Meet Our Team
Jessy SanFilippo
Managing Director
Jessy has been The Hydrant's managing director since February 2019, but her love of animals began well before that. A former veterinary school student, Jessy realized her passion for animal caretaking and started her career in pet hospitality over 10 years ago. Now, she oversees all the services at The Hydrant, and our guests won’t stop barking about her.
When Jessy’s not at The Hydrant, she’s hanging with her best friend, Koda, a quirky, lovable nine-year-old border collie. You can find them hiking the trails, then relaxing on the couch with a jar of peanut butter.
Rachel Jones
Assistant Manager
Rachel is a certified veterinary assistant and has been The Hydrant's assistant manager since September 2020. With over seven years of experience working with and caring for animals, Rachel’s expertise and passion ensure that every dog at The Hydrant gets the attention they need (and deserve!). As an animal lover since a young age, Rachel knows how a pet can be the center of one’s world, and she takes great pride in caring for all the dogs at The Hydrant.
Tim Almeida
Executive Trainer
A certified professional dog trainer with a CPDT-KA certification from the nationally recognized Council for Professional Dog Trainers, we’re proud to call Tim The Hydrant’s executive trainer.
Not only does Tim work to train the dogs in his care, but he works closely with our entire staff, ensuring every member of The Hydrant team has the skills they need to keep your dog happy, safe, and comfortable. From puppy kindergarten and leash walking to one-on-one training and more, Tim empowers dog owners with confidence and strengthens human-canine bonds.
Sit, stay, and learn more about training.
Caitie Matthews
Groomer
As an avid animal and dog lover since a young age, Caitie has always had her eye on working with animals as her forever career. It's no surprise the love and care she gives our visitors as our groomer.
Caitie found her passion from extensive volunteer work, vet assistant/tech and vet secretary positions, to focusing on dog grooming 15 years ago. She has climbed the technique and breed specific grooms ladder for years while acquiring multiple grooming-certifications. When she's not at the Hydrant, Caitie loves to travel the world, is an avid adrenaline seeker and is always up to something 24/7 with her partner in crime, best friend and favorite pupper, Miss Piper Jean, an equally energetic wirehaired pointing griffon.
Rick & Eva Chiorando
Owners
As dog lovers themselves, Rick and Eva are the proud owners of The Hydrant Hotel in Riverhead and devoted pet parents to their dogs, Dixie and Monty. After their dog walkers and sitters retired and moved away, discovering The Hydrant was a dream come true – and when the opportunity to become its owners presented itself, they couldn’t turn it down.
Combining their passion for dogs and their expertise as owners of the full-service advertising agency Austin Williams, they recognized the need for a facility like The Hydrant. Now, they’re expanding its services and capacity so more dogs can enjoy a loving home away from home with precious peace of mind for their owners.
Testimonials & Happy Tails
