About us
At Happy Tails Daycare, we believe every dog deserves to spend their day somewhere they feel safe, happy, and truly understood.
We created Happy Tails to be a different kind of daycare - one where dogs aren't simply supervised, but genuinely cared for. A place where every dog is known by name, their individual personality is celebrated, and their wellbeing always comes first.
Nestled in the heart of Riverhead, our rural property offers dogs the freedom to explore, play, sniff, rest, and simply enjoy being dogs. With open space, fresh air, and a relaxed environment, each day is thoughtfully planned to provide the perfect balance of exercise, enrichment, social interaction, and downtime.
Our Philosophy
We believe quality care comes from knowing every dog as an individual. That's why we intentionally keep our groups small and carefully matched based on age, size, temperament, and play style. Familiar groups create calmer dogs, stronger friendships, and a more enjoyable daycare experience for everyone.
Whether your dog loves racing around with friends, exploring the paddocks, splashing through puddles, or finding a sunny spot to relax, we tailor each day to suit their needs.
Safety, consistency, and kindness are at the heart of everything we do. From our structured routines and experienced team to regular rest breaks, gentle introductions, and plenty of one-on-one attention, every decision we make is centred around creating a calm, balanced environment where dogs can thrive.
When your dog spends the day with us, they're not just another booking—they become part of the Happy Tails family.
Meet the Team
Liana
As a proud mum to three much-loved dogs, her passion for dogs runs deep — both at home and at work. Opening Happy Tails has been a dream come true, and she feels incredibly privileged to care for not only the dogs entrusted to her, but also the amazing team who look after them every day. Liana is hands-on, deeply committed to animal wellbeing, and genuinely invested in creating a safe, calm, and happy environment for every dog in her care.
Emily
Emily has been working with dogs since the age of 16 and brings years of hands-on experience to the Happy Tails team. As the owner of two dogs, she has a natural understanding of canine behaviour and care. Emily is calm, attentive, and genuinely enjoys building strong bonds with the dogs in her care.
Kimmy
Kimmy has worked alongside Liana for over four years and is an integral part of the Happy Tails team. Having grown up with dogs and cats, along with experience working in veterinary clinics, she brings a strong focus on animal wellbeing and calm, attentive care. Kimmy is passionate, observant, and deeply committed to ensuring every dog feels safe and cared for.
Aurea
Aurea joined the Happy Tails team from France while travelling New Zealand on her working holiday adventure. With a genuine love for animals and the outdoors, she has quickly become a wonderful addition to our team. Aurea has a calm, caring nature and loves getting to know each dog's unique personality, making sure they feel safe, happy, and well looked after throughout the day.
Mathis
Mathis is travelling from France and is working alongside his partner, Loane, while gaining valuable hands-on experience in dog daycare. Together, they plan to open their own daycare centre in France in the future. Mathis is calm, reliable, and caring, and takes pride in creating a safe and positive environment for the dogs in his care.
Loane
Loane is travelling from France and brings a genuine passion for dogs and their wellbeing to Happy Tails. Her time with us is part of a bigger dream — when she returns home, she plans to open her own dog daycare centre. Loane is thoughtful, enthusiastic, and deeply committed to learning and providing high-quality care for every dog she works with.
Charlotte
Charlotte has been part of the Happy Tails team since the very beginning. Alongside her studies in law, she has a strong passion for animals and their wellbeing. Charlotte gets the most joy from the cuddles and affection she shares with the dogs each day.
Carter
Carter is Liana’s son and a much-loved part of the Happy Tails team, spending his school holidays and many weekends onsite. He’s in charge of playing endless games of fetch, mowing lawns, and helping to keep pups entertained. Carter brings great energy, big smiles, and is always happy to be chased by a few enthusiastic dogs.