Debra H.
Goodyear, AZ
Your pets will be entertained!
Pet care experience
If you’re looking for a quiet pet sitter…you should probably keep looking. ;-) But seriously, I’m new to AZ and still navigating the area & my new situation (pet sitting is, for now, my primary source of income). In addition to my primary profession (neuroscience-based pain management & therapy), I’m a singer/songwriter, comedian, & actress…It’s rare for me to NOT be talking (to your pets or myself) or singing. I often try out new material on pets (& I have yet to get heckled, so I call that a win!). A few of my “regulars” have been lucky enough to have their pet(s) become the star of an original parody I’ve written (and occasionally I’ll make a video too!). I won’t share publicly without your permission, of course…but that’s on you if your pet resents not being allowed an opportunity for fame. ;-) There’s just nothing like the unconditional love that a dog brings into our lives! Trained as a therapist, I know just how important a dog can be to our happiness. They’re loyal and kind, selfless and enthusiastic, and their giving nature has always inspired me to give back to them too. Putting a smile on every dog’s face is my mission! If you scroll through my photos, I’m sure you’ll see that. ;-) In addition to helping pups, I love that I can provide peace of mind to owners while they’re away. All in all, being a sitter really is great fun for me (& I like to think, for pets too). I grew up with dogs & I feel like I understand them. I have had dogs & cats for much of my adult life as well (no dog currently...but a cat named Marji…who ironically believes herself to be a dog), and as a teen/young adult, I volunteered at an animal shelter, socializing & walking the dogs. I also have helped friends & family with their animals from a young age, walking them & caring for them while they travel. One of the great things about me is that I’ve been an entrepreneur in private practice for most of my adult life. I have a very “flexible” schedule (flexible is a double entendre…because I’m trained in yoga!). I’m a good fit for dogs that are used to having a human presence around them during the day. We don’t have a dog of our own, so your pup will be the beneficiary of as much love as they can handle. You know how grandparents spoil with treats and fun before dropping the kids back with the parents?! Yeah, that’s me! When taking on a new client, I like to schedule a meet-and-greet if possible. It’s a great way to make sure that we’re all a good fit for one another. Likewise, it gives us the opportunity to chat face-to-face about your pup and your care expectations. No one knows your dog better than you do, so it’s always great to chat with owners in person about what makes their pup tick! Finally, I just love meeting new dogs! I like to get down on their level to show them that I’m a welcome presence there to make friends, and I’m sure we’ll be best buddies in no time at all. I look forward to meeting you & your fur baby/babies!
Reviews
Debra was such an amazing Rover and caretaker for our little Frenchies! She kept us up to date, sent lots of pictures, and our dogs did not seem stressed at all to be hanging out! She kept the house extremely clean and cleaned up after herself, and is the best Rover we have experienced to date! I couldn’t recommend her more!
Debra was so good with our dogs. We had just adopted a special needs dog (blind) and she was very patient with him. Our dogs warmed up to her very quickly and we were able to enjoy our time away knowing they were being so well taken care of.
Debra was simply amazing. From the moment she met our boys she loved them and they loved her. She was caring, conscientious and kept us informed daily. We loved her photos and videos of the boys. Three days before we were scheduled to leave, Jessi developed a skin infection and required meds and special treatment. Debra was extremely accommodating in ensuring he was taken care of. We recommend her to anyone and will certainly use her again.
We really appreciated having Debra take care of our two dogs while we were away. It gave us peace of mind knowing they were being well looked after. She seemed to bond with our boys during the meet and greet prior to our trip. She did everything we had asked while we were gone and did a fantastic job of looking after the boys and our house while we were away. Would highly recommend her if you need to trust someone to look after your pets and house.
About Debra H.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
At your home, my goal is for your pets to feel as “at home” with me as possible! We can discuss your level of comfort with my fiancé being in your home with me for visits and/or overnight stays. I am flexible with whatever you prefer, however, please understand that for the time being, ours is a long distance relationship & our time together is limited. He loves animals just as much as I do, & several repeat doggie clients grew to want his affection more than mine (but I’m not bitter..:ok maybe a little bit…). I respect that safety is a priority. I personally think cameras (and/or Ring doorbells, etc) are a wise choice outside the home, and I completely understand if you choose to use them inside as well (video and audio are both fine with me!). As a courtesy, however, please share in advance that you use them (I don’t have to know locations). But if there are cameras in bedrooms, I appreciate your respect for my privacy by allowing me to cover them up (or turn them off with your permission) in the evenings. Cameras in bathrooms, and/or areas in which someone might dress/undress are absolutely never ok with me. Thanks for understanding!
