Meet The Sit, Stay, 'N Play Team
Please take a moment and get to know the Sit, Stay, 'N Play team members. They are all committed to offering exceptional customer service and are always expanding their product knowledge. As a team, We are ALL committed to continually learning more about pet care, products, and nutrition so we can provide you with the best products and services around. We value you and your dog as our guest and look forward to helping your have your best dog! Yours in doggy fun!
Meet Our Wonderful of Team Members
Lisa Kirschner
The vision behind Sit, Stay, ‘N Play began with a bouncy, brilliant puppy named Lucy. At just three months old, Lucy inspired Lisa to dive headfirst into the world of dog training. They took every class they could find, but it never felt like enough. Lisa wanted more: more connection, more enrichment, more ways to help Lucy grow into the dog she was meant to be.
Dog parks didn’t offer the safety or structure she hoped for, and there weren’t any year-round options that prioritized learning and fun. So, she built the place she had been searching for, not just for Lucy, but for all the dogs and people in the community who wanted something better. Several years and hundreds of wagging tails later, that dream is alive and thriving.
Lisa has shared her life with dogs since childhood, but it was Lucy, her first Australian Shepherd, who truly changed everything. Over the years, Lisa has become passionate about helping nervous, uncertain dogs transform into confident, joyful teammates. She believes training should never come from fear, but from partnership, patience, and positive reinforcement.
Lucy’s legacy lives on through every dog who walks through the doors. Her titles spanned agility, obedience, tricks, and nose work across multiple venues. But even more meaningful than the ribbons was the journey she took from timid to fearless, one joyful step at a time. When Lucy crossed the Rainbow Bridge in 2023, she left behind a legacy of love, learning, and inspiration.
Today, Lisa shares her home and heart with Bourbon and Shelby, who continue the tradition of playful training and lifelong learning. Bourbon is a multi-sport athlete, excelling in agility, nose work, obedience, and Rodeo Dog. Shelby has earned titles in tricks, agility, and Canine Good Citizen, always with enthusiasm and just a touch of mischief.
Lisa’s greatest joy is seeing dogs and their people grow together, whether it’s their very first class or their hundredth ribbon. Her approach is grounded in empathy, science, and a whole lot of heart. You’ll often find her on the sidelines, cheering teams on, celebrating every breakthrough, and offering encouragement when things get tough. Because at Sit, Stay, ‘N Play, success isn’t just about titles, it’s about connection, confidence, and the joy of the journey.
Because you’ve got the best dog, and Lisa built Sit, Stay, ‘N Play so you’d always have a place where your partnership can thrive.
Dagan Kirschner
Dagan is the friendly face making sure your visit runs smoothly from start to finish. As our facility manager, he keeps everything on track, from helping trainers set up for class, taking reservations, and making sure the space is clean, calm, and ready for you and your dog to thrive. If you’ve ever needed a hand, a smile, or a quick answer, chances are Dagan is already on it.
He’s also one of our obedience and Rodeo Dog trainers, bringing patience, structure, and positivity to every team he works with. Dagan graduated from the CATCH Dog Training Program in 2022 and continues to grow alongside his dog Elsa, who’s earned titles including Star Puppy, CGC, CGCA, CGCU, Tricks 1, Rodeo Beg Level 4, and passed the AKC Temperament Test.
Born and raised in Stroudsburg, Dagan earned his Eagle Scout award in 2009. His love for teaching began early. He was skiing by age two and began instructing children in skiing and snowboarding at just fourteen. In the winter months, you may find him at Shawnee Mountain sharing that same encouragement and energy on the slopes.
That lifelong joy of teaching inspired Dagan to create and lead our Kids with Dogs Beginner Obedience class. This is a safe, empowering space where children can take an active role in training their own dogs. It’s just one more way he helps build confidence and connection between dogs and the people who love them.
Whether he’s supporting a nervous first-time guest or celebrating a win with a returning team, Dagan leads with kindness, reliability, and heart.
Because you’ve got the best dog, and Dagan is here to make sure your journey together feels supported every step of the way.
Heather Sparks
Heather’s journey to Sit, Stay, ‘N Play started with a tiny rescue puppy named Bailey and blossomed into something so much bigger. When Bailey came into her life in 2020, he was small, sick, and full of determination. Heather brought him to train with us, and together, “Team Bailey” turned challenges into confidence, earning titles across AKC, UKI, CPE, and TDAA, including a TACh2 and TNAC.
It didn’t stop there. Heather’s other dogs, Aine and Saoirse, thrived in our community too by building trust, learning new skills, and growing into bold, happy teammates. Along the way, Heather fell in love with what makes Sit, Stay, ‘N Play so special: the warmth, the people, and the shared belief that training is about more than ribbons, it’s about relationships.
