FiveBarks is the place for dog lovers who want honest, practical and useful advice on all aspects of canine companionship. From breed characteristics and training tips to fun ways to bond with your puppy, come join the pack at FiveBarks and see what all the barking is about!
Who We Are
FiveBarks is a collaborative team of pet owners and industry professionals who work together to create original content and helpful guides for prospective, new and longtime dog owners.
With backgrounds in veterinary medicine, daycare and boarding, dog training, fostering and adoption, nutrition and more, our experts provide up-to-date advice and practical tips for the modern Dog Mom or Dad!
Editorial Guidelines
Our goal is to provide dog lovers like yourself with the most accurate, entertaining and actionable advice on dogs and the challenges of dog ownership. Our editorial team strives to create original content that’s easy to read and accessible to dog owners of all experience levels. We carefully research each topic and provide linked references, so you’ll know you can rely on the information we provide.
Meet Our Pack
Tammi Avallone
Managing Editor
Tammi Avallone is a lifelong dog-lover and the Managing Editor of FiveBarks.com.
Tammi grew up in the countryside on her parents’ farm where animals, including dogs, always surrounded her. Tammi’s first love was a beautiful chocolate Labrador Retriever named Toby. The inseparable pair spent many happy hours exploring the local woods and hiking trails together, come rain or shine.
Since then, Tammi has always had dogs in her life, including a crazy Australian Shepherd and several Labs of different colors. More recently, Tammi fell in love with the Poodle crossbreeds that are now so popular, and she is the proud owner of a gorgeous Mini Goldendoodle called Tess and an 8 year old Shorkie named Winston.
Here at FiveBarks, folks can discover all about their beloved furbaby’s breed history and learn how to give their pets the very best of care for a long and happy life.
Dr. Linda Simon
Veterinarian and FiveBarks Consultant
Dr Linda Simon MVB MRCVS is a locum veterinary surgeon who has worked in London for the past 8 years. She graduated top of her class in small animal medicine from UCD, Dublin. She is currently a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.
As well as working in clinic, Linda is an online vet for Just Answer where she has been providing online advice for thousands of owners since 2018.
In her spare time, Linda enjoys baking, yoga and running around after her young son!
Jen Clifford
Veterinary Technician 10+ Years
Jen Clifford is an animal behaviorist and veterinary technician with more than a decade of hands-on experience working in small animal and specialty veterinary clinics.
She graduated from Reed College with a B.A. in Biology and spent several years capturing and banding wild birds as a field biologist. After relocating to Portland, Oregon, she managed one of the first doggy daycares in the area for 5 years before starting in veterinary medicine.
She currently lives in the Portland area with her partner and their “Wicked Tribe” of animal companions. She is currently owned by 4 dogs, 3 cats, chickens, fish and the occasional foster pet.
Alison Page
Former Practice Manager – Animal Veterinary Clinic
Dog Lover 35+ Years
Alison Page was brought up with dogs and various other pets! Her first childhood pet dog was a Rough Collie called Judy who lived to the grand old age of 15. There followed two other “Judys,” numerous cats, dogs, fish, small furries, and horses!
For a few years, Alison worked as a Practice Manager in a small animal veterinary clinic. Here, she learned much about the general care of many different dog breeds and common medical conditions and surgical procedures.
Alison is now a full-time writer, specializing in creating articles on the care and training of dogs, cats, and fish. And, although she no longer rides horses competitively, Alison is also a professional dressage judge.
Alison currently has two black cats, numerous fish, and a gorgeous Cavapoo called Lottie who has more than enough energy for them both!
Karen Parquet
Former Pet Business Owner with 17+ Years of Experience
Karen is a former pet business owner with 17+ years of experience in training and taking care of pets. She currently owns three dogs (a greyhound, saluki, and golden mix) and has gone through several types of programs to further her education in the pet world.
She knows a thing or two about animals—she’s been working with them for over a decade! During that time, she’s learned all about different breeds, how to train them effectively, and how to keep them healthy.
She loves nothing more than helping others learn about their pets and giving them the best possible care.
Anoushka Shetty
Animal Shelter Volunteer
Anoushka’s love for animals began with taking care of the cows & chickens on her family farm. As she grew older, this love transformed into a love for dogs. She volunteers in a dog shelter, so she is well-versed in the care and comfort of all breeds of dogs.
Anoushka shadows vets as they go through a multitude of procedures, ranging from general check-ups to surgeries. She is responsible for the grooming, feeding, and basic training to ensure that dogs would be adopted more quickly.
Anoushka is also a published writer and writes about a plethora of pet-related topics, ranging from skincare to dog beds. She currently resides in Boston, Massachusetts, and spends her time going to college, practicing the guitar, writing, and playing with her animals.
Andrea Araiza
Pet Food Recipe Creator
Andrea is a food photographer and stylist with a lifelong love for dogs and all animals! Before discovering her passion for food photography, Andrea did a Master’s Program at the Basque Culinary Center in San Sebastian, where she learned all about restaurant administration and international gastronomy.
She’s not one to shy away from anything food or dog related, hence her nice fit with FiveBarks. When she’s not busy with restaurant work, Andrea will usually be developing recipes at home that her three dogs will be eager to try.
On her free time, Andrea enjoys reading, shopping for props for her studio, and looking at food magazines.
Wanda C
Volunteer with the Brooklyn Animal Resource Coalition (BARC)
Wanda has LOVED dogs ever since she was a child, and is currently a dog parent to a 3-year-old poodle who means the world to her. She was a volunteer with the Brooklyn Animal Resource Coalition (BARC), a no-kill shelter based in Brooklyn, New York. Spending time with dogs from different backgrounds taught her how to bring out the best in each dog by fostering a genuine connection, which in turn allows them to find fur-ever homes with loving families.
In her spare time, Wanda enjoys teaching her dog new tricks, doing yoga, and sometimes, combining the two. Someday, she hopes to do a downward dog together with her pup! She also enjoys exploring the city with her dog in tow, checking out pet-friendly travel spots, and introducing her dog to other animals.
Ultimately, Wanda’s goal as a FiveBarks contributor is to help fellow dog owners bond with their dogs on a deeper level. With the right tips and tricks, she believes that anyone can foster a strong, loving bond with their pets that will last for years to come!
How to Contact Us
As a forum devoted to dogs and pet ownership, we love to hear feedback from our readers! You can join in the fun by posting your questions or comments under each article, or you can reach out to us directly at our Contact page.
We’re also active on social media, so you can join the FiveBarks team on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest. Come share pictures of your pup with us!
If you’re interested in advertising on FiveBarks, you can find further details and contact information by following the link here!