Meet Our Team

Located in Fenton, Missouri

Our team at Sled & Breakfast are knowledgable in dog behavior and training, and are able to take a hands on role each day while working with your dog in daycare, boarding, or training.

Melissa Chestnut

Owner

As a lifelong resident of south St. Louis County, I am excited to be starting this new business adventure just a few miles from where I grew up. My family always had labradors, so after rescuing our first husky, I quickly learned that this was the breed I was meant to have. I was born a dog lover. My favorites are the big, slobbery, hairy, snugglers that think they are lap dogs. I have never met a dog I didn’t like and have always wanted to work at a place where I was surrounded by them. I feel very fortunate to now be able to own a business focused on the four-legged friends that I love.

Since graduating from Mizzou, I have worked in small businesses and as an entrepreneur. Before having my daughter, I was co-owner of a family construction business. Now that she’s getting older, it feels like the perfect time to combine my business knowledge and passion for dogs into Sled & Breakfast. My other passion is scuba diving and all things in the ocean; my husband, daughter and I love to travel any chance we get. I’m sure you’ll get to meet them both along with our three rescue dogs, Hearty, Sparkle, and Bob around the daycare.

Jill Donart

Director of Operations

My family moved to St Louis just before they had me, so I was born and raised here.  We didn’t have pets growing up, so I spent a majority of my free time at my next door neighbor’s house with her 2 rough collies and several cats.  This developed my pure love for animals.  I knew I was going to have pets the minute I moved out on my own.  And I sure did, when I got my first cat, Bugs, as a kitten then two years later adopted a senior cat, Daisy.  When the timing was right, I got my first puppy, a miniature dachshund named Tiziana and only months later, crazy me got my 2nd puppy, a rough collie named Lombardi.

I’ve been with Sled & Breakfast since December 2022 and I’m thankful every day for the opportunity to love on all of the sweet pups that come through our door!  I’ve found my calling working with animals and great people and I would not change a thing.  If I’m not working, I’m most likely exploring another city across the country or singing and dancing at a concert.  Thanks to our Director of Training, Christy, I’ve started participating in dog sports with my collie and we spend a lot of time having fun with that, also!

River Robinson

Lead Manager

After living in a small town in central Illinois my whole life, I moved to Fenton with my family in 2020. As a kid it was my dream to work with animals. I had pets of all kinds my entire life, from dogs and cats, to lizards and a chinchilla. I love all types of dogs of course, but I tend to gravitate to the mutts!

When I heard Sled and Breakfast was opening, I knew it would be a perfect fit for me! At the time I was caring for our elderly dogs, Murphy and Peyton, and I wanted to use the skills I’d learned to make sure other dogs could have a fun and safe time during their stays away from home.

Working with the team at Sled and Breakfast has been incredible. Everyone brings their own knowledge and experience with them, and the dogs are always the priority. I’m very proud to work with so many kind and understanding people.

Outside of work, I spend a lot of time playing with my own dogs at home and taking care of my fish tanks!

Liz McFadin

Manager

Growing up, I always had a love for animals.  There wasn’t a stuffed animal I didn’t have!  When I was eight years old, my parents surprised me with my first dog.  He was a yellow lab named Baron and that is where my love for dogs all began!

I started working at my first boarding facility in a small town in Illinois and I instantly knew I wanted to work with dogs as a career.  I’m so glad I found Sled & Breakfast because I love coming to work everyday.

I have four pets: Roman (Rottweiler), Oliver (cat), and two guinea pigs, Meeka and Nala.  In my free time, I enjoy being with my family, my boyfriend, and my animals.  I love getting to know your fur babies and being able to meet all of the new pups!

Tamra Kohl

Manager

I have always loved dogs, they give me so much joy.  I have 3 dogs myself: Rosco, Jojo, and Moo-Moo.  I’m married to my husband, Joe.  I have 1 daughter, 2 sons, and a grandbaby!

When I’m not working, I love going to parks, rivers, and going camping.

Chelsea Jenkins

Director of Marketing

 Becoming the new Marketing Specialist combines my love for dogs—all breeds and sizes—with my lifelong passion for writing and creativity. After earning my Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and Public Speaking from Webster University in 2017, my professional experience includes nearly 10 years of writing and marketing. My background spans from personal projects and self-published books, to content creation for large corporations and small-to-medium sized, family-owned businesses. Now, I’m overjoyed to joined the team here at Sled and Breakfast!
Throughout my childhood, and recently within adulthood, I’ve had the pleasure of getting to love and care for various family pets. When I was 17, I lost my “soul dog” Symba, a Bichon Frisé. Fast forward to age 28, I met my then boyfriend, now fiancé, a package deal who came along with a sweet, Shitzu-Toy Poodle mix, Hannah; he’d had her since he was 15 years old, and she was about 7 months old.
To my pleasant surprise, upon meeting Hannah, I realized that she was almost the spitting image of my dear Symba, whom I’d mourned losing years ago. I knew then it was shear destiny for me to become Hannah’s new fur mom, which was my absolute pleasure for the last three years of her life. Hannah passed in early 2026 at the age of 15 years old; she will always be in our hearts.
Today, my Fiancé and I are proud expecting parents of our first child due in January of 2027. We look forward to finding a puppy for our baby girl to experience life with as well.