Steph T.
Ilminster
Services
Prices include all fees.
Steph can care for
Availability
Pet care is a natural part of my daily life. As a registered Veterinary Nurse working in a referral hospital, caring for animals is what I do every day - from monitoring health and administering medications to ensuring patients feel safe and comfortable. When I’m pet sitting (during my weeks off from night shifts), I structure my day around the pets in my care. This means walks, feeding times, play, enrichment, training practice if appropriate, and plenty of one-to-one attention and affection. I’m very used to adapting routines to suit individual pets, whether they’re high-energy and adventurous or prefer a calm, steady environment. Because of my veterinary and training background, I’m also confident incorporating medication schedules, behavioural support, or specific care plans into the day if needed. Your pet’s routine, comfort, and wellbeing will always be my priority.
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About Steph T.
Communication
Dog skills
Safety, trust & environment
When caring for pets in their own home, my priority is keeping their routine as familiar and stress-free as possible. I understand how important consistency is for animals, so I follow their usual schedule closely - from feeding times to walk routines and bedtime habits. Toilet breaks are provided as often as required, and dogs are walked in their usual local areas (unless otherwise requested), helping them feel secure in familiar surroundings. Whether your dog enjoys long adventure walks or shorter, slower strolls, I tailor exercise to suit their age, breed, and energy level. I take the time to understand each pet’s individual needs and personality - whether that’s extra playtime, enrichment activities, medication administration, training reinforcement, or simply quiet companionship. My goal is for your pet to feel comfortable, safe, and relaxed while you’re away, as if their routine hasn’t changed at all.
Information Steph T. would like to know about your pet
Before caring for a pet, it’s really important for me to know as much as possible about them so I can provide the best care tailored to their needs. This includes their daily routine, feeding schedule, exercise habits, likes and dislikes, medical conditions or medications, behavioural traits, and any special requirements. Knowing how a pet reacts to new people, other animals, or specific situations helps me keep them safe, comfortable, and stress-free. The more information I have, the more confidently I can maintain their routine, provide appropriate activities, and respond to any issues quickly.
A typical day
I always start by gathering as much information as possible from owners about their pet’s likes, dislikes, favourite toys, energy levels, and any activities they particularly enjoy (or prefer to avoid). Every pet is different, so I tailor activities to suit their individual personality and needs. For dogs, this can include interactive play sessions, enrichment games, puzzle feeding, scent work, and training practice using positive reinforcement. As a student dog trainer, I’m happy to reinforce existing training or work on simple skills to keep their minds engaged while you’re away. For cats and other small animals, I provide species-appropriate play and enrichment — whether that’s wand toys, foraging activities, gentle handling, or simply calm companionship and interaction on their terms. Mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise, so I love incorporating puzzle feeders, food enrichment, and problem-solving games where appropriate. Most importantly, I ensure every pet receives plenty of one-to-one attention, affection, and quality time. My aim is always for pets to feel happy, engaged, and relaxed - not just “looked after,” but truly cared for.
Location
Ilminster, United Kingdom
Registered Veterinary Nurse
Pet care experience
I’m a registered Veterinary Nurse currently working in a referral hospital in Somerset, with 8 years of experience in the veterinary industry. Caring for animals isn’t just my job - it’s genuinely what I love to do. Alongside nursing, I’m also a student dog trainer with the Professional Association of Canine Trainers, which means I’m continually expanding my knowledge of behaviour, positive reinforcement, and stress-free handling. I’m especially confident working with nervous, reactive, senior, or medical-needs pets. I’ve been pet sitting professionally on and off since I was 16, caring for everything from puppies and kittens to elderly pets needing medication and extra TLC. With my veterinary background, you can feel reassured that your pet is in safe, capable hands - whether that’s administering medication, monitoring ongoing conditions, or simply knowing what’s normal and what isn’t. Due to working night shifts at the hospital, I’ll be offering pet sitting during my weeks off, meaning your pets will receive my full attention and dedicated care while you’re away. I understand how important it is to trust the person caring for your animals - they’re family. My aim is always to keep pets happy, comfortable, and stress-free in their own environment, while giving owners complete peace of mind with regular updates and photos.
Reviews
Excellent! We booked Steph to look after our very excitable collie with separation anxiety. She arranged to meet us prior to the sitting to talk to us about routines and his quirky little ways. Steph was very patient and caring. She followed our instructions and kept in touch with us throughout the day using texts. They had a super day and we came home to a very happy and contented dog. We would thoroughly recommend Steph as a dog sitter and we have already booked her again.
So pleased with everything Steph has done to look after our feline family whilst we popped away for a night. Have complete confidence in her and received lovely updates and photographs. Wouldn’t hesitate to use Steph again as soon as we need to.
Very happy with steph Toogood looking after my dog, my dog was a very happy doggy with her :) lovely person and great with animals, highly recommend her to everyone.
About Steph T.
Communication
Dog skills
Safety, trust & environment
When caring for pets in their own home, my priority is keeping their routine as familiar and stress-free as possible. I understand how important consistency is for animals, so I follow their usual schedule closely - from feeding times to walk routines and bedtime habits. Toilet breaks are provided as often as required, and dogs are walked in their usual local areas (unless otherwise requested), helping them feel secure in familiar surroundings. Whether your dog enjoys long adventure walks or shorter, slower strolls, I tailor exercise to suit their age, breed, and energy level. I take the time to understand each pet’s individual needs and personality - whether that’s extra playtime, enrichment activities, medication administration, training reinforcement, or simply quiet companionship. My goal is for your pet to feel comfortable, safe, and relaxed while you’re away, as if their routine hasn’t changed at all.
Information Steph T. would like to know about your pet
Before caring for a pet, it’s really important for me to know as much as possible about them so I can provide the best care tailored to their needs. This includes their daily routine, feeding schedule, exercise habits, likes and dislikes, medical conditions or medications, behavioural traits, and any special requirements. Knowing how a pet reacts to new people, other animals, or specific situations helps me keep them safe, comfortable, and stress-free. The more information I have, the more confidently I can maintain their routine, provide appropriate activities, and respond to any issues quickly.
A typical day
I always start by gathering as much information as possible from owners about their pet’s likes, dislikes, favourite toys, energy levels, and any activities they particularly enjoy (or prefer to avoid). Every pet is different, so I tailor activities to suit their individual personality and needs. For dogs, this can include interactive play sessions, enrichment games, puzzle feeding, scent work, and training practice using positive reinforcement. As a student dog trainer, I’m happy to reinforce existing training or work on simple skills to keep their minds engaged while you’re away. For cats and other small animals, I provide species-appropriate play and enrichment — whether that’s wand toys, foraging activities, gentle handling, or simply calm companionship and interaction on their terms. Mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise, so I love incorporating puzzle feeders, food enrichment, and problem-solving games where appropriate. Most importantly, I ensure every pet receives plenty of one-to-one attention, affection, and quality time. My aim is always for pets to feel happy, engaged, and relaxed - not just “looked after,” but truly cared for.
Steph T.
Ilminster