CO-FOUNDER & PRESIDENT

Jessica
​🐾 Ragnar & Fozzie

The Thumbs behind it all. Jessica is the Chip Gaines of RDMoC, always a little goofy, but gets sh*t done. Life-long dog obsessed momma to 5 year old Aussie mix twin brothers, Ragnar, her third beloved beast, that she found on Facebook as a puppy being re-homed. And then 2.5 years later rescued his litter mate Fozzie when is original family gave him up due to his seizures. First came Emma (a rescued Australian shepherd), second was Greta (failed PAWS foster German Shepherd). 9 year veteran Foster Mom for PAWS Chicago. Known for “dog calling” from bike or out the window of her car AND for losing mind & have minor panic attacks over puppies of all ages, sizes and breeds. Regular “violator” of other people’s dogs at dog park. Will kiss and hug your dog if it goes near her… you’ve been warned.

​Shelter & Community Program Director at Hinsdale Humane Society. 

Want to learn more? Contact Jes

Follow the Twins

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SPECIAL EVENTS MANAGER & COPY EDITOR

Kerry
​🐾 Coco & Nova

Kerry adopted Coco in December of 2016 from her favorite Chicago rescue, One Tail at a Time, and Nova in January of 2020 from Second City Canine Rescue. Until adopting Coco, Kerry was a self proclaimed crazy cat lady (and still is!), but now she also fully embraces being a crazy dog Mom. In her day job, she’s a software Business Analyst but her passion has been animals since she adopted her first cat Luna back in 1997 from The Hinsdale Humane Society. If all goes well and she wins the lottery someday, she’ll open an animal rescue in Chicago. Until that day though, she’ll continue to donate as much of her time and money that she can to help the cats and dogs of Chicago. You can often find Kerry and Coco (and soon to be Nova too!) checking out dog friendly bars, breweries, and restaurants all over the city.

Want to collaborate on a special event? Contact Kerry

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DIGITAL MEDIA

Alysia
​🐾 Franklin

Alysia adopted Franklin in November of 2015 and hasn’t stopped forcing kisses upon him since. Franklin was adopted through Roll Over Animal Rescue and Alysia fosters pups for them regularly. She also has 4 chickens (Honey, Ethel, Tornado, and Grace) and a soft spot for animals of all kinds. For her day job she’s a designer for a study abroad organization which sparks her need for adventure so you can find Alysia and Franklin hiking, biking, and hanging out wherever dogs are allowed.
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Want to hire Alysia for her amazing graphic designs? alysia@rdmoc.com

Follow Franklin

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EVENTS COORDINATOR & WEB MASTER

Mel
​🐾 Bogart

Mel & Bogart are Chicago newbies, moving here from Pennsylvania in March of 2018. Bogart is a 5 year old rescue from a foster network in PA and is loving life in the big city. Beaches, parks & patios? Yes please. Lots of friendly people who stop Bogart on the street to pet him? Double yes. Mel has over 7 years of experience in Events, Marketing & Graphic Design. She is also currently working her website magic for us.

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Mandy
​🐾 Edith

I became a First time dog mom in the fall of 2018 after adopting my foster, Edith, from One Tail at a Time.  Even though I loved dogs, prior to Edith I've only had cats. Once I met Edith everything changed and my life is 500% better with her as my partner in crime.  However, my cat, Trixie may feel differently as she enjoyed being an only child.  Real Dog Moms allows me to help in the animal and not for profit world that I love so much and that is very different from my regular job as a corporate tax accountant.  I have 20 years of accounting and tax experience with large corporations in the Chicago area.

Follow Edith

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Claire
​🐾 Cooper​

​Claire is on her second stint of living in Chicago, this time with her sweet pup Cooper in tow. Claire lived in Chicago from 2010-2017, then relocated to Baltimore for a new job. She got Cooper in April 2018 and the two have been inseparable ever since! Claire and Cooper moved back to Chicago in February 2020 and joined RDMOC right away (after stalking them for 2 years on Instagram and looking at all the cool things they did). By day, Claire works in Supply Chain and is attending Penn State to get her MBA. She and Cooper love to run by the lake, swim, hike and snuggle regularly. 

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Kristie
​🐾 Peeve Paisley

Kristie, aka Kritchie, adopted Peeve Paisley in July of 2018. After stalking and walking through all the Chicago rescues on a weekly basis for nearly a year, this little nine-week old black pup had picked her forever human. The two have been inseparable ever since, spending as much time outside as possible in parks, on trails and hitting the road. Kristie also keeps a running list of potential dog names just in case any future puppies pick her too—the current front-runner is Dot Matrix.

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EVENT HOSTING SQUAD

Keep an eye on our Chicago Events page to see what we're hosting next.

Katherine
​🐾 Wembly & Franklin

Karin
​🐾 Albie, Squidge & Duncan

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Emeritus Real Dog Moms

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CO-FOUNDER

Lindy
​🐾 Jake

Brand Manager & CFO, Lindy is the Joanna Gaines of RDMoC - she makes things beautiful. Lindy is a first time dog momma, adopting Jake in May of 2016 from Midwest Canine Connection, but she’s been a crazy cat lady all of her life. She currently has 3 fur babies, her dog, Jake 3 years old, and two cats, Abbie 14 years old and 2 years old Otto (rescued from Trio Animal Foundation). She has been caring for and fundraising for homeless pets since 2004 when she first adopted Sophie (until we meet again, my sweet girl) at the Jacksonville Humane Society for which she was volunteering at the time. Since then, she has been working with various local shelters providing care, supplies, and love to the animals still looking for a forever home. She’s always looking for some whiskers to pet and will squeal when she sees a dog from afar!

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Former Donations Relations Manager

Marcie
​🐾 Shiner & Franklin

Marcie adopted Shiner (or, Shiner chose her) in August of 2016, and Franklin joined in May 2019, but she has had dog siblings consistently since she was three months old. Needless to say, she has been in training to be a dog mom her entire life. She dreams of a day when she can open a doggie day care and play with dogs all day every day. Until then, she enthusiastically raises money for and works on donations for dog rescues. You can find her taking Shiner and Franklin on walks (more like tripping over both leashes) and taking them out of their way to introduce them to new dogs, but actually so that she can meet the dog herself.
​Follow Shiner and Franklin on Instagram.

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Emeritus Volunteers: 

Verda & Harley - Moved to Idaho

Looks pretty fun, right?

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Have some spare time to volunteer? Interested in donating? Want to stay up to date on all of the events going on with the Real Dog Moms? Find out more on our Volunteer page.

GET INVOLVED