At Barkroyal Pet Resort we pride ourselves on looking after your beloved pets with honesty, passion and extra care

With his hospitality background, including many years in the coffee industry, Nick heads up our front of house team, where he ensures all our extra special guests feel right at home when they visit Barkroyal. Nick loves greeting guests in reception and being involved in all aspects of operations, especially as Chief of Pats and Cuddles. A mad sports fan, Nick looks forward to playing golf once a week – unlike his dog Friday who is always disappointed to see Nick’s golf shoes appear as she knows she has to stay home

My petsFriday (Border Collie) and Darcy (Domestic Shorthair). Both are rescues.

Which animal or breed is your favourite?My brother’s rescue Border Collie, Maverick (RIP), was the sweetest and smartest animal I’ve ever met. Playful, obedient, cute, cuddly and affectionate.

My working with animals highlight isRescuing my girl Friday. I’m her third owner, so she had a rough start to life, but she now goes everywhere with me

Fun fact about meI sing at work…a lot!!

My must-watch animal movie/bookThe Lion King – animals plus singing…pretty much my daily life

If I was a dog breed, I would be a…Any cat: they like to relax and eat whenever they feel like it. Sums up a perfect holiday for me

If my pet could talk, I would ask them…How did you spend the first three years of your life?

A breed I’d love to have one day…It’s not about the breed, it’s the personality

Best thing about working at BarkroyalWe hear stories all the time from customers that we changed their pet for the better. They went home with more confidence and live a happier existence.

Something funny or special that only happens at Barkroyal?Being part of amazing transformations. Like Zander, a Neo Mastiff, who was rescued from a dog fighting syndicate. With incredible support from his owner and our team, Zander proved that with time, patience, love and care, no pet is beyond rescuing.

My one piece of advice for pet owners would be…If you think dogs can’t count, try putting three dog biscuits in your pocket and then give her only two of them.

Making sure Barkroyal operates smoothly is Tom, our Chief of Important Business. Those behind-the-scenes jobs like paying our amazing staff and suppliers would not happen without Tom keeping everything on track. When Tom’s chair is empty, you’ll probably find him fishing, camping or boating – or hopefully all three – and in constant pursuit of reeling in a 1m barramundi.

My petsMilo (Border Collie) and Jazz (Cavalier X Maltese)

Which animal or breed is your favourite?Bundy (RIP) A kitten the size of a rum can (hence his name) that grew into a cat with big and awesome attitude.

My working with animals highlight isWatching the relationship between my cat Bundy and my brothers dog Juke

Fun fact about meI can milk a cow

My must-watch animal movie/bookRed Dog

If I was a dog breed, I would be a…Labrador: loves to be around the water

If my pet could talk, I would ask them…Why do you eat dirt?

A breed I’d love to have one day…A rottweiler - one that chases away robbers

Best thing about working at BarkroyalIt’s so good to have a second location now and have somewhere we trust to leave our own dogs and finally be able take a holiday ourselves

Something funny or special that only happens at Barkroyal?Seeing guests go home with owners so pleased that they book their pets straight back in for another stay.

My one piece of advice for pet owners would be…Go relax on your holiday knowing your pet is enjoying their holiday with us.

After meeting her husband Craig through dog training, Mel has successfully built a life around dogs – with a background as an instructor teaching classes, training and competing in dog obedience, agility, scent dog tracking, flyball and competitive frisbee, she has gained a wide and varied knowledge with her diverse experiences. Craig and Melody love dogs so much, they even had their five dogs in their bridal party! At Barkroyal, Mel takes the lead on social media, recruitment (with a talent for hiring only the very best), and what feels like thousands of nature walks during peak periods as Chief Dog Devotee.

My petsA gorgeous giant of a guard dog Hankalicious and my darling old man Border Collie Polar Bear.

Which animal or breed is your favourite?I adore bull breeds! Staffys, Bull Terriers, Bull Arabs, AmStaffs, Mastiffs, Mini Bullies. All so very love-a-bull!

My working with animals highlight isSwimming with a giant turtle while snorkelling the Whitsunday Reef. Incredible experience.

Fun fact about meI love green beans, snow peas and sugar snap peas but you couldn’t pay me enough to eat a green pea

My must-watch animal movie/bookIt’s a Dog’s Life – an old 1955 movie about a NY street dog named Wildfire

If I was a dog breed, I would be a…Staffy: full of love, pretty lazy, talks a lot and will win a fight if pushed

If my pet could talk, I would ask them…Are you really as devastated as you look when I drive away without you?

