Pet Sitter Confessional Pet Sitter Confessional, LLC
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- Sociedad y cultura
A podcast by pet sitters, for pet sitters. After 10 years pet sitting, we've got some stories! Listen in as we talk candidly about our experiences as pet sitters and speak with others regarding theirs. From how to get started, to major lessons from tough situations, this is an in-depth look at the life of a pet sitter. Our goal is to grow a passionate community of pet sitters, making the industry better for everyone. We'd love to hear your story!
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Living Up to Your Own Standards
Can you meet the promises you make to your clients? Our goal should be to truly embody values like professionalism, dependability, and transparency. Whatever you promise your clients, these should not merely be marketing terms but actual practices, supported by robust systems. There can be significant repercussions if we fail to meet the standards we set for ourselves, and we should be prepared to defend our practices when clients hold us accountable. Ultimately, we should strive to align our practices with our core values and maintain consistency in all interactions to build and sustain trust with clients.
Main topics:
Professionalism
Dependability
Integrity
Setting Standards
Main takeaway: The words that we say matter; what we portray to clients on social media, on Google, they matter because maybe one day, they're gonna hold us to it.
Links:
Check out our Starter Packs
Buy PSC Merch
Give us a call! (636) 364-8260
Follow us on: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter
Email us at: feedback@petsitterconfessional.com
Full show notes and transcript
Sponsored by:
❤️ Our AMAZING Patreon Supporters
Pet Sitters Associates
Visit: https://www.petsitllc.com
Code: Confessional -
Creating Client-Centered Services with Hannah Alsup
What does it mean to create a client-centered pet care service? Hannah Alsup, from Three Dog Pet, explores how to incorporate a wide range of services to meet the unique needs of each client. From pet sitting and personal assistance to dog training, Hannah explains how personalized communication and flexible services can empower clients to make informed decisions about their pets. She also touches on the importance of setting boundaries for both clients and staff, while offering tips on integrating mental stimulation and training into pet care routines.
Main topics:
Client-centered approach
Personalized services
Communication and boundaries
Mental stimulation
Main takeaway: It's all about how you frame it. If you set small, successful steps, you can make the journey much easier for both the dog and the client.
About our guest:
Hannah went to school for and earned degrees in animal behavior and psychology in 2018, at Carroll University in Waukesha, Wisconsin. She always knew she wanted to work with animals, but didn't know in what way. Early on, she worked at a doggy daycare and boarding facility, did pet sitting, and worked at zoo and marine life facility camps. But, it wasn't until her internship at the local humane society, in college, that she fell in love with dog training.
She received a dog training position in Texas before school was over, so she rushed back home to start work. There she learned the basics of training group classes, and working on puppy and adult dog basic and advanced manners.
She also started getting into some sports training, such as nosework, agility, and rally, while working at the facility. She went on to work at a few other facilities in the area, gaining more knowledge and skills at each one, eventually earning her CPDT-KA in 2020.
She now spends her time doing pet sitting & dog training with 3dogpet. Gaining more knowledge through fellow trainers, continued education, and earning new certifications. She especially loves helping fearful dogs become more confident and working on reactivity, and has focused much of her continuing education on these subjects.
Links:
Website: 3dogpet.com
instagram: 3dogpet
tiktok: Notyouraveragepetz
https://trello.com
Buy PSC Merch
Give us a call! (636) 364-8260
Follow us on: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter
Email us at: feedback@petsitterconfessional.com
Full show notes and transcript
Sponsored by:
❤️ Our AMAZING Patreon Supporters
Time to Pet
Visit: https://timetopet.com/confessional
Code: 50% off first 3 months
Pet Perennials
Visit: https://petperennials.com/pages/register-for-a-business-account
Code: 'PSC' when registering for a $2 off coupon on any purchases in the 1st 90 days -
Balancing Your vs Your Company’s Needs
Ever faced a business roadblock that made you question everything? Here's a deep dive into how we handled an unexpected hurdle and the strategies we used to keep afloat. From employee turnover to shifting business goals, we share the ups and downs you could potentially encounter, and the mindset you need to overcome. Balancing personal life and company demands is a constant challenge, requiring flexibility and a clear vision. That balance is critical to navigate obstacles while keeping your business and personal values intact.
