Our Columbus - Grandview Heights Team

Hello! We are Kevin and Lori Thelen, the owners of Camp Bow Wow Hilliard since 2009 and Camp Bow Wow Grandview Heights since 2017. When we set out to open Camp Bow Wow in Columbus, OH, we had a dream—to create a place where dogs could thrive, be well cared for, and truly live their best lives. We fell in love with Camp Bow Wow’s philosophy: “Where a Dog Can Be a Dog.”

Since opening our first Camp in 2009, we’ve been incredibly blessed to serve the Columbus community, providing a safe and happy place for dogs while giving their families peace of mind. We know you have many choices for dog care, and we are deeply grateful for the trust you place in us. Our commitment remains stronger than ever—to provide exceptional service while prioritizing Family, Trust, and Safety in everything we do.

At the heart of everything we do is a simple goal: To make the world a better place for everyone—people and their pets!

About Kevin: I’m a retired automotive engineer with a passion for creating meaningful experiences. Throughout my career, I had the privilege of designing and developing innovative automotive products—ones I still take pride in seeing on the road today. In retirement, my focus has shifted toward making a lasting impact in the pet care industry. Not only do I support Camp Bow Wow here in Columbus, but I also contribute at a national level through franchise advisory roles and corporate initiatives.

Beyond Camp, I am honored to lead Rides4Refugees, a nonprofit dedicated to helping refugees rebuild their lives through reliable transportation. Each year, we assist over 20 individuals, providing them with the means to get to work, shop for groceries, & connect with their new communities. What makes our program special is that it’s a true partnership—participants contribute to their own success, & many go on to secure better jobs & even give back to others in need. Seeing their joy & newfound independence is truly inspiring.

About Lori: I grew up with a love for dogs from a young age, inspired by my dad raising German Shorthair Pointers. Those early years sparked a lifelong dream of owning a farm filled with dogs of all sizes. As my children grew, I found my way back to sharing my life with dogs by fostering for several Central Ohio rescues. Giving back & helping dogs in need has been incredibly fulfilling. When my kids left for college, I embraced the opportunity to create a place where dogs of all breeds & sizes could come together. The early years were filled with hard work & dedication, building Camp Bow Wow & assembling a passionate team.

Today, as my grandkids grow, I cherish spending time helping with their care & making special memories with them. When I’m not with my grandkids or dogs, you can find me enjoying time with friends, traveling, & scrapbooking.

Hi! My name is Kathy, and I’m the Manager here at Camp Bow Wow in Grandview Heights, Columbus. I began my journey at Camp Bow Wow in Hilliard back in 2014, transitioning into a new career after 12 years as a stay-at-home mom. Since then, I’ve worked hard to become well-versed in all things pet care.

Over the years, I’ve grown alongside both my human and furry friends. You know that feeling when your dog is overjoyed to see you? That’s the joy I get every day at work! In 2020, I embraced an exciting opportunity to manage our Grandview Heights location and continue making more wonderful connections with dogs and their parents.

It’s truly rewarding to welcome so many amazing pups and their families into our Camp Bow Wow family. My goal is to provide a safe, fun, and loving environment where pet parents know their dogs are in great hands—just like family.

When I’m not at Camp, I love spending time with my husband, whom I married in 2002, along with our three adult children and three senior dogs. In my free time, you’ll find me traveling, playing frisbee golf, crafting, and enjoying all things dog-related.

I can’t wait to meet you and your Camper and welcome you both into our pack!

Hi there Campers! My name is Lisa and the cute Golden Retriever next to me is my paw-tner in fun, Andy. I am the Barketing Director and Scout for Camp Bow Wow® Hilliard and Camp Bow Wow® Grandview Heights. I started working at our Hilliard Camp in 2012 as a counselor throughout college, continually growing with our company into management positions and eventually transitioning my career to all things Marketing in 2018. From meeting new customers to the relationships I’ve formed with our dogs and their pawrents over the years, there is no greater reward to me than seeing my Camp family blossom into what it is today!

In my free time, I enjoy being outdoors, hiking, traveling and spending time with my friends. One of my favorite destinations to date would have to be Colorado. There is so much to explore, from Rocky Mountain National Park to various natural hot springs, and you can’t forget about the skiing out there - incredible!

And I can’t forget about Andy! Andy is my 8-year-old Golden Retriever who doesn’t know a bad day. This girl is always smiling and loves meeting new people. Her favorite things are her Cub toy, going to work with mom, and swimming.

If you ever see us around Camp, or out-and-about at a park or community event, please say hi! We love seeing familiar faces and hearing about your experience at Camp!

Hi Campers, I’m Marissa! I’ve been with the Camp Bow Wow Grandview Heights pack since April 2021. I serve as both a Shift Lead and Enrichment Lead, and my favorite part of the job is watching the dogs grow. It’s incredibly rewarding to help new pups get acclimated and comfortable with being at Camp. I love seeing them gain confidence and settle in like they’re part of the family!

