Key Staff Biographies

Heidi Wise, President After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and an Associates degree in Aviation Science, I began my professional career as a Certified Flight Instructor. I taught people to fly single engine aircraft, bringing them through their Private Pilot license. From there I became a Commercial Airline Pilot and worked for several commuter airlines. Subsequently, I worked for eight years as a Controller reporting directly to the President of a privately owned company. Upon his retirement in 1994, I established Coddled Creatures in order to fulfill my lifelong dream of working with animals.

While growing up, I developed a deep respect and caring for animals, and creatures of any kind have always been a very important part of my life. Nothing pleases me more than to establish the natural and rewarding rapport that comes so quickly with each animal I meet. Over the years, I have cared for dogs, cats, kittens, ducks, horses, rabbits, birds, and an assortment of turtles, fish, and frogs. I presently share my home with my 5 year old Pomeranian, Sugar.

During my free time I enjoy spending time with Sugar and competing in Agility and Rally with her. Sugar has her AKC Novice Title in Agility. Not only does she have her Novice Title, but she also placed first, in all three competitions, had no faults and obtained 3 blue ribbons in addition to her qualifying scores towards her title. We are now in the more challening Open/Intermediate division with many competitions coming up this year. We are a good team and have lots of fun together! Additionally, I work in the exciting, fun and challenging field of doggie modeling with my dog Sugar. Sugar was recently photographed for a Macy's/Ralph Lauren catalogue and auditioned for a Hollywood film called "A Dog Year" based on the book by Jon Katz. Sugar has also made two TV appearances. One on NBC's Dateline "A Pet Nation" and one on the TV program "Unwrapping Macy's".

I am a dedicated yoga practitioner and I also enjoy the arts, especially opera. I enjoy traveling, and reading. In the past I have also spent my free time volunteering. I served on the Juvenile Conference Committee, an arm of the family court, for three years and also volunteered for VIPS, Volunteers in Protective Services, (a mentoring program for children at risk) for 2 years.

I cannot imagine a more agreeable way to make my living than giving TLC to animals of all sorts. I hope that you will give my staff of caring, thorough and professional Pet Care Specialists and Managers the opportunity to provide you with Superior "In-Home" Pet Caring Services.

Its our pleasure to serve you!

Please email Heidi with Comments and Suggestions: Heidi@coddledcreatures.com

Katherine, Client Services Representative

Katherine was the first Overnight Pet Care Specialist to join the Coddled Creatures staff. She joined the Coddled Creatures staff in 1998. Mother of three grown sons and matriarch of a spotless, efficient and warm home, Katherine enjoys caring for and nurturing all living things. Upon purchasing a new home, in Passaic county, Katherine was promoted to the position of Client Services Representative When she moved to her new home she was outside of our service coverage area and was no longer able to continue as an Overnight Pet Care Specialist at that time. She misses all of her furry and feathered friends, but is enjoying her position as Client Services Representative ensuring that all of our clients and pets needs are being met.

Katherine had the pleasure of caring for a variety of animals as her sons grew, each of them having inherited her animal-loving nature. The most beloved pets were the family’s dog who lived 18 years, and the family’s cat who lived 19 years. In addition, she and her family enjoyed the company of hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, lizards, turtles and fish, all of whom were well-coddled creatures! When not providing TLC and companionship to a pet, Katherine pursues her hobbies of writing poetry, reading and gardening.
She has a beautiful home garden that she enjoys nurturing.

Katherine recently had an article published in the Suburban News. She wrote a compassionate article about the plight of the circus elephants. Click for article

Katherine says: I have a natural affection for animals… I like them and they like me!”

Ingrid, Pet Care Specialist Ingrid joined Coddled Creatures in October 2003. She was born and raised in Ringwood, NJ. After graduating high school, she attended Katharine Gibbs School in Montclair, NJ. Following graduation, she pursued her interest in the business world, working in public relations and eventually becoming administrative assistant to numerous lawyers at two corporations. Growing up, Ingrid always had a houseful of pets that included a terrier/spaniel mix, named Rex who lived to be 16 years old, as well as rabbits, hamsters, fish, turtle, and her brother’s mynah bird, Omar.

She was married in 1982 to Chris and has lived in Wyckoff since 1985. Ingrid has two children, Eric and Kirsten, and they all have shared their home with fish, crayfish, hamsters, named Freddie, Flexi, Hamsty, and Cinnamon, and now with their black lab mix, Bailey, who was adopted from St. Hubert’s Animal Shelter and will be four years old.