She quickly became a key part of our team, greeting guests, managing the monthly newsletter, coordinating Bark Bash, and bringing her signature energy to every task behind the scenes. Even after relocating to Virginia, Heather continues to contribute remotely, proof that distance can’t break the bond of community.
Before dogs, Heather had a rich history in two other worlds: horses and Irish dance. She began showing horses at just four years old and became the youngest-ever National Champion in Stock Seat Equitation in 1983. Later, she became a champion-level Irish step dancer and spent 30 years coaching dancers who competed internationally, including at the World Championships.
Heather’s life has always been filled with movement, music, animals, and heart. She’s rescued countless dogs, cats, and even a horse, and now, as a certified TDAA judge and longtime team member, she brings that same compassion and dedication to every role she holds.
Because you’ve got the best dog, and Heather’s story is a reminder that when you find your people, you’re always part of the pack.
Kathy Varkados
Kathy always had dogs in her life. Her love and compassion for dogs are immeasurable. 21 years ago, she received a call about a severely abused Rottweiler with a broken leg and heart. That is when Kathy got involved with Rescue and her local Humane Society. She became the Rescue Coordinator, Special Needs Coordinator & Advisor and was on the Board of Directors.
Kathy also taught Humane Education in schools and visited nursing homes alongside shelter dogs, the Humane Police Officer and 1 of her dogs, Clancey who was born blind and deaf. Besides training Obedience, she also trains blind/deaf dogs by touch. Her Clancey is AKC Canine Good Citizen (one of the first blind/deaf to be recognized) and is now doing nose work.
Kathy loves a challenge and wants to help all dogs become confident while having fun learning. She is married and a Mom of 5 beautiful children. Her 4 legged children consist of her blind/deaf Aussies and Border Collies, a 3 legged Border Collie named Checkers and 1 Golden Retriever named Bella.
Dane Bragg
Dane grew up with chihuahuas and poodles. As an adult, he and his wife Donna decided the beagle was the breed for them. Their first dog, Joey, taught them more than they ever taught him. Most importantly, the importance of finding the right dog and right breed for you. Dane calls himself a "relationship trainer" and believes all dog training should boil down to building a better relationship with our dogs. He believes handlers should develop a broad set of handling techniques and develop the skill of picking the right one for them and their dog in each situation. Dane has titled dogs in multiple venues, including AKC, TDAA, DOCNA, and UKI. More than competing, Dane loves teaching. He began teaching agility nearly 10 years ago and continually works to improve his own handling in order to be a better teacher. In addition to handling and teaching, Dane is a trial secretary for multiple venues and an active UKI agility judge. When judging, Dane has a number one rule for handlers: "Have fun with your dog!" In training, the same rule applies. When our dogs succeed in doing what we want, we need to make them believe they are the greatest dog in the world. Which they are, of course.
Sara Jacobs
If there’s a way to connect with dogs through training, Sara has probably mastered it, and taught it. She began training dogs for competition in the 1970s and has spent decades working with a wide range of breeds, including Newfoundlands, Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, German Shorthaired Pointers, Pembroke Welsh Corgis, and American Brittanys.
Her experience runs deep across multiple venues including Obedience, Rally, Conformation, Draft Work, Water Work, and Field Work, giving her a unique perspective on what it takes for dogs and their people to succeed together. As a judge for CDSP Obedience and WCRL Rally, Sara combines her knowledge with a compassionate, fair approach that helps teams feel confident in the ring.
Sara believes there’s no single “one-size-fits-all” method to training. If something isn’t working, she finds a way to adapt, always prioritizing positive reinforcement and a supportive environment. That flexibility and problem-solving ability have helped countless teams overcome challenges and discover new joy in working together.
Her passion is simple: she loves working with her own dogs and helping others. Whether she’s guiding a brand-new puppy team or fine-tuning the skills of a seasoned competitor, Sara brings patience, creativity, and heart to every lesson.
Because you’ve got the best dog—and Sara is here to help you bring out their very best.