Main topics:
Hitting roadblocks
Self sacrifice for a time
Moving on
Finding your business identity
Main takeaway: Find your business identity and persona to help build and maintain boundaries between your personal and business life.
Links:
Check out our Starter Packs
Buy PSC Merch
Give us a call! (636) 364-8260
Follow us on: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter
Email us at: feedback@petsitterconfessional.com
Full show notes and transcript
Sponsored by:
❤️ Our AMAZING Patreon Supporters
Pet Sitters Associates
Visit: https://www.petsitllc.com
Code: Confessional -
Being More Than a Pet Sitter with Sarah Schloerb
How can you make your business more than pet care? Sarah Schloerb, owner of Sit Stay NJ, discusses the importance of professionalism and how she leverages her experience in the veterinary field to offer specialized services. She emphasizes the significance of building a robust network with local pet care professionals to enhance service offerings and prepare for possible industry legislative changes. Sarah's also shares her efforts in community education through pet first aid and CPR classes, and her role in founding a league of pet care professionals aimed at advocacy and education. Sarah's passion for providing tailored and compassionate care to pets shines in all she does, making it clear that her work is both a personal calling and a professional endeavor.
Main topics:
Building out a network
Learning from vets and groomers
Dealing with rejection
Honesty and teamwork
Main takeaway: Don’t force your services on clients, instead ask, “What are you looking for in a pet care provider? And how can I be that for you?”
About our guest
Sarah Schloerb, the heart and soul behind Sit Stay NJ, has carved a niche in the pet care industry with her exceptional dedication to pet wellness and owner peace of mind. As a lifelong animal lover, Sarah's journey into professional pet care began as a part-time endeavor that blossomed into a full-fledged passion after she transitioned from her job at a veterinary clinic. Today, she leads a team of compassionate pet care professionals in Northern Bergen County, New Jersey, specializing in services for reactive, anxious, and fearful pets—a testament to her expertise and certification in Fear Free practices.
At Sit Stay NJ, Sarah and her team offer a comprehensive range of personalized pet care services, including daily dog walks, in-home overnight sitting, pet taxi, and even wedding attendance services for your furry companions. What sets Sarah apart is her commitment to not just meeting, but exceeding the standards of pet care. She actively contributes to the community by providing pet first aid and CPR classes, and plays a pivotal role in a local pet care professionals league that focuses on advocacy, education, and collaboration within the industry.
With a mission to ensure every pet feels safe and loved, Sarah's approach is deeply rooted in understanding individual pet needs and fostering trust with both the animals and their owners. Whether it's navigating the challenges of pet behavior or offering a reassuring hand to pet owners, Sarah's leadership at Sit Stay NJ embodies professionalism, empathy, and a relentless pursuit of excellence in pet care.
Links:
Website: https://sitstaynj.com/
https://www.instagram.com/sitstaynj
https://www.facebook.com/SitStayNJ/
hello@sitstaynj.com
sarah@sitstaynj.com
liquid smoke: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquid_smoke
10% off the Fear Free Pet Sitter Certification Program with promo code PSC10
Fear Free: https://fearfreepets.com
Fear Free Happy Homes: https://www.fearfreehappyhomes.com
Links:
Buy PSC Merch
Give us a call! (636) 364-8260
Follow us on: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter
Email us at: feedback@petsitterconfessional.com
Full show notes and transcript
Sponsored by:
❤️ Our AMAZING Patreon Supporters
Time to Pet
Visit: https://timetopet.com/confessional
Code: 50% off first 3 months
National Association of Professional Pet Sitters
www.petsitters.org -
Dirty Clients, Clean Answers
How do you manage when a client's home is more than just messy? We dive into the challenging world of hoarding and its impact on our business as pet sitters and dog walkers. We explore what hoarding really entails and how it creates unsafe and unhealthy working conditions. From navigating privacy issues to ensuring the safety of the pets and maintaining professional boundaries, we cover the essential strategies for approaching these sensitive situations with gentleness and genuine concern. Join us as we provide practical advice to help you handle even the most difficult environments effectively.