Ingrid has always been very involved with her children’s schools volunteering for PTO activities and school functions. Wanting to stay involved within the community, she was an administrator of the Community Learning Center in Wyckoff for 8-1/2 years and remains on the Advisory Board, is entering her 8th year of being a Girl Scout leader, and stays active in her church. With her children in high school and middle school, Ingrid joined Coddled Creatures at the recommendation of a friend, who is a Pet Care Specialist with Coddled Creatures. She decided this would be a wonderful opportunity to fulfill her love of spending time with animals. In addition to caring for her own pets, Ingrid enjoys cooking, gardening, reading, and family ski trips. Ingrid says, “I have always loved animals, and it gives me great joy to give attention, care and nurturing to all special furry friends. I love working with Coddled Creatures and being happy everyday that I can help others and their pets.”

Ed, Pet Care Specialist Ed joined the Coddled Creatures Staff in April of 2003. He was born in Ramsey, NJ and he grew up mainly with dogs. His grandmother was a breeder of Collies so dogs came naturally into his home. Ed's favorite was a Dachshund mix named Ginger-a dog who actually smiled when happy! Over the years cats began to come into Ed's life. Joey, a black and white male, was the first and lived to be 17 years old. He was a great friend to Ed, his wife Susan and their daughter Jodie. Presently Ed lives with his wife and his two cats Mike and Oprah. Mike is an orange and white male.

Mike has one blue and one brown eye. He also has a crooked tail, which looks like a hockey stick, so he was named after Mike Bossy, a star hockey player. Two years after Mike, Oprah joined the family. Both are very affectionate cats!

In addition to his daughter Jodie who lives in Queens with her cat Dominick, Ed also has two grown sons who live in New England. Once a week Ed enjoys volunteering with the Ramapo Bergen Animal Refuge of Oakland in the cattery. Both of his cats were adopted from RBARI.

Ed's gentle nature makes him a natural with timid and frightened cats. Ed says: "I love working with cats- I especially enjoy helping the frightened and timid ones."

Pennie, Pet Care Specialist I’ve been passionate about animals since I was a child.  My parents got used to me bringing home injured or lost animals.  I grew up in Virginia and throughout my life have owned dogs, cats, chickens, ducks,cockatiels, a goat, rats, hamsters, snakes and lizards. In 1998 I moved here to New Jersey to marry my wonderful husband.  We're the proud parents of four dogs and two kitties: Razz (12 yr. old Dalmatian), Finnegan (6 yr. old chocolate Lab), Peanut (4 yr. old mini-Dachshund)  Ruby (2 yr. old American Bull dog mix) and kitties Severina and Penguin. In 2001 I lost my Dalmatian, Chase, to auto-immune disease made worse by a failing liver.  I decided to start researching into a more holistic way of rearing my dogs (fondly called the mutley crew).  I started raw feeding nine months later and have never looked back.

I decided to follow my passion of animals and began working at my first animal hospital in 2000.  I started as a receptionist and worked my way to veterinary assistant.  My goal was to get closer to the patients coming into the hospital.  I learned to do nail trims, clean ears, administer medication and SQ fluids and monitored surgery patients in recovery (measuring vital signs and taking temps.).   More importantly I learned compassion and what a kind word and loving touch can do to help in the healing of a pet. 

After Hurricane Katrina I headed down to Tylertown, MS (with two other technicians and a veterinarian) to work with the Humane Society of LA at Camp Katrina.  I traveled into the 6th ward to help give immediate first aid to pets coming in from rescuers.  At night the camp became a M.A.S.H. unit when the rescues arrived and we preformed life saving measures until the wee hours of the morning.  It was the hardest, most rewarding experience I've ever been through.

Animals truly are my number one passion in life, but I also enjoy gardening (vegetables, flowers and herbs), canning and cross stitch. 

Kristen, Pet Care Specialist Hi—My name is Kristen. I was born and raised in Manhattan. I joined the Coddled Creatures Staff in 2004. I now live in Washington Township, NJ, with my husband Jim, daughter Madisen, and son Ethan…and our two dogs Buster (an Australian shepard/husky mix) and Bugsy (a rat terrier). I worked in Manhattan for many years as an office manager in a CPA firm. My daughter started kindergarten last September and this made it difficult to commute to NYC everyday so I decided to stay at home with my children. I now give my time to the School PSO and raising my two-year-old.

