Our Pack Leaders

Ellie Chiapperino
Originally from NYC, Ellie has had the opportunity to live in Canada, Europe and the USVI and now amazing Colorado.
Since a child she has surrounded herself with all animals big and small. When she was professional dancer, she would take her Pomeranian Chip Fox Fordsworth to ballet rehearsal in Carnegie Hall everyday.
Ellie is a proud mom of three sons her natural instincts to nurture and love her pack shines through as she leads our active dog pack through the amazing trails of Colorado.
Ellie owned and operated a business in the US Virgin Islands for over 10 years where she also rescued, fostered and placed many homeless dogs on the island of St.Croix in their forever homes. One of the biggest rescue programs she was involved in was Operation Hurricane Maria. A moment in time that effected many lives including Ellie and her family. She found herself on a Mercy ship with her own island rescues (Irie, Beans, Diesel, Finley & Frodo). It was a 5 day journey at sea that she will never forget. A ship filled with so many misplaced families and their pets. She knows that her love for animals and the great outdoors has a purpose and has let her pursue her passion in the professional pet service industry. Ellie is so grateful that Eric has given her the opportunity to bring her love for dogs and the great outdoors together!

Eric Bleile
Eric grew up in Maine, spending much of his childhood exploring the great outdoors and enjoying the company of his family dogs. Eric founded Active Dog in 2011 with his dependable, right hand “man” (or shall we say, dog) Tobias. Weighing in at a whopping 140 pounds, Tobias, a Greater Swiss Mountain dog, was a gentle giant and loyal hiking companion. Tobias crossed the rainbow bridge on Easter morning of 2018 at 10 and a half years old and will always be remembered as the reason for Active Dog’s inception. Eric currently lives in Weston, Connecticut with his wife Tara, sons Casen and Brayden, Golden Retriever, Cooper and English Cream Retriever, Cammy. He has a Master’s degree in Financial Risk Management from the University of Connecticut and enjoys playing golf, skiing and performing with his modern-country band, Hazzard County.