Raya & Alisdair S.
Raya & Alisdair S.
Contact for Drop-In Visits
CA$20 total per visit
Highlights
Pet care experience
Just as excited as your dog!
I have over 10 years of experience working with dogs of diverse breeds, ages, behaviours, and care needs. In addition to growing up with family dogs my entire life, I have 6 years of volunteer experience with dog rescue associations. Through this work, I have fostered over 10 dogs in my own home, with stays ranging from just a few days to my longest foster stay of 7 months. Alongside fostering, I have also volunteered walking, socializing, and caring for countless other rescue dogs. I also hold a certificate from the Association for Animal Welfare Development, earned through completing coursework focused on introducing dogs to new environments, people, and other dogs in safe and positive ways. Through my volunteer experience, I have communicated with dog behaviourists, veterinarians, and adopters to help support the best possible outcomes for each dog. Over the years, I have cared for dogs with a wide range of behavioural and medical needs. I have experience administering medication, supporting nervous or high-energy dogs, creating safe introductions, and adapting routines to fit each dog’s individual personality and needs. I am confident handling unexpected situations and always prioritize creating a calm, safe, and positive environment for pets. In addition to my extensive volunteer experience, I have also cared for dogs as an official sitter and have experience following detailed care instructions while caring for dogs both in their own homes and in mine. I pride myself on having strong communication skills and understanding that dogs are truly members of the family. Through my volunteer experience, I have learned the importance of transparency, consistency, and trust when it comes to caring for someone else’s pet, and I believe clear communication is extremely important in ensuring the safest and happiest experience possible for your dog. I have a genuine love and connection with dogs, and truly believe that the time spent caring for them is always mutually rewarding. I will always be the primary caretaker of your dog. My partner, Alisdair, is also an approved sitter on my Rover profile, as he may occasionally join me for walks simply for company. He has several years of experience fostering and caring for dogs alongside me, and we wanted to ensure he was officially approved through Rover for transparency and safety. Your dog’s comfort will always come first, and Alisdair will never accompany me if your dog is uncomfortable around men or if you simply prefer that I provide care independently.
Qualifications
Safety, trust & environment
When caring for pets in a client’s home, I closely follow all instructions regarding feeding schedules, walks, medications, crate routines, training expectations, and household rules to help maintain consistency and reduce stress for the pet while their owner is away. In addition to caring for pets, I take pride in being respectful, clean, and trustworthy in others’ homes.
Ratings and reviews
Raya is so kind and an excellent communicator! Loving, responsive and attentive to our pup! Can’t recommend more highly!!!
My pup loved Raya and had a great walk with them. Super flexible with my schedule and helped out at the last-minute. Great walker!
Raya is super caring and makes sure dogs feel happy and safe. She is observant and intuitive and notices behaviors. She keeps walks fun and makes sure exercise is a priority. She is responsible and her communication skills are great. She shares photos and updates so the unknown is always known. Her strong connection with animals is instantly apparent and shows by how much my dog loves spending time with her.
Raya was SO reliable & caring with our dog, you can tell she is so passionate & patient. She was comfortable with training routines & was so knowledgeable. The best EVER!!!
Raya is the most caring, attentive animal lover I know and is someone I fully trust to look after my dog Winston. She has taken care of him on multiple occasions for days and sometimes a week or two at a time when I’ve been traveling for work and I genuinely can’t imagine leaving him with anyone else. She earned his trust so easily even though he is a pretty anxious and shy guy. She is great at making sure he gets plenty of play and exercise time and is very good at keeping him safe in my community that has tons of other dogs around. She has experience fostering several dogs and is impressively patient and good at training and managing challenging behaviors while still having fun with them. All in all, I’ve been lucky to have Raya as my go-to pet sitter and would highly recommend!
I can’t recommend Raya enough as a dog walker on Rover. She is truly a ray of sunshine, the kind of person who immediately puts both people and animals at ease. Dogs naturally gravitate toward her because she is patient, gentle, and genuinely attentive to their needs. She treats every dog as if they were her own, ensuring they feel safe, happy, and well cared for on every walk. Raya is also highly experienced in caring for dogs beyond her own, having dedicated countless hours to volunteering with animal rescue shelters. No matter where she is in the world, her love for animals remains constant, as she actively fosters dogs wherever she lives and always goes above and beyond to support them.
Calendar and availability
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Schedule
Pet care fits very naturally into my daily routine and schedule. I currently have a flexible schedule, which allows me to dedicate consistent time and attention to walks, feedings, playtime, and check-ins throughout the day. Having fostered and cared for dogs with a wide range of needs over the years, I am very used to structuring my routine around an animal’s care, comfort, and consistency. I also enjoy staying active through walks and outdoor time, so incorporating pet care into my day is something I genuinely enjoy