I grew up with dogs my entire life. Throughout my childhood I had many poodles. I also had a maltese/shitzu-mix named Casper, who is now 14 years old and lives with my mom in NYC. When I got married and moved to Hillsdale, New Jersey, my mom was so attached to him that she asked if she could keep him and I let her keep him. I was heartbroken because I was now living in NJ, which at that time was a big change from the city, and I also did not have my dog. Jim and I decided to adopt a kitten from a rescue group, which we named Maggie. In October 1996 we got our first puppy, Tucker, a blue merle Australian shepard. We drove to Fenton, Pennsylvania, to get him from the breeder. He was our first anniversary present to each other and is the cutest thing ever…a tiny fur ball. About a year later I was in a mall pet shop and fell in love with a tiny 2-pound rat terrier who had bug eyes (that is why we named him Bugsy). We now had our second dog. However, when Tucker was about a year old, he had a seizure; this was the beginning of his epilepsy. At first we thought it was a fluke and it would not happen again, but it did, and he had multiple seizures for the next two years. We tried everything to get him regulated--we did holistic medicine with my vet, changed his diet--but nothing worked, so he was put on strong medications three times a day. Unfortunately, nothing helped. He had such a severe case of epilepsy that he passed away at 4 years old. We were heartbroken.

Following this, my husband and I went on the internet and signed up with an Australian shepard rescue group. We fostered a couple of dogs through them and then came in contact with Four Paws Rescue, which adopts cats and dogs out of the Petco in Ramsey, NJ. We were looking for a new dog to love. Bugsy was very lonely now. We knew he missed Tucker, and so did we, so we searched for a dog on the internet and found our “Tucker reincarnation” Buster!!! I was hesitant to get another dog so soon, because it was just six weeks since Tucker passed away and I did not want any other dog at the time, but my husband called his job, told them he would not be in for two days, and drove down to West Virginia where Buster was being fostered. Buster was infested with ticks and fleas and did not seem to be well fed. He was four months old with a light beige and white coat. He had the same eyes as Tucker, clear blue. When Jim brought him home, my daughter Madisen and myself fell in love with him instantly, and he is the best dog anyone could want. We still foster for Four Paws Rescue, so we sometimes have three dogs in the house at one time, maybe more! We enjoy this very much.

I enjoy my dogs very much and love working with any type of animal!!! I am very knowledgeable about animals and experienced in many ways. I look forward to taking care of Coddled Creatures clients and know that I will give these pets lots of love and caring.

Tom, Pet Care Specialist Tom has been a resident of Wyckoff for the last 30 years. He joined the Coddled Creatures, staff in 2003. He was raised in Allenhurst on the Jersey Shore. Tom grew up with horses and dogs and has over, the years, volunteered for a local animal shelter. Tom is now retired, but his career background involved work in the Securities Industry. He worked both for regulators and various brokerage firms. He and his wife, Terri, and son have had dogs and cats as well as fish. They presently share their home with their, adorable and full of personality, Pug named Frankie.

Pam, Pet Care Specialist Pam joined the Coddled Creatures Staff in October of 2001. She was born & raised at the New Jersey Shore. Her family has always had a house full of pets, including dogs, cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs. Pam was married in 1981 to Ed and has lived in Mahwah since 1987. She has four children. Three girls and one boy. Pam also has 3 dogs Gigi (12 years), her daughter Minnie (10), and her daughter Mickey (5 years) Three generations grandmother, mother, daughter - They are poodle mix. Pam has been a member of the Mahwah Full Gospel Church where she has been doing volunteer work for over 20 years.

Pam says: “I've been with Coddled Creatures for over a year. I really enjoy working with the animals. They are all wonderful.”

Tim Moriarty, Pet Care Specialist

I live in Washington Township with my 18 year old son Richard, 9 year old daughter Chelsea, 6 year old Shih Tzu Bailey, my 11 year old cat Molly, my Lutino lovebird Carlos, parakeet, Angel, and , of course, our beta fish -Benny. I joined the Coddled Creatures staff in 2005.

I have worked in corporate America for the last 28 years(sigh) and am currently employed for the last 6 years as an account executive with an art publishing company in West Nyack NY.

Animals have always been and are a major part of my life going back to when I was a child belonging to 4H where I was involved with horses. With the exception of snakes and rats, I have pretty much have had most of the animals you can domestically care for. I have throughout the years periodically provided care for my friends' and relatives' pets while they have traveled and would like to pursue it further. Tim is delighted to be a part of the Coddled Creatures team!

