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Deanna B.

West Baltimore, MD

5.0 out of 5 stars
•22 reviews
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Weekend Pet Sitter and Dog Walker

Pet care experience

I’ve been caring for, working with, and training just about every type of common and exotic pet animal since I was a small child. My family always had lots of pets and I’ve been active in animal care related jobs besides just pet sitting from a young age. My undergraduate degree is in equine science (and business management) and I did internships with a horse rescue and training organization as well as with a large animal veterinary practice. I have knowledge and experience in everything from physiology to animal nutrition to animal behavior to land management. I love animals––I always have and always will! Currently, I’m a full-time graduate student at the University of Maryland in College Park with a flexible schedule, which allows me to happily moonlight as a dog sitter. Given my studies and adaptive schedule, I know I’m not in the right mental or physical space to have a happy dog, but Rover allows me the chance to vicariously live through caring for your dog as if s/he were my own. I’m available for daily visits or overnight stays as needed to provide the best care for your fur babies. I'm just as happy to go on long, energetic walks as I am to keep them company on the couch if they're a worrier while you're away. I'm experienced in dealing with most behavioral issues, puppy/kitten and senior pet care, and special medical needs. I also have experience with most other critters, including but not limited to: rabbits, birds, rodents & other small animals, horses & other large/farm animals, and reptiles/amphibians & other exotic pets. I'm also very happy to offer grooming and/or bathing care for a small fee (unless things just happen while I'm watching them while you're away. No one wants to come home to a stinky pup.) I can use my grooming products or yours. I'm very handy with nail clippers and hair clippers. And for no extra cost, I'll do my very best to leave your house and yard at least as clean if not cleaner than I found it, because who wants to come back from a trip or a busy work day and have to worry about house cleaning? It pains me that I can’t have a dog of my own right now, but this just means I have a deep longing to be around your dog. I do live with a neutered cat named Nick and two rabbits––a neutered male named Rutabaga and a spayed female named Shadow––because I need animals in my life. I'm also lucky enough to be able to ride horses on campus, too. Horses, dogs, cats, and all other living creatures large and small––we have a unique spirit that lives in the eyes, and it’d be my honor and pleasure to care for your dog for as much time as possible. I'm very vigilant about keeping my Rover calendar up-to-date in advance and updating it immediately if anything in my schedule changes. If my availability is confirmed, it's definitely confirmed, but I won’t overbook either. I want to provide amazing, individualized service and make authentic, meaningful connections.

Reviews

Mary G.
House Sitting • Feb 03, 2023
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Deanna was wonderful! She was very professional and attentive. I loved all the updates and photos. It sounds like my dog had her perfect weekend!

Jared & Russell H.
House Sitting • Nov 07, 2022
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Deanna’s care and attention to detail were thoroughly appreciated. It put our minds to ease knowing that our pup and our home were in such mindful and experienced hands while we were traveling. Looking forward to future bookings with Deanna!

Misty T.
House Sitting • Jul 12, 2022
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Deanna is a gem. My dog loves her and she is absolutely wonderful to work with.

Margaret W.
House Sitting • May 05, 2022
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Deanna took excellent care of my 2 dogs!

About Deanna B.

Communication

7 repeat pet parents
100% response rate
Usually responds in within a few hours
70% bookings with photo updates
Sends updates with Rover Cards

Skills

18 years of experience
Oral medication administration
Injected medication administration
First aid/CPR
Senior dog experience
Special needs dog experience
Can provide daily exercise

Safety, trust & environment

I live in a townhouse and do have a small, appropriately fenced-in backyard for immediate potty break needs. While there isn't a ton of play space within my own house, I live very close a large, dog-friendly park and also within a friendly neighborhood were many people also like to walk their dogs. At my house, pets are allowed on the furniture and can go upstairs or stay downstairs. My basement is kept off limits with a closed door. If your pet has stair limitations, I have a gate to close off access to the stairs. (However, there are 3 steps up to my front door and 2 steps down into my backyard from the back door.) When caring for pets in your home, I will abide by whatever rules you set out for me. While I have a solid background in pet care and animal behavior, I understand that different people teach and care for their pets in different ways and every pet is unique in terms of the type and level of care they require to stay happy and healthy, especially in the hands of a "stranger" or someone other than their parents while they're away. I make sure to check-in with you regularly to keep you up-to-date on how your pet(s) are doing and let you know immediately if there's anything concerning or unusual going on with them. However, if you're comfortable with it and think your dog would enjoy some field trips while you're gone, I also enjoy taking pets out on my own adventures to local/state parks or to the farm where I keep my horse, which is a very quiet, open space where many other dog-friendly dogs live. (This will only ever be done if I have express permission to do so by all owners of the dog.)

Information Deanna B. would like to know about your pet

I'm all about Meet & Greets. I definitely want to make sure your dog or cat likes me and that we can get along together because it’s all about the comfort of your beloved pet. I'm always excited to meet new animal friends, so there's no way I won't come in happy to see them and get on their level to meet with them (if they're ok with that). I like spending time cuddling up with the pets and grooming them as much as I like to go outside for long walks or games of tug and fetch depending on what they'd rather do. Otherwise, I just try to learn from the owner what they like or dislike most so I can emulate that in my care for them as much as possible. Please inform me of any special care (medical/dietary/quirks/etc.) needs or any behavioral issues your pet has. I also strongly prefer setting up a Meet & Greet before I care for your pets to make sure that I know everything I need to know before I’m on my own with them. Leaving written instructions and/or texting or emailing me all the necessary info is also strongly encouraged! I don't mind pets that need some extra attention or precautions to be well taken care of; I just like knowing what they're like ahead of time so I can make sure I understand all their care needs to keep them as safe and happy as possible while you're away.

