Our Staff

Reef
Chief Product Tester

Reef, Maggie, Felix and Enzo

Reef is a much-loved black labrador who enjoys non-stop play with her friends Enzo, Felix and Maggie. She is the resident dog at Barkz (Kirkland) and tests all the products for durability and enjoyment.

Diane Kunas, MCFBA
Obedience Trainer & Behavior Practitioner

Diane with George and Lolly

Diane is originally from the Midwest where she began her journey with dogs as a volunteer trainer. It was when she was relocated to the UK in 2003 that she focused her full attention on the advanced study of dogs through the Cambridge Institute of Dog Behaviour & Training (CIDBT) and is currently working towards a Masters degree in breed specific behaviour from Middlesex University, London.

While living in England, Diane used her existing skills and background education from the University of Michigan (BA) to niche a career with dogs as the Brand Manager of a nationally based dog training school with the duo-purpose of promoting responsible dog ownership and providing obedience training and behavior management services. It was through this experience that Diane was mentored by many of Britain's top canine handlers, those of whom she remains in close association to this day. She earned and retains a Full Membership from the Canine & Feline Behaviour Association (CFBA) of Great Britain. She is also certified through the CIDBT.

Diane is based in Seattle and is the proud owner of the Boxer that accompanied her throughout her UK experience and the Dogue de Bordeaux (French Mastiff) that returned home with them back to America.

Paula Heddle
CEO

Paula and Reef

As a dog-loving entrepreneur, Paula started Barkz to provide dogs and their owners with novel retail products that offer unparalleled durability and aesthetics. In Barkz, she has created a space where dog and owner can relax after a walk or run in urban areas where off-leash areas are distant, hard to find and occasionally unsafe. Barkz is founded on the principle that sometimes dogs need to just be dogs.

Before Barkz, Paula started Talents Within, a not-for-profit day camp for inner-city children. She brought unused city resources, children in foster care and low-income housing, and university students together to create a successful summertime program. Paula also started an organization for special needs children to work with resources that were not designed for such persons.

Throughout her years as a teacher and CEO of these organizations, Paula trained her dog to work with everyone involved. After moving to Seattle, Paula saw a need to provide dogs and their owners with additional resources and support. As schedules become tighter, there is less time to exercise our dogs to the fullest, or just let them play with other dogs. Barkz is an oasis of fun for dogs in the city.