Staff Bios

Staff Bios

Christopher Steele
Shop Boy/Owner
Owner
I worked in the luxury business since I was 19 as a Promotional Consultant, Make-up Artist, Counter Manager and a Retail Sales Coordinator. While working with YSL, one day my boss asked me if I liked to ski because there was a Business Development Manager position available looking after BC & Alberta. I said yes in 3 seconds! I had never been to Vancouver, but I knew I would love it! Once I saw the ocean and mountains while driving over the Granville Street Bridge in a taxi straight from the airport, I knew that I would never go back! I went from being an Eastern bastard to a West Coaster within minutes. And to think that I believed that Toronto was the center of the universe!

I have had dogs around me all my life. I’ve bought them, inherited them, and rescued them for as long as I can remember. I knew it was time to make some changes in my career when I noticed our dogs were more excited to see our dog walker than me. I left my job at YSL and used all my experience working in the luxury industry to open a high-end dog spa boutique, The Pet Shop Boys, with David my partner. I wanted to bring our dogs to work with me and surround myself with unconditional doggie love!

David Rogowski
Groomer/Shop Boy
Owner
I was born and raised in Vancouver as a good Jewish boy brought up by Jewish parents. Growing up, I wanted to become a veterinarian and work with animals all day. As a child I had fish, hamsters, iguanas and dogs, and I used to love riding horses. But like most children I let my dreams pass me by and I settled for a career in the public sector, all the while knowing that deep in my heart I was passionate about working with animals. Creating The Pet Shop Boys is a dream come true and for the first time in my life I can truly say that I love what I do!

The inspiration for the shop came to us while Christopher and I were in Europe on our honeymoon. While in Paris we were so inspired by the romantic architecture and design that we came up with the idea to open our own doggie French boutique here in Vancouver.

I am so lucky to live in such a dog friendly city and even luckier to have met my husband Christopher who is an animal lover as well. We share two amazing dogs, Pippin and Drake.

Elizabeth
Boutique Manager/Shop Girl
I have lived with and cared for dogs my whole life. I grew up in Ottawa, Ontario where my mother has a pet store called Little Critters. There were always animals of all sorts coming in and out of lives as kids. I came to Vancouver chasing a boy who, after eleven years together, I married on August 20, 2011. We live right on Trout Lake in East Van and we love our life here on the best coast! I first met David and Christopher at Paws in Motion, a doggie daycare/hiking company in Kits where I was working. David’s adorable pug Pippin and I became immediate friends. The family addition of Drake and Christopher came soon after, and the rest as they say is history…

Pet Necessities was my first stop in the Vancouver animal world, as they specialize in raw food, natural wellness and nutrition. I did a lot of research on dogs and cats and their dietary needs. This is something I am very passionate about since we are responsible for our pets and what they eat should be a top priority! I worked at Pet Necessities for a year before making a move to Paws in Motion at Critters Cottage. After working as their manager for 3 years, in 2007 I left to go to school at Dominion Herbal College to attain my herbal certificate and to further my interest in natural health. Dogcity Services came next and I was the manager there for 2 years. After it was sold, I stayed onboard for about a year to make sure the new owners were comfortable running the business then moved on to office work. My “Big Girl” job lasted for five years until I walked into The Pet Shop Boys. Immediately David and Christopher let me know they were looking for a manager and I pretty much begged for the position. I am thrilled to be back in the industry- I missed it terribly! Come in and say hello, I’d love to meet you!

Kaori
Spa Groomer
I received specialized training from an elite school in Tokyo, Japan. I worked as a groomer in Tokyo for 5 years and have been working in Canada for 2 years. I am now working exclusively at the Pet Shop Boys. My passion for animals shines through in my exceptional grooming results. I specialized in terrier show grooming during my schooling and have lots of experience in hand stripping and plucking. My favorite breeds of terriers are the Lakeland and Welsh terriers. In addition to grooming, I spent two years as a veterinary nurse. I strive to have my dogs looking their very best when they step foot outside our spa doors.