MEET OUR STAFF
JEFF FOWLER
Owner/Operator
Jeff's career in this industry started as a supervisor for the Greenville County Coroner’s Office for 13 years before coming to Astro. He was the handler for their first cadaver dog, K9 Ino, commissioned by a coroner's office in SC.
He is also a proud member of Foothills Search & Rescue. Jeff currently owns two human remains detection dogs, Ino and Havana.
THE VISIONARIES BEHIND THE ASTRO KENNELS BRAND:
Dave and Cheri Milan opened Astro Kennels in 2008 to provide a state-of-the-art boarding and training facility for the Five Forks and surrounding areas; a fun “home away from home” for clients’ pets. After nine years of growth, they expanded the Astro Kennels brand and opened Astro Kennels 2, located in the Mauldin area of Greenville. They have bred English Springer Spaniels and German Shepherds for companionship and working K9s for 20 years. Both Dave and Cheri were active members of SC Foothills K9 Search & Rescue since its inception in 2006.
DAVE MILAN
Founder
Dave is an experienced search and rescue handler and trainer, and has managed countless successful search and rescue missions in the upstate of South Carolina and the southeast region.
He boasts decades of canine experience to include breeding, importing and training.
CHERI MILAN
Founder
Cheri and her GSD Mato were a certified Human Remains Detection K9 team, and responded for law enforcement and emergency agencies in SC and surrounding areas. Mato was her third K9 partner with Foothills.
Cheri also brings CJ (pictured), her English Springer Spaniel, to work with her every day so he can play with his Astro friends in doggie daycare.
MANAGEMENT
Our team oversees the entire facility to ensure consistency and quality in every service we provide.
Samantha M.
Director of Operations
Sam is the Director of Operations for both of our locations, and has been with us since 2019. She can tell you the name of every dog that walks through the door, and has two dogs of her own, Luca (pictured) and Ruby.
She used to be a preschool teacher, so she figured wrangling dogs all day wouldn't be much different.
When she's not at work, she's in her kitchen cooking delicious meals for her loving husband and amazing kids. Sometimes we get lucky and she surprises us with delicious meals and cakes at work too! ⠀
Colleen W.
Administrator Director
Colleen came to Astro Kennels in January of 2024 after
working in the corporate world for over two decades.
Born in New York City, raised in Connecticut, she has
lived in the Greenville area since 2011 and has come to
consider this great city her home.
She feels that every dog (and person) that comes through
Astro's doors is special and unique and works hard
getting to know each and every one of them. Her favorite
quote is, "Don't be impressed by money, fame, and
followers. Be impressed by kindness, integrity, loyalty, and generosity."
When she isn't at Astro Kennels, you will find her gardening or taking her two Labrador retrievers, Teddy & Taco, on
excursions around the area with her husband. She is a
HUGE New York Ranger fan and will talk about hockey
any chance she gets.
Lisa L.
Five Forks Kennel Supervisor
Lisa is our kennel supervisor at our Five Forks location. She has been with us since April 2023 but has over 15 years of animal care experience.
She has certifications in animal search and rescue including swift and flood water and high angle ropes.
When she isn't at work, Lisa loves being at the lake with her two kids Cody and Connor, or with her sweet pitbull, Church.
Julia B.
Mauldin Kennel/Daycare Supervisor
Julia has been with our Mauldin team since October 2019 and has a lifelong love for dogs, she even has twelve at home!
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her pups and her family.
(Dozer and Mich pictured above)
Makayla M.
Five Forks Daycare Supervisor
Makayla is one of our daycare daycare supervisors. She has been with us since April 2021 and has always worked in our daycare area. She has two dogs of her own, Josie (pictured above) and Bella, a German Shepherd and a husky.
When she's not at work, you can usually find her in her Jeep up in the mountains.