Silicon Valley Petsitter Taking My Expertise Internationally

About this sitter

Hi! I’m Shanna—an adventurous solo traveler who loves animals (obviously!), reading, exploring new cities and cultures, and comedy (I may have dabbled in stand-up comedy). Before I began pet-sitting and traveling full-time, I dedicated my professional career to serving youth, adolescents, and young adults in many capacities, including Membership Director for a national undergraduate honor society and Educational Advisor for high-achieving high school students (via Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth). I hold an MA in Psychology from Sofia University in Palo Alto, CA. I've worked as a professional pet sitter/dog walker in Silicon Valley/ San Francisco for 10 years. I don't consider it work because I love it and l've received over 100 5-star reviews for my care. I love exploring the sights and smells of the city/suburb/country with one or more furry friends. I also enjoy being able to care for pets in their own home for maximum comfort. I have experience with dog and cat breeds of all temperaments and sizes, from puppies/kittens to seniors, and various ranges of physical abilities and medical considerations.

Why they want to house sit

Who doesn't want to spend the day with the happiest, silliest, sweetest beings?! As a full-time pet sitter, pet sitting is what LITERALLY gets me out of bed in the morning and I LOVE my job. Why should travel get in the way of continuing to do what I love? Also, aside from the fun, the best compliments I've ever received are when pet parents tell me they able to RELAX and enjoy their travel when I'm caring for their pets because they know they are good in hands.Being able to provide that level of comfort and security to them simply by doing something that I love and comes natural is the epitome of "do what you love and you'll never work a day in your life!" And I treat all homes as if they were mine and leave them as clean, if not cleaner than I found them (which is often mentioned in my sitting reviews)! I'm happy to water plants, collect mail/packages, and have been known to change a smoke alarm battery or two.

Their experience

I always tell people that I learned how to care for dogs from the best: my mom. I "apprenticed" under her as she trained our family dogs (Golden Retriever and Brittany Spaniel) to be beloved pet therapists, fostered shelter dogs, and assisted her with her thriving dog walking business. My years of experience with family pets and professional pet care combined equals 30 years. I’ve trained and volunteered as a dog "deputy" at the Baltimore SPCA. As a professional pet sitter in Silicon Valley for 10 years, I added cat care to the mix and never looked back! I love playtime with cat lasers, feather teasers and of course, cuddle time! I am also a night owl, so I'm okay for kitty night time fun!

What can they bring to the assignment

My years of experience with family pets and professional pet care combined equals 30 years. I’ve completed several international pet-sits (Hungary, Colombia, Mexico, and Chile), and I am just as competent and efficient despite language differences. I am able to quickly adapt to new cultures. I am uniquely qualified and very comfortable with all manner of pet care (playing, walking, feeding, cleaning poop and vomit, providing medicines, basic first aid, etc.). I am very observant and able to spot unusual or troubling behavior or injuries quickly. I am most proud of an experience where I was able to quickly catch troubling signs displayed by a senior pit bull. I called his family and quickly received consent to take him to the emergency vet. He was diagnosed with potentially deadly internal distress and quickly stabilized. The vet shared that he most likely would not have survived if he had not been admitted so quickly. As he was a senior pup, he did succumb to illness about a month later, but his family was forever grateful to be able to fly home and have that time to spend with him.