A breed I’d love to have one day…I’d love a python but hubby has sworn divorce so I’ll say an Irish Wolfhound mix and a Bengal kitty

Best thing about working at BarkroyalOffering a service where we are trusted with loved ones is very flattering.

Something funny or special that only happens at Barkroyal?BR Santa visits! Christmas Eve is always the most rewarding day of the year. Santa visits and we capture a photo of each guest for their owners. The day is always full of fun and usually produces a funny story or two like Santa getting peed on!

My one piece of advice for pet owners would be…Spoil your dog with love not treats. Let your dog live its best life by being in a healthy weight range. If you can’t feel their ribs or see a waist, it’s time to make some changes.

Kristine is the person to thank for all the oohs and aahs on the Barkroyal social media stories. After almost twenty years as a hairdresser, Kristine knows how to present our guests’ good side in our daily guest photos and videos as Chief of Cute Pics. She loves spending time with family, including husband Tom and their girls, and looks forward to more travel and adventure knowing her beloved dogs Milo and Jazz will be safe at Barkroyal.

My petsMilo (Border Collie) and Jazz (Cavalier X Maltese)

Which animal or breed is your favourite?Spoodle, Border Collies or Golden Retrievers. I can’t choose just one!

My working with animals highlight isAlways the cuddles

Fun fact about meI make a killer ice cream cake

My must-watch animal movie/bookA Dogs Life

If I was a dog breed, I would be a…King Charles Cavalier: gentle, loving and makes a good companion

If my pet could talk, I would ask them…Are you happy?

A breed I’d love to have one day…A ragdoll cat and a rescue greyhound or a whippet

Best thing about working at BarkroyalI love sharing a small moment of a happy smiling dog to our Instagram page knowing it has put a smile on someone else’s face.

Something funny or special that only happens at Barkroyal?Guest birthdays! Dog parties are too cute! I love sharing pet birthday photos on our social media stories

My one piece of advice for pet owners would be…‘Our perfect companions never have fewer than four feet’

My petsBraxton (Border Collie) and Sammy (Domestic Short Hair cat)

Which animal or breed is your favourite?Tiger

My working with animals highlight isGetting voluntary blood samples from animals after spending months training the behaviour and building trust with the animal

Fun fact about meI was a Senior Marine Mammal trainer for over 6 years working with large marine carnivores

My must-watch animal movie/bookWar Horse

If I was a dog breed, I would be a…I'd be a Blue heeler! I'm small and feisty, but once you earn my trust there's no one more loyal

If my pet could talk, I would ask them…Why do you still like to hang your head out the car window when it’s cold?!

A breed I’d love to have one day…German Shepherd

Best thing about working at BarkroyalThat our guests here start to feel like family

Something funny or special that only happens at Barkroyal?The joy people show getting their first Report Card of all the fun their pet had on their pawliday

My one piece of advice for pet owners would be…Be your dog’s fun! The best relationships are formed when YOU entertain your dog rather than rely on other dogs for fun.

My petsI have a Kelpie X named Leia. She’s the queen of the house.

Which animal or breed is your favourite?I love all animals and breeds, but I have a soft spot for cats, big and small.

My working with animals highlight isThe one time I had to shave a Guinea Pig, poor bugger, he got a dodgy stylist!

Fun fact about meI collect graded Pokémon cards as well as old Star Wars memorabilia.

My must-watch animal movie/bookZootopia

If I was a dog breed, I would be a…I would be a Staffy. I always have a lot to talk about, I’m high energy, a little loud, a little chaotic and full of beans.

If my pet could talk, I would ask them…How are you? Do you like your food? Are you cozy? Why do you bark at the poor postman?

A breed I’d love to have one day…I’d love a Golden Retriever or an Akita

Best thing about working at BarkroyalI’ve made some amazing friends and memories here while constantly learning and challenging myself. Best of all I get endless cuddles from our four-legged guests.

Something funny or special that only happens at Barkroyal?When return guests get comfortable, there’s nothing better than a pooch running into reception all excited and ready for cuddles from us.

My one piece of advice for pet owners would be…Treasure every moment.

