Eric Bleile
Founder, Owner, Dog Hiker
Eric grew up in Maine, spending much of his childhood exploring the great outdoors and enjoying the company of his family dogs. Eric founded Active Dog in 2011 with his dependable, right hand “man” (or shall we say, dog) Tobias. Weighing in at a whopping 140 pounds, Tobias, a Greater Swiss Mountain dog, was a gentle giant and loyal hiking companion. Tobias crossed the rainbow bridge on Easter morning of 2018 at 10 and a half years old and will always be remembered as the reason for Active Dog’s inception. Eric currently lives in Weston, Connecticut with his wife Tara, sons Casen and Brayden, Golden Retriever, Cooper and English Cream Retriever, Cammy. He has a Master’s degree in Financial Risk Management from the University of Connecticut and enjoys playing golf, skiing and performing with his modern-country band, Hazzard County.
Alicia Andrianus
Director of Operations, Expert Dog Hiker
Alicia grew up on the East Coast loving everything outdoors. Her love for dogs was not discovered until she moved to St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The island was highly populated with dogs that had no where to go. There was one dog that stuck out to her--Mr. Mac who seems to be part Hound, Jack Russell, Dachshund. Mr. Mac was just a few weeks old when she took him in. After that, Alicia dedicated her life to the quote, "I work hard so my dog has a better life". Alicia also enjoys hiking, coffee, succulents, gardening and the state of Colorado.
Stephanie Facciola
Director of Operations, Media Director, Expert Dog Hiker
Stephanie grew up in Garnerville, NY and currently lives in White Plains. She was brought up in a family of dog lovers and has been around dogs for her entire life. Stephanie graduated from SUNY Oneonta with a degree in Graphic Design. Her interests include hiking, the beach, and photography. She likes to spend her free time exploring new places and finding that perfect shot. Stephanie decided to leave the corporate world to pursue her passion for animals and her love of the outdoors.
Cristen Heavens
Expert Dog Hiker
Originally from Connecticut, Cristen lived in Boston and NYC before moving back to her home state. She lives on a boat with her boyfriend in Stamford and enjoys the freedom and challenges that come with living aboard. Following her passion for education policy, she graduated with a masters degree in public policy in 2015. Cristen was raised by a family that encouraged her to love all animals, and she has wonderful childhood memories with her many furry siblings. She loves being active, rock climbing, yoga, reading, DIY projects, and swapping dog stories!
Konstantinos Giazitzoglou
Dog Hiker
Konstantinos began his passion for learning and working with K-9‘s while serving time overseas in the Marine Corps. During his operations, he saw the unique and skillful way canines were able to aid the troops overseas by detecting explosives, enemy insurgents and simultaneously, saving lives. It then became clear to him that dogs really are a man’s best friend!
Catie Onorato
Manager, Media Director, Dog Hiker
Catie was born and raised in southern CT and loves to hike all over the East Coast with her German Shepherd rescue Lenny by her side. She is a Uconn graduate who majored in History and Political Science before switching gears to pursue a career in fashion. After seven years in the industry, she is ready for a career that involves two of the greatest gifts life has to offer: nature and dogs! When Catie is not hiking she can be found crafting at home or seeking out live music.
Sarah Bonomo
Manager, Dog Trainer & Hiker
Sarah was born and raised in Westchester, NY. She‘s always had a love for animals and when she was nine years old her family adopted their first puppy, Diesel. Growing up together, Sarah became interested in dog behavior by observing and trying to understand Diesel’s "problem" behaviors. She pursued her passion for animals at SUNY Oswego, where she obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Zoology and completed her thesis which analyzed the stress levels of shelter dogs. Afterwards, she became a Certified Dog Trainer through CATCH Canine Trainers Academy. In her free time, Sarah volunteers at a local dog rescue and helps with training and attends adoption events. She also enjoys working out and getting coffee with her friends.
Kelly Hendricks
Dog Hiker
Kelly was born in Mountain Lakes, New Jersey. Her love for animals started with her first two dogs, Chocolate and Molly. It was at this time that Kelly learned the love and devotion it took to care for animals. During college, Kelly would visit local animal shelters while studying for her English degree at Sacred Heart University. In her free time Kelly loves spending time with her friends, working out, and of course, spending time with her pets!
Samanth Easton
Dog Hiker
Samantha grew up in Warwick, NY. Only recently did she move to Stamford, CT. She did not have a family dog while growing up which is the root of her deep love and dedication to dogs. Samantha received her Masters degree in Social Work at Ramapo College of NJ earlier this year but has decided to put her dream of becoming a therapist on hold in order to spend her time as a dog hiker. Samantha now has two dogs, Fluffy and Molly, who she describes as her best friends. Samantha enjoys spending her free time skiing, kayaking and hiking with her pups.
Joanna Nevins
Dog Hiker
Joanna grew up on a farm in Bedford, NY and now lives in Ridgefield, CT. She always had lots of pets, dogs, cats, ducks and even a pig. She graduated from Pace University with a major is Biology and a minor in Criminal Justice. Her interests include the outdoors, hiking, yoga, activism, gardening and being with her pets. For her 40th birthday present to herself, Joanna decided to leave the corporate world to pursue her passion for animals and her love of the outdoors.
Andrew Boush
Dog Hiker
Andrew grew up in Walpole, Massachusetts just south of Boston and spent most of his time outside mountain biking, hiking with his dogs and playing golf. His love for the outdoors never fades. Andrew spent two years after graduating High School working and studying to be a golf professional at country clubs in Nantucket, MA, Jupiter, FL, and Sanibel Island, FL. Since then his aspirations of owning a farm and plenty of land for an off-grid outdoor sport vacation resort has led him to Greenwich, Connecticut where he currently lives with his girlfriend. Together they will be studying different areas of naturopathic medicine and plant-based eating.
Vicky Baines
Dog Hiker
Vicky is originally from Wales, UK but has been living in the states for the past 30 years. She attended the University of Massachusetts and Touro College where she received both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education. She was a middle school teacher in Brooklyn, NY for three years and an ABA therapist for the past 12 years. She was never able to have a dog growing up, but always loved them. She often dreamed of becoming a veterinarian and now her love of both dogs and hiking has led her to a huge career change that she is extremely excited about! She lives with her husband and daughter in Norwalk and has four dogs of her own.