About
Welcome to Kamp K-9
At Kamp K-9, our mission is simple: to become the most trusted and recognized pet care facility in the Northwest Chicago suburbs. We’re committed to delivering the highest standard of care – not just for our canine guests, but for the people who love them. Whether your dog is here for training, daycare, grooming, or overnight boarding, you can count on us to provide a safe, clean, and enriching environment where your pup is treated like family. From playtime to quiet time, every detail at Kamp K-9 is designed with your dog’s well-being in mind. We know how much your dog means to you – that’s why our team works tirelessly to earn and maintain your trust, every single day.
Nofo Lilo
Director of Operations
Nofo has over 15 years of professional experience working with dogs of all breeds and temperaments. He began his career early, graduating at the top of his class from the Military K9 Handlers Course and serving on three deployments. After just 2.5 years, he was hand-selected for the elite Kennel Masters Course—typically reserved for handlers with seven years of experience—and graduated with top honors.
His career has since included training canine teams across the ATF, Homeland Security, local police departments, and international special forces, including units from Denmark and Italy. One of his most memorable roles was serving as a Security Canine Specialist for the Minnesota Twins.
Now based in Schaumburg, Nofo has served as Director of Operations at Kamp K-9 since its opening in 2021. He specializes in puppy development, territorial behavior, obedience, and rehabilitation for abused dogs. With expertise in balanced training, clicker, marker, and clear signals methods, Nofo brings deep knowledge and proven results to every training environment—helping dogs reach their full potential.
Dagmara Blumenfeld
Kennel Manager
Dagmara Blumenfeld has been an essential part of Kamp K-9 since January 2022, serving as Kennel Manager with a deep commitment to the safety and well-being of both dogs and staff. Her leadership is rooted in proactive supervision, clear communication, and a belief that a clean, organized environment is key to successful kennel operations.
In addition to overseeing daily care, Dagmara manages staffing and administrative duties, ensuring smooth, efficient operations. Her attention to detail and hands-on approach make her a trusted leader and a driving force behind the positive, high-quality environment at Kamp K-9.
Rhiannon Himmelmann
Lead Trainer
As an Illinois native with roots that run deep in the Wauconda area, Rhiannon has always wanted to shape and build up the community which has given her so much. Always having held a deep fascination with animal behavior and a non stop drive for knowledge, Rhiannon has dedicated her professional life to helping and educating her community on pet safety,
misunderstood dog behaviors, dog socialization and integration of shelter dogs into family settings as well as imparting many other life changing skills that are crucial to safe dog and human interactions . Many of these lessons were learned not only through meticulous study, but also through practical employment with her own personal dog, Bella, a very dominant and overconfident Border Collie / Newfoundland mix with child reactivity and leash reactivity issues. Being able to empathize with owners who struggle with hyper- reactive, overly protective, anxious, nervous, strong willed, and highly energetic dogs, Rhiannon understands the relief, trust and peace that proper training and conditioning can bring to a home. With over Seven years of training experience, Rhiannon , brings her K-9 handling skills and expertise as a behavioral specialist to Kamp K-9 as our Lead Trainer.
Olha Shava
Professional Dog Groomer
Originally from Ukraine, Olha Shava began her grooming career after attending a professional grooming school in her home country. She worked there for several years, developing her skills and passion for dog grooming. In 2022, Olha relocated to the United States and has since continued her career with dedication and heart. Olha is known for her gentle, patient approach and attention to detail. She takes her time to ensure each dog not only looks great but feels comfortable and cared for throughout the grooming process. She is especially experienced in grooming Golden Doodles and Retrievers but loves working with all breeds and sizes. Always eager to learn, Olha stays up to date with the latest grooming techniques and styles. Her passion for dogs and her commitment to quality make her a valued part of the Kamp K-9 team.
Gina Helmick
Groomer
Gina Helmick comes to Kamp K-9 with 5 years experience as a groomer and 6 ½ years experience in kennel management. Not only is Gina is extraordinarily passionate about dogs and her profession, but she is very interactive with her client base and works hard to gain the information necessary to ensure her services are completely aligned with the clients’ expectations.
