Laurel A.
Laurel A.
Prices include all fees.
Highlights
Pet care experience
Behavior Expert & Home Concierge
I bring more than 31 years of hands-on experience caring for, rehabilitating, and living with dogs, including rescues with trauma, anxiety, digestive issues, behavioral challenges, and special needs. I hold a Master's degree in Applied Behavioral Science and have training in dog-assisted therapy, providing a deep understanding of both human and canine behavior, communication, trust-building, and emotional well-being. Every dog receives individualized attention tailored to their personality, routine, and unique needs. Through positive reinforcement, consistency, and thoughtful observation, I help dogs feel secure, relaxed, and supported. Whether your dog is energetic, anxious, shy, highly social, recovering from a difficult past, or simply accustomed to a specific routine, I adapt my approach to ensure they remain comfortable and confident. I also have experience with high-energy breeds, blind dogs and dogs requiring specialized diets or care plans. As a 5-mile daily hiker, I can provide long walks, multiple daily outings, and hikes of up to two hours. Clear communication is a priority. You'll receive regular updates and photos, so you know your pet is happy, safe, and receiving exceptional attention. I can also coordinate with veterinarians, groomers, and household service providers when needed, helping ensure continuity of care and smooth household operations. I bring 34 years of homeownership experience and eight years of remodeling experience, including the complete renovation of my lake house. This background has developed a strong awareness of home maintenance, safety, proactive problem-solving, and responsible property stewardship. As a volunteer member of a Fire Department Critical Response Team and Workforce Team, I am trained to recognize potential concerns early and respond appropriately. My attention to detail, reliability, and preventative mindset help safeguard your pets and property. I lead a quiet, responsible lifestyle and spend much of my time at home, allowing me to provide a consistent presence, attentive pet care, and regular property monitoring. Services Include: • Daily and overnight presence • Security and property checks • Mail and package collection • Plant care • Garbage and recycling management • Oversight and coordination of household and pet-care needs • Communication and coordination with service providers when needed • Monitoring of home systems and potential maintenance concerns • Careful stewardship of your home I specialize in extended house-sitting and pet-care assignments, accepting bookings of 30 to 130 days during the winter season. Clients choose me for my advanced behavioral expertise, decades of rescue and rehabilitation experience, exceptional communication, attentive home stewardship, and concierge-level service. Whether caring for a cherished companion, coordinating household needs, or maintaining a watchful presence over your property, my goal is to provide complete peace of mind, knowing both your pets and your home are in capable, caring hands.
Qualifications
Safety, trust & environment
I provide a reliable daily and overnight presence, along with regular property walk-throughs. During severe weather, I perform additional inspections to identify potential concerns early and take appropriate preventative measures when possible. I maintain a calm, quiet environment that allows me to remain highly attuned to both your pet's well-being and any household conditions that may require attention. I am equally attentive to conditions on and around the property that could affect your home's safety and security. For example, during a recent house sit, I proactively cleared leaves and debris from nearby storm drains before heavy rain to help reduce the risk of localized flooding. Years of property stewardship have strengthened my ability to recognize developing issues and address them before they become larger concerns. Clients frequently share that they experience a genuine sense of peace and ease while away, knowing their pets and home are being cared for with exceptional attention, responsibility, and respect. They appreciate the strong bonds I develop with their pets and the clean, thoughtfully cared for home they come back to. Upon request, I can stock a reasonable number of essential grocery items prior to your return, helping ensure a comfortable and seamless homecoming.
Ratings and reviews
Laurel is wonderfully caring, responsible, and completely reliable. As a pet owner herself, she treats every animal in her care with so much love and attention. On top of how great she is with pets, she is exceptionally respectful of your home, keeping everything clean, neat, and organized. If she says she’ll do something, she always follows through—even if she isn't feeling well!
Laurel is amazing. She went above and beyond in helping care for our pet. She treated our home with care and respect too - left it cleaner than we did! I appreciate how joyful she is, kind, and professional. She is trustworthy and has incredible integrity. I am grateful to know her! She is an excellent communicator and when there was any kind of uncertainty with care, she would contact us for clarity before proceeding. I cannot recommend her enough.
I highly recommend Laurel A. To care for your beloved pet(s)! She took excellent care of my pug while we were away. She even sent pictures to show how much fun they were having! My pug got her daily walk and fed her 2 meals and treats later. You can feel good knowing your pet(s) are safe and well cared for!
We can highly recommend Laurel. We got to know Laurel when she stayed at our home and watched our Golden Retriever, Maverick. Maverick is a 3 year old Golden with plenty of Golden puppy brain. IE: he thrives on lots of attention and exercise! Laurel took Maverick on long walks and cared for him just as we would have hoped. Lots of good communication during the week with pics along the way. She also cared for our home as if it were own...I think it was even cleaner when we got home than when we left! :) You will not go wrong choosing Laurel for your pet sitting needs.
Laurel stayed in our home and took care of our dog, Stevie, for three weeks this past Spring. She did a great job for us. She was a good communicator; she left the house immaculate and, most importantly, Stevie received lots of walks and excellent care. I suggest a pre-sit conversation with Laurel to make sure you are a good fit.
Calendar and availability
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Schedule
My day begins with a loving good-morning rub followed by a potty break, feeding, and exercise. Throughout the day, I incorporate walks, play, enrichment activities, affection, and regular outdoor breaks while maintaining your pet's normal routine. I enjoy ending each day with the attention most dogs love, whether that's a belly rub, cuddle time, or simply quiet companionship. I closely monitor behavior, energy levels, appetite, mobility, and daily habits so I can quickly recognize changes and respond appropriately. My flexible schedule allows me to prioritize the needs of your pet while maintaining a dependable, consistent presence. On a daily basis I maintain the cleanliness of pet-related areas, including food and water stations, entryways, and frequently used spaces. When a home has a pet door, I ensure the yard remains clean through daily waste removal. My goal is to provide an enriching environment where your pet feels secure, comfortable, and loved throughout your stay away from home.
- 0 to 15 lbs16 to 40 lbs41 to 100 lbsDogs over 1 year oldLaurel can host up to 1 pet per night
- To provide the highest level of individualized care, I ask clients to share details about their pet's routine, medical history, dietary requirements, medications, favorite activities, behavioral traits, commands, cue words, hand signals, and any special needs. The more I understand about your pet's normal schedule and preferences, the more seamless and comfortable their experience will be. When scheduling permits, I am happy to arrive the day before your departure so your pet has time to become comfortable with me and begin incorporating me into their routine. This additional transition time often helps reduce stress and creates a smoother experience for both pets and their owners. I am chemically sensitive and can only stay in homes that are free of scented candles, air fresheners, plug-ins, heavily fragranced products, harsh chemical odors, and known mold issues. I use unscented personal care, cleaning, and laundry products and greatly appreciate low-fragrance environments. I also appreciate receiving emergency contacts, veterinarian information, trusted local contacts, and any household or neighborhood details that may be helpful during my stay. I travel in a converted Ram ProMaster camper van that is approximately 9’2” tall and 21’ long, so I will need a suitable parking space at or near the home. Please let me know in advance if there are any height restrictions, narrow access points, HOA parking rules, or other limitations I should be aware of. My goal is to make the experience as seamless as possible from the day you leave until the day you return.
Prices include all fees.
