Meet Your Humans
Tori & Blake Batson
THE OWNERS
Tori Batson is the heart behind Wiggle Butts & Waggin’ Tails. With a bachelor’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation from Grand Valley State University and over 20 years of hands-on experience as a devoted dog owner and handler, Tori brings a unique blend of professional care and love for dogs to the business.
Before taking the leap into dog daycare and boarding, Tori spent five years with Special Olympics Indiana and has a background in direct care for individuals with disabilities. She’s also served as a program director for a startup summer camp, gaining experience in customer service, budgeting, and program management.
At Wiggle Butts & Waggin’ Tails, Tori is the primary caregiver for all four-legged guests and your main point of contact for everything from first visits to happy goodbyes. She’s fully dedicated to providing a clean, safe, engaging, and trustworthy environment where every dog is treated like one of her own.
Kathy and Dave Crockett
THE FOUNDERS
Wiggle Butts & Waggin’ Tails opened in the summer of 2018.
Kathy and Dave Crockett spent a lifetime with furry family companions. For years, Dave trained dogs for bird hunting and he and Kathy had always welcomed dogs into their home including beloved pets Cody, Bella, Willow, Murphy and Teddy.
Dave trained bird hunting dogs for 40 years. Previously he worked at the Interlochen Center for the Arts and in the telecommunications business. In retirement he found that friends were asking him to train their dogs for bird hunting and that’s when the idea for Wiggle Butts & Waggin’ Tails was born.
Kathy’s life-long love of dogs made her a natural partner in the dog day care, but it was her career in administration – including stints at Ferris State University, Century 21 and Cherry Growers – that helped launch Wiggle Butts & Waggin’ Tails.
