About Happy Tails Travel, Inc.

Bridget Monrad

RN RET, Business Owner

Hello! My name is Bridget & I started Happy Tails Travel, Inc. in 1995. 28 years later, I still enjoy my decision to have a service that helps pets fly by air with care or by ground safe & sound!  

Coming from many generations of farming, and as an only child, pets were like brothers & sisters to me growing up.  This created my passion for animals, and now my own fur babies are like children. I had the idea to own a business after a career as a Registered Nurse, where my specialty was chemical dependency & psychiatric care. I believe that working as a medical professional made an easy transition to being a successful entrepreneur. In particular this applies to working with animals & people; it is the deep understanding of empathy, love of people, & the importance of maintaining a high standard of ethics. 

While over 28 years in business has shown that I have a natural ability to own a company, I ensure that I keep up with industry changes and trends through research, learning, consulting, and trial & error. I also attribute my success to outstanding employees and perseverance in maintaining the excellent reputation of Happy Tails Travel.  

Having a company that strives for outstanding customer service as well as care, comfort, & safety to traveling pets is a dream come true. It all began when someone asked me, “If you could do anything in the world, what would you do?” Working with animals was my answer and four months later I began Happy Tails Travel. I am so happy that I did and am so grateful for all the support I have had through the years, including outstanding employees, who make my role as a boss easy. 

“What I like best is being surrounded by people who are as passionate about pets & their wellbeing as I. This includes my employees, our drivers, clients, other shippers, & veterinarians.” 

-Bridget 

Kim

Pet Travel Specialist/Domestic Manager

Kim has worked in hospitality, travel, and management for more than 20 years.  She has an Associate’s degree in Hospitality Management and a Bachelors in Business Management.  Her passions include: travel, animals, and helping others, which is why she chose to come to Happy Tails!

Joining Happy Tails in 2017, Kim has grown in her position from Administrative Assistant to Pet Travel Specialist.  Kim also works as a Domestic Manager, which includes many internal aspects including being a leader to the team and point of contact for clients.  One of her favorite parts of the job is the paperwork involved in travel to Hawaii as she is meticulous in knowing, securing, and implementing the required information in a timely manner. She is familiar with the processes of quarantines as she moved to/from Japan with her late mini-Schnauzer and Japanese tabby cat, both of which were rescues.

Kim is now also a proud Mama to a human child as well as her furkids and loves every second of family life.

“My fur babies mean the world to me – I couldn’t imagine life without them.  They’ve been my family through thick and thin. I’m so glad to have the opportunities to travel and bring them with me! Pets are family, too!”

- Kim

Lizzie

Pet Travel Specialist/Project Manager

Lizzie comes from a background working closely with pets of all shapes and sizes. Previously, she has worked in Management, Veterinary Reception, and Dog Training. She has a B.A. in Archaeology which helped foster her love for travel. Working for Happy Tails Travel has allowed her to combine her love for pets and travel.

Lizzie joined Happy Tails Travel in 2022 as a Pet Travel Specialist. She loves helping pet parents feel comfortable and stress-free on big moves knowing that their fur-children are safe and well cared for on their journey throughout the country.

“I love that Happy Tails combines my love of animals, travel and helping others. I love helping your fur-kids through big moves with as little stress as possible.”

-Lizzie

Shelbie

Pet Travel Specialist/Marketing Manager

Shelbie joined Happy Tails Travel in 2023 as a Pet Travel Specialist.  Shelbie’s background includes serving in the US Navy Reserves since 2014 and working as a Veterinary Technician since 2017. In her role with Happy Tails Travel, she loves being able to help take care of pets even when she is not in a Veterinary Clinic.

As the military community is near and dear to Shelbie’s heart, the opportunity to help military families have a stress-free move is a huge motivating factor for her enjoyment & commitment to working for Happy Tails Travel.

Shelbie is our resident "nerd" and loves the technical side of marketing. Her passions include science, reading, and animals. Working for Happy Tails Travel allows Shelbie to utilize her logistic skills from the Navy and knowledge of animals from being a Veterinary Technician. She loves getting to use her “whole brain” while planning your pets’ travel!

Shelbie has two blind dogs, nine fish, a toddler, and a wonderful husband. Her family is her world and she loves making them laugh and smile.

“Everything is figure-out-able!”

-Shelbie

Samantha

Pet Travel Specialist

Samantha has numerous years of experience in hospitality ranging from customer service to animal care. Having previously been the manager of an animal boarding facility, she is well versed in the care needed for all different breeds. She worked especially close with German Shepherds as the boarding facility doubled as a breeder! Helping to alleviate the stress from both pets and their families and create an easy transition to a new environment is something she truly takes pleasure in doing.

Having joined Happy Tails Travel in 2023 as a Pet Travel Specialist, Samantha looks forward to continuing to help pets and their families transition through relocations. She has a newfound passion for keeping families together in whatever situations life may throw their way.

“Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong.”

-Samantha

Elaine

Ph.D., Project Manager

Elaine has three degrees in hospitality and tourism. She received her Bachelor of Science in International Hospitality Management from Northern Arizona University, a Master of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management from Virginia Tech and a Doctor of Philosophy in Hospitality Management from the University of Central Florida. Her work experience prior to joining Happy Tails Travel includes working in boutique hotels and working for Walt Disney World handling guest services, events, and reservations.

Elaine started working for Happy Tails Travel in 2014 as a Pet Travel Specialist, arranging both domestic and international pet relocation. Elaine then went on to becoming Project Manager, working more behind the scenes, analyzing the business and ensuring the company had the needed tools to run efficiently and successfully.

"I have a passion for travel and am an animal lover, so the opportunity to work for Happy Tails Travel combines the best of both worlds!"

— Elaine