Erica J.
Chestnut, IL
Services
Erica can host
Erica can care for
Availability
Pet care is intentionally woven into my daily and weekly routine, not added on as an afterthought. I structure my schedule around the animals in my care so they receive consistent attention, enrichment, and calm companionship throughout the day. This allows me to be fully present for feedings, walks, playtime, medication needs, and individualized routines, while also offering flexibility for pets who need extra time, patience, or reassurance. Caring for animals isn’t something I squeeze in — it’s what my days are built around.
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About Erica J.
Communication
Dog skills
Safety, trust & environment
Safety, trust, and comfort are the foundation of every service I provide. Whether caring for pets in my home or in a client’s home, I prioritize calm, consistency, and close supervision. I take time to learn each pet’s routine, preferences, and any special needs so their care feels familiar and stress-free. In my home, pets are welcomed into a clean, secure, and peaceful environment with plenty of space to relax and play. Supervised outdoor time is provided in a safely contained area, and all interactions are thoughtfully managed to ensure each animal feels comfortable and respected. In a client’s home, I treat the space with the utmost care and follow instructions precisely to maintain the pet’s normal routine. With over 20 years of hands-on animal care experience, including veterinary assistant training, I am confident administering medications, supporting senior pets, and caring for animals with special needs. I maintain clear communication, provide regular updates, and care for every pet as if they were my own — with patience, attentiveness, and genuine love.
Home
Information Erica J. would like to know about your pet
To provide the highest level of care, it’s essential I understand your pet’s routines, preferences, and any special needs before their stay. Please share details about feeding schedules, medications, favorite toys or comfort items, quirks, anxiety triggers, and any behavioral or health considerations. The more I know ahead of time, the more seamlessly I can maintain their normal routine, provide comfort, and keep them happy, calm, and safe. I treat each pet as part of my family and tailor every day to their unique personality and needs.
A typical day
Every day is tailored to the pets in my care, respecting their routines, personalities, and needs. Mornings often begin with a gentle wake-up, feeding, and a bathroom or outdoor break. Throughout the day, I provide a mix of calm companionship, supervised play, and enrichment activities — whether that’s interactive toys, gentle training, snuggles on the couch, or quiet time together. Outdoor time is provided in a safe, enclosed space or on leash walks, depending on your pet’s routine and preferences. Special needs, senior, or anxious pets receive extra attention, medications as required, and a slow, reassuring pace. Evenings are for relaxing, cuddles, and winding down, following the same routines your pet enjoys at home. Regular photo and text updates keep owners connected and reassured. Pets in my care are never rushed, never forced, and always treated with patience, love, and respect — creating a calm, joyful, and safe experience every day.
Location
Chestnut, IL
Pets
Experienced Vet-Trained Pet Care
Pet care experience
Hi, I’m Erica — a highly experienced animal care professional with over 20 years of hands-on experience caring for pets and farm animals of all kinds. I’m trained as a veterinary assistant, including assisting with surgeries, administering medications, and caring for senior, disabled, and post-operative animals. I specialize in calm, consistent, in-home care for pets who do best staying in their familiar environment. Many of my clients have animals with medical needs, anxiety, blindness, mobility challenges, or strict routines, and they trust me to provide compassionate, detail-oriented care while they’re away. I’m also very comfortable with multi-pet households, rural properties, and farm animals. Having grown up on a farm myself, I understand the responsibility that comes with caring for animals large and small, as well as maintaining a home and property with respect and reliability. My goal is simple: to give you peace of mind, keep your pets safe and happy, and treat your home with the same care I would my own. -20+ years caring for animals of all species and temperaments -Veterinary assistant training, including surgery assistance -Medication administration (oral, topical, injections if required) -Special-needs pets (blind, senior, diabetic, post-surgical, anxious) -Farm and rural animal care -House sitting and extended stays -Potty training and behavioral reinforcement -I’m calm under pressure, attentive to detail, and deeply respectful of routines — especially when animals depend on consistency.
Cat care experience
Erica also cares for cats. Learn about their cat-specific care experience.
Reviews
This was our first time leaving our dogs with a house sitter and we could not be happier with how Erica took care of them and our home. From meeting our dogs’ individual needs, managing special diets, and keeping us updated, Erica was great. We will definitely book with her again.
Absolutely great!
Erica loves animals and Luna loves people so I was comforted by several updates with pictures. Luna was happy. And Erica took her to the coffee shop for a pup cup! Luna knows her way around the drive thru circuit for milk bones and ice cream 😉 But the real drama was calling her at the last minute and she was able to take care of Luna during a holiday. Another sitter on Rover was booked but recommended Erica and you know the rest of the story. Luna was happy when I came home ❤️ Thanks again Erica!
About Erica J.
Communication
Dog skills
Safety, trust & environment
Safety, trust, and comfort are the foundation of every service I provide. Whether caring for pets in my home or in a client’s home, I prioritize calm, consistency, and close supervision. I take time to learn each pet’s routine, preferences, and any special needs so their care feels familiar and stress-free. In my home, pets are welcomed into a clean, secure, and peaceful environment with plenty of space to relax and play. Supervised outdoor time is provided in a safely contained area, and all interactions are thoughtfully managed to ensure each animal feels comfortable and respected. In a client’s home, I treat the space with the utmost care and follow instructions precisely to maintain the pet’s normal routine. With over 20 years of hands-on animal care experience, including veterinary assistant training, I am confident administering medications, supporting senior pets, and caring for animals with special needs. I maintain clear communication, provide regular updates, and care for every pet as if they were my own — with patience, attentiveness, and genuine love.
Home
Information Erica J. would like to know about your pet
To provide the highest level of care, it’s essential I understand your pet’s routines, preferences, and any special needs before their stay. Please share details about feeding schedules, medications, favorite toys or comfort items, quirks, anxiety triggers, and any behavioral or health considerations. The more I know ahead of time, the more seamlessly I can maintain their normal routine, provide comfort, and keep them happy, calm, and safe. I treat each pet as part of my family and tailor every day to their unique personality and needs.
A typical day
Every day is tailored to the pets in my care, respecting their routines, personalities, and needs. Mornings often begin with a gentle wake-up, feeding, and a bathroom or outdoor break. Throughout the day, I provide a mix of calm companionship, supervised play, and enrichment activities — whether that’s interactive toys, gentle training, snuggles on the couch, or quiet time together. Outdoor time is provided in a safe, enclosed space or on leash walks, depending on your pet’s routine and preferences. Special needs, senior, or anxious pets receive extra attention, medications as required, and a slow, reassuring pace. Evenings are for relaxing, cuddles, and winding down, following the same routines your pet enjoys at home. Regular photo and text updates keep owners connected and reassured. Pets in my care are never rushed, never forced, and always treated with patience, love, and respect — creating a calm, joyful, and safe experience every day.
Erica J.
Chestnut, IL