About Us
Walking The Dogs, LLC is a small personalized dog walking and pet sitting company.
BACKGROUND
Walking The Dogs, LLC began in 2007 with an idea and a dream.
I grew up in the Northern Virginia area. I graduated with a BS in Developmental Psychology from George Mason University, and attended local elementary and high schools. I was thrilled when my husband's military career brought us back to Fairfax County, after moving across the country and back twice, with several other places in between!
I was a stay at home parent for 17 years with my three kids after leaving an MBA program to have my first son. Prior to having children I worked in the mental health field, mainly with children, and finally as a director for an Army daycare program in Aberdeen, Maryland. I was looking for a new career, after spending time at home with my kids, and working in numerous volunteer capacities within the community during my time home with them. I was not ready to go back and restart an MBA program. I began thinking about my options.
Dog walking was a fairly new idea back in 2007. I realized I loved dogs, really pets of all kinds, and I loved being outside exercising. It seemed like a great fit, and I was willing and ready to learn all I could about dogs. I believed if anyone loved their dog half as much as I loved my nutty corgi, (who was the love of my life, it's OK, my husband knows) they would want the best care for their furry family member too.
The demand for good quality pet care was much larger than I imagined. It was surprising to realize how many people also needed cat care, or needed care from someone knowledgeable about senior cats, or those with health issues. I had decades of cat care experience, including my own cats, family member's, or friends cats who needed involved medical care requiring a substantial amount of research, and a good deal of interaction with veterinarians. I was confident I could meet the needs of most cat owners and their cat sitting needs.
After years as a military spouse, stay at home mom, pet lover, and career volunteer, I had the relationships in place to reach out to other people in the area to help create a dynamic team of dedicated pet care lovers!
I knew people in my circle who were fellow pet lovers, mostly moms, likewise military spouses, and volunteers. They were all caring and nurturing. I knew I could count on them. They were eager to learn more about pet care, as well as being were rooted in their communities. Our team of pet care specialists began to take shape.
Seventeen years and hundreds of pets later, we are still going strong!
We now have a dedicated team of pet care professionals ready to serve your pet care needs, from dog walking to pet sitting and house visits, and everything in between!
We want to provide the best possible service we can provide for your pets, your family, and your home. We strive to stay current on animal behavior issues, changes in trends for pet care, animal health, well being, and training.
- Member of the National group NAPPS (National Association of Professional Pet Sitters)
- Member and previous board member of NCAPPS (National Capital Area Professional Pet Sitters)
- Staff trained by Pet Tech- First Aid and CPR Training
We want to help make owning pets easier for you. Whether you need a work day dog walk, or weekend vacation pet sitting services. We want to be here for you. We want to help you and your family know your pets are in the best possible hands when you can not be home.
Your furry family member will be our priority, ALWAYS.
SCHEDULING
We pride ourselves on a great customer care experience. From your first contact with us, whether scheduling dog walks, or pet sitting visits, we will be responsive. You will be able to reach us when you need to. We have dedicated scheduling staff available 12 hours a day, 7 days a week just an email away, to take requests for service, arrivals home from a trip, or to answer questions.
Our aim is to provide a model concierge pet care service, as well as the best possible pet care you will find.
our staff
Jeanne with Napoleon
Jeanne with Napoleon
Jeanne with Napoleon
Judy and sampson
Jeanne with Napoleon
Jeanne with Napoleon
BEVERLEY WITH MILO
Jeanne with Napoleon
BEVERLEY WITH MILO
Your pet will be cared for by an adult professional pet sitter or dog walker. We take the care we provide for your pet very seriously. Our goal is to provide the highest quality care for your pet.
- Our staff is background checked by ADP
- We have an employee based staff, not independent contractors
- Our team receives ongoing training by certified trainers, as well as the Pet Tech First Aid and CPR course
- Our staff follows a comprehensive set of guidelines for all pet related visits.
We hold regular staff meetings for our team, and additionally have professionals in our industry come to speak to our staff, dog trainers and animal first aid specialists to help us stay current on animal related issues.
In home pre- visit consultations
We schedule an initial in-home consultation to meet you and your pet before we begin service at no charge. We want to see your pet(s) in their surroundings, meet you and your pet, and understand their routine and your needs for service. We want you to feel comfortable with your new dog walker or pet sitter, and be pleased with the services we will provide for you and your pet.
Once we begin service, we will set up a time schedule that conveniently fits your pet's routine. We will leave a daily note in your home to let you know about your pet's adventures that day. We will have open communication with you to assure we will provide optimal care for your pet(s).
Your pet(s) will be cared for by one primary professional dog walker or pet sitter, who you will meet in your initial pet care meeting. You will also have, and be introduced to, one back-up or partner pet care provider who will be on your professional pet care team. It is important to us that you meet, and are comfortable with the pet care providers who will be working with your pet(s).
We are available to discuss your pet's changing needs by email or phone. We customize our service for each pet we serve.
We offer workday dog walks of varying lengths, and also provide dog and small animal sitting services for all types of animals; dogs, cats, fish, guinea pigs, rabbits, chickens, ferrets, lizards, and birds (members on our team who have expertise in each area). We have successfully cared for them all!
