I commenced my own pet care service in 1998 in Tuggeranong ACT.My goal was to commence a small business offering an alternative holiday pet care service where pets can be cared for in their own home rather than spend long days alone away from home in a boarding facility which can cause extreme stress and anxiety.

The service grew to be very popular we advertised in newspapers, yellow pages and notice boards we were booked out most school holidays as there were very few pet care services in the area.

In 2004 I met my partner Marg and together we continued providing pet care services mainly in school holidays and long weekends until we moved to Newcastle in 2009. We continued our Pet Care Service and occasionally took in rescue dogs from a local Rescue Animal service while they were waiting for a forever home.We also provided care for a horse,budgies and a goat on our property.

In late 2018 we returned to Canberra and commenced slowly building up our Pet Care Business again we are now semi retired (64yrs)and prefer to walk only small to medium dogs.

We have a van and are available to take the dogs to their local dog park and also to veterinary appointments. We also provide play activities in the pets home if required.We are happy to give the pets basic medications only if required in their food or orally.

We provide all our pets with loving care, always make sure their food containers are clean, water bowls filled and litter boxes and poop cleaned up regularly.On occasions some of the pets have been timid and wary of strangers entering their home our strategy is to let them come to us when they feel comfortable and not to force friendship food being a great motivator.

Dogs can be more challenging if they meet us growling and snarling at the entrance we usually give them a few dog biscuits before entering, speak in quite unthreatening voice,walk in slowly and feed quickly.If the dog is still growling we don't enter we contact the owner ASAP, this has happened on only one occasion.

Previous experience with animals includes volunteering with RSPCA Canberra for two years at various fundraising events.Volunteering briefly with ACT Wildlife.Providing dog walking and taking them to the dog park for my aged care clients while working as a support community worker for 9 years in Newcastle and Canberra.

I have a current Police Check certificate and WWVP card.References available.