Information Debra H. would like to know about your pet
Some things I like to learn ahead of time: Will you schedule a meet-and-greet before the stay? If so, please be sure to read all of my information on Rover in advance, so there are no misunderstandings. I respect your time & energy & hope you feel the same about me! How will I enter your home (a key, Smartlock, garage keypad, etc.)? Is there an alternate way to enter (or a neighbor with a key) should that method fail? What’s your preferred method of communication while you are away? If I need to reach you & cannot, is there an alternate person I can contact? Does your pet have any health issues that need to be tended to? For instance, dietary restrictions, medicine, or behavior triggers? Do you have a vet nearby that you trust? Emergency clinic you prefer should the need arise? Does your pup like to stick to a given schedule, like regular walks in the morning and evening? What does your pup do well around (people, other animals, etc.)? What does your pup try to avoid? What’s the best way to spoil your pup? Treats, love, toys? Is he/she good with other dogs? Cats? Kids? How often do you like updates/photos? (Some folks love frequent check ins, while others are fine with once-daily!) I’m also happy to bring in your mail & newspapers, water flowers & plants, and/or care for any smaller animals such as hamsters or birds. Just let me know how I can help! I look forward to meeting you & your pet(s)!
A typical day
I enjoy providing exercise for dogs…even those who are not leash-walked. If you have the toys, I have the arm to throw as many times as your dog likes! Is there a local dog park your dog enjoys? With your permission I’m happy to provide an outing!
Services
Debra can watch in your home
Availability
My schedule varies day to day...but when you hire me, your animal(s) are a top priority! If your pup(s) require walks and/or visits, I am by nature a night owl, but I can easily shift to being an early riser (with notice!) & I’m used to working long hours, so I’m also available mid-day & evenings. PLEASE NOTE: Every booking is unique, but generally speaking, for overnight house sitting, “one night” is equal to no more than 24 hours (unless we agree in advance otherwise). In other words, if your expectation is for a stay to begin in the morning but end the following evening, please expect a slight rate increase (rather than mid-day to mid-day, for example). This can certainly be modified with whatever we agree is reasonable, especially if it’s a longer stay. For overnight sitting, please let me know your expectations for your pet(s) being left alone for periods of time vs. having me in the home 24/7. I can adjust my schedule as needed, but please understand that there will be a significant rate adjustment if you prefer I not leave your pet(s) alone at all. If you’re comfortable with me coming and going as needed, we will agree on how many hours is reasonable. Thanks for understanding!
About Debra H.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
At your home, my goal is for your pets to feel as “at home” with me as possible! We can discuss your level of comfort with my fiancé being in your home with me for visits and/or overnight stays. I am flexible with whatever you prefer, however, please understand that for the time being, ours is a long distance relationship & our time together is limited. He loves animals just as much as I do, & several repeat doggie clients grew to want his affection more than mine (but I’m not bitter..:ok maybe a little bit…). I respect that safety is a priority. I personally think cameras (and/or Ring doorbells, etc) are a wise choice outside the home, and I completely understand if you choose to use them inside as well (video and audio are both fine with me!). As a courtesy, however, please share in advance that you use them (I don’t have to know locations). But if there are cameras in bedrooms, I appreciate your respect for my privacy by allowing me to cover them up (or turn them off with your permission) in the evenings. Cameras in bathrooms, and/or areas in which someone might dress/undress are absolutely never ok with me. Thanks for understanding!
Information Debra H. would like to know about your pet
Some things I like to learn ahead of time: Will you schedule a meet-and-greet before the stay? If so, please be sure to read all of my information on Rover in advance, so there are no misunderstandings. I respect your time & energy & hope you feel the same about me! How will I enter your home (a key, Smartlock, garage keypad, etc.)? Is there an alternate way to enter (or a neighbor with a key) should that method fail? What’s your preferred method of communication while you are away? If I need to reach you & cannot, is there an alternate person I can contact? Does your pet have any health issues that need to be tended to? For instance, dietary restrictions, medicine, or behavior triggers? Do you have a vet nearby that you trust? Emergency clinic you prefer should the need arise? Does your pup like to stick to a given schedule, like regular walks in the morning and evening? What does your pup do well around (people, other animals, etc.)? What does your pup try to avoid? What’s the best way to spoil your pup? Treats, love, toys? Is he/she good with other dogs? Cats? Kids? How often do you like updates/photos? (Some folks love frequent check ins, while others are fine with once-daily!) I’m also happy to bring in your mail & newspapers, water flowers & plants, and/or care for any smaller animals such as hamsters or birds. Just let me know how I can help! I look forward to meeting you & your pet(s)!
A typical day
I enjoy providing exercise for dogs…even those who are not leash-walked. If you have the toys, I have the arm to throw as many times as your dog likes! Is there a local dog park your dog enjoys? With your permission I’m happy to provide an outing!
Location
Goodyear, AZ
Pets
Debra H.
Goodyear, AZ