REQUIRED: Proof of up-to-date records for Bordetella, Distemper, Parvo, & Rabies
Meet the team
We each may have grown up in different towns, have different hobbies, and be different people... but we have been brought together by a passion for animals! Each and every one of us has become family - not only with each other - but every single one of our clients! We are so grateful to grow our family every day!
Scott Dewey
Owner and Dog Trainer
My name is Scott and I am the Owner and Dog Behavioral Specialist I connected with dogs when I purchased my first Beagle puppy in 1986 after reading the book,
“Where the Red Fern Grows”. Throughout grade school and high school, I raised and trained hunting dogs for many family members and friends. Following high school, I went on to graduate from Iowa State University with a degree in Agricultural Systems Technology. This led me into the commercial construction business in Illinois from 1996 -1998. In 1999, I left the construction business to apprentice with Fabian’s Retrievers, a competition training operation in Princeton, MN.
Late into the year of 2000, Rock River Retrievers was launched in Waverly, IA as a full-scale competition retriever training operation. I led the training of over 20 field champions and competed on a National level with these dogs in every time zone across the Country. My training was part of the 2004 National Field Champion, Dewey’s Drake of Moon River; and 2009 Purina Hi Point Amateur dog Castlebay’s Night Robber. In 2011, I turned my talents towards helping others by founding a non-profit organization called Retrieving Freedom. This organization’s mission of training and placing service dogs for veterans with disabilities and children with autism became my passion for the next 8 years and continues to be. As a result, hundreds of dogs have been placed into life-saving roles. My relationships have remained strong with the recipients, volunteers, and donors that helped make that dream of saving lives a reality.
With Retrieving Freedom going strong with a National Board of Directors, I decided to return to Rock River, which is now operating under the new name of Rock River Pet Resort. In June of 2020, I announced I would be offering my talents to the public for dog obedience and behavioral training. I love to work with owners and dogs on my theory of learning how to learn. I am proud to be able to offer my depth of experience as a service to our clients of the resort.
Maddie Johnson
Facility Manager
My name is Maddie and I am the Manager. I grew up in Iowa City and graduated from Wartburg College in 2020 where I majored in Studio Art and Business Administration and minored in Leadership. I fell in love with Waverly and now reside here in this amazing community. I have spent the past six years of my life as an artist in my spare time, building my skills, attending art shows and creating commission work and continue to do so. I spent a year as the intern at a service dog organization, Retrieving Freedom, Inc. This is where I was responsible for the care of the service dogs in training, I trained and fostered service dogs in training as a volunteer and created various marketing materials for the organization. The dog I fostered there went on to be placed with a veteran with PTSD and has changed this veteran's life forever. That is where I found my passion for animals and helping others. I joined the Rock River team in June of 2020 as the Marketing Manager and accepted the position as manager in December of 2020!
Lynne Luloff
Dog Trainer
I’m Lynne and I joined the training staff at Rock River Pet Resort on September 2nd, 2021.
I received my first puppy when I was in 3rd grade and I firmly believe my love for dogs was instilled in me by my father, who dabbled in showing German Shepherds. I trained my first dog when I was in 5th grade, thanks to my father driving me from Denver to Waterloo for classes every week. Being the youngest team there, I was proud to receive high points with my Fox Terrier at the class obedience trial.
I went on to train each dog I owned from that time forward and did some showing in obedience and rally events. After reading the book, Follow My Leader, as a child, I became fascinated with the idea of training service dogs. So, when I met Scott Dewey, I became involved with Retrieving Freedom as a puppy raiser training services dogs for children with Autism and Veterans with PTSD. In that roll, I fostered 5 dogs, 2 of which were placed with veterans 2 of which were placed with children living with autism and one who decided she wasn’t interested in being a service dog and remains with me and my husband today. In the spring of 2019, with Scott’s encouragement, I moved to North Carolina to pursue an internship with Canines for Service and was hired as an advanced trainer in June of 2020. I returned to Iowa after 15 months of employment, although I continue my partnership with Canines for Service, training dogs and securing puppies for their program. I look forward to serving you and your dogs and feel fortunate for the opportunity to be the newest member of the Rock River team!
Marisa
Assistant Dog Trainer
Hi! My name is Marisa, and I joined Rock River's training staff in May of 2023. I've always loved dogs and have been working with them since I was 15 and a volunteer at Retrieving Freedom where I met Scott. I served there as a volunteer and co-puppy raiser through high school and first year of college. Throughout college, I also raised and helped with puppies for Canines for Service under Lynne's influence. When it came time to finish school, I realized I didn't want to and what I really wanted to do was work with dogs. As fate would have it, there was an opening within Rock River's training staff which I happily dropped out of school for and started the next day. Ever since, I have learned far more than I could have imagined and can truly say I love my job.
Caryn
Groomer
My name is Caryn and I am the groomer at Rock River Pet Resort. I am certified to groom in all 50 states and licensed by the state of Iowa. I unofficially began my grooming career almost 20 years ago, while volunteering at the Tulsa, OK SPCA. I have been certified and licensed for the past 10 years as a groomer in good standing. Originally, I am from Oklahoma, relocating to Waverly 12 years ago for work. My true passion has always been animals, specifically dogs, and I have had a canine companion since I was about three. Despite having a bachelor's and master's degree in a different field, grooming and loving dogs is where I am meant to be!
Jammi
Full-time Receptionist & Kennel Technician
Hello, my name is Jammi. If you have been to Rock River Pet Resort before, there’s a good chance you may recognize me as I have been working here since 2016. I love seeing familiar clients walk into the office everyday as well as new faces. I graduated from Iowa State University in the spring of 2024 with a B.S in anthropology in addition to minoring in animal ecology. I have experience taking care of a wide array of animals in professional settings including dogs, cats, and horses. I have worked at boarding/training facilities, veterinary hospitals, and volunteered for service dog organizations. I am able to apply my knowledge of animals to taylor to each dog’s unique needs at the resort. The ultimate compliment is one from a dog, and there’s no better feeling than seeing a wagging tail coming through the door, excited to play, stay, learn, or be pampered.
Abby
Receptionist & Kennel Technician
Ashlyn
Receptionist & Kennel Technician