Dakota has had animals around her for her whole life. She has also spent most of her life in grooming salons with her mom, Tami, watching, learning and helping with the grooming process.

   She has been working in the family business for the last 2 years to help fund her future travel plans, and recently received her Groomer's Assistant Certification at  Pasadena's Groom Expo West trade show.

   In her spare time, Dakota is involved in softball, manga style art/drawing, playing the ukelele, creative makeup, rough housing with her brother, loving on her three dogs and offroading.

    She is active with the Air Force Jr. ROTC program and Armed Drill team at Vanden High School, as well as taking American Sign Language through Solano Community College.