Melissa E.
Melissa E.
Highlights
Pet care experience
Calm, Attentive Pet Care
I’ve cared for animals for most of my life and genuinely love getting to know each pet’s unique personality, routines, and comfort needs. I have experience with dogs of many temperaments, including anxious, sensitive, high-energy, senior, and medically complex pets. I’m calm, observant, and very attentive to behavioral changes, body language, and routines. I know how important consistency and emotional safety are for animals, especially when their owners are away. I’m also experienced with administering medications, reinforcing routines, long walks, enrichment/play, and providing patient companionship for pets who need a slower or more thoughtful approach. Cleanliness, communication, and reliability are very important to me, and I’ll treat your pets and home with care and respect.
Qualifications
Safety, trust & environment
Safety, trust, and attentiveness are extremely important to me when caring for animals. I take time to learn each pet’s routines, temperament, triggers, exercise needs, and comfort level so I can provide care that feels consistent and supportive for them. In my home, pets are always supervised carefully and kept on leash outside. I prioritize safe walks, enrichment, play, companionship, and calm structure rather than simply letting dogs loose in a yard. I’m attentive to body language, behavioral changes, and environmental safety, especially for anxious, senior, or sensitive pets. In clients’ homes, I’m respectful, clean, communicative, and mindful of maintaining the routines and environment pets are already comfortable with.
Ratings and reviews
Melissa is one of the most caring and thoughtful animal lover I've ever met. She goes above and beyond to make sure your pet is taken care of. She was incredibly sweet with our senior dog Sparky, made sure he never felt alone, and kept him happy and engaged.
Melissa watched my dog many times when we were in grad school together. My dog loved spending time at her house, going on walks with her and cuddling up with her on the couch. When I would have to travel for conferences, Melissa would keep her over at her house and I never was worried about leaving her with her. I would highly recommend Melissa to care for anyones pet; she's a true animal lover at heart and will go above and beyond to make your pet feel safe and loved.
Calendar and availability
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Schedule
I work part-time remotely as a psychologist, which gives me flexibility and allows me to provide attentive care and companionship throughout the week. Fridays through Mondays are generally my most open days for walks, drop-ins, and daytime care. Tuesdays through Thursdays tend to be my busier workdays, so during those days I’m best suited for overnight care, house sitting where I can work remotely from your home, or boarding/day care in my home for pets who are comfortable relaxing while I work nearby. I still prioritize regular walks, enrichment, affection, and maintaining your pet’s normal routine throughout the day. I’m thoughtful about only taking bookings I can genuinely show up well for, and I value consistency, communication, and helping pets feel safe, calm, and cared for while their owners are away.
- Cats0 to 15 lbs16 to 40 lbs41 to 100 lbsover 101 lbsDogs over 1 year oldMelissa can host up to 3 drop-ins per day
- I appreciate knowing about your pet’s routines, temperament, medical needs, fears, triggers, reactivity, separation anxiety, and social preferences ahead of time so I can provide the best and safest care possible. Please also let me know about any medications, training approaches, mobility concerns, or behaviors around other animals, children, food, handling, or walks. I do best with owners who are honest and communicative about their pet’s needs, as it helps create a safer and less stressful experience for everyone involved.