Platteville, Wisconsin
ABOUT US
Ashley Honshel | Owner
Hi, I'm Ashley!
Dogs have always held a special place in my heart, and becoming the owner of Elite Canine is truly a dream come true because of that. Being a Dog Mom is one of the most important roles in my life, and it's the heart behind everything we do here.
My goal is simple: to create a place where every dog is treated like family and every person who walks through our doors feels welcomed, supported, and valued.
When I'm not at the shop, you'll usually find me spending time with my husband, Brett, and our two Labrador Retrievers, Dexter and Cooper. We love escaping to our cabin in Prairie du Chien, exploring Southwest Wisconsin in our side-by-side, relaxing at home with a mindless reality show or documentary (crime shoes are our fav), and traveling somewhere new whenever life gives us the chance.
I truly believe every dog has a story, a unique personality, and something special to offer. One of my greatest joys is building relationships with both our four-legged guests and the people who love them.
Whether you're visiting for grooming, nutrition advice, or just to say hello, I'm so grateful you've trusted us with your best friend.
Brett Honshel | Co-Owner
Hi, I'm Brett!
By day, I'm a Quality Manager, and by nights and weekends, you'll usually find me rolling up my sleeves at Elite Canine, helping bring our family's vision to life one project at a time. Whether it's tackling improvements, brainstorming new ideas, or lending a hand wherever it's needed, I enjoy being part of creating a place where dogs and their families feel right at home.
Our dogs, Dexter and Cooper, are a huge part of our lives, and watching the bond people share with their pets is one of the many reasons I'm proud to be part of Elite Canine.
When I'm not at work or the shop, you'll usually find me spending time with my wife, Ashley, our kids, Makayla and Hudson, and our Labs at our cabin in Prairie du Chien. I enjoy hunting, golfing, exploring Southwest Wisconsin in our side-by-side, tackling projects around the house, and traveling whenever we get the opportunity.
I believe life is meant to be lived, memories are meant to be made, and dogs deserve to be part of both.
Thank you for supporting our family's dream. We can't wait to welcome you and your four-legged family members to Elite Canine!
Makayla Honshel | Brand Experience
& Community Manager
Hi, I’m Makayla!
By day, I work as a Website & Digital Content Coordinator, and I recently graduated from NICC with my Associate Degree in Marketing & Digital Media.
At Elite, I’ll be putting my love for marketing and creativity to work through social media, photography, promotions, events, and everything that helps bring the Elite Canine brand to life. So don’t be surprised if I ask your pup to model for my camera! You’ll also find me helping out in retail on the weekends.
Outside of work, I’m almost always with my yellow Lab, River. We love going for walks, exploring, and, of course, swimming in the river—ironic, isn’t it? I also love spending time with my family and friends and finding new places to explore.
Working with dogs has always been a dream of mine, so getting to combine my love for animals with my passion for marketing truly feels like a dream job coming to life. It’s even more special getting to be part of this new chapter for Elite Canine alongside my family, and I couldn’t be more grateful.
I can’t wait to meet you and your pups—and hopefully get a few of them in front of my camera!
Hudson Honshel | Client Experience & Brand Ambassador
Hi, I'm Hudson!
I'll be a junior at Southwestern High School this fall, and I'm excited to be part of the Elite Canine team. You'll often find me helping around the shop, greeting customers, stocking shelves, lending a hand wherever I can, and, of course, giving plenty of attention to our four-legged visitors.
Dogs have always been a big part of my life. While you'll usually find me making friends with every dog that walks through the door, I'm just as much a cat person as I am a dog person. Between home and family, I'm lucky to spend lots of time with four dogs and two cats, so being surrounded by animals is just part of everyday life.
When I'm not at school or the shop, you'll probably find me heading to Dubuque with my friends and cousins for dinner, making another Chick-fil-A run, or tagging along on whatever adventure we come up with for the day. This fall, I'll also be touring colleges and beginning to explore where life might take me after high school.
I'm excited to help make every visit to Elite Canine a great experience, and I can't wait to meet you and your pets!
