Valentina D.
Jamaica Plain, Boston, MA
Services
Valentina can care for
Availability
Until August, I have a very open schedule for both weekdays and weekends. Once classes start in September, I will have availability mostly in the afternoons during the week and anytime on weekends.
| S | M | T | W | T | F | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ||||||
2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 |
23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 |
30 | 31 |
About Valentina D.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
In my home (boarding & daycare): I'm in an apartment with no pets of my own, which means your dog gets undivided attention and never has to negotiate with a resident dog over space, toys, or food. There's no fenced yard, so I take potty breaks and walks to a park a few blocks away, leashed the whole way, and on a schedule that matches what your dog is used to at home rather than a fixed house routine. My place is pet-proofed before every stay: cords tucked away, trash and cleaning supplies latched or out of reach, nothing left on counters, and doors and windows checked before your dog is off-leash inside. If your dog is crate-trained and you'd like them crated while I'm out, bring their crate and I'll use it exactly the way you do because a familiar crate is far more comforting than a strange one. If they're used to being loose, that's fine too. At night they sleep wherever they're used to sleeping, whether that's a bed on the floor, their crate, or next to me. My schedule shifts with my class and exam load, so I'll tell you honestly what a given week looks like before you book. Some days I'm home nearly all day; on others I'm out for a few hours at a stretch. You'll always know which one you're getting. In your home (drop-ins, walks & house sitting): Same principle, your rules. I follow your instructions exactly: feeding amounts and times, medications, crate routine, off-limits rooms, and any quirks I should know about. I like to do a meet and greet first so your pet can get comfortable with me and you can show me where supplies are, how the locks work, and who to call in an emergency. Keys and codes stay private, and I never bring anyone else into your home. On walks: Leashed at all times unless it's a fenced area you've approved, with a collar and harness check before we head out. I stay off my phone except for photos, watch for traffic, loose dogs, and whatever's been left on the sidewalk, and adjust the route for heat, cold, and your pet's age and energy. I always clean up. Updates: Photos and a short note every visit or day. If anything seems off, you'll hear from me right away, and I'll have your vet's information on hand before the booking starts.
Information Valentina D. would like to know about your pet
Before every booking, I'd rather over-ask than guess. Here's what helps me take the best care of your pet: Feeding — what, how much, how often, and where they eat. Any allergies, foods to avoid, or treats they can't have. Medications — dosage, timing, how they take it (in food, pill pocket, straight down the hatch), and whether they fight it. Routine — usual walk and potty times, where they sleep, crate habits, and what their normal day actually looks like. Pets do best when the schedule doesn't change just because I'm the one running it. Behavior — anything that sets them off or makes them nervous. Reactivity to other dogs, people, bikes, or the vacuum. Resource guarding around food or toys. Escape artists, door dashers, counter surfers. Separation anxiety. None of this scares me off — I just need to know so I can set them up to succeed instead of finding out the hard way. Health — age-related issues, mobility limits, recent surgeries, sensitive stomachs, and what "normal" looks like for them so I can tell when something's off. Gear — collar, harness, leash, and where you keep them. If your dog pulls or has slipped a collar before, tell me and I'll double-check the fit every time. Vet and emergency contacts — your regular vet, the nearest emergency clinic, and a backup person I can reach if I can't reach you. I ask for these before every booking, no exceptions. Commands and cues — what they already know and what words you use, so I'm not teaching them a second language for a week. For your home — how the locks work, alarm codes, where supplies and cleaning things are kept, and which rooms are off-limits. The meet and greet covers most of this in ten minutes, and I'll take notes so nothing gets lost
A typical day
Dogs: Mornings start with a real walk, not a rushed potty trip — usually 20–30 minutes to the park so your dog can actually sniff around and get the day's news off every tree. Breakfast on your schedule, then a puzzle feeder or a stuffed Kong if your dog likes working for their food. Midday is my reading and outlining time, which turns out to be perfect for dogs: I'm parked on the couch with a laptop and a highlighter for hours, and most dogs are thrilled to nap against my leg through it all. We break it up with hallway fetch, tug, and short training games (sit, down, stay, touch, or whatever you're already working on). Five minutes of nose work (treats hidden around the room for them to find) tires a dog out more than a mile of walking, and it's my go-to on rainy days or for seniors who can't do long distances. Afternoons bring another walk or a longer park trip if the weather's good and your dog has energy to burn. High-energy dogs get a real workout; older or shorter-legged ones get a slow sniff walk around the block and then a nap, because that's the better day for them. Evenings are dinner, a last walk before bed, and couch time. I'm usually still reading, so your dog gets a warm person to lean on until lights out. Cats: For cats, the fun is on their terms. I bring out wand toys and crinkle balls for the ones who want to play, set up a sunny window spot, and sit quietly on the floor with a book for the shy ones until they decide I'm acceptable. Some cats want a full play session; some want to be fed and left alone with occasional respectful acknowledgment. I can tell the difference and I don't take it personally. Every day flexes to the animal in front of me. A nervous rescue's good day looks nothing like a young lab's, and I'd rather match your pet's real pace than run everyone through the same schedule.
