Karissa Schreurs
The Heart Behind Canine Country Club
Karissa Schreurs is the founder and head visionary of Canine Country Club, where her lifelong love for dogs meets a steadfast commitment to excellence in pet care. With more than 15 years of experience in the industry and an MBA from Drake University, Karissa brings a unique blend of business acumen and heartfelt devotion to creating a place where dogs are truly treated like family.
In 2010, unable to find a dog daycare or boarding facility she could trust for her own beloved pets, Karissa set out to build one herself—anchored in the core values of safety, cleanliness, and compassionate care. What began as a personal mission has since blossomed into a trusted community hub, where dogs thrive and their owners enjoy complete peace of mind.
Karissa’s dedication goes far beyond the walls of her facility. As the founder and an active member of the Dog Daycare Coalition, she is a powerful advocate for higher safety standards and regulations across Iowa’s pet care industry. Her ongoing efforts at the Capitol ensure not only the exceptional quality of her own facility, but help elevate the level of care for dogs statewide.
Her compassion for animals is deeply personal. Karissa once rescued a severely malnourished Belgian Malinois and her puppies—an experience that ignited a deep love for the breed. Today, she shares her home with two spirited Belgian Malinois and a loyal Cardigan Welsh Corgi who are not just pets, but cherished members of her family.
Karissa is also joyfully married to Dave Roach, Vice President and HR Director of Canine Country Club. Together, they pour their hearts into the business they’ve built side by side. Karissa is also a proud stepmother to a wonderful 14-year-old son who enjoys helping out at the Club and learning the ropes of responsible pet care.
Beyond her professional and family life, Karissa finds joy in the world of equestrian sports. She owns an Off-Track Thoroughbred named Drake and competes in hunter-jumper events throughout the Midwest. An active member of USEF, USHJA, and INHJA, she treasures the challenge and beauty of the sport. When she’s not with the horses or dogs, you’ll often find her outdoors, fishing, or expressing her creativity through laser engraving—some of which is available for purchase at Canine Country Club.
Karissa’s remarkable journey is one of passion, purpose, and profound love for animals. Through her leadership, advocacy, and unwavering commitment, Canine Country Club has become more than just a business—it’s a sanctuary where dogs are nurtured, respected, and truly cared for.
Dave Roach
Vice President & HR Director
Dave Roach serves as Vice President and Head HR Director at Canine Country Club, bringing more than 25 years of human resources experience and an unwavering love for dogs to his leadership role. Since joining the company in 2019, Dave has been instrumental in shaping a workplace culture rooted in compassion, teamwork, and mutual respect—values that benefit both employees and the animals in their care.
Working alongside his wife and company owner, Karissa, Dave combines strategic HR expertise with a deeply personal commitment to the success and well-being of every team member. He believes that a happy, supported staff creates the most enriching environment for the dogs, and he works tirelessly to ensure Canine Country Club is a place where both people and pets can thrive.
A lifelong dog lover, Dave makes it a point to connect with the four-legged guests each day, never missing a chance to greet and love on every puppy that walks through the door. His presence is felt not only in the strength of the company’s team but also in the joyful, welcoming atmosphere that defines Canine Country Club. With his rare blend of professional experience and genuine heart, Dave is a driving force behind the company’s growth, integrity, and inclusive spirit.
Sara Krier
General Manager
Sara Krier is a passionate animal care professional with a bachelor's degree in Animal Ecology from Iowa State University. Her career in pet care has taken her across the United States, where she gained valuable experience working in multiple dog daycares. This nationwide journey shaped her hands-on knowledge and deepened her commitment to canine wellbeing.
In 2022, Sara returned to her Iowa roots and joined Canine Country Club as Assistant Manager and Employee Trainer. Her leadership skills, dedication to staff development, and instinctive connection with dogs quickly set her apart, leading to her promotion to General Manager in 2023.
A lifelong dog lover, Sara has shared her life with a variety of pets and currently owns a spirited Border Collie/Husky mix (Ripley), a lovable Shih Tzu/Bichon mix (Ruger), and a charming orange tabby cat (Roar). Her personal and professional life are driven by a belief that every dog who walks through the doors of Canine Country Club becomes her dog. She is known for forming lasting bonds with each dog in her care and treating every one of them as if they were her own.
Sara’s approach to leadership and animal care is grounded in empathy, experience, and an unwavering dedication to making every pet’s day enriching, safe, and filled with love.
Josh Mallas
Facilities Manager
Josh Mallas is the backbone of Canine Country Club’s facility operations, known for his reliability, resourcefulness, and hands-on approach to maintaining a clean, safe, and well-functioning environment for both pets and staff. As an all-around fix-it handyman, Josh tackles everything from maintenance repairs to safety protocols with skill and dedication.
Josh began his journey at Canine Country Club in 2014 as a Dog Daycare Specialist. Over the years, his strong work ethic, problem-solving abilities, and commitment to excellence led him to rise through the ranks to become Facilities Manager. As the longest-tenured employee on staff, Josh brings not only invaluable experience but also a deep-rooted understanding of the company’s culture and operations.
