Hitting Home Runs in Staff Management

Julie Castaneda is the owner of Dog Day Afternoon Inc., a highly regarded dog daycare center with two locations in Topeka, Kansas. With over 40 years of experience in working with dogs, Julie specializes in behavior modification and possesses an extensive understanding of canine body language and communication.

Throughout her career, Julie has worked in various fields, including pet dog training, search and rescue, police dog training, service dog training, animal control, and animal disaster response. Her expertise also extends to the areas of lost dog behavior and canine trauma and abuse recovery.

Julie’s exceptional work in assessing and rehabilitating dogs, allowing them to find permanent homes instead of facing euthanasia, has garnered national recognition from esteemed organizations such as the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), and RED ROVER.

With her vast knowledge and experience, Julie has been invited to speak at numerous national conferences, competitions, humane societies, and other animal welfare organizations. She has delivered captivating presentations to diverse audiences, including veterinarians, dog trainers, law enforcement personnel, and various other dog handlers.

In addition to speaking engagements, Julie serves as a consultant to dog daycare owners across the country. She is an active member of the International Boarding & Pet Services Association (IBPSA) and the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), while also continuing her consulting work with the HSUS and ASPCA.

Julie is also an accomplished author, having written a book of short stories that reflect her four-decade-long career working with dogs, sharing valuable experiences and lessons learned along the way. When she’s not immersed in her canine pursuits, Julie devotes her time to training her German Shepherd, Zino, for search and rescue missions. Outside the realm of dogs, she raises, trains, and shows American Quarter Horses. Julie is happily married to her husband Phil of 30+ years, and they are proud parents and grandparents.