Meet the Staff
We are a committed and talented team working to improve the lives of pets. We care about animal health and welfare, as well as customer satisfaction. We love working at Friendly Paws because every animal is treated as if they were our own.
Shelley Lieberman, owner
Shelley Lieberman (she/her) grew up in Athens and received undergraduate and master’s degrees from Ohio University. Leaving Athens to work for the Atlanta Braves, The Olympics and other sports teams, her career took her into alumni development of colleges such as Georgia Tech and the College of William & Mary.
After ten years away, she returned to Athens to work at Ohio University for the College of Business. She found herself thrown into pet rescue upon her return and was the volunteer vice president of the local humane society for eight years.
Shelley purchased the local pet supply and grooming shop, Friendly Paws, in 2010. She founded My Sister’s Paws, a shelter for pets of domestic violence victims in 2013 and most recently set up a fund serving pets of families utilizing Integrated Services. This fund provides vet care, supplemental food assistance and medication.
Shelley recently served on the board of the SE Ohio Foodbank and Athens County Children Services and now serves on the board of the Ohio Animal Advocates. She lives with her very adored cat Stretch and her equally adored adopted dog Mikey.
Store Staff
Candace
Candace (she/her) is from a small town in Missouri and moved to Athens in 2018. A college graduate, Candace received her BFA in printmaking and ceramics and still makes art in her spare time.
Candace currently has four dogs, three cats and five rabbits that she adores. She also has a little human named Charlie with her partner Zach from White’s Mill. She loves to do yoga, make art, hang out with her little family, and read about true crime. Candace is happy she made Athens her home and loves that she works for a great local business, especially since she gets to see cute dogs and cats all day!
Danielle with Tip-Toe on adoption day.
Danielle
Danielle (she/her) moved to Athens OH in 1995 to attend Ohio University. She graduated with a degree in Social Work and worked in foster care and long term hospice care for several years. Having a family shifted her career into becoming a stay-at-home mom and part-time entrepreneur. Danielle is currently the owner of Nature's Magic eco-friendly cleaning products.
Danielle has three wonderful human kids and two awesome furry kids between. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, dancing and listening to live music, crafting, hiking, and finding joy in the little things. She is grateful to be a part of the Friendly Paws family, and enjoys helping folks provide their fur babies with all their furry needs, yummy treats, and lots of love.
BB
BB is the favorite employee and the customers adore him. He wins Employee of the Month every time and can be found in a variety of sleeping positions around the shop. He loves dogs unless they don’t like him and will play with balls all day long if given the opportunity.
BB was rescued from a feral colony where someone must have dropped him off. Their loss is our gain, we all treasure him.
Atlas
When Atlas (they/them) is not working, they like to spend time outside either long boarding or taking their dogs for a hike. They also enjoy art such as paintings/drawing and other crafty hobbies like embroidery and jewelry making. Atlas was born and raised in Athens, Ohio and is a proud dog mom of Oddie, Willow, and Nova & proud cat mom of Fig, Mota, and Drei.
Pet Stylists
Nina
Nina (she/her) moved to Athens in 2014 from Salem, Oregon. She graduated from Federal Hocking in 2016 and soon after began working at Friendly Paws. Starting off as a bather she decided to take her skills to the next level by training with a previous groomer, as well as attending grooming expos for continuing education. She also received her certification in dog CPR. This will be her fifth year grooming for Friendly Paws. Nina is a dog mom of a big goofy pup & a cat mom to a handsome kitty, named Dutz. She can’t wait to meet you and your pups!
John (he/him)
John (he/him) is a recent resident of Athens, Ohio but has lived in the Buckeye State his entire life, having grown up just outside Akron, Ohio. A proud pet lover, his first memories include him playing with the family German Shepard and laying down with his favorite childhood cat. Having worked as a bather for years in Peninsula, Ohio, it was Friendly Paws that allowed him to take the next step in his grooming career and to find his purpose. John loves to read and write about history and to spend quality time with fuzzy friends. John is excited to meet you and your pets and to have them looking and feeling fantastic!