Born and raised in Sheridan, Wyoming, Monika moved to Jackson in 2005 after graduating college and traveling around Europe. She was meant to stay one summer and never left. As a kid, she grew up with a 200 pound Saint Bernard named Chubs who loved bacon, ear rubs, and his favorite holiday, Thanksgiving. As an adult, her 6 pound Chihuahua named Quattro completely stole her heart and changed her opinion of small dogs (who would regularly torment her Saint Bernard). Quattro remained faithfully by her side for 16 years.

A proud “foster failure”, Monika and her husband Doug signed up to foster through the AAC then ended up adopting the first puppy they were handed. It was through this experience that she got to know the staff, which led her to pursue the job for Assistant Adoption Counselor.

When not at the AAC, Monika can be found hiking, running, or biking with her husband Doug and their rescue dog Fenway.