Jayden Toulouse (he/they)

CEO, Lead Dog Trainer & Dog Walker

Jayden is the founder of Visiting Animal Friends. Jayden has a B.S. in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management from UC Berkeley. Their major was Society and Environment with a concentration in Justice and Sustainability. They grew up in rural Monterey County and rural Oregon where they raised companion animals and grew food. Jayden is a globe trotter and has had their passport since they were 11 years old. During the covid19 pandemic Jayden joined a meditation, writing, and art making group online and there with very good friends for company asked themselves deep questions on a daily basis. One of them was what job will bring me joy? The answer if it had to be one word was ‘animals’. They applied for more than 100 jobs, quit tech, and started working as an Interim Development Director for a Farm Sanctuary in Sonoma Co. Shortly after this experience they founded VAF and in the 1st year received more than 600 booking requests.

Raquel Daniel (they/them)

Lead of Dog Adventures & Shareholder

I’m Raquel Daniel. I have been working with animals for 12 years. As I was attending CSUEB for my Bachelors in Psychology, I was working at a dog daycare. I realized how much I loved working with animals and rather than become a therapist I went the four legged care route. I was at dog daycares for 4 years, then moved to an animal care coordinator at the East Bay SPCA for a year. Meanwhile, pet sitting for cats & dogs and working for wag! as a dog walker on the side. I then decided to look at the deeper medical aspect of the animal field. I moved to Grand Lake Vet hospital for 7 years, as a Vet Tech & Behavior Coordinator, before I found Visiting Animal Friends. The services provided at VAF are right up my alley of expertise and care. The team has been warm and welcoming from the start. I wanted to get outside again and enjoy nature as I do on my spare time. Besides hanging with my two cats, Mowgli & Gigi, I enjoy hikes throughout the Bay Area, beach days, live music and spending time with my people. 

Kassandra Toruno (she/her)

Weekend Operations Manager & Shareholder

I’ve loved working with animals for as long as I can remember. I grew up around them especially dogs and cats, so caring for them has always just felt natural to me. I’m someone who loves being spontaneous, learning new things, and spending time outdoors in nature whenever I can. I also really enjoy learning about different cultures and languages. I speak Spanish and English fluently, and I’m currently learning Portuguese and Japanese. Lately, I’ve also been getting into musical theater, thanks to my best friend who studies it, and it’s been really fun exploring that world. I genuinely love being in service to others and caring for both animals and people. Whether it’s trying something new or staying in with a good book, I try to stay curious and open to life. I wanted to get involved with VAF because I really admire their vision, as well as their love, care, and devotion for both pets and their pet parents. I love where they’re headed for the future and am excited to be part of that journey.

Jorin Antero-Towle (he/they)

CFO, Accounting Specialist & Shareholder

Jorin is Jayden’s wonderful and talented spouse and the one of the best brains behind the VAF operation including the inspiration for our name. One day Jorin called Jayden when Jayden was working late with pets and asked what they were doing, to which they responded ‘Visiting Animal Friends’ which became the answer to that question often and then it struck them that is the name of the company. When Jorin is not behind a computer for Visiting Animal Friends, he can be found on a radio show, in a viral music video, playing a role in a local theater production, instructing elementary school students, dancing, cooking vegetarian meals, spending time with J&J’s cat babies or playing games.

Kalonica McQuesten (she/her)

Weekday Operations Manager, Pet Sitter & Shareholder

Kalonica has a background in communications, web, and software development and is retired staff from UC Berkeley. K lives in Berkeley and is a light in the life of many. She loves to spend her spare time when not creating effective systems for Visiting Animal Friends, staying informed about world events and politics, and improving herself. K is a trustworthy, reliable, and talented person with a great sense of humor and an eye for creative design, and problem solving.