About Central Bark Carol Stream
Dr. Mondrian Contreras graduated from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in 2010. He completed his internship at VCA Aurora / Berwyn Animal Hospital in 2011, after which he accepted an associate veterinarian position at Carol Stream Animal Hospital and became a practice owner in 2015. Dr. Contreras is passionate about teaching and is a member of Junior Achievement and the CVMA. He regularly gives lectures about his profession across Illinois and writes articles covering various animal health-related topics for Batavia Living Magazine. He writes children’s books and has created a video series to teach people how to care for their pets best.
Dr. Contreras is an extremely involved member of his community and hosts an annual Charity Dog Show event which helps raise money for people undergoing various hardships by providing some financial assistance for their pets’ medical needs. Dr. Contreras is the founder of VetBros Pet Education Charitable Fund, a 501c3 organization that helps people and their pets through education and financial assistance for medical care. Having been a collegiate athlete at the University of Illinois for four years (Football), Dr. Contreras is a very active alumnus and loves taking his wife, Bridget, and their four children, Matisse, Thomas, Khalil, and Aurelia, to Fighting Illini sporting events whenever possible.
“We welcome you to join our Central Bark Carol Stream family.”
Mondrian Contreras
Central Bark Carol Stream Franchise Owners
Meet The Team
Lorrainne
At Central Bark Carol Stream, we are beyond grateful to have Lorrainne as our general manager! From the very beginning, collaborating closely with Dr. Contreras and Bruce to turn their vision into reality, even before the construction began. With her extensive background as a certified veterinary technician, Lorrainne has dedicated her life to working with animals. Lorrainne has over 20 years of experience in the animal field, making her a true asset to our team.
Kathy
Kathy truly embodies the spirit of Central Bark Carol Stream. A jack of all trades, she excels in every aspect of her role Her passion for canine care shines through in everything she does.
With a warm smile and an infectious enthusiasm, Kathy makes every dog’s day brighter. Her ability to engage with our furry friends makes her an invaluable asset during playgroup sessions, where she helps teach important social skills and creates a positive environment.
Danielle
Danielle is one of our incredible dog trainers, and she’s truly a gem here at Central Bark Carol Stream. Not only does she help teach our pups amazing skills during playgroups, but she also plays a crucial role in helping our entire staff become better dog handlers by educating them and teaching them new techniques.
Katy
Katy, our incredible seasonal dog handler, truly shines like a rockstar at Central Bark Carol Stream! With a heart full of love for every dog she encounters, Katy has a special knack for giving each dog a unique pet name, adding a personal touch that makes their day even brighter.
Katy’s bond with the dogs goes beyond mere care; she treats each furry friend as if they were her own, establishing connections that foster trust and happiness in our daycare community.
Ashley
Meet Ashley, our head dog handler and a incredible trainer. Ashley’s work ethic is unmatched, and her mastery of canine body language and dog training helps us place each dog in the right playgroup for safe, happy socialization.
When she’s not expertly managing playgroups, Ashley is leading training classes that empower dogs to learn and live their best lives. Her passion for positive, practical training shines through in every session.
Grace
Grace brings warmth and dedication to her work as a dog handler. She truly cares about each dog she works with, always making sure they feel safe, happy, and loved. She has a gentle touch and a positive energy that the dogs respond to right away. She’s always eager to learn and grow, always asking questions and finding ways to improve her skills. We feel very lucky to have Grace on our team!
Lizzy
Lizzy is a dedicated dog handler whose love for dogs shines through in everything she does. She’s always willing to lend a hand, whether it’s helping a teammate or stepping in to make sure the day runs smoothly. Her positive attitude and teamwork make her an essential part of the team, and her care and attention to each dog show just how much she loves what she does. Lizzy’s reliability and compassion make a real difference every single day.
Awards & Achievements
Central Bark® Certified
Enrichment Dog Day Care
Our Family Photo Album
Frequently Asked Questions
The timeline for learning new behaviors and skills is as unique as every dog! Because each dog is an individual, with different learning histories, breed genetics, and preferences in reinforcers like treats and toys, there is no way to say for sure how long training will take. It’s also important to consider how much time each family has for daily training practice.
Whether you’re crate training, leash walking, or potty training your pup, consistency is key. It’s crucial to establish a routine, practice positive reinforcement, supervise your puppy (especially when potty training), and avoid punishing your puppy when mistakes happen.
Central Bark® offers everything you need to help you train your dog, with expert training and classes so you and your pup can learn and bond together.
Learn more about our training classes.
Visit our Dog Blog for more helpful tips.
Our dog socialization day care is built on a unique system of “flexible playgroups” to ensure a safe and positive social environment for every dog. We carefully match your dog with friends based on their age, personality, size, and play style, creating a balanced and stress-free environment. This is especially beneficial for day care for dogs with anxiety or shy puppies, as it provides a low-pressure way for them to build confidence and have a great time.
Positive reward-based techniques help puppies and dogs develop essential life skills and behaviors that will enrich their lives at home and day care. These methods set dogs up to succeed and reward them for performing desired behaviors. Rewards are tailored to the dog’s preferences and can include food treats, time to play with a favorite toy, or verbal praise.
After decades of experience using reward-based training, we know it’s the most humane and effective way of training dogs and addressing unwanted behaviors. It’s the best way to build a loving, trusting bond that enhances your relationship between you and your dog for a lifetime of happiness together.
At Central Bark®, our focus on positive reinforcement has never wavered. We continuously update our skills and policies to stay at the forefront of new advances in behavioral science and positive reinforcement techniques.
Learn more about our training classes.
Visit our Dog Blog for more helpful tips
Even with such a proactive approach to safety as described above, scuffles between dogs can and do happen from time to time. Although this is a rare occurrence, dogs are animals and don’t always talk about whose tennis ball it is. If a scuffle does occur, staff are trained to intervene immediately by making a loud noise and separating the dogs involved as quickly as possible. For most dogs enrolled in our program, this is enough to stop the situation. If needed, we are also equipped with squirt bottles and a hose. Any dog involved in a scuffle will receive a cursory body check and play break to calm down.
Central Bark Whole Dog Care
Our whole dog care approach in Carol Stream offers a full range of fun and personalized products and services. To promote your dog’s physical, mental, and emotional health and happiness throughout their entire life.