Main topics
What is hoarding?
When do you say something?
What are your moral and ethical obligations?
When do you report?
Main takeaway: Out of love and concern for the client and their pet, speak up and let them know you’re not ok with the conditions of the home.
Links:
Check out our Starter Packs
Buy PSC Merch
Give us a call! (636) 364-8260
Follow us on: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter
Email us at: feedback@petsitterconfessional.com
Full show notes and transcript
Sponsored by:
❤️ Our AMAZING Patreon Supporters
Pet Sitters Associates
Visit: https://www.petsitllc.com
Code: Confessional -
Evolving with Heart with Reilly Kahat
What does it take to transform challenges into a thriving business? Reilly Kahat, owner and founder of Pet Fit, shares his transition from a dog walker to the owner of a flourishing pet care service. Following an unforeseen business closure that left him questioning his next steps, Reilly leverages his deep affection for animals to build a community rooted business from the ground up. He explores the importance of adaptive branding, the move towards a membership-based model for consistent service, and the cultivation of a supportive team dynamic. Reflecting on the hurdles faced, including navigating through the COVID-19 pandemic, Reilly illustrates how setbacks were not just obstacles but opportunities for growth and deeper community engagement.
Main topics:
Business Journey
Membership Model Shift
Branding and Engagement
Leadership and Team Management
Main takeaway: Every challenge in our journey is a lesson in disguise, teaching us to be more adaptable, empathetic, and focused on the true essence of pet care.
About our guest:
Reilly Kahat is the Founder and Lead Adventurer at Pet Fit, a pioneering pet care service rooted in the lush landscapes of Ellicott City, Maryland, where he spent his formative years. From an early age, Reilly's life on a family farmette instilled in him a profound respect for animals and an understanding of the care they require. His childhood dreams of canine companionship became a reality with the adoption of Fender, a Maltese, marking the beginning of his lifelong journey with pets.
Reilly's educational pursuits took him to Colorado, where he sought an Eco/Bio degree with aspirations of contributing positively to society. However, it was the mountainous adventures with Patches, a dog that accompanied him during his college years, that illuminated his true passion for pet care and the great outdoors. Returning to Ellicott City without Patches but not without ambition, Reilly adopted Murphy from a local rescue, Small Miracles, and embraced his role as a devoted Dog Dad.
His experiences as a client of pet care services and later as a dog walker unveiled a significant gap in the market: the need for a professional, reliable, and adventure-centric pet care company. This realization spurred Reilly to establish Pet Fit, a testament to his commitment to offering exceptional care and customer service. Pet Fit isn't just a business; it's a reflection of Reilly's dedication to the health, well-being, and adventurous spirit of pets, providing Ellicott City's pet parents with a trusted partner in their pets' care journey.
Links:
petfit.us
https://www.facebook.com/petfit.us
https://www.instagram.com/petfit.us
Buy PSC Merch
Give us a call! (636) 364-8260
Follow us on: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter
Email us at: feedback@petsitterconfessional.com
Full show notes and transcript
Sponsored by:
❤️ Our AMAZING Patreon Supporters
Time to Pet
Visit: https://timetopet.com/confessional
Code: 50% off first 3 months
Pet Perennials
Visit: https://petperennials.com/pages/register-for-a-business-account
Code: 'PSC' when registering for a $2 off coupon on any purchases in the 1st 90 days