Melissa P.
Uptown, IL
Reliable and professional - always!
Pet care experience
Hi I'm Melissa! I live on the north side of Chicago and work in the outdoor industry. I have grown up always having pets, and frequently help take care of friends and neighbors fur babies as well. I have always considered my pets as family and will treat yours the same. I currently have a cat (Daisy - who we raised from kittenhood) and a dog (Hannah). Hannah is a large, strong dog who we've had to do a lot of patient training with. She was leash and dog reactive and walking her in the city used to be nearly impossible. Now we enjoy relaxing walks around our busy neighborhood with ease. Because of this I'm very confident walking larger and/or reactive dogs. I stay very aware of my surroundings and have a strict "no interaction" policy with any unknown dogs or people unless given specific instructions from the owner. I'm very timely, professional, and love meeting new people and animals and I cannot wait to work with you!
Reviews
Melissa is amazing! Her love for animals shows how she takes care of your pet.
Melissa is amazing! Very punctual and the love for pets shows. My baby loves her.
Yet another great sitting by Melissa! M&M miss her already!
So glad we were able to have Melissa over to stay with our dogs for a second time. She does a great job of staying in touch with helpful updates (and cute pics!), and the dogs love her. Thanks, Melissa!
About Melissa P.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
When doing walks or caring for pets and peoples houses I always make sure I'm familiar with my surroundings. Knowing things like a good walking route for a shy dog, where the closest emergency vet is, or familiarizing myself with a house's layout and fire exits are all key in keeping my clients' animals, property, and myself safe.
Information Melissa P. would like to know about your pet
Any specific behaviors or triggers are important to know about. Does you dog get worked up when a biker goes by, or when they see a cat in a window? When I know things like this I can know what to be looking/scanning for as we walk. Any insights into behavior while walking (likes to just be out and sniff around vs needing to get X minutes of fast walking in order to be calm) are great things to know before we start off together. I also like to know what treats your pets like/can have and if they prefer any toys or special treats along the walk! My goal is to get the care your animal needs, all while keeping them as safe as possible and reducing risk.
A typical day
I love taking dogs on new routes. Say I do regular walks for your dog, I like to change up what streets we go down or visit new places to keep the dog stimulated and loving new smells. I prefer quieter routes, away from busy streets. Unless I know you and your dog are super into it, I like to stay away from dog parks or other busy dog areas. Dogs can be unpredictable and this is to keep your dog safe.
Services
Melissa can watch in your home
Availability
I work from home most days. While I generally work M-F regular office hours, I have a lot of flexibility in where and how I work. I frequently take longer breaks during the day and can shift my work hours to whenever works best for me. I can work out of any location with wifi access and am generally free on the weekends.
About Melissa P.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
When doing walks or caring for pets and peoples houses I always make sure I'm familiar with my surroundings. Knowing things like a good walking route for a shy dog, where the closest emergency vet is, or familiarizing myself with a house's layout and fire exits are all key in keeping my clients' animals, property, and myself safe.
Information Melissa P. would like to know about your pet
Any specific behaviors or triggers are important to know about. Does you dog get worked up when a biker goes by, or when they see a cat in a window? When I know things like this I can know what to be looking/scanning for as we walk. Any insights into behavior while walking (likes to just be out and sniff around vs needing to get X minutes of fast walking in order to be calm) are great things to know before we start off together. I also like to know what treats your pets like/can have and if they prefer any toys or special treats along the walk! My goal is to get the care your animal needs, all while keeping them as safe as possible and reducing risk.
A typical day
I love taking dogs on new routes. Say I do regular walks for your dog, I like to change up what streets we go down or visit new places to keep the dog stimulated and loving new smells. I prefer quieter routes, away from busy streets. Unless I know you and your dog are super into it, I like to stay away from dog parks or other busy dog areas. Dogs can be unpredictable and this is to keep your dog safe.
Location
Chicago, IL
Pets
Melissa P.
Uptown, IL