Kathy Gregory
Kathy has been an avid Nose Work enthusiast since taking the first Nose Work seminar given on the East Coast in 2010. She has been competing herself and teaching competitors in this sport since being formally certified in 2013. Her students have included old dogs, puppies, blind and retired dogs from other, more physically challenging sports. Kathy believes that this sport specifically supports shy, sensitive, and environmentally challenged dogs as well as dogs that just like to get out and have fun with their handlers. Some of Kathy’s students are successfully competing at the highest levels of Nose Work. Kathy is an ORT Certifying Official and Judge. Kathy participated in providing the AKC with live information about how to put the sport of Scent Work together, having hosted several of their groups observing her classes and providing suggestions as to how to make their sport different and interesting as well as fun. Kathy is an AKC Scent Work Judge for all levels of competition. Kathy has been a member of the Doberman Pinscher Club of America since 1999 and the Long Island Doberman Pinscher Club since 1997. Kathy has been invited to give Nose Work seminars as fund raisers for different breed clubs in New York and New Jersey and several animal shelter groups. Kathy writes regularly about Scent Work for several professional magazines and for Perspectives, the periodical for AKC Delegates. She has been an AKC Delegate since 2015 and has served on the Herding Earthdog Coursing and Scent Work Events committee since 2017.
Mark Kirschner
Mark is our in house designer and photographer. He helps to create new, interesting, and engaging content across our multi media platforms.
Mark lives a pretty active lifestyle that includes traveling, paintballing, and snowboarding. He also has several published works including his 2018 "Unknown Faces" show winner at the Cummings Art Gallery in Erie, PA.
Mark graduated from Mercyhurst University, where he studied design and photography.
Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds
Lucy joined Lisa’s family on January 1st, 2010 as a three-month-old puppy. At that time, Lisa worked for a non-profit organization and had to travel often as well as have evening meetings. While Lisa enjoyed what she did serving the community, she wanted more for Lucy.
They were able to take some classes locally, and still wanted more for this outgoing and fun puppy. It was Lucy’s outgoing personality that helped Lisa open Sit, Stay, ‘N Play so that Lucy could go to work and play every day.
Lucy started out with more obedience classes before starting agility. Lucy loved agility, except for the teeter. We all believe it was the sound, not the movement. Afterall, she did have big ears.
From there, Lucy found her favorite game; nose work. Her enthusiasm to play was heard by everyone when she had to wait her turn. She was good at it, and everyone can see the joy in her playing.
Lucy started a competition obedience class when she was eight years old, the age when most dogs are retiring. She always played with a smile, and sometimes a little bark when not moving fast enough. She was good, even earning High In Trial several times over dogs half her age and experience.
As Lucy began to age, and retire from competing in agility, she found Rodeo Dog. She enjoyed that game too. There wasn’t a game that she didn’t enjoy playing, with whoever would play with her.
As life happens, her aging was hard on her body. She and Lisa fought a good fight for years not knowing what the challenges were on why her body was behaving the way it was. Such wonderful veterinarians did all they could to help her for years. On February 27, 2023 she lost the battle and crossed the Rainbow Bridge. However, her legacy will continue to live on every single day. It’s because of her that Sit, Stay, ‘N Play was created. So dogs can have a safe and fun place to play with their people.
Isis Kirschner
Isis was adopted from Delaware Valley Siberian Rescue on July 3, 2010 as an adult. She was Mark’s dog, and they loved each other. Once Mark went to college, we made the decision for Isis to stay home with Lucy as we were concerned on how she would take the move. She loved everyone, and some even considered her the Mayor of Main Street, as you can see her outside on the sidewalk waiting for the children to come pet her. She loved to ride in the convertible, and it showed by her big smile.
She was one of the reasons that Sit, Stay, ‘N Play is designed with a safety airlock. Yes, as a husky, she found a way out. She is also the reason why we dedicate so much time in educating pet parents about nutrition and healthy food for dogs. She is leaving a wonderful legacy of healthy dogs.
She passed away on February 16, 2018, but will always have a place in our hearts.
Donna Hunter
With a warm smile and a knack for knowing just what you need, Donna is one of the first friendly faces you’ll meet when you step into Sit, Stay, ‘N Play. But her care for our guests doesn’t stop at the front desk. She’s also the steady hand behind class schedules, the organized energy that helps trainers each day, and the creative force behind the graphics you love on social media.
Before joining our team, Donna spent 40 years as a Graphic Designer and Illustrator, a career full of color, storytelling, and heart. After retiring, she brought those same gifts to a new chapter by writing and illustrating her first children’s book, Sky-High Sylvia. Her creativity didn’t stop there. Her love of dogs led her to us, where she now uses her talents to help you and your dog feel seen, supported, and right at home.
She’s not just designing graphics, she’s designing experiences. From clear communication to a welcoming space, Donna makes sure everything reflects what we believe, that dogs and their people thrive in safe, enriching environments.
When she’s not greeting guests or sketching her next idea, you’ll find Donna with Ruby, her joyful Miniature Australian Shepherd and daily inspiration. Her imagination, compassion, and calm presence are a quiet but powerful part of what makes our community feel so special.
From your very first step inside, Donna helps make Sit, Stay, ‘N Play feel like home.