Katelyn S.
Katelyn S.
Contact for Drop-In Visits
$39 total per visit
Highlights
Pet care experience
Vet Student | UC Davis DVM, 2030
About Me Hi, I’m Katelyn! I’m a Stanford honors graduate and incoming first year at the UC Davis Weil School of Veterinary Medicine, studying to become a veterinarian! Dogs have been at the heart of my animal care journey. Growing up, I cared for dogs, cats, turtles, and birds, so I’ve been surrounded by animals my whole life. That early experience taught me responsibility, patience, and joy in animal care—and inspired me to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. What makes me different from other sitters is the depth and variety of my dog experience. At the Penn Vet Working Dog Center (PVWDC), I trained with search and rescue dogs, learning advanced handling, obedience, scent work foundations, and enrichment strategies for highly driven working dogs. This also included basic husbandry, training commands (i.e. “sit,” “stay,” etc). I’ve also worked at the Fort Eisenhower Veterinary Treatment Facility, where, acting as a veterinary assistant, I cared directly for soldiers’ domestic and exotic pets, and supported the care of Military Working Dogs, assisting with wellness exams, preventive care, and understanding the unique medical and behavioral needs of working breeds. This means I am a specialist with high-drive working breeds like German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois, Labs, etc. In addition, I regularly volunteer with shelter dogs, where I’ve learned to adapt to a wide range of personalities and behaviors. Whether a dog is shy, energetic, reactive, or eager to please, I understand that each one needs a different approach to feel safe and cared for. I also have extensive puppy care and training experience, from crate training and housebreaking to early obedience, and I’m equally comfortable supporting senior dogs, offering patience, mobility support, and gentle medical care when needed. Because I’m preparing for veterinary school, I bring not only years of hands-on experience but also a strong foundation in canine health, behavior, and welfare. I’m skilled at recognizing subtle signs of stress or illness, and I always prioritize your dog’s safety, comfort, and happiness. Why Book With Me? * Working dog expertise: Training with search and rescue dogs at PVWDC and care for military working dogs. Message me for one-on-one training requests! * Shelter volunteer: Experience with diverse behavioral needs—from shy rescues to high-energy dogs. * Puppy specialist: Skilled in crate training, socialization, and positive routines. * Senior dog care: Compassionate support tailored to older dogs’ needs. * Veterinary background: Preparing for vet school with extensive clinical and behavioral training. * Lifelong pet lover: Raised with dogs, cats, turtles, and birds—animals have always been part of my family. I’d love to meet your pup and provide the same thoughtful, experienced care I’ve given to dogs in shelters, homes, and training programs alike.
Cat care experience
Katelyn also cares for cats. Learn about their cat-specific care experience.
Qualifications
Safety, trust & environment
Whether I’m caring for pets in my own space or in your home, my priority is making them feel safe, comfortable, and loved. I follow each pet’s normal routine closely—mealtimes, walks, medications, training cues, so that their day feels familiar and stress-free. In your home, I respect your space and your dog’s established environment. I’ll keep things tidy, make sure food and water are fresh, provide potty breaks and playtime, and give plenty of updates so you know how your pup is doing. I’m attentive to each dog’s unique needs, whether that’s an energetic puppy who needs structured play and training reinforcement, or a senior dog who needs extra patience, mobility support, and calm companionship. Because of my veterinary training background, I’m also comfortable with administering medications, monitoring health, and recognizing early signs of stress or illness. My goal is always to provide the kind of care that gives you peace of mind and makes your dog feel like they’re part of the family.
Ratings and reviews
Katelyn was absolutely incredible with my two cats! She did a fantastic job feeding and playing with them, and she sent tons of wonderful photo updates that totally put my mind at ease. On top of that, one of my kitties had a messy bathroom accident, and she went above and beyond to clean everything up.
Katelyn house sit for our new golden retriever puppy, Eva, and Eva loved Katelyn so much! It gave myself and my fiance such peace of mind to have an experienced, responsible, and kind person stay with Eva while we were away. She also did a substantial amount of training with Eva while she was here as well, which we appreciated - especially since this is our first puppy. We would book Katelyn again in a heartbeat for house sitting, walking, or training!
Katelyn is, without a doubt or hyperbole, one of the most genuinely kind hearted people I have ever met. She is my friend so I'm biased, but when she took care of my dog Jaeger (who is 75 lbs and a little of his rocker to put it nicely) she was so good to him and it made me happy to know that someone as confident and caring as she is was looking after him. I have nothing but positive things to say about her and her level of care, and would recommend her for any role very highly.
I cannot recommend Katelyn enough as a pet caregiver! She is pursuing a career in veterinary medicine and has extensive experience in animal shelters and hospitals, making her highly qualified to care for pets, including those with medical needs. We worked together as Co-Presidents of People for Animal Welfare at Stanford, where she demonstrated outstanding leadership and dedication, and I also witnessed her excel as Vice President of the Stanford Pre-Vet Committee and founder of the Stanford Animal Service Project. Katelyn is hardworking, incredibly compassionate, and an excellent communicator. As a fellow Rover sitter, I know what it takes to provide exceptional care, and Katelyn embodies every quality you could hope for in a caregiver.
I am extremely happy to recommend Katelyn as an exceptionally responsible and loving caregiver for any pet. Her genuine affection for animals is so apparent and shines through in every interaction. Working with her at the Penn Vet Working Dog Center only made that more apparent. You know Katelyn has an innate talent for this work when you see how every dog she looks after seems to know they are safe and sound in her care. She has a wonderful ability to read their behavior and train them. To me, a good dog caregiver is someone who looks after the basic needs of a dog but seems to have a sixth sense for knowing when a dog needs a little extra attention and love. Katelyn fits that profile perfectly. Beyond this, though, I would be remiss if I didn't mention her professionalism. Katelyn takes her role as a dog caregiver very seriously, maintaining the dogs' schedule the same as it would be any other day. I should also mention that Katelyn is probably one of the most patient caregivers I've ever met. If a dog seems to be giving up on a trick it just can't seem to grasp, Katelyn has a way of maintaining the poise needed to get the dog through to success.
Katelyn is such a thoughtful, smart and kind hearted person. Her love and compassion towards animals is such a testament to her character. She will take the time to get to know your pet and before you know it they are best friends. You can trust that your pet will be cared for as if they were her own. She is also wonderful at remembering and following through on instructions and/or requests. I'm am so grateful to have had the pleasure of meeting Katelyn and trusting her with my fur baby!
Calendar and availability
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Schedule
As a senior undergraduate at Stanford preparing to apply to veterinary school, I’ve built a very organized and predictable routine. My class schedule leaves me with plenty of flexible blocks of time during the week, and I make it a priority to keep space open for pet care. I’m available for afternoon, and evening walks or drop-ins, and can adjust to your dog’s routine to make sure they feel comfortable and secure. On weekends, I have even more flexibility, which makes me a great fit for overnight stays or longer daytime visits. Since I’m used to balancing research, volunteer commitments, and animal care, I’m reliable about keeping a schedule and making sure pets get consistent, attentive care.