014, I became involved with the ASPCA's Behavioral Rehabilitation Center, working with fearful dogs rescued from puppy mill, hoarding, dog fighting, and cruelty cases. Shy dogs are a particular passion of mine, and my husband and I share our home with 2 graduates of the Rehabilitation Center's program, Valentina and Badger. 

    After 10 years rehabilitating fearful dogs, I joined the BarkMore team, where I love interacting with all of our different doggy visitors, and putting my dog behavior skills into practice.

    I hold a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Stockton University, am a Certified NJ Animal Control Officer and Certified NJ Animal Cruelty Investigator.

     I also hold a CPDT-KA Dog Training Certification, and Sophia Yin Low Stress Handling Silver Certification

Christine

Shift Lead

  • I have always loved animals and grew up with two cats and a dog. I began pet sitting at age 16, which led to working professionally with dogs, cats, and other household pets starting in 2018. In 2021, I launched and operated my own pet sitting and dog walking business for four years.

    I hold a Bachelor of Studio Arts from the University of South Florida, and share my home with two cats. I began working at BarkMore Park in April 2025.

Karry

Shift Lead

  • I am 25 years old, raised in Ohio and moved to Asheville from New Orleans last year. I have been a dog groomer for 8 years. In school I was an FFA officer and won 1st in the Ohio state FFA dog grooming competition.

    My animal experience includes Dogs, Cats, Birds, Rabbits, Reptiles, Rodents, and Livestock, and I hold an Animal Science Vocational Degree. I share my home with my Great Dane mix Atticus, and tuxedo cat Gus.

Bailey

Lead Groomer

  • Hi, I'm Starr! I'm an Asheville-born local. All my life I've been drawn to (and draw) animals.
    From a young age, I always knew I wanted to work with animals and/or be an artist. When I was younger, I absorbed everything I could about them through Animal Planet, Zoobooks, the Nature Center, and volunteering at shelters!

    The second I could have a pet, I have never been without a furry little friend in my life. Currently I have 3 pets: Loki (14yr) my tripod kitty I rescued with my sister, Midna (7yr) my spunky and driven Australian Cattle Dog mix girly, and Valiant (3) our ever vigilant big ol' Great Pyrenees boy.

    I graduated from North Buncombe High School with honors in 2007 and attended AB-Tech for a few years, building skills and attempting to earn a bachelor's degree in Veterinary Medical Technology. Turns out it wasn't for me but I was able to get a lot of hands-on training with a sampling of animals including dogs, cats, birds, rodents, and a few farm animals like llamas, goats, and horses.

    To keep on the path of animal care, I found Barkmore Park in 2023. Since then, I have gotten to learn so much about man's best friend due to the variety of personalities we get to work with every day. Plus I get to meet more breeds than I would normally encounter!

    In my free time I enjoy drawing, gaming online and in-person on game night with friends, and cuddling on the couch with my favorite people and pets while watching movies. I also love hiking, driving up on the parkway - especially at night when the stars are out to stargaze through our telescope, fishing, and horseback riding when I get the chance!

Starr

Lead Bather

  • My name is Jacob Inman, and I am a yard attendant here at Barkmore Park, in addition to being the Facilities Manager. I’ve had a love for dogs from childhood, and I’ve always had one by my side throughout.

    Prior to working here, I had two years experience working at another daycare/boarding kennel in town. I’ve been in Asheville for almost 12 years now, after moving away from my home state of FL— and I’m very glad I did so! In that time I: Graduated locally from TC Roberson High School, developed a strong passion for playing instruments, fishing, hiking, sitting by a roaring flame, hanging with family and friends, and of course making new ones. Very nice to meet y’all, and I hope to see your dogs soon!

Jacob

Facilities Manager