Meet the Pasadena
Pet Motel Family
Welcome to Pasadena Pet Motel!
We’re more than just a place for your pets to stay — we’re a local, family-style team of animal lovers providing trusted care to dogs throughout the South Pasadena and St. Petersburg area.
Every member of our team shares one goal: to make your dog feel safe, happy, and loved while you’re away. From daily playtime to overnight boarding, we treat every dog like they're a part of our own family.
Get to know the friendly faces behind Pasadena Pet Motel — the people who make our pet motel a trusted home away from home.
Our Owners: Clarke & Kristen Triplett
Since purchasing the Pasadena Pet Motel in 2007, Clarke and Kristen Triplett have put their hearts into making it a special place for pets. Kristen has been a veterinary technician for over 30 years, bringing amazing experience and a deep understanding of animals to everything we do here. Because of Kristen's expertise, we're happy to be recommended by local veterinarians and bet techs, animal shelters, professional groomers and trusted rescue groups.
Clarke and Kristen’s love for dogs doesn't stop at the pet motel. They've had lots of fun and achieved great things with their own dogs:
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National Dock Diving Stars: Two of their dogs became national champions in UAD (United Aqua Dogs) dock diving!
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Comforting Therapy Dogs: Their Great Pyrenees, Riley, and German Shepherd Dog, Colt, did wonderful work as therapy dogs with Therapy Dogs International (TDI), bringing smiles to many in the community.
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"Rescue Dog of the Year" Honor: Their German Shepherd Dog, Colt, was distinguished with the prestigious "Rescue Dog of the Year" title by the German Shepherd Dog Club of America.
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Helping Local Rescues: Kristen is very involved with local rescue groups and events, always ready and willing to help animals in need.
Meet Our Manager: Sarah Davis
Our wonderful manager, Sarah Davis, keeps everything running smoothly at Pasadena Pet Motel. With over 20 years of managing pet motels, Sarah has been a key part of our team since 2013.
Here’s what Sarah brings:
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A huge love for puppies and a real soft spot for all dogs.
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Great organizational skills, making sure everything goes well for the pets and our team.
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A special love for Cardigan Welsh Corgis – if you’re around Gulfport, you might see Sarah and her wife out walking their adorable "Corgi crew"!
A Heart for the Community
Sarah also loves giving back. She and her therapy dog, Elliot (who's TDI titled!), have provided much-needed comfort and support to people in our community. We're so lucky to have Sarah leading our team. Her years of great experience, along with her true compassion and how much she genuinely loves the dogs we care for, make her a fantastic manager.
Our Expert Training Team:
Matt & Samantha Taylor
Samantha Taylor: Certified Head Master Trainer
Samantha Taylor, Clarke & Kristen’s daughter, has a special, lifelong connection to Pasadena Pet Motel. She started working here when she was just 13, even before her parents owned it! Her dedication to dogs and training is clear:
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Graduated from USF (University of South Florida).
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Became a Certified Head Master Trainer through the highly respected North State K-9 Academy of Tarheel Training, Inc.
A Leader in the Dog Community:
Samantha is well-known and respected in the dog training world:
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She's the President of the Tampa Bay Protection Sport Association (PSA).
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An active member of The International Association of K-9 Professionals (IACP).
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A member of The American Pet Dog Trainers Association (APDT).
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Recognized as an American Kennel Club (AKC) Trainer.
Success in Competitions with Her Dogs:
Samantha loves competing in PSA with her Belgian Malinois, Badfish, and German Shepherd Dog, Ese Loco.
Her previous competition dog, Ruco (a Belgian Malinois), earned his PSA 1 title and was also a narcotics detection dog. Samantha's talented dog family also includes:
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Scarlett Begonia (a German Short Hair Pointer): A narcotics detection dog.
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Tatonka (a German Shepherd Dog): A national UAD dock diving champion (just like Scarlett Begonia!).
We're proud to have a fantastic training team at Pasadena Pet Motel,
ready to help your dog learn and shine.
Matt Taylor: Certified Trainer & PSA Decoy
A key member of our training team, Matt Taylor, who is Samantha’s husband, brings a wealth of expertise and dedication to Pasadena Pet Motel. Matt's strong foundation in canine training began with his graduation from South Florida University, after which he earned his prestigious Protection Sport and Decoy Trainer Certification from the North State K-9 Academy of Tarheel Training, Inc.
PSA Leadership & National Recognition
Deeply immersed in the world of protection sports, Matt is a certified PSA (Protection Sport Association) Decoy and holds the important role of Head Decoy for the Tampa Bay PSA Club. His exceptional skill and commitment in this demanding field have been recognized nationally, earning him the distinguished title of National Select PSA Decoy an impressive five times.
Training Champion K9s & Community Service
Matt actively trains and competes in PSA with his talented Dutch Shepherd, Kados. Together, they are currently working towards achieving their PSA 2 title, a testament to their teamwork and Matt's training abilities. Kados is a remarkable K9 in his own right, excelling not only in protection sports but also as a certified narcotics detection dog and a UAD (United Aqua Dogs) national champion in dock diving.
When he's not at the pet motel applying his extensive canine knowledge, Matt also dedicates his time to serving our community as a firefighter with the St. Pete Fire Department, showcasing a profound commitment to service both in and out of the K9 world.
Our Team: Experience, Care, and a Welcoming Community
Our high standards at Pasadena Pet Motel are upheld by our amazing and experienced team of kennel technicians. Many have been with us for a long time, and we ensure all our kennel techs bring at least two years of prior experience before joining our caring team. We feel very lucky to have such wonderful people looking after your pets!
Beyond their expertise, our team helps foster a truly welcoming atmosphere. Pasadena Pet Motel is proud to be an LGBTQ+ friendly and welcoming place for all our clients, their pets, and our team members.
We also extend our support and gratitude to those who serve our community and country, offering discounts to:
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Active Duty Military Personnel
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Firefighters
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First Responders
(You can find more info about these discounts on our Boarding page.)