THE
DOODLES & POODLES NATURALLY
FAMILY
It all started when Denise and Dave adopted their first Black Standard Poodle with the passion to breed better and healthier puppies for families to enjoy as much as they do. It wasn’t long before their family members fell in love with Doodle and Poodle breeds so much that they became Guardian Homes for companion and ethical breeding as well!
Collectively, we make up Doodles & Poodles Naturally.
Meet the Crew
Denise and Dave
Denise is a Certified Natural Health Professional and Master Herbalist and lives in Council Bluffs, Iowa. For almost thirty years, she taught classes in alternative healthcare and considered herself to be a teacher and a coach to those who sought a healthy lifestyle. Now she is semi-retired and describes herself as an animal advocate and a coach for their human companions. Her familiarity with natural health options and modalities makes her an essential team member to the Doodles and Poodles Naturally family. She works alongside the other Guardian Families to ensure the health and wellbeing of both the breeding dogs and their puppies. Denise and her husband, Dave, have five grown children, several grandchildren, and a household of beloved, furry, family members including, Goldendoodles, Standard Poodles, and one Aussiedoodle. Dave is an amazing builder who designs, builds and refines the whelping boxes and puppy nursery areas for Guardian Homes. Recently, Dave built a wood deck, paw bridge, and tree bench as more space to enjoy with the dogs outside amidst the nearly 2 acres of rolling hills in he and Denise’s backyard.
Doug and Whitney
Doug (Denise’s son-in-law) is one of the pastors for Citylight Church in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He helps lead and preach for the church and mentors the church planters they have sent to launch new churches. Doug and his wife, Whitney, have five busy, homeschooled children, two standard poodles, and one Mini Goldendoodle. While pastoring is Doug’s primary focus, he is an amazing help that continues to strengthen the Doodles & Poodles Naturally team with anything from social media marketing, finding loving forever homes for puppies, and being a care-taker of Dave and Denise’s dogs if they are out of town visiting grandchildren.
Whitney (Denise’s daughter) has her Bachelors Degree in Youth and Family Ministry and Psychology. When not working alongside her husband, teaching women’s classes at church or homeschooling their five children, she is being “Dog Doula” and “Puppy Mom.” She also helps with social media and the management of finding wonderful, forever homes for the puppies.
The Stevens’ five children are a big help in the socializing process with the puppies. They are always happy to go to one of the homes who have a litter, and sit with the puppies to help socialize them. They are also a big help when it’s time to clean puppy nurseries, or do grooming and feeding. Their two standard poodles, Honey and Sookie, and Mini Goldendoodle, Tucker, absolutely adore the children and can be found acting as “dog nannies” and furry entertainers when not running around on their 5 acres of land for outdoor playtime.
Marshall and Justina
Marshall (Denise’s son) is a Certified Natural Health Professional, Integrative Health Coach, Trainer, educator, and athlete living in Denver, Colorado. His familiarity with natural health options and modalities makes him an essential team member to the Doodles & Poodles Naturally team. He helps guide us in choosing the best diet, supplements and activities for the dogs, to assure the best health possible for them.
Justina (Denise’s daughter-in-law) has her Bachelors Degree in Communication Disorders and is gifted in the area of social media, research and customer service. Marshall and Justina’s favorite game to play with their fur-baby, Mauna Loa, is soccer on their 1/4 acre land.
Jenna
Jenna (Denise’s daughter) is the dog mom of one of our darling Standard Poodles, Peach, a happy-go-lucky phantom female. Jenna is the primary photographer for Doodles & Poodles Naturally. When she isn’t out having adventures with her dog and family, she serves in her community as a therapist. Jenna is an avid dog-lover who has been studying books about dogs as a pastime from the time she could first turn the pages. We refer to her as the “dog-whisperer” because she really gets dogs and understands their emotional language.