Meet Our Gunslinger Team!
Each and everyone of these people play an important role
in not only the dogs' lives, but also the puppies.
Your future puppy is loved and socialized by many people before reaching you!
Our "team" are also people we consider friends - in our home we are all family.
We have people working at our home from six AM to nine PM.
They watch over and love the dogs and puppies throughout the day (along with us), as well as keep things clean.
Melinda
OWNER + FOUNDER OF GUNSLINGER TOY AUSSIES
Melinda is the owner and founder of Gunslinger Toy Aussies and the heart behind the program. Her vision, dedication, and passion for animal health have shaped Gunslinger into what it is today.
​
She lives in Benton, Mississippi with her husband, Joey, and their beloved pets. Melinda studied Veterinary Medicine at Mississippi State University (HAIL STATE!) and currently works as a veterinary pharmaceutical developer and regulator, contributing to important medical advancements in animal science.
​
When she’s not working, Melinda enjoys spending time with her husband, being outdoors, and giving plenty of love and attention to all of her sweet Aussies. Her knowledge, commitment, and genuine love for the breed are at the core of everything Gunslinger Toy Aussies represents.
Joey
DOG DAD
Joey is Melinda's dedicated husband and Gunslinger's support behind the scenes. He lives plays a big role in supporting day-to-day life around the ranch.
​
Outside of Gunslinger, Joey owns and operates a pool and irrigation company and is known for his strong work ethic and reliability. He enjoys spending time outdoors.
​
In his free time, Joey loves being with his family and giving plenty of attention to his dogs — especially his Labrador, Diesel, his Aussie, Sadie, and we can't forget his Basset Hound, Barbie. His dedication to his family, his work, and the animals makes joey a huge part in running the ranch!
Nikki
AUSSIE CARETAKER
Nikki is a dedicated and dependable member of our Aussie Caretaker team and plays an important role in helping keep everything running smoothly around the ranch. Her caring personality, strong work ethic, and natural connection with the dogs make her a valued part of the Gunslinger family.
​
She lives in Benton, Mississippi with her daughter, Baylee, and has completed coursework at Holmes Community College. During the week, Nikki works full time at Ortho Sport & Spine Physicians in Clinton, where her compassion and attention to detail shine through in her daily work. On weekends, she brings that same level of care and commitment to the ranch while working alongside our team.
​
Outside of her busy schedule, Nikki enjoys spending quality time with her daughter and her twin sister, Crystal. She has a special bond with Daisy, one of our top females, who never misses a chance to be by her side. At home, Nikki is also a proud dog mom to her Boston Terrier, Guss. Her dedication to both her family and the dogs makes her an integral part of our Aussie Caretaker team.
Baylee
AUSSIE CARETAKER
Baylee is a valued member of our Aussie Caretaker team and is always ready to step in and help wherever she’s needed. Her positive attitude and gentle approach make her a favorite among both the dogs and the team.
​
She lives in Benton, Mississippi with her mom, Nikki, and recently celebrated her high school graduation. During the week, Baylee works alongside us at the ranch, and her weekends are spent enjoying time with friends and family.
​
Outside of ranch life, Baylee loves spending time with her mom and making memories with her friends. She shares a special bond with Mena, one of our standout females who is especially fond of her. Also pictured with Baylee is Rigby, one of our retired stud dogs who remains a beloved part of the Gunslinger family.
Danielle
AUSSIE CARETAKER
Danielle is one of our dedicated Aussie Caretakers and brings a lifetime of animal experience and compassion to the Gunslinger family. She lives in Yazoo City and is a proud mom of three daughters, balancing family life with her deep love for animals.
​
Currently, Danielle works full time as a juvenile detention officer, where she works closely with misunderstood and challenged youth — believing, much like with animals, that everyone deserves patience, structure, and unconditional care. Gunslinger provides her the perfect outlet to continue doing what she loves most: caring for animals and ensuring their well-being.
​
Her favorite dog at the ranch is Benji, whom she describes as the true gentleman of the pack — sweet, gentle, and incredibly loving. Outside of Gunslinger, Danielle enjoys photography, especially capturing sports and action moments for youth and their families. Above all, she values spending quality time with her family whenever she has downtime.
Sidney
Kansas manager
Sidney is the Aussie Manager for Gunslinger Toy Aussies in Kansas and has been a valued member of the GTA family since May of 2018. Over the years, she has played a key role in the growth and continued success of Gunslinger, adapting her responsibilities as the program has evolved.
Currently based in Kansas, Sidney focuses primarily on website management and social media content for Gunslinger Toy Aussies. She helps maintain the online presence of GTA through content creation, updates, and engagement, ensuring the brand is represented consistently and professionally across platforms. In the past, she also assisted hands-on with the dogs and traveled with Melinda to attend dog shows, helping support and promote the program.
​
Outside of her work with Gunslinger, Sidney enjoys spending time outdoors and relaxing with her Labrador Retriever, Beau, and her Aussies, Tucker and Rico. Her long-term dedication, versatility, and commitment to the Gunslinger vision make her an important part of the GTA team.
Macy
Photographer
Macy is a wonderful part of the Gunslinger family and continues to play an important role behind the scenes. Her creativity, dedication, and love for animals make her a perfect fit for our team.
She lives in Yazoo with her two dogs, Maybel, a Heeler, and Blaze, a blue merle Toy Aussie who is a past Gunslinger pup. Macy recently graduated and now works at Mississippi Sports Medicine as an X-ray technologist, balancing her career with her passion for photography.
In addition to her full-time job, Macy runs her own photography business and captures all of our beautiful puppy photos. Before heading off to college, she also helped care for the dogs here at Gunslinger, making her no stranger to ranch life. Her talent, reliability, and long-standing connection to Gunslinger make her a valued part of our extended team.