Shanna M.
Shanna M.
Contact for Drop-In Visits
from $37 per visit
Highlights
Pet care experience
Special Needs Nurse & Sitter
Hey Austin Pet Parents! 👋 I’m Shanna, a veterinary technician of 20+ years turned in-home pet caregiver. I traded hospitals for homes to care for pets with “high”or "special" needs because I noticed there was a need here for pet families and I wanted to fill that gap. Special needs pets can often go overlooked and I'm here to change that! I’m best known for helping introverted pets get their emotional needs met, senior pets stay healthy and comfortable, creating positive environments for medical treatments, and building trust with pets that have unique personalities, especially the deep feelers, anxious or “on the spectrum” types. My work approach is holistic and intuitive and focuses on your pet as a whole and the human-animal bond. It relies on being communicative with you, your pet, and sometimes your vet when necessary. Due to the high demand of pets with special needs, I'm only available for overnight stays, which means I don't offer one-off dog walks or drop-in home visits to non-overnight clients. Since there are so many great sitters and walkers out there, I reserve my time for the more challenging situations that require an exceptional skill set. I take the time to set us up for success and I create a custom job according to what you and your pet needs, so you feel empowered to go on that trip and live your life outside of your home. Leaving pets with extra needs can be hard, but I hope with my approach, it can feel easier 💛 My consult process starts with a phone call, and if we think we'd be a great fit, I’d love to set up an in-person meeting with you and my potential new bff. ⭐️ Note: I charge for drop-in bookings for all in person meet and greet visits. The standard rate is $37 if you’re within 5 miles. If between 5-10 miles, I’ll adjust to $50. I’ll also add rideshare transportation costs to overnight services to and from your home and I’m happy to provide a quote upon request. I'm a non driver by choice in a driving city so thanks for understanding!
Qualifications
Safety, trust & environment
I take the time to get to know your pets and build real trust that makes the caregiving process feel like a partnership. Special needs pets with either physical, mental, or emotional challenges - especially anxiety - greatly benefit from compassion, understanding, and meeting them at a slower pace. My intent is to always provide a positive experience especially through any anxieties for both you and your pet.
Ratings and reviews
Could not appreciate Shanna more! She was wonderful with our nailah girl!
Shanna really was a saint. She took my sweet boy to the vet for me and remained calm and understanding the whole time. Elton and I would definitely use her again!
Shanna is absolutely amazing! This was her third time watching our 2 dogs and we couldn’t be happier. She is incredibly reliable, communicative, and clearly cares so much about them. We always feel at ease knowing they are in such good hands, and it is obvious our dogs love her too. We are so grateful to have found Shanna!
Shanna was a lifesaver! My pup loved her so much & the updates of their day through out my trip so helpful in ensuring everything went smoothly
Shanna is incredibly attentive and detail-oriented — a true natural with dogs. She thoroughly reviewed my care notes, asked thoughtful clarifying questions, and followed everything exactly as needed, which immediately gave me peace of mind. She has a calming presence that was perfect for my anxious pup, and honestly, I’m not sure my dog was even excited to see me when I got home (which I take as the highest compliment). I felt completely secure knowing my dog was in such capable, caring hands. I look forward to working with her in the future!
Shanna is a breath of fresh air! My sweet girl was drawn to her immediately! She’s knowledgeable, communicative, and attentive. Very lucky to a have met her.
Calendar and availability
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Schedule
Pet care and client relationships is my main source of work, so I’m either working with a client during the day, switching homes, or attending in-person meetings. I only work within the city limits, but I’ll consider traveling further distances for longer overnight stays and if travel costs are accomodated.