Kristen F.
Kristen F.
Contact for Boarding
from $75 per night
Highlights
Pet care experience
Tail Wags Guaranteed
I’ve been working with animals for over a decade and have built my career around understanding behavior and providing exceptional care. I started as a dog trainer at Petco and have since worked with a variety of species at zoological institutions, where I gained extensive experience reading body language, building trust, and meeting the unique needs of each animal under my care. I also occasionally assist on studio sets with Chewy, where I advocate for the welfare of animal talent while on set —reading body language, helping elicit natural behaviors, and making sure every pet gets the “red-carpet” treatment. I’m a Certified Professional Animal Trainer–Knowledge Assessed (CPAT-KA) and strongly believe in force-free, positive reinforcement–based training and handling. Creating safe, low-stress experiences for animals is always my top priority. If needed, I have experience caring for puppies and senior pets. I’m happy to help with potty training, reinforcing good manners, and maintaining routines for young dogs. For senior pets, I take a gentle, patient approach and can assist with administering medications and supporting their comfort and mobility. When caring for your pet, I follow instructions closely and prioritize clear communication so you can feel confident while you’re away. Whether it’s maintaining routines, providing enrichment, or simply giving your pet extra attention and affection, my goal is always to make each visit calm, safe, and enjoyable.
Cat care experience
Kristen also cares for cats. Learn about their cat-specific care experience.
Qualifications
Ratings and reviews
Kristen was amazing! My dog was well cared for and well loved. I got several photos a day and check ins, which I appreciated! House was clean and tidy when I got home. I’ll be using her again next time I travel and highly recommend her!
Kristen was great! She sent photos and updates every day and my boys were well taken care of.
Kristen was amazing with my pup! She got some cute photo updates and kept me posted after each walk. She was flexible with me when I needed to add walks/change some already determined times. I would definitely book her again!
Kristen saved us & came last minute to spend quality time with our boy while we were at the parks. I will definitely be using her again next time we are in town :)
I worked with Kristen at Petco, where she served as a Dog Training and Animal Care Manager, and I’ve known her for over 15 years. During that time, I’ve seen firsthand how knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely compassionate she is with animals. Kristen has experience caring for a huge variety of species, including dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, small mammals, fish, and exotic animals. She has personally helped train my service dog and treated my dog with the same love and care as if it were her own. Kristen is incredibly skilled in training, enrichment, medication administration, and working with anxious or reactive pets. She has a deep understanding of animal behavior and always prioritizes the well-being and comfort of every animal she cares for. With more than 15 years of hands-on experience in animal care and training, Kristen is one of the most responsible, capable, and genuinely loving animal caregivers I know. I would trust her with absolutely any pet without hesitation. Anyone using Rover would be incredibly lucky to have Kristen caring for their animals.
Kristen is the absolute best person to trust to look after your pup while you’re away! Not only is she an exemplary dog mom, she also has an extensive professional background in animal care and dog training. My dog always adored getting to have play dates with Iris (Kristen’s incredibly sweet pup), and I can personally attest to Kristen treating your dog with the utmost love and care. Kristen is reliable, a great communicator, and a true animal lover. Additionally she is trained in dog first aid and CPR. I could not recommend her more highly!
Calendar and availability
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Schedule
Pet care fits naturally into my daily routine and lifestyle. I’m currently expanding my professional development while working toward my certification as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), continuing to build on my foundation in learning and behavior. The science of how individuals learn is something I’m deeply passionate about, and I enjoy applying those principles when caring for animals to create positive, low-stress experiences. Pet sitting allows me the flexibility to focus on my studies while maintaining an active lifestyle, which means I’m able to give pets the time, attention, and consistency they deserve. I genuinely love learning from each animal I meet—every pet has their own personality, communication style, and preferences. Getting to understand that is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.
Where your pet will stay
Home characteristics
Safety, trust & environment
Safety and comfort are my top priorities in every service I provide, whether it’s walks, drop-ins, boarding, or training. With my professional background in animal behavior, I pay close attention to body language, environment, and each pet’s individual needs to ensure they feel safe and supported. I use secure handling on walks, maintain pets’ routines during visits or boarding, and use force-free, positive reinforcement methods when training. I follow care instructions carefully, maintain a clean and safe environment, and communicate regularly so pet parents can feel confident their pets are in good hands. I do have a friendly dog who sometimes accompanies me on certain bookings and loves meeting new friends. However, they’re also perfectly happy relaxing at home if you prefer one-on-one care for your pet—just let me know if you’d like our pets to become “furrends”! I'm also happy to take dogs to the dog park or bring them along for errands and outings if that's something you're comfortable with.
Pets
A typical day
A typical day with the animals in my care is guided by their personality and needs. I like to let pets set the tone while maintaining their normal routine—if they want to play, train, or go for a walk, we’ll do that; if they’d rather relax or nap, I’m happy to provide calm companionship. I pay close attention to body language and behavior to make sure they feel comfortable and stress-free while keeping feeding times, potty breaks, exercise, and enrichment consistent with what they’re used to at home. My goal is always to help your pet feel safe, understood, and well cared for while you’re away. 🐾