Tiffany, Pet Care Specialist I have always owned animals. I have owned a cat, dogs, hamsters, turtles, and even a snake! Even though the snake was my brothers LOL, I still held it a few times and was able to familiarize myself with the care of snakes. I have two huge passions in life, theater and animals. I am an avid animal lover and can't bear when animals are being hurt in any way.

When all of our family's pets had passed on, my family began dog sitting. We did this for quite some time and it was a wonderful experience. When I moved out on my own, I knew I wasn't ready for owning a dog or cat because I work very long hours. It wouldn't be fair to leave an animal alone for such a long period of time so, in order to fulfil my passion to work with animals, I decided to join the Ramapo Animal Refuge in Oakland NJ to be around them. I used to work in the hotel industry, and when they allowed dogs to stay, I always kept treats behind the desk. Guests knew what a dog lover I was and started to ask me to watch their dogs, walk them, and feed them while they were out for the day.

I have nothing but wonderful things to say about animals. The only thing I wish was that dogs lived longer, because they simply don't live long enough. My basset hound was born with health issues and she only lived for 9 years, but she will forever live in my heart. I still carry her key chain around my key ring. I am very happy to work for Coddled Creatures and I get excited each and every time I get assigned to a job. Every moment I spend with all of the animals I watch, I try to make as special as I can and I try to make the animals feel as comfortable as possible. I owe great thanks, to my boss Heidi, for allowing me to have the opportunity to be able to do my one greatest passion in life.

In order to get Dolce, Patti drove a total of 16 hours to Ohio to pick him up at his foster home. She says it was worth the trip, “as Dolce is the sweetest little guy in the world”!  With her love and affection for dogs, knack for spoiling them and being an empty nester, Coddled Creatures seemed to be a natural choice for Patti to work.  In her spare time Patti enjoys Interior Decorating for herself and friends, assembling gift baskets, buying and selling on eBay, photography, crafts and of course spending quality time with her children.  Patti also loves to take Cohiba and Dolce to the dog park in Ridgewood so they can socialize with their friends.  Patti’s friends say they want to come back as one of her pets!!!  

Denise, Pet Care Specialist

Hello, my name is Denise. I live in Ramsey NJ with my husband of 11 1/2 years and our two daughters who are 8 and 7 yrs old. The rest of our family includes two dogs that we have rescued, Sophia a Greyhound who is 6 1/2 years old, and Ruby a Dachshund who is 4 years old. We also have a tank of gold fish. While growing up dogs were always a part of our family. Our first dog was Sandy who was the same age as me... then came Cassie and then Beau . I also had a rabbit, Binkie, and a turtle Elmer .I worked part time for our family Veterinarian when I was in high school and I have continued to use him to care for my current pet family. When I married, and my parents went on vacation, I would watch their dogs, Beau and Mikie, for them. I worked as a teacher's aide for 12 years and then stopped to take care of my daughters. I love animals and children, so it's no suprise that I have enjoyed working so much with both. I have really enjoyed working with Coddled Creatures and look forward to continuing wih them.

                                                                                      

Sarah Ellis, Pet Care Specialist

I joined the Coddled Creatures staff in 2003, working summers, for them, when I am off from college. I am a 20 year old senior at the Richard Stockton College of NJ. I am a  Pre-med Biology major with a certification in forensic science. After graduation I hope to go onto medical school to study pathology. I live in Wyckoff, NJ where I have lived most of my life. I graduated from Indian Hills High School in Oakland in 2003 as a member of the National Honor Society and in the top 11% of my grade. I have always loved animals. In my household we have had many pets. We have had several fish and two cats. We recently lost one of our cats and are currently looking to adopt another one. I also worked at the Ramapo Animal Shelter walking dogs when I was 13. It is where I adopted one of my cats from.

Dana Greco-Smith, Pet Care Specialist I was born in Ridgewood, NJ and grew up in Wyckoff, New Jersey. I am now living in Hawthorne, NJ with my husband Mike and our two children, Bella (10 year old Chocolate Lab) and Jack (5 year old Boxer). I graduated from Montclair State University in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Food Science. I worked as a Nutritionist for 4 years and decided to go back to school to study nursing. I will be graduating from Ramapo College, Englewood Hospital, University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ in May of 2007 with a Bachelor of Science of Nursing.

