Laura O.
Laura O.
Highlights
Pet care experience
Responsible, Pet Experienced Sitter
I have owned and cared for dogs, cats, horses, and small animals for 28 years! I am an animal lover at heart! I have taken care of other peoples dogs, cats, and horses - from senior dogs with specialized care to 10 horses at a time with individual feed and medication needs. I have raised puppies, train horses, and have an intuitive sense of all animals body language cues with knowledge of how to train dogs and puppies. I love to go above and beyond for you so you may return as a client as well as help me build a strong reputation as a sitter on Rover! If you choose to board with me, your dog will enjoy doggy paradise vacation of their own! We have a large estate with miles of fields and trails, with no roads for a mile, they can play and explore on walks. There is a large fenced in horse arena they can play in for safety if they tend to pull the leash or don’t come when called. I have a large house that is very quiet and peaceful with no neighbors or nearby roommates. When on the farm there are dogs that come by with the horse owners unleashed, but are likely to stay by their owners side and I walk them far away from running into any other dog when on farm. There are a fenced in area for doggy day care in a field that i might walk by when in another field but they are all fenced in. I have a new memory foam XXL dog bed with a furry pink blanket that can give even the biggest dog wonderful restful sleep. You are also welcome and encouraged to bring your dogs own bed and blankets from home to help them settle in to boarding! If you’d like, I can provide training for your dogs during their stay or my stay while house sitting as an add on service. Included in my house sitting service is house upkeep and care during my stay to maintain the house. I will leave the house exactly or better as I found it, including cleaning bathrooms, sheets & bedding I used, guest room I stayed in, kitchen and other rooms during my stay and before I leave! I’m very happy to travel more than the 100 mile radius listed, provided gas is covered. Some specialized small animals I have owned and/or cared for are mice, fish, tree frog, hamsters, hermit crabs, silkie chickens, farm animals and more! I have experience cleaning and caring for their cages and tanks, so if you have other animals you need me to take care of during your time away I’d love to provide that!
Cat care experience
Laura also cares for cats. Learn about their cat-specific care experience.
Qualifications
Ratings and reviews
Laura was wonderful with our two Labs. We were away for 10 days so a long time to try a new sitter. Our dogs (a senior and a 4 year old) were incredibly well cared for and came he healthy and happy! Laura sent us photo updates, so we knew they were in great hands and could enjoy our vacation. We will definitely request Laura again!!
Laura is phenomenal - we had several hiccups during our travel back home and had to extend her services two separate times - she was flexible and understanding. Our dog absolutely loves her and spending time at her beautiful property. She gave us a fabulous mug with my dogs pictures on it - I will treasure this greatly :) can’t wait to have Laura and Stella together again! Do not hesitate booking Laura!!
Laura is, without a doubt, the best pet sitter we've ever had. She took exceptional care of our dogs, and we came home to two happy, tired golden retrievers and a house that was even cleaner than when we left. Laura is trustworthy, incredibly kind, thoughtful, and an excellent communicator. She kept us updated with adorable photos of our dogs throughout our trip, which gave us so much peace of mind. As if that weren't enough, we returned home to find two beautifully wrapped, framed photos of our pups—a thoughtful surprise that truly went above and beyond. We can't recommend Laura highly enough. Don't hesitate to book her—you and your pets will be in the best hands.
Laura is absolutely wonderful. You can tell that she is a kindhearted individual from the moment you meet her. She bonded with my dog, made her feel welcome, and sent so many pictures/creative collages to reassure me. I am definitely hiring Laura again in the future. Thanks soooooo much - Stella says that she had the best time :)
Laura was wonderful! Super responsive, great with our dog and left the house in great shape. Thank you so much!
Thanks Laura! You are the BEST!
Calendar and availability
| S | M | T | W | T | F | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||
6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 |
27 | 28 | 29 | 30 |
| S | M | T | W | T | F | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||
6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 |
27 | 28 | 29 | 30 |
| S | M | T | W | T | F | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | ||||
4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 |
Schedule
I’m home all day every day so your pet will always be supervised and attended to. I’m available short notice, and can provide long term care.
Where your pet will stay
Home characteristics
Safety, trust & environment
I will walk your dogs on a leash if the dog stays at my house, and can walk your dog nearby your house or let them in the yard, however you usually do it if I’m house sitting for you. I will clean your cats litter box if I am doing a house sit. I will administer medications or any special needs your pet has while they’re staying with me or I’m house sitting for you! I have a large fenced in grass horse arena that is a great safe option to walk your dog or play catch in instead of the trails or fields. The fence can contain a medium, large, or giant sized dog. For the safety of all pets and property, the premises are monitored 24/7 by smart security cameras and alarm systems. I live with a man in law enforcement so there will always be a second eye keeping our property running smoothly 😊
A typical day
I have miles of trails and fields around my house to walk and your dog can experience the smells sights and sounds on doggy walks on our large estate! Whatever special needs or extra things you’d like me to do for your dog throughout the day let me know! If you would like me to provide picture and video updates throughout the week I’d love to do so for you! If you have dog(s) with moderate energy level that need more exercise to remain calm, I can provide exercise sessions in my large outdoor fenced in grass horse arena with their favorite ball thrower or frisbee.
