
We're on a mission!
Our Mission at South Paw Massage and Wellness is to work together as a team to enrich lives and create eternal value by caring for pets and their families – providing excellent care, wellness, peace of mind, trust, and safety.
We have been helping pets live longer and stronger since 2015.
Over the years we have expanded! We are blessed with a team of people that have a passion for pets and we are here to make a difference in the pet care industry. Our team is fully trained and held to the highest standards in the Animal Bodywork and Animal Wellness Industries. The skill and education we have obtained complements our veterinarian community. We are proud to fill part of the missing link that completes your pet's health and wellness.
Meet Our Facility Team

Kurt & Stacy Gradel
Owners
Bio Coming Soon

Irena
Facility Manager
I was born in Ukraine and have lived in Vero Beach since 2008. I have an orange tabby cat named Theo who is one-and-a-half years old.
My hobbies include playing ultimate frisbee and disc golf. I also enjoy finding new recipes to cook.
I have been working with animals professionally since 2021; I have always loved taking care of them and learning more about them. There is no better place to be than being surrounded by furry friends every single day!

Gianni
Shift Supervisor
I was born in Canada and moved to Florida when I was seven years old. I have two dogs: Raven, a two-year-old Belgian Malinois and Precious, a six-year-old pit mix.
My hobbies include drawing, building Legos and collecting various nerdy things.
I have always wanted to work in a field where I would be caring for either people or animals; at South Paw I feel like I’m doing both.

Melissa
Certified Groomer
I am a native Floridian. I began working in an animal hospital as a veterinary assistant after high school and fell in love with the art of animal grooming. I have continued my education and experience in animal behavior and pet styling over the years.
When I’m not making pets look and feel fabulous, I spend time with my three children, two dogs, two cats and Betta Fish.

Rachel
Pack Member since April 2022
I was born in Tennessee. I have a twin sister who is one minute younger than me. I moved to Vero Beach with my family in 2019. We have four dogs: two beagle mixes and two chihuahua yorkie mixes.
I love anything art related and enjoy collecting my favorite childhood toys like Monster High dolls and Pokemon cards.
I love animals and find it easier to communicate with them than humans. After work I look forward to telling my family what happened with all dogs at the facility like they are my kids.

Kali
Pack Member since December 2023
I was born and raised in Bayamón, Puerto Rico with a large and loving family. I have two canine companions—a Maltese Yorkie mix and a toy poodle.
I was inspired at a young age to pursue a career in the animal field. Since working at South Paw, I have immersed myself in learning the intricacies of animal behavior and care. Driven by my love for animals and fueled by my dreams of becoming a trusted veterinarian, I am dedicated to making a difference in the lives of both animals and humans alike.

Piper
Pack Member since February 2024
I was born in Maryland and moved to Sebastian in 2020. I have a three-year-old Golden Retriever who I spend all my time with.
My hobbies include knitting socks, cooking for others and baking.
I have always been passionate about animals,
particularly dogs. I am thrilled to get to work with them every day!

Quinn
Pack Member since March 2024
I’m originally from Tampa. My interests include going to the gym and spending time with friends.
I’ve always had a deep love for animals, which inspired me to pursue a career in the animal care field. Working with animals has been a unique
and rewarding experience for me. I’m certified in Dog CPR, which helps me provide an extra level of safety to those in my care.
In the future I plan to continue serving my community by becoming a firefighter.

Dalylah
Pack Member since May 2025
I’m originally from The Bronx, and come from a big, loving Puerto Rican family. I share my life with two wonderful dogs—a pit bull-lab mix and a mini red poodle.
My passion for dogs began when I was a child. I began my pet care journey while pet-sitting for family and friends, aspiring to become a veterinarian. Recently my interest has expanded into the field of psychology. My current goal is to understand the minds of both humans and animals and explore the connection between the two.

Lauren
Pack Member since June 2025
I am originally from New Jersey. I moved to Florida in 2016 and began working professionally with dogs soon after that. I currently have a German Shepherd named Luna, who keeps me on my toes and brings so much joy to my life.
I love exploring nature, spending quality time with Luna, and unwinding with video games in my free time.
Being part of the South Paw team allows me to combine my passion for animals with meaningful work every day!

Heather
Pack Member since August 2025
I am a Vero Beach native. I enjoy exploring nature trails with my two bulldog mixes and visiting the horse farm in my free time.
I started my career in equine care, where I developed a strong foundation in animal behavior, body awareness and hands-on wellness practices. I transitioned my focus to canine care in 2019, providing attentive, structured and compassionate care to every dog I work with.
I am currently working toward becoming a Certified Canine Massage Therapist.

Isaiah
Pack Member since October 2025
I was born in Colorado and have proudly called Florida home since I was two weeks old. I live with my parents and two siblings.
My deep love for animals led me to pursue hands-on experience in professional canine care. Being part of the South Paw team allows me to continue learning and growing in the field.
Long term, I aspire to become a firefighter. I am committed to growing both personally and professionally, and I am grateful to be surrounded by people who support my goals.

Whitney
Pack Member since October 2025
I’m a proud parent to a beautiful daughter, and a devoted pet owner to two small dogs and two wonderfully chunky cats.
I bring over 12 years of professional experience as an enrichment specialist working with chimpanzees. My lifelong passion has always centered around caring for animals of all species and creating positive experiences for them and the people who love them.
I’m grateful to do work that combines compassion, education and hands-on animal care every day.

Kennyanna
Swim Coach since January 2026
I was born and raised in Martin County, Florida. I have a chihuahua/terrier mix named Jake. I love taking trips to the beach, traveling, and spending time with family/friends.
I’ve worked with animals for four years now. I believe that animals deserve the same care, protection, love, and security that humans do, which is why pursuing a career in the animal field is very important to me.
I am currently in college pursuing a degree in Veterinary Medicine/Science to become a veterinarian or animal nutritionist.

Jeremy
Pack Member since February 2026
I was born and raised in Jersey City and moved to Florida in 2026. I have a dog named Onyx, who has inspired me to pursue animal care. My hobbies include playing video games, watching anime and spending time with my family.
I started working at a dog daycare in 2017 and quickly realized it was my calling. Since then, I’ve gained experience in dog daycares, rescue organizations, and adoption centers.
I aspire to become a professional dog trainer while continuing to learn and grow in the field.