I have had a passion for animals since I was a little girl. I grew up with dogs, cats, fish, hamsters, rabbits, baby chicks, camilions, turtles and a ferret named Maurice!! I will never forget my first and very own dog, Sandy she was a Golden Retriever. I was in 4th grade and I couldn't’t wait to come home to see her every day. Unfortunately Sandy lived a very short life she passed away at 8 months old from cancer of the spine. I was so upset but did not let this hold me back from wanting another pet. Not too long after my parents brought home Gemini, a Norwegian Elkhound. She was a wild dog but so much fun. Luckily my parents enjoyed having animals, they never objected to me bringing new creatures into our house.

My husband, Mike, gave Bella (my Chocolate Lab) to me as a birthday gift, a year into our relationship. She has been so delightful and has become a part of our relationship. We got Jack, our Boxer, 5 years ago. We couldn't’t resist him and we wanted Bella to have a buddy. We go away sometimes and I know how it feels to leave a pet behind. I love animals and I look forward to taking care of Coddled Creatures pets

Bonnie, Area Manager

Bonnie is a resident of Mahwah, New Jersey. She holds a bachelor of science degree in nursing from Ramapo College and was graduated second in her class. She was a participant in the nurse residency program at NYU, serving for 15 months on the liver transplant unit. In the 1980's she lived in Boston where she studied voice and electric bass at Berklee College of Music. Writing is her first passion, and she has written for a music publication in Boston and worked as an assistant editor of research manuscripts for the department of surgery at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. She is a former gymnast and has coached gymnastics in the Netherlands and at USA Gymnastics in Mahwah. She credits her parents and her upbringing in the Massachusetts countryside with instilling in her a profound respect for animals of every kind. She is a member and volunteer at the ASPCA in Manhattan. Bonnie counts two impeccable felines as members of her household: a calico tabby Maudellen, whom she fostered and adopted from a local shelter, and a gray shorthair Deana. She finds taking care of animals very therapeutic and prides herself on developing a special relationship with the pets she cares for. "I feel animals are so important in this world. They provide unconditional love and acceptance. Animals have qualities and abilities human beings do not -- some yet to be discovered and understood, and I am fascinated, sometimes humbled, by all species and creatures, even spiders."

June, Pet Care Specialist

June was born and raised in the Clinton Hill section of Brooklyn, NY. After attending private school she worked for 20 years at The Prattt Institute, in the Division of Student Services. She left Pratt to raise her daughter Taylor and restore a 100 -year old Limestone house with her husband Bob, a Video Supervisor for CBS Sports. When it was time for their daughter to go to kindergarten they moved to Wyckoff, NJ and began a new chapter in their lives.

June is a member of the Advisory Board of the Community Learning Center of Wyckoff. In 2002 June was given the “Abe Award” for outstanding service from her daughter’s school. With Taylor in middle school and her husband on the road quite often, June joined Coddled Creatures in April of 2002 at the suggestion of a friend who is also a Pet Care Specialist for Coddled Creatures. When asked to describe her new job, June said “I have never had a job that is this much fun! Whenever I go to a job I am greeted by jumping furry pups, curious kitties, fish, and birds! I love my job!”

June had her first dog when she was 18, her name was Maxwell, and she was an Old English Sheepdog/Collie mix. She lived to be 18 years old. Next came Emily, a shaggy little mix breed she found. She now has added a brand new Lhasa Apso puppy to their family, named Spencer, who joins the rest of their pet family which includes Peter the Rabbit, Liberty and Happiness the fish, and Houdini and Evil Kenevel the hermit crabs!

June says I never liked traveling and leaving our animals, but now with my job as Pet Care Specialist I can ease this worry with Coddled Creatures clients. I enjoy knowing they can enjoy themselves and I have the opportunity to play and be entertained by their furry family. June’s daughter thinks she has the “coolest” job and June says “I have to agree! I can’t remember ever going to work and smiling this much! ”

Tim, Pet Care Specialist

Tim Moriarty, Pet Care Specialist I live in Washington Township with my 18 year old son Richard, 9 year old daughter Chelsea, 6 year old Shih Tzu Bailey, my 11 year old cat Molly, my Lutino lovebird Carlos, parakeet, Angel, and , of course, our beta fish -Benny. with the "I look forward to

I have worked in corporate America for the last 28 years(sigh) and am currently employed for the last 6 years as an account executive with an art publishing company in West Nyack NY.

Animals have always been and are a major part of my life going back to when I was a child belonging to 4H where I was involved with horses. With the exception of snakes and rats, I have pretty much have had most of the animals you can domestically care for. I have throughout the years periodically provided care for my friends' and relatives' pets while they have traveled and would like to pursue it further. Tim is delighted to be a part of the Coddled Creatures team!