- 0 to 15 lbs16 to 40 lbs41 to 100 lbsover 101 lbsLaura can host up to 4 pets per night
- Dog Sitting and Boarding Overview Thanks for considering me to care for your pets! My goal is to make the experience as smooth and positive as possible for you, your pets, and myself. Here are a few key details to ensure the best stay for everyone. Boarding Preferences • If you choose to board with me, please select the pick up/drop off option when booking, I will do a pick up and drop off of your dog and its belongings in a public location to save you the commute. If you are doing boarding, I do not do meet and greets at my house, I will do it in a public setting we agree upon. House-Sitting Preferences • I specialize in house-sitting for both dogs and cats and only accept bookings in single-family homes, not apartment complexes. If you live in an apartment, I’m happy to board your dog at my home instead. situation. • I prioritize a minimum stay of 4–5 days for one pet or at least 2–3 days for multiple pets. Depending if my schedule fits it well, I am open to 2 to 3 day bookings for one pet. • I don’t host cats at my house, but I might consider apartment stays for cat-only or small animal bookings, depending on the Cleanliness Expectations for Home To ensure a comfortable stay, I kindly ask that the bathrooms (including showers and toilets) be cleaned with soap / disinfectant, and the room I’ll be staying and bedding be cleaned before I arrive. • The main focus areas are the guest room, bathrooms, and shared spaces. Pet & Home Information To provide the best care, I kindly request: • Completed pet profiles on Rover with details on routine, breed, personality, energy level, and special needs. • Photos of your home, including the bedroom I’ll be staying in and shared spaces (bathroom, living areas). • Photos or a short introduction video of yourself. We can also arrange a phone or video call through Rover if you’d like as well. Dog Behavior & Safety Your pet’s well-being and safety are my top priorities! • I only accept dogs who have never shown aggression toward sitters or new people. • I cannot accept dogs who have bitten or attacked a person or animal at any time in their life. • All pets must be up to date on vet required vaccinations • No reactive, aggressive, or high-risk dogs (including history of animal/human aggression) I work best with: • Quiet, well-mannered dogs of any breed. • Dogs with calm temperaments and low to moderate energy (e.g., Labradors, Goldens, Spaniels, Newfoundlands, Australian Shepards, Doodles, Poodles, good-natured Huskies, friendly mixed breed dogs with positive upbringing, and similarly friendly breeds). I am unable to accommodate breeds prone to guarding or high-energy needs, including: • Pit Bulls, Dobermans, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Mastiffs, Cane Corsos, Wolfdogs, and similar breeds. Thanks for understanding! Cat Sitting I absolutely LOVE cats and am very excited to care for all breeds, ages, and temperaments as long as they are: • Not feral or aggressive. • Indoor-only (I don’t sit for indoor/outdoor hunting cats). • Not raw-fed (to reduce risk of exposure to toxoplasmosis and other transmissible diseases). Other Pets I also have experience with reptiles, tree frogs, mice, silkie chickens, fish, horses, hamsters, goats, farm animals and more! Feel free to ask if you have unique pet care needs. Meet & Greet Health & Safety Guidelines For in-person meetups: • I kindly ask that we both wear N95 masks. • If anyone in your home has been sick or had COVID symptoms recently, please choose an alternative sitter—thanks for understanding! • I appreciate working with fully vaccinated households (not required, but helpful to know!). • Please take a COVID test 3 days before your trip (or 6 days if possible to allow time for backup plans). If positive, I have a trusted backup sitter at no extra cost! Please review if you or family members have or had any of these symptoms of Covid-19 in the past 15 to 30 days: COVID-19 common symptoms include: • Fever or chills • Cough • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing • Fatigue • Muscle or body aches • Headache • Sore throat • Nasal congestion or runny nose • Loss of taste or smell • Nausea or vomiting • Diarrhea If you are booking a house sitting and would like to do a meet and greet. I ask that our initial meeting be at a public place we agree upon, then if you would like we can do a house tour after if you see fit. Thank you so much for helping keep me healthy and safe! Clean & Fresh Policy (Boarding Dogs Only) To keep a fresh and comfy environment in my home, I ask that all dogs arrive clean and smelling fresh for their stay if they are boarding. • If your dog is prone to strong odors, please bathe them before drop-off or add my grooming service when booking. • If they arrive noticeably unwashed, I’ll apply the grooming fee (listed in my profile) with your approval. I can either: • Take them to a groomer for a bath OR • Bathe them myself if they’re small/medium-sized and cooperative. • Bonus: Your pup will go home smelling fresh with a cute bow or stylish pet necklace—just like at the groomer! Separation Anxiety, Energy Levels & Noise Considerations I aim to keep a calm, low-stress environment for all pets in my care. • I prioritize quiet, minimally vocal dogs, especially at night. • I mainly work with low to medium energy dogs. • High-energy dogs can be accommodated at an extra $35/day due to increased exercise needs. • If your dog has separation anxiety, I can work with mild/moderate cases at an adjusted rate. Separation Anxiety Pricing: • Severe (constant barking/whining disrupting 5+ nights of sleep): Unfortunately, I can’t accommodate extreme cases. • Moderate (whining that improves with time & comfort tools): $38/day for extra support during the first 1–3+ days. • Mild/Quiet Dogs: No extra fee—always welcome at my standard rate! Final Notes Thanks for checking out my policies and preferences! My goal is to make sure your pets are safe, happy, and comfortable while keeping the experience easy and stress-free for everyone. Feel free to reach out with any questions! I’m happy to chat and help figure out what works best for you and your pets! I look forward to meeting you!