About Us

What is River City Bark & Park? To start off my name is Heather and my husband is Jay, we are the owners of River City Bark and Park. We both have grown up in Elizabeth City and Camden. We moved away for a bit but journeyed back. Jay and I are both animal lovers so this is a passion of ours.

Here is a little about each of us:

My name is Heather and this business has always been a dream of mine. I hold a bachelor's in business from Purdue University. As long as I can remember, I have always had a pet. Whether it was exotic or domesticated, I have worked alongside of plenty of animal rescues fostering for them and training the dogs. This started a dream of starting my own rescue, so I strived to make that dream a reality. I started a non-profit organization called River City Animal Rescue, INC. to help all animals in need. As a dog lover, I bred, showed and raised German Shepard's for years. My love for training originated from my childhood, I started off training and showing horses. I specialize in training reactive or aggressive dogs, I like the challenge and seeing where they started versus how far they progress. I have been training animals for over 20 years. I am working on getting a national certification The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers® (CCPDT®).

As For Jay, he has always had animals primarily dogs, but he has also cared for commercial pigs. He had worked on a commercial hog farm for over 8 years and trained dogs for over 10 years. Jay has a passion for woodwork and is amazing! If you give him an idea, he will run with it - adding his own personized touch along the way. He has incorporated his wood working talents into our business. He also loves technology.

River City Bark and Park, LLC was a dream of ours for countless years. We have thought, planned out and tried to take everything we thought possible and incorporate it into our dream. This all started from when I used to board my German shepherd, she would come home so full of energy and smell. Every so often we would notice bad habits she would pick-up during her stay, they would be corrected and trained out for the weeks following. We wanted our facility to be a fun and enriching environment for the dogs. At RCBP staff play and do enrichment exercises to keep dogs minds and bodies engaged throughout the day.

Meet The Team

Heather Mason

Owner

Heather has always had a deep-rooted connection to animals. Growing up in Elizabeth City, she spent countless hours exploring the outdoors and interacting with dogs and farm life. Her early experiences with dogs and horses instilled in her a lifelong passion for animals and a desire to care for them.

After years of working with animals, Heather decided to turn her passion into a career. She opened RCBP to provide a safe and loving environment for dogs while their owners are away. In addition to the daycare, she also runs an animal rescue, rescuing and rehoming dogs in need.

Heather is dedicated to helping dogs and their owners thrive. She offers various obedience courses to teach dogs good behavior and to help owners develop stronger bonds with their pets. Her expertise in animal training is rooted in years of experience and a deep understanding of animal behavior.

Outside of her work, Heather enjoys spending time with her family. She lives with her husband, Jay, who she has been with for 18 years, and their six dogs and two cats. Together, they share a love for animals and a commitment to providing them with a happy and healthy life.

Jay Mason

Jack-Of-All-Trades

Jay, the heart and soul of our doggy daycare, is more than just a business owner; he's a passionate animal lover with a knack for problem-solving. With years of experience working on a hog farm, Jay has honed his skills in animal care and handling. His deep-rooted connection to animals is evident in the way he interacts with our furry guests.

Jay's versatility is truly impressive. From plumbing to electrical work, there's no task too big or too small for this jack-of-all-trades. His ability to maintain our facility efficiently and effectively ensures a safe and comfortable environment for our canine clients.

When Jay isn't busy tending to the needs of our furry friends, he enjoys spending quality time with his wife, Heather. Their love for animals is a shared passion that strengthens their bond.

Leilani Kaopio

Concierge/Pawparazzi Manager

Leilani, a dedicated dog daycare and kennel manager, has called Elizabeth City home for the past fifteen years. Her unwavering love for dogs has led her to a rewarding career where she witnesses firsthand the transformative power of a loving and nurturing environment.

Outside of work, Leilani shares her life with her fiancé, Shawn, and their two beloved dogs, Bourbon and Amara. As they eagerly await the arrival of their first child in March, Leilani's passion for animals is sure to be passed on to her new family member.

Kasee Sassin

Office Manager

Kasee is a dedicated and experienced office manager with over two decades of professional experience. Relocating from Florida to Elizabeth City, North Carolina, she brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion for streamlining processes and fostering professional development within office environments.

With a deep-rooted love for dogs, Kasee has always had canine companions in her life. She appreciates the close-knit family atmosphere at the RCBP staff and the organization's active involvement in the community. She finds joy in the variety of dogs that come in for care, each with their unique personality.

When not immersed in her professional duties, Kasee enjoys spending quality time with her wife, Jesi, and their three beloved dogs, Mia, Jett, and Winifred.