Samantha L.
Enfield, CT
Your bestfriend's new bestie!
Pet care experience
If you have a super high energy dog, I am your gal! I absolutely love being outside, whether it's for playtime in the yard, a walk in the neighborhood, or a hike (if you allow). I don't mind going out multiple times per day if necessary. I will not socialize your dog with any other animals while I am taking care of them. I am comfortable with dogs of any age and size. I have experience with puppy training and behavioral training in adults - positive reinforcement only (so make sure to show me where the training treats are!) My very first job at 16 was at a veterinary clinic so some might call me a Professional Pooper Scooper! Other tasks included feeding, administering oral medications, kennel cleaning, bathing (not grooming), and walks. My schedule is very flexible & allows me to work from home mostly, so this is especially good for pets that need to go out often (like puppies or senior dogs), or those with separation anxiety. I am very patient and I understand that dogs may have different temperaments towards new people and can express excitement and anxiety in a variety of ways on a daily basis. My goal is to make sure your pup is well taken care of, and so distracted with fun that time flies by until you come home to them!!
Reviews
Samantha goes above and beyond with our sweet Lily. She is extremely gifted with animals and has academic expertise with various animal groups. She is diligent and professional. We are so lucky to have her support.
Sam was fantastic with my 5-year-old Schnoodle, Toby. Toby can be reactive and anxious around new people and other dogs. Let's just say he doesn't always leave a great first impression. Sam listened attentively when I described his "little quirks," and she was patient with him knowing that the sweet boy that he is would show himself when he felt more comfortable. Toby was well cared for during my extended day at the office. He enjoyed long walks, playtime, and cuddles with Sam, who sent me photos of their shenanigans throughout the day. I can't thank Sam enough for the care she provided, and I plan to use her services again in the future! If Toby could talk, he would rate Sam a 10/10!!
Samantha’s watched my 5 year old Aussie Riley on several occasions for couple days and did a great job. The house was cleaner than it was before I left. Felt like no one was even there. Took Riley for walks daily and played frisbee with her in the yard. Riley is always super excited when Samantha shows up to watch her. I highly recommend Samantha she’s very dependable and professional. You can tell she’s loves all animals.
Samantha is professional, kind, and absolutely loves animals! She is the one I trust with my pets and they love her too! She's quick to take on whatever possible extra challenges my pets have and treats them as if they're her own.
About Samantha L.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
When taking dogs out, I keep them leashed at all times unless you have a fully fenced-in yard. For safety & liability, I do not socialize them with other dogs in the neighborhood on walks. I will follow your directions on crating or securing in a specific room while I'm gone if you do not let them have free range of your home. For multiple dogs in a household, walks with 1 vs. multiple will be gauged on individual size (i.e, I can walk multiple small dogs at one time but only 1 or 2 larger dogs depending on their loose-leash training). If your pets require oral medication, I will make a schedule checklist to be sure it is administered when required. I love taking photos so if you are the type that wants to see what your pet is up to while you are away, please let me know and I will surely send updates of adventures and cuddles!
Information Samantha L. would like to know about your pet
As far as information required beforehand, I'd mainly like to know of any behavioral issues when they first meet a new person. Sometimes pets can be uncomfortable by a person wearing a hat/sunglasses, or urinate when someone speaks to them in a high-pitched voice. Dogs that are big jumpers might need to be ignored at first (body turned away) and put into a sit before greeting. Some animals don't like hands coming towards them or being pet right away. All of our pals have their own little quirks that are usually easy to spot and manage as we spend more time together. So just let me know the best way to respond to your pet before the initial meeting to make sure we have a positive first interaction. Minimizing stress or over-excitement while creating trust with your pet is very important to me.
A typical day
Since I love to be outdoors, much of my dog-care consists of going for walks around the neighborhood or to parks/trails. We'll also play fetch or explore around the yard too, we don't need to go too far from home to have fun! If your dog likes to chase or be chased, I'm always willing to run around with them. A great game for rainy days, or for dogs that aren't quite as active, is hide & seek. This can consist of me hiding treats around the house and having them use those good ol snoots to find them. Or sometimes I tell the dog to stay in one room and I go hide myself (this one gets them extra excited when they find me). I think everyone knows that when it comes to cats, the activity is entirely reliant on what the cat wants to do. If your kitty wants to play with the feathers on the end of a string, let's do it! If they want to roll in catnip with the owner's permission, sure! If they want to sit under the edge of the bed and scratch my ankles when I walk by, I will wear thick socks! Of course, whether it's a dog or cat, cuddles and belly rubs will given throughout the day too.
Services
Samantha can watch in your home
Availability
I am a master's student at UConn but 90% of my work can be done on my laptop. My schedule is very flexible which allows me to be with your pup for long periods of time.
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About Samantha L.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
When taking dogs out, I keep them leashed at all times unless you have a fully fenced-in yard. For safety & liability, I do not socialize them with other dogs in the neighborhood on walks. I will follow your directions on crating or securing in a specific room while I'm gone if you do not let them have free range of your home. For multiple dogs in a household, walks with 1 vs. multiple will be gauged on individual size (i.e, I can walk multiple small dogs at one time but only 1 or 2 larger dogs depending on their loose-leash training). If your pets require oral medication, I will make a schedule checklist to be sure it is administered when required. I love taking photos so if you are the type that wants to see what your pet is up to while you are away, please let me know and I will surely send updates of adventures and cuddles!
Information Samantha L. would like to know about your pet
As far as information required beforehand, I'd mainly like to know of any behavioral issues when they first meet a new person. Sometimes pets can be uncomfortable by a person wearing a hat/sunglasses, or urinate when someone speaks to them in a high-pitched voice. Dogs that are big jumpers might need to be ignored at first (body turned away) and put into a sit before greeting. Some animals don't like hands coming towards them or being pet right away. All of our pals have their own little quirks that are usually easy to spot and manage as we spend more time together. So just let me know the best way to respond to your pet before the initial meeting to make sure we have a positive first interaction. Minimizing stress or over-excitement while creating trust with your pet is very important to me.
A typical day
Since I love to be outdoors, much of my dog-care consists of going for walks around the neighborhood or to parks/trails. We'll also play fetch or explore around the yard too, we don't need to go too far from home to have fun! If your dog likes to chase or be chased, I'm always willing to run around with them. A great game for rainy days, or for dogs that aren't quite as active, is hide & seek. This can consist of me hiding treats around the house and having them use those good ol snoots to find them. Or sometimes I tell the dog to stay in one room and I go hide myself (this one gets them extra excited when they find me). I think everyone knows that when it comes to cats, the activity is entirely reliant on what the cat wants to do. If your kitty wants to play with the feathers on the end of a string, let's do it! If they want to roll in catnip with the owner's permission, sure! If they want to sit under the edge of the bed and scratch my ankles when I walk by, I will wear thick socks! Of course, whether it's a dog or cat, cuddles and belly rubs will given throughout the day too.
Location
Enfield, CT
Samantha L.
Enfield, CT