If I could be any dog breed, I’d definitely be a French Bulldog. They’re full of energy, have a big personality even though they’re on the smaller side, and are incredibly loving and loyal—just like me!

At home, I have three wonderful pets: an 11-year-old Shepherd mix named Keira, a 12-year-old Boxer mix named Farley, and a 15-year-old Pittie named Lana. They’re my companions through it all, and each one has their own special quirks.

When I’m not at Camp, I love taking trips, going to concerts, and coloring to unwind.

Hi Campers, I’m Emily! I've been part of the pack at Camp Bow Wow Grandview Heights for almost three years as a Shift Lead and have spent the past year as an Enrichment Counselor. For me, nothing is more important than being part of a team and creating meaningful connections with every dog I meet. My favorite part of the job is how dogs have this incredible ability to make you feel understood and appreciated without saying a word. It’s a beautiful reminder of how simple, genuine connections can be so fulfilling.

At home, I have an almost 3-year-old German Shepherd, Zeus, who has a weakness for anything that squeaks but loves food most of all. I also have two cats, Zorro and Mickey, who—despite spending most of their days napping—never fail to scream down the stairs when they see the silver at the bottom of their food bowl. In my downtime, I love watching movies with my family, reading, and exploring my newfound passion for baking sourdough bread. If I could be any dog breed, I’d be a Basset Hound for their laid-back, patient nature—taking life one step at a time and savoring each moment.

Hi there, I’m Beth! I’ve been a part of the Camp Bow Wow Grandview Heights pack for over a year now as a Shift Lead. Working with dogs is a dream come true for me—there’s nothing better than spending my days surrounded by my favorite animals. My favorite part of the job is knowing that I’m helping our furry friends feel loved, have fun, and gain the confidence they need to thrive.

If I could be any dog breed, I’d definitely be a Pitbull Terrier! I value loyalty to my friends and family, and like the Pitbull, I’d be all about napping during the day, but I also love being outside and meeting new people. While I don’t currently have any pets of my own, working with the pack at Camp makes it feel like I’m surrounded by family every day, and it’s such a special experience. Outside of work, I enjoy hiking at metro parks, watching movies (I’m a big movie buff!), visiting museums, and spending quality time with friends and family.

Hello Campers, I’m Cole! I've been part of the Camp Bow Wow pack for six years, starting my career at our Hilliard location and then transitioning to our Grandview Heights location where I am a Shift Lead. My favorite part of my job is getting to meet all the new pups and watching their personalities shine through. There’s something special about seeing a new dog settle in and become part of the pack!

At home, I have my 7-year-old German Shepherd/Husky mix, Hazel. I’ve had her since I started at Camp Bow Wow, and she’s been my loyal sidekick ever since. If I could be any dog breed, I’d choose a German Shepherd because they’re known for being loyal and protective—traits I really admire. When I’m not at work, I like to unwind by playing video games.

Hi Campers, I’m James! I have been a Shift Lead at Camp Bow Wow Grandview Heights for about 2 and a half years now! One of my favorite parts of my job is meeting all the new interview pups and taking cute photos of the dogs. Capturing their personalities and those little moments of joy for their parents to see is something I really enjoy.

At home, I have two Black Lab/Heeler mixes named Barry and Ducky, who keep things lively. If I could be any dog breed, I’d be a Siberian Husky—I love cold weather and snow, so their adventurous spirit really fits me. Outside of work, I like to spend my time playing video games and getting together with friends for Dungeons & Dragons sessions.

Hello, I’m Jonathan! I've been part of the pack at Camp Bow Wow Grandview Heights since August 2024 as a Shift Lead, and I truly love every moment of it! My favorite part of working with dogs is the joy they bring and the beautiful moments that continually unfold throughout the day. It’s a privilege to care for such magnificent animals and to be surrounded by their energy and affection.

Though I don't have any pets at the moment, I'm planning on getting a dog—or maybe even several—in the future. If I could be any dog breed, I’d choose to be a Siberian Husky, spending my days wandering outdoors, exploring for miles, and having fun along the way. Outside of work, I love to immerse myself in music, movies, yoga, hiking, reading, cooking, and spending time with friends.

Hi there, I’m Tiffany! I've been a Shift Lead at Camp Bow Wow Grandview Heights for over a year now, and my goal is to make sure that every pup has an enjoyable and safe stay at Camp. My favorite part of the job is getting to know each dog’s unique personality and learning the different ways they express themselves. It’s so rewarding to build connections with them and understand their quirks.

At home, I have two cats, Sphen and Butter. Sphen has a blast playing with plastic spoons, while Butter’s favorite pastime is watching the world go by from the windows. If I could be any dog breed, I’d be a Dachshund—they’re known for being stubborn, playful, and clever, which I’d say describes me pretty well! Outside of work, I love playing music, video games, watching movies and TV shows, and spending time outdoors camping, fishing, and hiking—or sometimes just relaxing.