Ben W.
Ben W.
Highlights
Pet care experience
Dog-Sitter with Vet-Tech Experience
I’ve always had dogs in my life - from a giant, gentle Newfoundland and Mastiff to several sweet mixed-breed rescues. In high school, I worked as a Vet Tech, so I’m comfortable giving medication and handling the not-so-glamorous sides of dog care. For safety, I don’t take dogs to off-leash parks, but I do have reliable transportation to bring your pet wherever they need to go. I live on a boat at a pet-friendly marina on Shelter Island, with a beautiful path around the island that’s full of sights and smells for dogs to enjoy. Your dog’s comfort and safety always come first, and I’ll make sure they get the love and care they’re used to while you’re away.
Cat care experience
Ben also cares for cats. Learn about their cat-specific care experience.
Qualifications
Ratings and reviews
Ben was fantastic at keeping us updated throughout our dog's stay, regularly sending photos and little updates so we always knew how she was doing. It was clear she had a wonderful time — especially at the beach, chasing seagulls! He was also available on short notice and responded to our questions quickly. Highly recommend!
Ben was a very communicative and trustworthy sitter for my dog. He took her on a nice long walk and gave frequent updates. I would recommend Ben to others who are looking for a safe haven for their pets, and I would certainly book with him again.
Ben’s care of Musa was exceptional. I received daily updates of his stay, which allowed me to have peace of mind while on my road trip. If you are looking for someone who will treat your family’s pet as their own, I highly recommend you reach out to Ben.
Ben was a great sitter! He was very communicative and did a great job of sending updates and photos throughout my dog’s entire stay. Would recommend him to anyone!
Thanks for wearing out my unruly beast !!!
WOW is the only word I could think of for my experience with Ben. He was more than I could have imagined him to be. I left my four legged child in his care and he exceeded my expectations. He sent me daily photos and videos, he followed my instructions to a "T" I would trust Ben again with my four legged baby...
Calendar and availability
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Schedule
I’m a teacher, so I have summers and school holidays free, which means lots of extra time to spend with pups! During the school year, I work from about 7:00 a.m. to 3:30–4:00 p.m., so I’m mostly available on weekends since I don’t like leaving dogs alone for a full workday. That said, I may be able to accommodate special requests depending on your dog’s needs.
Where your pet will stay
Home characteristics
Safety, trust & environment
I live on a houseboat at a pet-friendly marina on Shelter Island. There’s plenty of room on board for dogs to relax, and we’re surrounded by a beautiful walking path that circles the island, perfect for new sights and tons of smells. Dogs are always kept leashed on the dock and on walks. I do my best to follow each dog’s normal routine so they feel comfortable and secure while you’re away. I’m also experienced with administering medications and handling special care needs when required.
Pets
A typical day
My typical routine with a dog includes a quick morning walk to give them a chance to go to the bathroom, followed by breakfast. Later in the day, we enjoy a longer walk exploring the beautiful marina path around Shelter Island, taking in all the sights and smells. Once we’ve had our adventures, we come home to relax and unwind on the couch, with plenty of cuddles and downtime.
- 0 to 15 lbs16 to 40 lbsSpayed and neutered dogs onlyNo females in heatCrate-trained dogs onlyTakes only 1 client at a timeBen can host up to 1 pet per night
- I like to know as much as possible about your dog before we meet. Are they good with other dogs? What does their normal daily routine look like? Any quirks, preferences, or special needs? The more I know, the better I can make them feel comfortable, safe, and happy while they’re with me.