He takes pride in ensuring the facility runs smoothly each day, whether that means deep cleaning, troubleshooting equipment, or stepping in wherever help is needed. Josh’s presence is a constant source of dependability, and his work often goes beyond what’s expected to support the team and the animals in his care.
At home, Josh and his girlfriend Alissa share their lives with two energetic and lovable coonhounds. His love for dogs and dedication to their wellbeing are evident in everything he does—making him a trusted and essential part of the Canine Country Club family.
Liz Williams
Assistant Manager & Head Trainer
Liz Williams brings a lifelong dedication to animal welfare and an impressive breadth of experience to her role as Assistant Manager and Head Dog Trainer at Canine Country Club. Her journey in animal care began at just 15 years old, immersing herself in veterinary care and animal advocacy—foundations that have shaped her into the compassionate and skilled professional she is today.
With over four years of professional dog training experience, Liz specializes in balanced training methods that focus on creating well-rounded, confident, and obedient dogs through a fair and structured approach. She is certified in animal psychology and behavior, is a Certified AKC Evaluator, and her deep understanding of canine communication shapes every training session she leads.
Liz originally joined Canine Country Club as a Customer Care Specialist. Her exceptional leadership, training expertise, and natural rapport with both pets and their people quickly propelled her into her current leadership role.
Outside of work, Liz lives on a bustling farm where she cares for an ever-growing family of animals—including more than ten dogs, horses, goats, snakes, cats and chickens. She is also a passionate advocate in the rescue community, taking on both medical and behavioral foster cases to help animals in need transition into loving homes.
Liz’s commitment to animal welfare, her hands-on experience, and her drive to help dogs thrive make her an invaluable part of the Canine Country Club team.
Sadie Beerman
Dog Groomer & Head Stylist
Since beginning her grooming career in 2019, Sadie Beerman has brought both skill and heart to every pup she meets. From a young age, Sadie knew she wanted to work with animals, and grooming has proven to be the perfect path for her passion and talent.
While German Shepherds hold the top spot as her favorite breed, Australian Shepherds are her go-to for grooming—she loves their personality and the challenge of perfecting their coats. Sadie has also developed a specialty in working with senior dogs. Her calm, patient demeanor helps older pets feel safe and comfortable during their grooming sessions, which can often be a delicate process.
When it comes to nail trims, Sadie is the team’s go-to expert. She has a natural ability to handle even the most difficult nail jobs—if another groomer can’t manage it, Sadie often can.
Her favorite part of grooming is the moment the client sees their dog after a fresh cut—the joy and satisfaction on their face makes every moment worthwhile. Making both pets and their humans happy is what drives her every day.
Outside of work, Sadie shares her life with her almost-husband, Nate, and their beloved dogs—Elvis, a German Shepherd, and Nash, a German Shepherd/Lab mix. When she’s not at the grooming table, she enjoys spending time with her family and doting on her brand new niece.
What Makes Canine Country Club Special
At Canine Country Club, we’re more than just a place for dogs—we’re a trusted second home where your dog’s comfort, safety, and happiness come first. Proudly woman-owned and locally operated for over 15 years, we are deeply rooted in the community and committed to providing the highest standard of care.
We offer daycare, boarding, grooming, and training—making us your one-stop shop for all your dog care needs. Whether your pup needs a place to play, a comfortable overnight stay, a fresh new look, or help mastering new skills, we’ve got it covered under one roof.
Our experienced and knowledgeable team conducts thorough and ongoing temperament evaluations, ensuring every dog is placed in the appropriate environment and playgroup—especially if they are social. We take the time to truly get to know your pup, allowing us to recommend personalized options and tailor each stay to suit their unique needs and personality.
Whether it’s playtime, rest, or enrichment, we focus on making your dog’s experience safe, fun, and fulfilling—just like home.
We offer three levels of boarding suite types, ensuring every pup—from the playful to the pampered—feels right at home. Our facility is equipped with UV ionizers and air scrubbers that eliminate airborne pathogens for clean, fresh air at all times, and we uphold daily surface sanitization for a spotless environment. Dogs with allergies, wounds, or skin issues and more can benefit from our Holistic Healing Bath, specially formulated to soothe and support healing. Canine Country Club is the only place in the metro that offers this special nanobubble technology bathing treatment.
At Canine Country Club, we adhere strictly to all State of Iowa laws and regulations to ensure the highest standards of safety and cleanliness—offering you peace of mind every step of the way. We understand that when you entrust us with your dog, you're entrusting us with a member of your family. That responsibility is never taken lightly.
Transparency is one of our core values. Should any concern arise during your dog’s stay—whether it's a change in appetite, an upset stomach, or even a minor scrape—you’ll receive a prompt and honest update from our team. Your dog’s well-being is our top priority, and we believe in keeping you informed at all times.
We are equally open about our facility itself. We proudly offer full tours of our entire campus so you can see exactly where your dog will be staying and playing. In fact, we’re so confident in the quality of our care and accommodations that we offer a $50 gift certificate to everyone who completes a tour. We welcome the opportunity to show you the clean, secure, and enriching environment we’ve thoughtfully created for your dog’s comfort and happiness.