A typical day

If your dog has certain routines for walks and play time, I'm fine with sticking to that. But for dogs who like more adventure and changes in scenery, I'm always glad to change up the route and take them to a new nearby trail or park. I have a reliable car, so I can get around. And for dogs who are up for it (and owner who are comfortable with it), I'm also happy to take some road trips to bigger, better trails and parks right outside of town and around DC (think Rock Creek Park and the WB&A Trail) to have a fun day trip. Of course, I’ll take all the proper precautions like harnesses and crates if needed for the drive. I’m very adaptable and fun-loving, so I’m game for adventures as well as quiet nights in with a good movie and amazing company with your furry best friend.

Services

House Sitting
in your home
$60per night
Drop-In Visits
visits in your home
$30per visit
Dog Walking
in your neighborhood
$30per walk

Deanna can watch in your home

Cats
0 to 15 lbs
16 to 40 lbs
41 to 100 lbs
over 101 lbs

Availability

I currently work in the office all day for my regular daytime job Mon.-Weds. every week, so I am COMPLETELY UNAVAILABLE for any of my services on those three days. I telework from home on Thursdays and Fridays, so I'm able to provide Drop-In and Dog Walking services on those days. My main availability is Fri-Sun pet/housesitting (though I can accommodate pet-sitting as early in the week as Thursday), Drop-in Visits, or Dog Walking, along with Thurs. and Fri for the last two services mentioned. Again, I am NOT available to stay over into Monday for pet/housesitting due to my daytime job. I have my own pets at home to take care of and will not have to time to care for two sets of pets before having to go to work and I won't be able to leave during the day to check on your pets, let them out, etc.

Available
Not available
SMTWTFS
Calendar last updated 10 days ago
Dog Walking Cancellation Policy:

About Deanna B.

Communication

7 repeat pet parents
100% response rate
Usually responds in within a few hours
70% bookings with photo updates
Sends updates with Rover Cards

Skills

18 years of experience
Oral medication administration
Injected medication administration
First aid/CPR
Senior dog experience
Special needs dog experience
Can provide daily exercise

Safety, trust & environment

I live in a townhouse and do have a small, appropriately fenced-in backyard for immediate potty break needs. While there isn't a ton of play space within my own house, I live very close a large, dog-friendly park and also within a friendly neighborhood were many people also like to walk their dogs. At my house, pets are allowed on the furniture and can go upstairs or stay downstairs. My basement is kept off limits with a closed door. If your pet has stair limitations, I have a gate to close off access to the stairs. (However, there are 3 steps up to my front door and 2 steps down into my backyard from the back door.) When caring for pets in your home, I will abide by whatever rules you set out for me. While I have a solid background in pet care and animal behavior, I understand that different people teach and care for their pets in different ways and every pet is unique in terms of the type and level of care they require to stay happy and healthy, especially in the hands of a "stranger" or someone other than their parents while they're away. I make sure to check-in with you regularly to keep you up-to-date on how your pet(s) are doing and let you know immediately if there's anything concerning or unusual going on with them. However, if you're comfortable with it and think your dog would enjoy some field trips while you're gone, I also enjoy taking pets out on my own adventures to local/state parks or to the farm where I keep my horse, which is a very quiet, open space where many other dog-friendly dogs live. (This will only ever be done if I have express permission to do so by all owners of the dog.)

Information Deanna B. would like to know about your pet

I'm all about Meet & Greets. I definitely want to make sure your dog or cat likes me and that we can get along together because it’s all about the comfort of your beloved pet. I'm always excited to meet new animal friends, so there's no way I won't come in happy to see them and get on their level to meet with them (if they're ok with that). I like spending time cuddling up with the pets and grooming them as much as I like to go outside for long walks or games of tug and fetch depending on what they'd rather do. Otherwise, I just try to learn from the owner what they like or dislike most so I can emulate that in my care for them as much as possible. Please inform me of any special care (medical/dietary/quirks/etc.) needs or any behavioral issues your pet has. I also strongly prefer setting up a Meet & Greet before I care for your pets to make sure that I know everything I need to know before I’m on my own with them. Leaving written instructions and/or texting or emailing me all the necessary info is also strongly encouraged! I don't mind pets that need some extra attention or precautions to be well taken care of; I just like knowing what they're like ahead of time so I can make sure I understand all their care needs to keep them as safe and happy as possible while you're away.

A typical day

If your dog has certain routines for walks and play time, I'm fine with sticking to that. But for dogs who like more adventure and changes in scenery, I'm always glad to change up the route and take them to a new nearby trail or park. I have a reliable car, so I can get around. And for dogs who are up for it (and owner who are comfortable with it), I'm also happy to take some road trips to bigger, better trails and parks right outside of town and around DC (think Rock Creek Park and the WB&A Trail) to have a fun day trip. Of course, I’ll take all the proper precautions like harnesses and crates if needed for the drive. I’m very adaptable and fun-loving, so I’m game for adventures as well as quiet nights in with a good movie and amazing company with your furry best friend.

Location

Baltimore, MD

Deanna B.'s Neighborhood

Pets

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Deanna B.

West Baltimore, MD

5.0 out of 5 stars
•22 reviews