Allysia Cirka, Owner
Allysia founded Lucky Stars, formerly Sundowner Kennels, in 1998.  She has been working with animals in some capacity since her first job at 16. Allysia is dedicated to the care and well-being of every pet in her care and prides herself on getting to know each visitor by name. She has volunteered for many animal rescue groups and does what she can to help animals in need. In fact two of her own dogs are rescues. Allysia resides on the property and is very active in the business. She is also the mother of a two year old animal lover.

Terry Thurston, Administrative Assistant
Terry is a wife and mother of 3 boys. Her family is active in 4H, and has raised steer, sheep, swine, rabbits, chickens & ducks. She has 2 Portuguese Water Dogs and is working on water titles with the youngest one. Her family has even raised a puppy for The Seeing Eye. Since she was young, Terry has been known to "find" lost critters and find them homes or take them to the proper facility to care for them. A secretarial background and her love of people and animals makes Terry a natural for Lucky Stars.

Christina Johnson, Assistant Kennel Manager
Christina is currently a full time college student at Carroll Community College, with hopes in becoming a Secondary Music Teacher. You can say that she is your typical band geek and is always involved in some band related activity. She has been at Lucky Stars since August 2003 and views the kennel as her home away from home. She absolutely loves working with the dogs and adores the people that she works with.

Laura Totis, Training Coordinator
Laura has over twenty years experience in the professional training world. Her passions include search and rescue training and training assistance dogs. Laura is also available for private training sessions and may be reached at 410-236-2788 or www.ljttraining.com.

Sheila Leisenring, Grooming Coordinator
Sheila has been grooming at Lucky Stars since 2001.She was named grooming coordinator in 2004. With over 20 years of experience Sheila is a great assett to Lucky Stars. Not only is she a wonderful stylist but she has a remarkable and calming way with the dogs, making her a great choice for a new puppy or a fractious dog. Of course her many regular clients love her also! Sheila has two dogs of her own, a toy poodle named "Bailey" and a staffordshire terrier named "Ragey-Man."

Roxy Firestone, Groomer
Roxy has been with Lucky Stars for over a year now. She has 18 years of experience in grooming. Roxy also works with local behaviorally challenged youngsters when she is not grooming here at Lucky Stars. She is the mother of three sweet children. Roxy's patience and kind heartedness make her an excellent groomer. All the dogs love her! Roxy has three adopted rescue dogs and also three horses.

Stephanie Albright, Animal Care Specialist
Steph has been working at Lucky stars for about a year now. Her favorite part of the job is "spoiling the dogs". Steph loves to work with the rescue dogs and often brings dogs up to spend time with her in the kitchen area when the office is closed. Always upbeat and smiling Steph is a great part of the Lucky Stars team. She loves to find that dogs remember her and are excited to see her on their return to the kennel.

Eric Biagola, Animal Care Specialist
Eric has been a long time employee of Lucky Stars. He is a full time student, lives at home with his mother, brother, sister, and 2 boxer pups. Eric is always smiling and keeps everyone entertained, including the dogs that he lovingly calls “muppet-heads."

Heidi Flinn, Animal Care Specialist
Heidi has been a member of the Lucky Stars team since August of 2004. She is also currently interning at a local veterinarian's office and plans on attending college to become a certified veterinary technician. Heidi loves all creatures great and small and treats each of the kennel guests as her own. Heidi always says she holds animals closest to her heart because "no one loves you as unconditionally as your pet."

Teresa Forcellese, Animal Care Specialist
Teresa came to Lucky Stars after she left the Marines. She is currently studying behavioral science in school and during her off hours works at Lucky Stars in both the office capacity and sometimes in the kennels. Teresa is always happy to show you some of the rescue dogs that stay at Lucky Stars. Teresa owns a playful mix named Mya who was a rescue dog.

Donna Brown, Agility Trainer
Donna made the transition from obedience to agility in the mid-1990’s. She currently runs a Border Collie named “Skeeter” and a Corgi named “Morgan”, competing at the Master’s level in USDAA and the Excellent level in AKC with both dogs. She has won and placed at numerous USDAA Steeplechase and Grand Prix qualifiers in the highly competitive Northeast region. At the prestigious Fair Hill, MD USDAA Agility Trial last year, Donna won both the 12” and 26” Grand Prix classes as well as helping to qualify her DAM team for the 2004 USDAA DAM Championships.

Jennifer Smith, Animal Care Specialist
Jen is a senior at the local high school and has been working at Lucky Stars for about a year. She loves Pembroke Welsh Corgi's and currently has one at home named "Ivy." Jen loves to work here at Lucky Stars "because I get to learn each dog's breed and personality." Jen loves all the dogs and cats here at Lucky stars but admits that little dogs are her favorite.

Caitlyn Plye, Animal Care Specialist
Caitlyn is a more recent hire to Lucky Stars and is a student and athlete. She lives at home with her family and one very large long haired beautiful German Shepherd.

Nichelle Rohrbaugh, Animal Care Specialist
Nichelle is the mother of 1 dog, 2 cats, and a ferret. She was a receptionist and a technician at a veterinary hospital for a few years. She also worked at the Baltimore County Humane Society for a while. She has done a lot of pet sitting for friends and family in the past. She is a lover of all animals, has been a vegetarian for 9 years, and is for animals rights. She lives in the apartment above the kennel and puts the dogs to bed at night and will treat your pet like her own.

Amber Mertz, Intern
Amber joined the Lucky Stars team this winter as an intern. She is very enthusiastic about learning all aspects of the kennel. Amber has been working closely with Laura learning obedience and is practicing manners with the rescue dogs boarding at the kennel. She is also learning bathing and brushing techniques form Sheila and will soon be a proficient groomers assistant. No matter what the task Amber is happiest with a dog at her side. Amber's upbeat personality and motivation make her a terrific addition to Lucky Stars.

Haleigh Buck

Meg Cirka, Greeter, Cookie Giver
At almost two years old Meg is well versed in spoiling animals. Meg has been a big help fostering rescue dogs and petting boarders since her birth early 2003. Rest assured she will be on hand to toss a treat to your pet while they stay at Lucky Stars.