Coleman S.
Ithaca, NY
Services
Coleman can care for
Availability
My schedule is extremely flexible! From early morning walks to long weekend (or more!) long house stays, I can make most any schedule work for my clients!
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About Coleman S.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
I treat the animals I watch with care, considerations, and importantly with plenty of affection. But I also recognize every animal is unique and requires an individual approach, so I strive to interact with any pets, new or old, familiar or not, big or small, with the care they deserve!
Information Coleman S. would like to know about your pet
Sniff walks (letting them lead — genuinely underrated enrichment), fetch, tug, hide-and-seek with treats, basic training reinforcement if you'd like, and for the adventurous ones, trail hikes around Ithaca's dog-friendly/safe spots. Ithaca is, objectively, one of the best cities in America to be a dog — so I want to make the most of that. For cats: wand toys, puzzle feeders, and respecting their sovereign right to ignore me until day three.
A typical day
Every day is built around your pet's rhythm, not mine. We start with a morning walk calibrated to their energy — a leisurely sniff-fest for the older ones, a genuine workout for the high-octane breeds. Midday includes enrichment (puzzle feeders, training games, or just quality couch time depending on their personality). Afternoons usually mean another walk, backyard play, or socialization if they're into it. You'll get photo updates throughout — I document everything, partly because I know separation anxiety hits owners harder than dogs, and partly because the photos are genuinely great. Evenings wind down with calm time, feeding on their exact schedule, and whatever bedtime routine you've established. I don't improvise on routines — consistency is how dogs feel safe.
Location
Ithaca, NY
Your Pets New Best-friend!
Pet care experience
Hi, I'm Coleman! By day, I research global catastrophic risks but my most important job? Making sure your dog is taken care of as well as absolutely possible! I've spent 8 years walking, sitting, and caring for pets of every temperament — anxious rescues, high-energy huskies, suspicious cats who take three days to warm up to anyone. Animals have always been my reset button from heavy intellectual work, and I bring that same obsessive attention to detail to every pet in my care. As a Cornell researcher and lifelong animal lover, I treat your pet the way I'd want the world's most conscientious person to treat them — with patience, structure, genuine affection, and no shortcuts. Your dog can't interview their sitter. But you can. I'm an open book.
Reviews
Coleman was great at keeping me updated and ensured I knew the status of the check-in appointments with my cat. Even though my house was a bit far away, Coleman was willing to make the drive out.
Coleman is a true gem! Our poodle Coby is very attached to us and usually gets anxious when we leave—even if just one of us steps out. So we were absolutely amazed at how relaxed he was with Coleman. From the moment Coleman arrived, Coby liked him. Coleman clearly has a calm, kind energy that animals pick up on right away. Coby was so content during Coleman’s stay that he didn’t even wake up when we returned home—he stayed fast asleep on his bed! That has never happened before. Coleman is friendly and trustworthy. You'll enjoy having him in your home. We’re so grateful to have found someone we can trust with our beloved pup. Highly, highly recommend Coleman!
Five Stars for Coleman! Coleman is a true gem! Our poodle Coby is very attached to us and usually gets anxious when we leave—even if just one of us steps out. So we were absolutely amazed at how relaxed he was with Coleman. From the moment Coleman arrived, Coby liked him. Coleman clearly has a calm, kind energy that animals pick up on right away. Coby was so content during Coleman’s stay that he didn’t even wake up when we returned home—he stayed fast asleep on his bed! That has never happened before. We’re so grateful to have found someone we can trust with our beloved pup. Highly, highly recommend Coleman!
About Coleman S.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
I treat the animals I watch with care, considerations, and importantly with plenty of affection. But I also recognize every animal is unique and requires an individual approach, so I strive to interact with any pets, new or old, familiar or not, big or small, with the care they deserve!
Information Coleman S. would like to know about your pet
Sniff walks (letting them lead — genuinely underrated enrichment), fetch, tug, hide-and-seek with treats, basic training reinforcement if you'd like, and for the adventurous ones, trail hikes around Ithaca's dog-friendly/safe spots. Ithaca is, objectively, one of the best cities in America to be a dog — so I want to make the most of that. For cats: wand toys, puzzle feeders, and respecting their sovereign right to ignore me until day three.
A typical day
Every day is built around your pet's rhythm, not mine. We start with a morning walk calibrated to their energy — a leisurely sniff-fest for the older ones, a genuine workout for the high-octane breeds. Midday includes enrichment (puzzle feeders, training games, or just quality couch time depending on their personality). Afternoons usually mean another walk, backyard play, or socialization if they're into it. You'll get photo updates throughout — I document everything, partly because I know separation anxiety hits owners harder than dogs, and partly because the photos are genuinely great. Evenings wind down with calm time, feeding on their exact schedule, and whatever bedtime routine you've established. I don't improvise on routines — consistency is how dogs feel safe.
Coleman S.
Ithaca, NY