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Jessica Wehrli doesn’t micro-manage her kennel department at Petland in Omaha, Neb. Instead, she leads by example, letting her competitive spirit drive the kennel’s success.
The Strachan family - Robert, Winnie, Michael and Gladys - operate the Petland store in Omaha. In nominating Wehrli for Petland Kennel Manager of the Year, family members indicated:
"Jessica has taken full responsibility for the relationships with breeders and the local buying program. She manages the process from breeder site inspections to pre-bookings, purchasing and to the processing of all incoming puppies. All of her processes are managed via documented reports."
As a result of Wehrli’s leadership and systems, gross margins in Petland Omaha’s kennel department have grown 10 percent, resulting in increased gross profits during the first eight months of the year.
For Wehrli, however, it is simply about the pets.
"I really like knowing where we buy puppies from," said Wehrli, who looks at cleanliness, size of kennel operation and socialization processes during her breeder and pet distributor visits.
"You can tell a lot from your first impressions. If a breeder or distributor is not willing to have me tour their facility when I talk with them on the telephone, then they are not for us to work with."
High expectations
Her expectations for breeders and pet distributors carry over to her own operation at Petland in Omaha.
"I have high expectations for our kennel," she said. "I want ours to be the cleanest."
Wehrli came to Petland having previously worked at a boarding kennel. She started as a kennel technician at Petland in Omaha in April 2004. Several months later, she became assistant kennel manager. It was in 2005 that she took over as Petland Kennel Manager.
"My employees are amazing. They work very hard. They are what makes my job possible," said Wehrli, giving credit to co-worker, Krystal Salmon, who works as a behavioral specialist to help train the store’s puppies. "Our puppies are going home trained well. They provide us with a number of proud moments."
Proud moments
While quiet and soft-spoken by nature, Wehrli says she is competitive and trys to keep the kennel at its best by instigating a number of staff contests.
"While I am not a natural born leader, I have seen myself in this growing process along the way . . . It has helped me become more confident . . . The job has become more than I thought it would be," Wehrli said.
The award recognition at the 2006 Petland Trade in San Antonio, Texas, took Wehrli by surprise. She was not aware of its offering. Being named Petland’s Kennel Manager of Year, however, has given her a career affirmation.
"Working hard has always been a value. This just shows what can happen if I really work hard and give it my best in everything I do," she said.
Wehrli has her eyes focused on dog training in the future.
"I did the puppy behavioral class with Brian Donovan (of Dogstar Productions). That was really awesome," she said. "I think I would like to do that for my career."
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