Sarah | Groomer
Hi, I’m Sarah!
I actually stumbled into dog grooming by accident! I was originally on the path to becoming a tattoo artist when I started working as a dog bather. Somewhere along the way, I fell in love with grooming, getting to know so many different pets, and helping them look and feel their best.
Rescue dogs have an extra special place in my heart. I love taking things slow, earning their trust, and watching their personalities come out as they become more comfortable. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing a nervous pup come out of their shell!
Outside of the shop, I’m usually doing something creative or outdoors. I love hiking, fishing, working on my car, coding video games, and picking up whatever new hobby catches my interest.
At home, I have four rescue pets of my own: Cooper, a Rough Collie/Great Pyrenees mix; Crowbar, my brown tabby; Lugnut, my white and gray long-haired cat; and Pontus (aka Puddle), my chinchilla.
I’m so happy that an unexpected job turned into something I truly love, and I can’t wait to meet you and your pups at Elite Canine!
Jordan | Groomer
Hi, I’m Jordan!
I’ve always had a passion for dogs and knew I wanted to turn that love into a career. What inspired me most to become a groomer was seeing the transformation after a groom and knowing that each dog leaves feeling happier, more comfortable, and looking their best. Being able to make that difference for a pup is one of my favorite parts of grooming!
Labrador Retrievers have an extra special place in my heart. I have two black Labs of my own, and I absolutely love their personalities, loyalty, and excitement for life. Getting to work with Labs always reminds me of my own pups at home.
Outside of the shop, I’m usually doing something outdoors. I love hiking, hunting, exploring, and spending as much time outside as I can. Of course, it’s even better when my two Labs get to come along for the adventure!
Dogs have always been such a big part of my life, so getting to spend my days helping them look and feel their best is incredibly rewarding. I’m excited to continue doing what I love, meet all the pups that come through the door, and make their grooming experience as comfortable and positive as possible.
I can’t wait to meet you and your pup at Elite Canine!
Dexter & Cooper | Chief Treat Tasters & Product Testers
Woof! We're Dexter and Cooper. Ashley and Brett's two Labrador Retrievers, loyal sidekicks, and the unofficial product testers here at Elite Canine.
Long before our family became the owners of Elite Canine, we were clients ourselves. Kellsey trained us in our golden years, and we've benefited from the nutrition, supplements, and products available through the store. We know firsthand how much the right care can make a difference.
Even though we're 10 and 8 years old, the nutrition and supplements we've incorporated over the past year have helped us feel like puppies again. We're running, jumping, playing, and enjoying life with more energy than we have in years. Our family has also noticed fewer allergies, healthier skin, and far less irritation. Proof that what goes into our bodies truly matters.
When we're not "testing" treats or greeting new friends, you'll usually find us exploring the cabin in Prairie du Chien, riding along on side-by-side adventures, chasing tennis balls, soaking up belly rubs, or convincing Mom and Dad that we definitely deserve one more treat.
We're proud to be part of the Elite Canine family, and we can't wait to help welcome you and your furry family members. If our story inspires even one dog to feel younger, healthier, and happier, we'd say that's a pretty great day's work!
River | Pup Model & Professional Greeter
Woof! I’m River, Makayla’s 2-year-old yellow Labrador Retriever, loyal sidekick, and occasional shop assistant here at Elite Canine!
You’ll find me tagging along with Mom when she’s working at the shop. I’m very friendly, full of energy, and always ready to greet new friends with a happy, wagging tail.
I also have a very important job—being one of Mom’s go-to models! Since she’s usually behind the camera creating content for Elite, you can expect to see my face quite a bit. Luckily, I’m always willing to pose… especially when treats are involved!
When I’m not modeling, I love playing ball, swimming, going to the dog park, and exploring with Mom. With a name like River, I guess loving the water was meant to be! At the end of the day, though, I’m always ready to cuddle up with Mom.
If you see me around the shop, be sure to say hi—chances are, my tail will already be wagging!