My petsStumpy aka Humpy (Australian Terrier X) and Barry (domestic cat and king of the house)

Which animal or breed is your favourite?I love them all for different reasons. Every guest brings something special and different

My working with animals highlight isWorking overseas with rescued animals (elephants, orangutans, dogs) and seeing them finally living their best lives

Fun fact about meI sing in two rock bands and play Stevie Nicks in a Fleetwood Mac Tribute show

My must-watch animal movie/bookRed Dog (I bawl everytime), Marley and Me and Gorillas in the Mist

If I was a dog breed, I would be a…Golden Retriever: loyal, intelligent, energetic, a bit goofy, and BLONDE

If my pet could talk, I would ask them…Did you like my kisses or are they, and I, really annoying?

A breed I’d love to have one day…Old English Sheepdog. I love a scruff!!

Best thing about working at BarkroyalWhen a shy or fearful dog becomes my best friend. Also, when returning guests are super excited to see me

Something funny or special that only happens at Barkroyal?Quite often guests will happily greet their owners and then turn around and head back into the Resort. It’s not that they don’t love their owners – they just haven’t finished having fun yet!

My one piece of advice for pet owners would be…A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself

My petsWally (Wolfie/Mastiff) and Spice (mutt of 9 breeds including a bit of Wolfie)

Which animal or breed is your favourite?When the Shepherd and Rottweiler guests come in, I get butterflies

My working with animals highlight isWhen the shy dogs start engaging in play and affection

Fun fact about meI used to be a ballet teacher

My must-watch animal movie/bookKing Kong

If I was a dog breed, I would be a…Saluki: graceful and able to run fast

If my pet could talk, I would ask them…What was your life like before we met?

A breed I’d love to have one day…Groenendael (Belgian Shepherd)

Best thing about working at BarkroyalWorking with animals and like-minded caring people

Something funny or special that only happens at Barkroyal?My morning cuddles with long term guest Tinkerbell the cat. She puts her front paws on my shoulder, I pick her up and we watch the view from her patio

My one piece of advice for pet owners would be…Be like dogs, be present and live in the now

My petsHonor, Hamlet and Hades

Which animal or breed is your favourite?Favourite breed is the Kelpie, favourite guest is Ted Salmon (big Irish Setter and long time VIP)

My working with animals highlight isRacing Honor as team start dog at her first big flyball comp (2019 Flyball National Championships) and winning first place in Division 2

Fun fact about meI was a zookeeper of native and exotic species of birds, mammals, marsupials, monotremes and reptiles for six years

My must-watch animal movie/bookTaronga by Victor Kelleher

If I was a dog breed, I would be a…Ridgeback: independent, loves being outside and spending time with family

If my pet could talk, I would ask them…Is there anything you’d change about our relationship?

A breed I’d love to have one day…It’s only ever going to be Kelpies for me

Best thing about working at BarkroyalSeeing nervous or shy guests gain the confidence to play with us and initiate pats and cuddles

Something funny or special that only happens at Barkroyal?I thought a customer was calling out to me then I realised it was one of the cats. Every time he meowed, it sounded like “Helllooo?” It was a Sphynx. Anyone who knows those cats won’t be surprised!

My one piece of advice for pet owners would be…Play with your dog anywhere and everywhere and who cares if people are watching!

My petsMeika (Cavoodle) and Poppy (Poodle X Cairn Terrier)

Which animal or breed is your favourite?Favourite breed is the Poodle. I’ll be adding a Standard Poodle puppy to my family soon

My working with animals highlight isHelping in the birthing process of newborn animals while working at an animal shelter

Fun fact about meGrowing up, I was allergic to all animals. I was determined to work with animals and I have since fostered 100s of animals and overcome my allergies!

My must-watch animal movie/bookRed Dog

If I was a dog breed, I would be a…English Bulldog: round, always hungry and an expert at snoring (apparently!)

If my pet could talk, I would ask them…Please stop hogging the bed!

A breed I’d love to have one day…Standard Poodle x 1000

Best thing about working at BarkroyalI love seeing our return guests get just as excited to see us as we do them!

Something funny or special that only happens at Barkroyal?A day in the life of a Barkroyal employee. EAT. SLEEP. LOVE ALL THE PETS. REPEAT.

My one piece of advice for pet owners would be…“Dogs do speak, but only to those who know how to listen.” — Orhan Pamuk