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Heather R.

5.0 out of 5 stars
212 repeat clients
Profile image

Heather R.

5.0 out of 5 stars
212 repeat clients

Contact for Boarding

from $65 per night

These prices are for 1 dog.

Prices may vary based on your selections. A booking fee of 11% will apply.

Highlights

Heather has Star Sitter status!
Basic background check
11 years of experience
Home full time
Can administer medication
Special needs experience

Pet care experience

11 years' experience - Cats & Dogs

I am a lifetime pet owner and would love to take care of your pet while you're away. I've taken care of cats, dogs, lizards, fish, and I'm comfortable with just about any critter. I understand that pets are members of the family and that it makes many pets feel more comfortable to be cared for in their own homes, and I'm willing to travel in the DC metro area to take care of your pet. I live in Arlington with my dogs, Patty the Puggle and Tony (also a puggle :)). My service range spans the DC metro area and I am usually available for holidays, with the exception of Christmas. I have experience caring for dogs and cats of all sizes and energy levels, as well as special needs and senior animals. I have adopted every dog I have ever had, many with unique health or behavioral conditions, and several of my pets over the years have taken regular oral medication. I'm very understanding of each animal's differences and needs and can accommodate accordingly. I am happy to discuss your pet's needs and habits in more detail. When I take care of your pets, you can be sure that I will treat them like family. Whether your dog is used to long walks, or short potty breaks & snuggles on the couch, my goal is to make sure they're happy and healthy while you're away. For boarding, please confirm in advance that your dog is up to date on all vaccinations, flea & tick treatments and heartworm. Note: I am unable to board cats, but love them and am happy to take care of them in drop-in visits in your home. **Please note a meet and greet is REQUIRED for safety purposes and to make sure you and your pet feel comfortable with me. For drop in visits, the meet and greet needs to be in your home where you pet(s) will be during our time together. The initial meet and greet is no charge; however, if additional visits are required for key pick-up and/or drop-off, an additional drop-in visit will be charged.** For boarding, please no drop off before 7am or pick up later than 8pm. I am also happy to care for other pets if you happen to have non-canine companions. I grew up with cats and love their company! Contact me for more information or to set up a time to chat about your pets' needs. First-time clients are also eligible for a discount on their first stay. Contact me for details! Other info about me: my mom is a professional rally/agility trainer and one of my dogs has served as a therapy dog. I am also vaccinated against COVID-19 and follow appropriate safety precautions.

Qualifications

212 repeat pet parents
100% response rate
Usually responds in under half an hour
100% bookings with photo updates
Sends updates with Rover Cards
11 years of experience
Oral medication administration
Injected medication administration

Ratings and reviews

5.0
stars
480 ratings
Aly S.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Drop-In Visits • May 30, 2026

Heather was very accommodating when we missed our flight!

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Christina P.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Drop-In Visits • May 29, 2026

I totally recommend Heather! She was great with my cat and took amazing care of her.

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Ana C.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Drop-In Visits • May 26, 2026

Heather is everything you could fit in a sitter. Experienced and very responsive. She always responds within 15 mins and is great about sending updates and pics. Wouldn’t hesitate to book her again in the future

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Theresa Y.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Drop-In Visits • May 25, 2026

Heather was amazing! Super responsive, good communication, took great care of my only child Diego. Even brought him gifts of bottle caps. His favorite! Thank you Heather - Diego looks forward to seeing you again soon!

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Catherine E.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Drop-In Visits • May 20, 2026

Heather did a great job with my cat!

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Joy G.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Drop-In Visits • May 18, 2026

Heather always takes fantastic care of my cat and it helps ease my anxiety about leaving her knowing she’s in such great hands!

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Calendar and availability

Available
Not available
SMTWTFS
Available
Not available
SMTWTFS
SMTWTFS

Schedule

During the week, I'm generally available before and after business hours for visits. I work full time from home and have some flexibility around meetings for occasional mid-day visits as well. I am generally also available weekends & most holidays.

Where your pet will stay

Home characteristics

Lives in an apartment
Does not have a yard
Non-smoking household
Has 2 dogs
No children present
Dogs allowed on bed
Dogs allowed on furniture
Potty breaks every 2-4 hours

Safety, trust & environment

Pets who stay in my home are treated like family. I will follow any guidelines you prescribe (ie., regarding where they sleep, etc.) and make them feel as comfortable as possible. I also try to follow their normal routine walk times as much as possible. My two dogs are very friendly and will either play or do their own thing during your pet's time with us.

Pets

A typical day

I know that leaving your pet with someone else can be challenging, and you want to know that your pet will be taken care of while you're away. I will do everything I can to make sure you have peace of mind while you're away from home, sending updates on your pet regularly (including photos). I understand that every pet has different needs, and I make it a point to accommodate different needs and restrictions, as well as making sure that your pet receives the exercise he/she needs. Before booking a stay, I would like to chat with you to discuss your pet's needs and any unique dietary restrictions, medications, or exercise needs. I will make a list of these things and schedule any times needed for walks, meals, or medicines. This will be my guide for taking care of your pet while you're away. Rover also provides 24/7 emergency assistance. While I hope we'll never need that, it's always a part of what I offer and I take advantage of this additional assistance as necessary.

0 to 15 lbs
16 to 40 lbs
Dogs over 1 year old
Spayed and neutered dogs only
No females in heat
Crate-trained dogs only
Heather can host up to 2 pets per night
Before I watch your pet, I'd like to know a bit about the following: -Eating habits/times -Walk/exercise schedule and favorite toys -How well they get along with other dogs -How they spend their time when you're at work -Allergies (if applicable) -Medications (if applicable) -Sleeping preferences (e.g., crate, pet bed, other) -Any other info you find relevant, including any quirks
These prices are for 1 dog.

Prices may vary based on your selections. A booking fee of 11% will apply.

Each sitter joining Rover needs to pass a background check. And by booking on Rover, you can get photo & message updates, 24/7 support, and reimbursement for eligible vet care.

These prices are for 1 dog.

Prices may vary based on your selections. A booking fee of 11% will apply.