Maria R.
Seminary Hill, VA
❗️Busy day? I’m here to help!❗️
Pet care experience
Hi there! My name’s Maria and I’ve lived my whole life around animals. From dogs & cats to fish & lizards, I’ve done it all, (and loved it all!) Working from home has me itching to get outside, and what better way than taking care of furry best friends?! Having dogs of my own and volunteering as a Vet Tech for 5 years has me prepped and ready to take on whatever you and your companion need! Because I currently work from home, I love being able to get outside and get active. Walking dogs, doing drop ins, or whatever else you need helps not only myself get outside, but also your furry friend. I have a cat of my own, who loves to rub up on me & give me lovings. This means that your doggie will most likely smell him on me. I’ve never had any complaints, and am usually subjected to thorough sniffing examinations 😅 I always proceed with caution around new animals, and always propose a meet & greet before beginning a service. If a meet & greet is not possible, I completely understand and appreciate when details about your pet’s personality, triggers, loves & hates are shared with me so I’m best prepared to take care of your critter!
Reviews
Maria takes such good care of our senior pup and puppy! She sends great pics that we appreciate so much when we’re traveling.
Maria did a wonderful job caring for our dog and our home while we traveled. We look forward to working with her again!
Maria was a great pet sitter! She took excellent care of our dog and bunny. Bunnies are unique pets, but she was super flexible with learning. I loved receiving all the pictures, and she was quick to reply to all my messages. Would book again!
Maria did a phenomenal job watching our two dogs for a long weekend while we were out of town! She was on time, communicative, and sent updates with pictures during our time away. One of our dogs ended up in a cone and shirt for a hot spot right before we left, and Maria took it completely in stride, making sure our pup’s needs were fully met while we were gone. Our dogs also have to eat separately due to food allergies, and Maria followed our instructions perfectly (and asked clarifying questions during our meet and greet to make sure she fully understood their needs). I could tell from the pics she sent that our pups were having a fantastic time — they got to play in the snow multiple times in our backyard and looked like they were having a ball! If you are looking for the perfect dog-sitter, contact Maria 😊 I have full confidence recommending her and we will definitely be using her in the future!
About Maria R.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
I greatly appreciate when owners leave detailed instructions for their pet’s needs & care requirements. I have tried and failed to take notes of every detail during meet & greets, but depending on how far out a booking may be from the M&G, details get lost & my memory can get filled with the hubbub of everyday life! I try my best to follow all instructions given to me, but if they’re written out I’ll have a better understanding of my requirements & rules of your home.
Information Maria R. would like to know about your pet
Dog sitting bookings must be made a week in advance to allow for ample time for a meet & greet & determining if I am a good fit for you & your pup! (I want to allow time for you to reach out to other sitters if I do not seem like the best fit.) The most important thing for me to know is your dog’s personality and their triggers. This includes other animals, people, dogs, cars, etc. I always take the way of caution and avoid other dogs along with walking on the side of the road where dogs can see the cars coming at them because I know this helps keep them call & feel in control. Other than these, I’d love to know if they’re food motivated, so maybe I could take treats on a walk. Or, what routine they have that you’d like me to uphold, like feeding time at a certain hour or medical necessities. I’m here to make you and your pet as comfortable as possible!
A typical day
I love taking dogs to parks, or important monuments if there are any close! I love photography as well so if you see me on a walk and I’m on the ground snapping pictures just know your pooch is going to look ✨marvelous✨ I also leave the home for various activities, such as movies, tennis, pilates, and other dog walks. Ahead of a sitting I will share my existing calendar activities to make sure that you are okay with my time commitment.
Services
Maria can watch in your home
Availability
I currently have a very flexible 9-5 that allows me to be up & at ‘em to take care of your critters! With that being said, however, I am a HUGE fan of getting my personal & Rover calendars aligned, so I appreciate meet & greets, especially if I am selected as your sitter happens quickly, (but if I'm not the best fit, no sweat!) I’d greatly appreciate if bookings are secured as soon as possible so I can get y'all on my calendar! My overnight cancelation policy is 100% back to you if canceled 1 week or further out from a sitting. I do this so that my calendar is squared away & there won’t be confusion about future bookings. (If my Rover calendar is booked, no one else can book with me, therefore saving others from confusion!)
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About Maria R.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
I greatly appreciate when owners leave detailed instructions for their pet’s needs & care requirements. I have tried and failed to take notes of every detail during meet & greets, but depending on how far out a booking may be from the M&G, details get lost & my memory can get filled with the hubbub of everyday life! I try my best to follow all instructions given to me, but if they’re written out I’ll have a better understanding of my requirements & rules of your home.
Information Maria R. would like to know about your pet
Dog sitting bookings must be made a week in advance to allow for ample time for a meet & greet & determining if I am a good fit for you & your pup! (I want to allow time for you to reach out to other sitters if I do not seem like the best fit.) The most important thing for me to know is your dog’s personality and their triggers. This includes other animals, people, dogs, cars, etc. I always take the way of caution and avoid other dogs along with walking on the side of the road where dogs can see the cars coming at them because I know this helps keep them call & feel in control. Other than these, I’d love to know if they’re food motivated, so maybe I could take treats on a walk. Or, what routine they have that you’d like me to uphold, like feeding time at a certain hour or medical necessities. I’m here to make you and your pet as comfortable as possible!
A typical day
I love taking dogs to parks, or important monuments if there are any close! I love photography as well so if you see me on a walk and I’m on the ground snapping pictures just know your pooch is going to look ✨marvelous✨ I also leave the home for various activities, such as movies, tennis, pilates, and other dog walks. Ahead of a sitting I will share my existing calendar activities to make sure that you are okay with my time commitment.
Location
Alexandria, VA
Pets
Maria R.
Seminary Hill, VA