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About Me

 

Fieldwork at Chicago's B.A.A.R.K. Foundation (BAARK) and the South Suburban Humane Society (SSHS) was instrumental in preparing me for a future in animal care. BAARK volunteer for over three years, I've devoted ample time & energy to its mission—that which fights to find homes for those often whom owners are least inclined to adopt and most inclined to give up for adoption. BAARK, in particular, granted me intensive experience with, and a profound understanding of, senior & special needs rescues—a whole lot of Pit Bulls—and their charitable maintenance.

 

In addition, as a volunteer and animal attendant for eight years at the SSHS, I've devoted the time & energy to a wider variety of pets: cats, rabbits, birds, & few from the reptile species. Both organizations, however, have instilled equal knowledge on handling conflicts among animals & their poorly, if ever, trained behavior as well as in the rewards of helping them.

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From hobbyist to professional—how my animal care career began, and how it became my 24/7 livelihood: 

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Starting as a pet sitter and dog walker for Rover.com, I owe much of my success in this industry—certainly my passion to follow more deeply in this career path—to this online establishment. I still remain a faithful sitter for Rover, booking several services and handling business transactions through its platform.

 

Indeed, it was, is, and will continue to be a wonderful business tool and promotional resource for attracting owners such as yourself, especially given only as of recent did I take the leap of faith in choosing to expand my craft and branch off on my own professionally.

 

Coupled with countless dogs, cats and a handful of other pets (birds, snakes, rats, turtles, bunnies, guinea pigs), with each booking, my concept of various species of animals--specifically that of dog breeds--sharpens.

 

Through individualized attention to pets, I am constantly learning, evolving and developing stronger sensitivity to how animals differ and relate as the family members they become from one household to the next.

 

With a passion to harness mastery within the infinite field of pet care, I am hungry for knowledge on anything animals. For, such knowledge is power in the establishment of a versatile business, one which offers compassionate, safe, and responsive care to a vast number of pets--whether domesticated, reptile aquatic, exotic, etc.

 

Nevertheless, the heart of my own personal specialty anchors itself within canine behavior & psychology, as it is through my specialized conscientiousness of dogs that I find myself and my business to flourish most. From giant & inherently more dominant, to mini and medium-sized dogs (though not at all small personalities), I've walked, watched, boarded, & home sat purebred & mixed breeds that together constitute the 7 main dog groups.

 

Impossible to name them all since many are rescues & thus official breed(s) were never determined. However, for owners who find that type of info helpful in their search for the right sitter, click here for an in-depth list of the dog breeds with whom I've been privileged to have as furry clients.

 

I cater to a diverse set of dog breeds. That meaning, not just for out-of-home care (i.e. homesitting, check-ins, and walks), but also for boarding and daycare, the SaMammals, LLC home I've made the dog-friendly version of Grandma's house, investing in pet products which seek to supply numerous breeds with items to suit their individual size, sensitivity level, playfulness, etc.

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That I offer 24/7 pet care is no stretch of the truth. Home full-time, I dedicate my life to each service SaMammals, LLC provides. Licensed, bonded, and insured, I work to be reliably communicative with my human clients—and observant beyond belief of my furry ones. That way, I can ensure a trustworthy delivery upon being hired. A shelter assistant for so long, petsitting if anything teaches me more valuable lessons on animals, and what it means to foster a 5-star service for the compassionate care of their both physical and mental well-being.

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I place extreme precedence on first introductions with owners and their pet(s) before proceeding with a service. So much so that it's highly unlikely I will book with an owner & sadly their fur child if one is not held prior to the requested booking date(s). It's critical I am familiarized and thus comfortable in committing to the care of a pet's individual needs: e.g. dry vs. wet food, medication(s) and feeding mechanisms, strict vs. flexible eating, exercise habits.

 

However, first introductions are especially critical so that I understand the full scope concerning the traits of which require hyper-vigilance. All pets practice their own vice: e.g. stool eating, snout or sight-driven wanderlust, aggressive chewing. I hence strive to be over-prepared should I need to take control of a situation as owners would in their instructions.

 

If requested to petsit at your home, I respect house duties/specifications: e.g. garage/door codes/keys (locking doors when I leave and keeping keys safe for return), mail upkeep, taking out garbage/recycling bins and bringing them to the curb.

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Round of a-paws if you managed to read this far. You've reached the most important piece of information about myself as a pet sitter (and person) and my pet preferences! Lazy, hyper, energetic, cuddly, stubborn, drooly, skittish, dominant, protective, attention-obsessive, jumpers, incessant face-licking dogs—or, loving, friendly, shy, distant, and/or outright cold/mistrusting cats—whatever the pet and the personality unique to their breed and background, I love him/her as my own, always. ​

 

If I earned a dollar every time an owner expressed the intense anxiety they feel upon first meeting me and especially upon first leaving their pet(s) in my hands, I'd no longer need charge for service. I'd be financially set for life.

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And so, fellow pet parents, please do not fear if your pet(s) tend to show signs and/or symptoms of, say, innate aggression, hyperactivity, health concerns, or anything you find may scare or annoy me. Not only do I possess natural patience, empathy, and open-mindedness; I practice it. And there is nothing I work to be as patient with, empathic for, and open-minded about as I do animals. On top of free consultations in which the owner and pet(s) meet me, and I, the owner and pet(s), I am ready and willing to set up what I call “trial runs," performing either one or more minor services for those who may need to get more used to me prior to officially booking.

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Because I get it– your pet is your baby and deserves the very best care. You don't want to receive—I don't want to make—the frantic phone call about an incident that could've been prevented had I more adequately prepared to alleviate your worries. Animals can be a process, and there is nothing wrong with that. Come the moment they are comfortable, or otherwise trust me, I grant all pets—the furry, furless, scaly, or slimy—the attention, affection, and individualized care they need so they miss not one beat while their humans are away.

 

If nothing at all, please remember:

I am a professional pet sitter —

I am not a kennel.

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Wag after me:

Cuddles, not cages.