Where it all Began

Oak Haven Great Danes was founded after my mother passed away in 2014. As a young child, I have many fond memories with my mother breeding and showing purebred Persian cats. It was then that I learned breeding in general was much more than just putting two of the same species together to produce offspring. Breeding takes great dedication, time, and energy devoted to the animals under your care as well as years of research to build pedigrees that leave behind a legacy. I wanted to continue to live those memories and share them with my own children, but with Great Danes as they were my absolute favorite breed. I was 8 years old when I knew that my passion and skill set would pertain to animals in one way or another for the rest of my life.  

When I was old enough to become legally employed, I put in an application with a local greyhound rescue in a small town in New Hampshire. I was hired on the spot as it was clear that my passion and ability to connect with the dogs was unusual. I was at that kennel every hour of the day that I was not in school. I enjoyed socializing, training, and preparing the greyhounds for adoption. As the years went on, I became very involved with greyhound rescue and began traveling all over the country to transport them from various different rescue groups to help lighten the load on over crowded kennels. I eventually made the decision to settle down back in New Hampshire and become more involved in animal shelters in general. 

Although still willing to help out greyhound rescue groups when possible, I did apply for a job at the local animal shelter. I was hired on at their recently built state of the art facility and was beyond excited to be a member of their team. Originally I was hired to manage their cat population, which at times was upwards of 350 cats. It was a very demanding job, especially to be responsible for the management of their every day care, cleaning, veterinary needs, and enrichment while they waited patiently for their forever families to adopt them. During that time I became great friends with the shelter Veterinarian and together we spent years reseaching and implementing various protocols for animal care and husbandry within animal shelters, The results of those protocols being in place made lasting impacts on the health and behavior of the animals in our care. Many of the protocols we put in place were shared and taught to other local rescues and shelters with very similar results. I was eventually given the job of the shelters veterinary technician. We would hold many low cost spay neuter and vaccine clinics weekly to help the over population issue in our community. It was at that time I knew my true passion was Veterinary Medicine. After a great deal of emotions and careful consideration, I gave my resignation to the shelter to go to college and study to become a Veterinarian. 

I spent several years completing my undergraduate studies in New Hampshire. My dream was to attend the University of Floridas College of Veterinary Medicine. I knew in order to pursue that dream I would need to eventually relocate to Florida and start my life over. All though nervous, it was the absolute best decision I have ever made. During my time waiting to become enrolled in school here, I accepted a position as a Veterinary Technician at a vet clinic here in Ocala. It was my first experience with private practice medicine, as opposed to shelter medicine, and I fell in love with it. I love seeing the clients and the patients and establishing relationships with them. I also truly enjoy client education. I still work there and also work part time with another good Veterinarian friend performing at home end of life care; I am currently still wrapping up my last few classes for Vet School in between working and enjoying my passion of raising Great Danes. 

Having a kennel of dogs of my own is a true passion and goes hand in hand with every bit of knowledge I have acquired over the last 20 years. I am a true believer in people spaying and neutering their pets, I am largely supportive of animal shelters and rescues and have a first hand appreciation for all they do, however; I am a huge advocate of breeders who breed responsibly for preservation of pure bred dogs. In my years of breeding Great Danes, I have met many amazing breeders who have spent decades building pedigrees that have had a major impact on preserving this breeds standard. I have been extremely blessed to have met them and to have been trusted with owning their dogs and carrying on their legacies.