Erin O.
Durham, NC
recovering recruiter & animal lover
Pet care experience
My journey into professional pet care began with my own sweet rescue, Wallace. After he passed, I dedicated myself to helping other animals, volunteering over 100 hours as a dog walker at the APS of Durham. That experience solidified my passion and led to a career change, allowing me to do what I love full-time: providing exceptional care that makes it easier for anyone to have happy, healthy pets. My hands-on experience includes: - Diverse Breeds & Sizes: From tiny terriers to gentle giants. - All Life Stages: Puppies requiring consistent routines to seniors needing gentle, patient care. - Specialized Needs: Skilled in handling fearful, anxious, and leash-reactive dogs. - Range of Animals: Experienced with dogs, cats, horses, goats, and chickens. I am committed to making your life easier and ensuring your pet feels safe, loved, and happy while you're away. I hope you'll trust me to take care of your beloved family member.
Cat care experience
Erin also cares for cats. Learn about their cat-specific care experience.
Reviews
Erin is the best!! She’s kind, responsible, completely dependable and genuinely loves caring for pets. She’s also resourceful and capable of handling any situation that could arise. Highly recommend!!
I’ve known Erin since we were both kiddos. For as long as I can remember she’s always been an animal lover. She’s got two wonderful rescue dogs, and we’ve relied on her multiple times to care for our pet when we’re away. This is a person who puts animals first. I can’t imagine someone more suitable for Rover.
Erin loves animals, with a special place in her heart for dogs. She understands the connection between a "parent" and their pet and takes on the job of caregiver with a sense of mature responsibility. Erin has taken care of our 10+ yr old dog many times. He requires a great deal of patience and time. She has administered medications and taken him on the long slow walks he requires to stay happy.
As long as I’ve known Erin, she’s always been an animal lover. I’ve trusted her and will continue to do so with my own pet. She is nurturing and caring and her truest self when with her dogs. She volunteers at the Durham animal shelter in her free time, demonstrating her desire and will to make a difference in an animals life. Can’t think of anyone more well suited to work for Rover.
About Erin O.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
I take a proactive approach to ensure the safety and well-being of every animal in my care. - Complimentary Meet & Greet: For the safety and comfort of everyone, I require a free in-person or video consultation before the first overnight pet sitting service. This allows us to ensure we are a great fit and to go over your pet's specific needs and routine. - Pet First Aid & CPR: I am working on my Pet First Aid & CPR certification. This knowledge is critical for handling any situation, especially with the risks of heat in our Carolina climate. - Fluent in Animal Body Language: My extensive work with shelter animals has taught me to be highly observant of subtle cues. I prioritize understanding what an animal is communicating to prevent stress, build trust, and never push them past their comfort zone. - Specialized Behavioral Experience: Having cared for my own reactive dogs, I have a deep, personal understanding of how to manage and support dogs with anxiety, fear, and reactivity. While I do not board pets in my home, this experience makes me uniquely qualified to care for yours.
Information Erin O. would like to know about your pet
To ensure I provide the best and safest care possible, our complimentary Meet & Greet is our chance to get to know each other. I'll want to learn all about your pet, including: - Their daily routine for meals, walks, medications, and playtime. - Their unique personality and any behavioral quirks (e.g., leash pulling, separation anxiety, resource guarding, specific fears). - Their comfort level around new people, children, or other animals we might encounter. - Any existing training commands or protocols you use. While I am not a certified trainer, I am more than happy to help reinforce your current training and maintain consistency.
A typical day
My goal is to ensure your pet is not just cared for, but also mentally and emotionally fulfilled. I tailor activities to your pet's individual personality and energy level. - Mental Stimulation: For active minds, I love using puzzle toys, lick mats, and scent-work games like "Find It" to keep them engaged and prevent boredom. - Decompression Walks ("Sniffaris"): I am a huge advocate for sniff-focused walks. Allowing a dog to explore the world through their nose at their own pace is incredibly enriching and can significantly reduce stress. We can go for a jog or spend 20 minutes exploring a single fascinating patch of grass—it's all up to them! - Calm & Quiet Time: For shy, anxious, or senior pets, sometimes the best activity is simply providing a calm, reassuring presence. We'll find a cozy spot for gentle pets, cuddles, or just quiet companionship.
Services
Erin can watch in your home
Availability
Full-Time Availability for Your Peace of Mind Because pet care is my full-time profession, I offer flexible and reliable scheduling to fit your needs. My goal is to build a lasting relationship with you and your pets, becoming your trusted go-to sitter for years to come. In-Home Pet + House Sitting My standard overnight service is designed to keep your pet comfortable in their own environment. This includes: - Continuous presence in your home from approximately 7 PM to 9 AM. - Multiple potty breaks and check-ins throughout the day, customized to your pet's routine. * For pets who need extra companionship or have special needs, a Constant Care (24-hour) option is available for an adjusted rate. Please inquire for details.
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About Erin O.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
I take a proactive approach to ensure the safety and well-being of every animal in my care. - Complimentary Meet & Greet: For the safety and comfort of everyone, I require a free in-person or video consultation before the first overnight pet sitting service. This allows us to ensure we are a great fit and to go over your pet's specific needs and routine. - Pet First Aid & CPR: I am working on my Pet First Aid & CPR certification. This knowledge is critical for handling any situation, especially with the risks of heat in our Carolina climate. - Fluent in Animal Body Language: My extensive work with shelter animals has taught me to be highly observant of subtle cues. I prioritize understanding what an animal is communicating to prevent stress, build trust, and never push them past their comfort zone. - Specialized Behavioral Experience: Having cared for my own reactive dogs, I have a deep, personal understanding of how to manage and support dogs with anxiety, fear, and reactivity. While I do not board pets in my home, this experience makes me uniquely qualified to care for yours.
Information Erin O. would like to know about your pet
To ensure I provide the best and safest care possible, our complimentary Meet & Greet is our chance to get to know each other. I'll want to learn all about your pet, including: - Their daily routine for meals, walks, medications, and playtime. - Their unique personality and any behavioral quirks (e.g., leash pulling, separation anxiety, resource guarding, specific fears). - Their comfort level around new people, children, or other animals we might encounter. - Any existing training commands or protocols you use. While I am not a certified trainer, I am more than happy to help reinforce your current training and maintain consistency.
A typical day
My goal is to ensure your pet is not just cared for, but also mentally and emotionally fulfilled. I tailor activities to your pet's individual personality and energy level. - Mental Stimulation: For active minds, I love using puzzle toys, lick mats, and scent-work games like "Find It" to keep them engaged and prevent boredom. - Decompression Walks ("Sniffaris"): I am a huge advocate for sniff-focused walks. Allowing a dog to explore the world through their nose at their own pace is incredibly enriching and can significantly reduce stress. We can go for a jog or spend 20 minutes exploring a single fascinating patch of grass—it's all up to them! - Calm & Quiet Time: For shy, anxious, or senior pets, sometimes the best activity is simply providing a calm, reassuring presence. We'll find a cozy spot for gentle pets, cuddles, or just quiet companionship.
Location
Durham, NC
Pets
Erin O.
Durham, NC