Jennifer Hicks
Jennifer and her husband Scott bought Crikett Lane from her parents, Diane and Jack, in 2009. Diane started the kennel in 1982 with just 7 runs and Jennifer instantly fell in love with the animals and caring for them. She always helped out as a child. It was her first job, her summer job, her college job and continued working on weekends once she left home and had a full time job. Diane grew the business over the years and expanded the facility to its present day size. Jennifer holds a Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling but felt the draw to come back home and care for animals when her parents retired. Jennifer is proud to raise her two children and watch as they grow to love animals as much as she does. She loves to tell everyone she knows that it’s not a job, it’s a lifestyle! Taking care of other’s furry children and growing the business in new directions takes a special calling and that’s what she has been led to do. Jennifer is a Certified Professional Animal Care Manager (CPACM) through the Professional Animal Care Certification Council (PACCC).
Scott Hicks
Scott Hicks is co-owner of Crikett Lane. He has a life-long love affair with dogs and all pets (except snakes and maybe lizards, and definitely not spiders). Scott is an alumnus of the University of Tennessee holding Bachelor's and Master's degrees in American History. His true passion is business. Scott loves the relationships he develops and maintains with pets and their owners. Customers have been known to catch him mid conversation with their dogs. They might also catch his not-to-be-missed catchy songs with their dogs names and many 80s tunes. Scott loves what he does and looks forward to many years of taking care of pets at Crikett Lane.
Jackie Myers
Jackie Myers has always had a tender spot in her heart for all critters and has been a part of the Crikett Lane family for over 10 years. She has a gift for keeping the dogs in a good mood while making them look and smell fabulous before returning home, manages the nightly routine for our guests and has provided invaluable medical advice when the need has arisen. After 25+ years of serving the Blount County community as a veterinary technician she stepped into the role of kennel technician seamlessly keeping a close eye on all of our guests while also showering them with toys and warm blankets on cool nights. Just as she loves spoiling her grandchildren, she always spoils our guests with extra treats and snuggle time.
Missy Toler
Dogs gather here with Missy at Crikett Lane pet grooming. 17 years’ experience, certified professional all breed pet stylist with knowledge in every breed specific haircut.
Missy handles each pet with a one on one custom approach. Her goals are to satisfy her clients, both pets and owners by being dedicated to the health and well-being of each dog. She is kind and loving to all the dogs and does an amazing job!
Heather Whitehead
Heather Whitehead grew up working in the kennel after school with her aunt, Diane and then remained a loyal part of Crikett Lane after her cousin, Jennifer and spouse, Scott took over the business. Her 16 years of experience in the pet care industry and comfortability around canines made her an obvious choice for Manager of the Enrichment Day Camp Program. As a mother of three she knows how to incorporate fun, engaging activities into a day while maintaining a safe, structured environment. She enjoys putting her creative talents to use designing fun activities and obstacle courses for our guests to enjoy. Since she is a native to Tennessee and its breath-taking landscapes, you can find her exploring Cades Cove or having a picnic outdoors with her family on her days away from the kennel.
Sydney Durbin
Sydney’s exceptional organizational skills, creativity, and customer service skills set her apart. She has been a valuable member of the Crikett Lane team since July 2021 and can always be found in the office, ensuring that everything runs smoothly and paying close attention to the needs of your cat or dog. Sydney is also a coffee and book enthusiast and likes to spend her free time reading in local coffee shops, and being creative with her digital art skills. We are lucky to have her on board. #Sydney
Maryn Pope
Maryn's been with us since August 2021, initially starting as an intern and transitioning to part-time work in May 2022. Maryn's favorite activities at Crikett Lane include taking the dogs for walks and playing fetch with them! Outside of work, Maryn enjoys indulging in her hobbies of reading, painting, and exploring the woods. You might encounter Maryn's warm voice speaking kindly to dogs on their walks around the property or during playtime.
Grace Leipzig
Grace has been part of our awesome team at Crikett Lane since April 2023, but has been working with dogs since 2016. When she's not busy at Crikett Lane, you can catch Grace enjoying her favorite pastimes: napping like a pro, acing Tetris, and ruling the race track in Mario Kart. She loves turning her days into unforgettable adventures with her dogs at home whether it's exploring rivers, mountains, or enjoying sweet ice cream dates! Grace is all about decoding doggie body language and boosting their confidence levels! She's in her element when surrounded by a group of pups, always eager to help them discover their happiest selves.
Christina Iverson
Christina has been a member of our team at Crikett Lane since September 2022! Outside of work, Christina loves going on long drives while listening to her favorite music. She loves hanging out with her family and spending time with her dogs, Lexie and Watson. Christina finds joy in organizing individual play sessions and hosting big and little dog groups, creating memorable experiences for our furry friends. She also hosts the little dogs in Enrichment Daycamp on Tuesdays. She remembers every single dog she has met and is genius at knowing what makes them happy!
Jessica Martin
Jessica has been with us since October 2023. Her favorite things to do here at Crikett Lane consists of hosting group play and bathing/pampering our furry guests. She hosts our Wednesday Enrichment Daycamp and thoroughly enjoys coming up with new and exciting activities for the dogs. She loves cleaning and organizing and we definitely use her skills here
every single day. Outside of Crikett Lane, Jessica enjoys gardening, painting, and walks with her dog, Tess.
Alyssa Wilson
Alyssa joined Crikett Lane in May 2024 and brings an incredible passion for animals to our team. She believes animals are truly part of her soul, and it shows in everything she does. Alyssa especially loves teaching dogs new tricks and helping them look their very best after a fresh bath. Outside of work, you’ll likely find her doing more of what she loves most — spending time with dogs and caring for animals.