Arika K.
Arika K.
Highlights
Pet care experience
Lifelong Animal Lover
Hi! I'm Arika, and animals have pretty much been my entire personality for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I cared for just about every kind of animal imaginable—dogs, cats, horses, chickens, rabbits, hamsters, and even reptiles. If there was an animal that needed love (or someone to clean up after it), I was usually first in line. Needless to say, my parents never had to wonder what I'd be doing with my free time! For the past 5 years, I've worked in animal rescue, primarily with cats. As an Office Manager and Foster Coordinator for a nonprofit rescue, I've cared for hundreds of cats of all ages, personalities, and medical needs—from tiny bottle babies to spicy feral kittens, seniors, and cats recovering from illness or surgery. Let's just say not every cat has appreciated my help at first... but I've learned that patience (and a few treats) goes a long way! While my rescue work has focused on cats, my love for dogs has always been just as strong. I volunteer with a local dog rescue where I walk and exercise energetic dogs, helping them burn off some zoomies while preparing them for adoption. I've also assisted a friend with a dog training program in Bakersfield, where I gained experience with basic obedience, leash manners, and confidence building. When my in-laws head out of town, I become the designated ranch manager for their five dogs and six horses. It's a full house, but I wouldn't have it any other way! Between the dogs demanding belly rubs and the horses reminding me breakfast should have been five minutes ago, there's never a dull moment. I'm comfortable caring for dogs of all sizes, breeds, and personalities—from puppies who think every walk is a treasure hunt to seniors who just want to take their time and sniff every flower along the way. I'm also experienced administering oral medications, eye medications, topical treatments, and subcutaneous fluids when needed. I'm currently exploring becoming a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) because I genuinely love learning about animal health and want to continue building on the experience I've gained over the years. At home, I have two cats and a rescue dog, so I know how nerve-racking it can be to leave your pets with someone new. My goal is to make that as stress-free as possible—for both you and your pets! I'll treat them like family, keep their routine consistent, and send plenty of updates and photos (because let's be honest... you're probably going to miss them more than they'll miss you 😉). Whether your dog wants to power walk, sniff every tree in the neighborhood, play fetch until your arm hurts, or simply enjoy some quiet company, I'm happy to match their pace. I can't wait to meet you and your furry family!
Cat care experience
Arika also cares for cats. Learn about their cat-specific care experience.
Qualifications
Pets
Safety, trust & environment
As a pet owner myself, I know how nerve-racking it can be to trust someone else with your best friend. My goal is to make you feel completely at ease while your pup is in my care. My years in animal rescue have taught me how to read animal body language, recognize when a pet is feeling stressed, and adapt to all kinds of personalities. Whether your dog is outgoing, shy, energetic, or prefers to stop and sniff every flower, I'll tailor each walk to what makes them feel safe and happy. Before our first walk, I'd love to learn about your dog's routine, favorite treats, commands, and any little quirks that make them unique. Whether your pup thinks every squirrel is public enemy number one or insists on saying hello to everyone, I'm here for it! Safety is always my top priority. I'll use secure leash handling, stay aware of our surroundings, and make sure your dog gets the exercise, enrichment, and attention they deserve. After every walk, I'll send you updates and photos because I know I'd want the same if someone was caring for my own dog. Fair warning... if your pup is especially cute, they may end up becoming the star of my camera roll!
Ratings and reviews
Arika is an absolute miracle worker! I got her to walk my German Shepherd, Raynee, while I was away on vacation, and I could not be happier with the results. Raynee absolutely loves her. What impressed me most is the incredible impact Arika had on Raynee's behavior. Before Arika, walks were a challenge, but she got Raynee so calm that I can now walk her myself problem-free. It has made such a massive difference for us. I'm already counting down the days until my next vacation so I can hire her again. If you need a reliable, talented, and truly caring dog walker, I cannot recommend Arika highly enough!
Communicating with Arika has been so easy and she quelled a lot of my anxieties about being a first time user for the app. You can see that she cares a lot about the dog she looks after and she puts their well-being first and foremost. She’s honestly amazing, and I’m glad to have her as a part of my baby’s routine!
Arika did an incredible job taking care of Orion, our cat while we were away for a week. She brushed him every day, brought interesting toys for him to try out, and gave him lots of amazing care and attention! She even sent pix and videos. She also did small details like bring in the mail and even asked if we needed plants to be watered. She ended up watering our garden boxes which kept our plants alive while we were away. We would highly recommend Arika! She is kind and very professional and we were so happy that our cat had such great care.
Arika is very pet friendly and works well with all animals. She has animal first aid in case of any emergencies. She is reliable and trustworthy
Arika is so intuitive with dogs. She is amazing with my Bullmastiffs handling both at the same time. Always on time and loved by my pups. Highly recommend her.
I have had the pleasure of seeing firsthand just how compassionate and caring this person is, especially when it comes to animals. Their kindness goes far beyond words—they consistently show patience, love, and genuine concern for every animal they encounter, regardless of its size or situation. Whether it's caring for their own pets, helping a stray in need, or advocating for animal welfare, they always put the well-being of animals first. Their gentle nature and selfless dedication are truly inspiring and make a meaningful difference in the lives of the animals they care for. I wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone looking for someone who will treat animals with the respect, compassion, and love they deserve. Their commitment to animal care is a true reflection of their character, and I have no doubt they will continue to make a positive impact wherever they go.
Calendar and availability
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 | 31 |
Schedule
After I drop my daughter off at daycare each morning, I get to spend the rest of my day doing something else I love—being around animals! I'm available Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM for dog walks. Whether your pup is full of energy or prefers to stop and sniff every flower (honestly, I support both!), I'm happy to tailor each walk to what makes them happiest. If your dog is friendly and enjoys the company of other dogs, I'd also be happy to bring my own rescue pup, River, along for the walk! She's friendly, well-socialized, and loves making new friends. Of course, this is completely optional and only if you're comfortable with it—I know some dogs prefer one-on-one adventures, and I'm more than happy to accommodate that too!
- Cats0 to 15 lbs16 to 40 lbs41 to 100 lbsover 101 lbsArika can host up to 3 drop-ins per day
- Before our first visit, I'd love to get to know your pet! Please let me know about their daily routine, feeding schedule, medications, allergies, favorite toys, and anything that helps them feel comfortable. I'd also appreciate knowing about any fears, triggers, or behaviors I should be aware of, as well as how they do around other people and animals. If your pet is currently in training or you're working on a few commands or behaviors, I'd be more than happy to reinforce those during our time together using the methods you're already using. The more I know ahead of time, the better I can provide safe, personalized care and make sure your pet feels right at home.