Alyssa S.
Christiansburg, VA
3rd yr Vet Student
Pet care experience
Hello! I worked at a shelter working with different types of cats, dogs, and sick animals, while also shadowing the veterinarian and helping the vet techs. I also have wildlife experience and exotic experience, and have taken care of tropical fish, reptiles, small mammals, and birds previously. I am a student looking for extra income to help fund my veterinary education. I have 1 dog with me who I like to bring to house sittings (but it is not required!) and a pet snake that stays at home. I can adminster medications and insulin, most insulin is cat experience. I have pill experience and eye med experience with dogs, and liquid medication experience for cats. I am also familiar with certain procedures, so if there is more complex care needed simply ask. I can bathe and groom animals if needed, and if they get muddy/dirty I am fine cleaning up after them. Just let me know where cleaning supplies are. I love fitness and can walk and exercise dogs, including jogging if your dog enjoys running. I can walk small, medium, and some large breeds. Please let me know if your dog is a leesh biter, puller, dog reactive, etc. This helps me prepare for what to expect on walks and cater towards the dogs needs. EXOTICS: I love exotic animals, especially reptiles! If you have exotics, please let me know the species and their specific care. If they are reptiles/fish and require certain parameters such as temperature and humidity, please let me know what numbers you like to keep things at so I can appropriately monitor husbandry. I do have experience giving medications and injections to exotics as well, simply ask. Depending on the species, number of animals, and care involved will determine the pricing. If I can bring my dog with me to house sittings, I do offer knocking off 5 dollars a night since it saves me having to drive back and forth. I never leave my dog alone with other animals. He is crate trained and will be crated in a seperate closed room when I am not able to directly supervise him. For the most part, he is a clingy male chihuahua and is happy to stay by my side or be carried around in his sling while I work.
Reviews
Alyssa took wonderful care of my anxious dog and two cats! I appreciated her responsiveness and all of her updates and pics!
Alyssa was wonderful. She took care of my Newfie (175 lbs) and Golden Doodle (80lbs) while I traveled for 5 days. I highly recommend her.
Alyssa went above and beyond for me and Ravin! I’m the definition of crazy dog mom and Ravin is a little peculiar and Alyssa was wonderful with both of us, keeping me updating and sending my videos and pictures of their time together! Would def recommend!
Alyssa was so helpful with our two dogs. She sent lots of pictures throughout her stay and was very responsive. Great sitter!
About Alyssa S.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
I always make sure to discuss with owners what rules they have for their house and their dog. I want to be as respectful as possible while on your property and want to make sure I'm not letting your dog into rooms or furniture he is not allowed! I also always make sure to watch dogs when I let them out, even in fenced yards, as my pets can be escape artists and that is the last thing I want your pet to attempt! If you have exotics, I make sure to keep all enclosures locked and secure, especially for snakes. For small mammals, I make sure there is nothing near the cage that the animal can reach and chew.
Information Alyssa S. would like to know about your pet
I am a vet student so I do have a class schedule. Some classes are online and others in person. If it is a house sitting request, please let me know if your pet has seperation anxiety and how long max you feel comfortable with me spending outside the home at a given time.
A typical day
I always spend the visit with dogs close to me or within sight at all times to ensure I can learn their individual quirks and body language. Most days include multiple sessions of play, cuddle time when I am doing work on a laptop for longer house sitting stays, or on scheduled walks. I also enjoy a lot of relaxing yard time, hiking, and going to nearby parks if you have an area located near your home. I always ask permission before confirming whether or not you want me to take your dog off your property for any reason other than walks. I will occasionally see if a dog is interested in running depending on their energy level. If you are in the process of training your dog, or wish to reinforce training, let me know what commands you want me to teach/continue! For cats, I always test out play, but if they are more independent I let them to their own thing and just check up on them, keep them generally in sight.
Services
Alyssa can watch in your home
Availability
My student schedule varies but classes never go longer than 8 hours a day. Most days I may have 4 hours of classes, and sometimes that is split up between 2 in the morning and 2 later in the afternoon. Some classes are also online. Please let me know the maximum length of time you feel comfortable leaving your dog alone. For those concerned with seperation anxiety or a new puppy, I will look at my schedule ahead of time and confirm all times and availability to make sure we are a good fit.
| S | M | T | W | T | F | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 |
14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 |
21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 |
28 | 29 | 30 |
About Alyssa S.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
I always make sure to discuss with owners what rules they have for their house and their dog. I want to be as respectful as possible while on your property and want to make sure I'm not letting your dog into rooms or furniture he is not allowed! I also always make sure to watch dogs when I let them out, even in fenced yards, as my pets can be escape artists and that is the last thing I want your pet to attempt! If you have exotics, I make sure to keep all enclosures locked and secure, especially for snakes. For small mammals, I make sure there is nothing near the cage that the animal can reach and chew.
Information Alyssa S. would like to know about your pet
I am a vet student so I do have a class schedule. Some classes are online and others in person. If it is a house sitting request, please let me know if your pet has seperation anxiety and how long max you feel comfortable with me spending outside the home at a given time.
A typical day
I always spend the visit with dogs close to me or within sight at all times to ensure I can learn their individual quirks and body language. Most days include multiple sessions of play, cuddle time when I am doing work on a laptop for longer house sitting stays, or on scheduled walks. I also enjoy a lot of relaxing yard time, hiking, and going to nearby parks if you have an area located near your home. I always ask permission before confirming whether or not you want me to take your dog off your property for any reason other than walks. I will occasionally see if a dog is interested in running depending on their energy level. If you are in the process of training your dog, or wish to reinforce training, let me know what commands you want me to teach/continue! For cats, I always test out play, but if they are more independent I let them to their own thing and just check up on them, keep them generally in sight.
Location
Christiansburg, VA
Pets
Alyssa S.
Christiansburg, VA