Our Staff

Management Team

Lauren - Manager/Canine Trainer
14 years at Scruffy's
Lauren moved to Australia in 2003 from London, where she grew up in a family devoted to rescuing homeless cats. Continuing that passion, she helped rehabilitate and rehome a colony of street cats in partnership with Pittwater Animal Hospital. After a career in retail and management, Lauren joined Scruffy's in 2011 as a daycare attendant and is now the general manager, leading a team of 15 across daycare, grooming, reception, retail, and the school bus. Her dedication to her team, love for dogs, and strong client relationships help Scruffy’s thrive. Lauren holds an NDTF Dog Training qualification and is part of the training team. She shares her life with Hunter, a rescue Huntaway x Beagle, and Spencer, her British Shorthair cat.
Eleanor - Co-owner
16 Years owning Scruffy's
Eleanor began as a client with a 16-week-old Shih-tzu puppy and somehow became co-owner of Scruffy’s a few years later. With a background in opera from the NSW Conservatorium of Music, she transitioned into a career in business, focusing on sales, marketing, and advertising account management before teaming up with Sarah to grow Scruffy’s. Eleanor brings valuable expertise in business development to the team. Her beloved Shih-tzus, Lexie and Aria have now crossed over the rainbow bridge and Eleanor is looking forward to when the next little four-legged friend helicopters into her life. Watch this space!
Sarah - Co-owner/ Canine Trainer
16 years owning Scruffy's
Sarah joined Scruffy’s as full-time manager in 2008 and is now a proud co-owner. Originally from the UK with a background in childcare management, she moved to Australia in 2004 to help open six childcare centres on the Northern Beaches. Her love for dogs led her to Scruffy’s, where she found her true passion. Sarah holds qualifications in Advanced Canine Communication, Canine First Aid, and has completed her NDTF Dog Training certification. At home, she shares life with her husband Matt, their two children William and Maddie, and their rescue dogs—Heidi, a Bull Arab x Great Dane mix and Moose, a Dogue de Bordeaux x Great Dane!

Our Reception Team

Sarah - Reception
3 years at Scruffys
Sarah first came to Australia in 2019 where she studied Environmental Science at the University of Canberra as well as Georgaphy at the University of East Anglia, Norwich. Sarah grew up in South East London and would often holiday in France where she fell in love with her families Border Collie, Alex - which kick started her love for dogs.
Sarah joined Scruffy’s in 2022 as our receptionist but has since worked in both daycare and grooming too. After she started working here, she got her own pup with her partner - a Cavoodle called Baloo. Sarah has been putting in a lot of time and effort in to training Baloo outside of work and they love going on weekend adventures together.
Charlotte - Reception
< 1 year at Scruffys
Coming Soon
Anna - Reception/Canine Trainer
6 years at Scruffys
Anna’s passion for dogs led her to Scruffy's and we are thrilled to have her on our growing team. At the ripe age of two Anna began a nineteen-year relationship with her first love, Flopsy, a Maltese x Llasa Apso. By the age of seven Anna was minding dogs for neighbours and family friends and now, many years later, that passion has only grown stronger.
After a three-year stint working and completing qualifications in childcare Anna was lured to working in the Scruffy's daycare team and now heads our reception team. In 2021 Anna commenced a double degree in Law & Psychology at Macquarie University. On reception she is most ably assisted by Theo and Huxley, her two Giant Bernese Mountain dogs who go everywhere with her except uni!
Anna has completed her NDTF dog training qualification and is part of our training team

Our Daycare Team

Margherita - Head Canine Trainer and Senior Daycare Team Leader
3 years at Scruffys
Margherita is one of our incredible trainers and a valued part of the Scruffy’s daycare team. Originally from Rome, she moved to Australia in March 2022 and joined us shortly after. Her love for dogs began at just 3 years old with her first rescue, Mila the greyhound X.
Her career path shifted in 2013 after adopting Ares, an American Staffy X rescued from a dog fighting ring. Working through his behavioral challenges inspired her to complete the nationally recognized Enci Diploma in 2015, Italy’s official dog training qualification.
Since then, Margherita has gained extensive experience in behavior recovery, with her favorite role being freelance training due to the wide variety of cases she encountered. She’s passionate about improving dogs' lives through trust-based training and hopes to one day open her own rescue and training centre, including educational programs for children.
Bree - Canine Trainer and Daycare Attendant
7 years at Scruffys
Coming Soon
Millie - Canine Trainer and Daycare Attendant
8 years at Scruffys
Coming Soon
Eirinn - Daycare Attendant
3 years at Scruffys
Eirinn grew up in Wexford, Ireland, surrounded by animals on her family’s property near a farm. With a family background in horses and hospitality, her love for animals runs deep. She moved to Australia in 2014 and later adopted Patch, a rescue American Staffy X.
Eirinn joined Scruffy’s in 2021 as a daycare attendant and quickly became a key part of the team. She’s now the creative voice behind our Daily Diary and Dog of the Day, keeping owners informed and entertained. You'll often find her at reception, sharing friendly feedback and stories from the day. While she’s dedicated to the daycare world, Eirinn also dreams of writing her own novel someday.
Piper - Daycare Attendant
1 year at Scruffys
Coming Soon

Our Grooming Team

Kiyoko - Senior Groomer
18 Years at Scruffy's
Originally from Japan, Kiyoko has been with Scruffy's since 2007. She is an award-winning groomer with a wealth of experience in all styles and a gentle approach. Kiyoko enjoys grooming all dogs but has a passion for Poodles and Shih-tzus.
Kiyoko is constantly striving for that perfect groom...personally we think she already has it! In 2017 Kiyoko won first place in Open Poodle at the Royal Easter Show on a mini brown poodle. Previous Awards include 1st Place - Open Terriers, Royal Easter show 2013, 2nd place - Gundogs & 3rd place - Master Salon Freestyle, Ausgoom 2013, 1st place - Salon Freestyle, Royal Easter Show 2012 and Best In Group, Summergroom 2011 Poodle competition on a standard white poodle.
In 2020 Kiyoko and her partner Michael welcomed their son, Taiyo into their lives.
Ayaka - Senior Groomer
<1 year at Scruffys
Coming Soon
Lia - Junior Groomer
2 years at Scruffys
Coming Soon