SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Emily Eirinberg started working at Mini Critters more than two years ago. Her love for animals was her driving force, and it didn’t go unnoticed by her manager.

“She could read animals like she could tell, like, if they needed certain things or she, you know, she went slow. She even got some dogs out of their shell right away at day care, especially the new ones. She just, you could just tell she had a thing for the animals that they all loved and trusted her,” said Katie Buseman, the Pet Hotel & Daycare Manager at Mini Critters.

Not only did Eirinberg love the animals, but her manager says she went above and beyond. She helped plan holiday parties for the animals and took themed photos of the pets. Buseman says that’s part of the reason they got along so well- they each treated the pets like their own.

“We have a lot of dogs we say we love, but technically me and her joked all the time about taking dogs home from the customers because we were so obsessed, we loved them so much,” said Buseman.

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Eirinberg left work on Monday for what would be the last time. Her Mini Critters family is still processing the loss of a coworker.

“We’re still really, really upset, still want her to walk through the door, still want to see that smile,” said Buseman.

That’s why they took action and organized a fundraiser to benefit Eirinberg’s family. On Sunday, February 9th from 12:00-4:00, you can take your pets in to have their nails trimmed in exchange for a suggested minimum $20 donation.

“I can’t even imagine what her family is going through, losing her like this and whatever we can do to to help them kind of through the grieving process, kind of take another worry off of what they need to do,” said Bethani Oaks, pet groomer at Mini Critters.