Location
Boston, MA
Law Student, Full-Time Dog Person
Pet care experience
I've been caring for animals since I was 12, when I started pet sitting for neighbors, and I never stopped! I grew up with two dogs and two cats who are still very much part of the family, and I've fostered dogs, which taught me how to earn the trust of nervous animals, manage house-training and crate routines, and stay calm when a pup needs extra patience. I'm comfortable with dogs and cats of all ages and energy levels: puppies, seniors, high-energy walkers, medication schedules, and the shy ones who need a little time before they warm up. I'll send photo updates so you know exactly how your pet's day is going. I'm currently a law student, which means a lot of my work is done from a laptop; I can give your pet real company during the day rather than a quick drop-in and out. I treat every animal like one of my own, and I'll follow your routines exactly as you'd do them yourself.
About Valentina D.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
In my home (boarding & daycare): I'm in an apartment with no pets of my own, which means your dog gets undivided attention and never has to negotiate with a resident dog over space, toys, or food. There's no fenced yard, so I take potty breaks and walks to a park a few blocks away, leashed the whole way, and on a schedule that matches what your dog is used to at home rather than a fixed house routine. My place is pet-proofed before every stay: cords tucked away, trash and cleaning supplies latched or out of reach, nothing left on counters, and doors and windows checked before your dog is off-leash inside. If your dog is crate-trained and you'd like them crated while I'm out, bring their crate and I'll use it exactly the way you do because a familiar crate is far more comforting than a strange one. If they're used to being loose, that's fine too. At night they sleep wherever they're used to sleeping, whether that's a bed on the floor, their crate, or next to me. My schedule shifts with my class and exam load, so I'll tell you honestly what a given week looks like before you book. Some days I'm home nearly all day; on others I'm out for a few hours at a stretch. You'll always know which one you're getting. In your home (drop-ins, walks & house sitting): Same principle, your rules. I follow your instructions exactly: feeding amounts and times, medications, crate routine, off-limits rooms, and any quirks I should know about. I like to do a meet and greet first so your pet can get comfortable with me and you can show me where supplies are, how the locks work, and who to call in an emergency. Keys and codes stay private, and I never bring anyone else into your home. On walks: Leashed at all times unless it's a fenced area you've approved, with a collar and harness check before we head out. I stay off my phone except for photos, watch for traffic, loose dogs, and whatever's been left on the sidewalk, and adjust the route for heat, cold, and your pet's age and energy. I always clean up. Updates: Photos and a short note every visit or day. If anything seems off, you'll hear from me right away, and I'll have your vet's information on hand before the booking starts.
Information Valentina D. would like to know about your pet
Before every booking, I'd rather over-ask than guess. Here's what helps me take the best care of your pet: Feeding — what, how much, how often, and where they eat. Any allergies, foods to avoid, or treats they can't have. Medications — dosage, timing, how they take it (in food, pill pocket, straight down the hatch), and whether they fight it. Routine — usual walk and potty times, where they sleep, crate habits, and what their normal day actually looks like. Pets do best when the schedule doesn't change just because I'm the one running it. Behavior — anything that sets them off or makes them nervous. Reactivity to other dogs, people, bikes, or the vacuum. Resource guarding around food or toys. Escape artists, door dashers, counter surfers. Separation anxiety. None of this scares me off — I just need to know so I can set them up to succeed instead of finding out the hard way. Health — age-related issues, mobility limits, recent surgeries, sensitive stomachs, and what "normal" looks like for them so I can tell when something's off. Gear — collar, harness, leash, and where you keep them. If your dog pulls or has slipped a collar before, tell me and I'll double-check the fit every time. Vet and emergency contacts — your regular vet, the nearest emergency clinic, and a backup person I can reach if I can't reach you. I ask for these before every booking, no exceptions. Commands and cues — what they already know and what words you use, so I'm not teaching them a second language for a week. For your home — how the locks work, alarm codes, where supplies and cleaning things are kept, and which rooms are off-limits. The meet and greet covers most of this in ten minutes, and I'll take notes so nothing gets lost
A typical day
Dogs: Mornings start with a real walk, not a rushed potty trip — usually 20–30 minutes to the park so your dog can actually sniff around and get the day's news off every tree. Breakfast on your schedule, then a puzzle feeder or a stuffed Kong if your dog likes working for their food. Midday is my reading and outlining time, which turns out to be perfect for dogs: I'm parked on the couch with a laptop and a highlighter for hours, and most dogs are thrilled to nap against my leg through it all. We break it up with hallway fetch, tug, and short training games (sit, down, stay, touch, or whatever you're already working on). Five minutes of nose work (treats hidden around the room for them to find) tires a dog out more than a mile of walking, and it's my go-to on rainy days or for seniors who can't do long distances. Afternoons bring another walk or a longer park trip if the weather's good and your dog has energy to burn. High-energy dogs get a real workout; older or shorter-legged ones get a slow sniff walk around the block and then a nap, because that's the better day for them. Evenings are dinner, a last walk before bed, and couch time. I'm usually still reading, so your dog gets a warm person to lean on until lights out. Cats: For cats, the fun is on their terms. I bring out wand toys and crinkle balls for the ones who want to play, set up a sunny window spot, and sit quietly on the floor with a book for the shy ones until they decide I'm acceptable. Some cats want a full play session; some want to be fed and left alone with occasional respectful acknowledgment. I can tell the difference and I don't take it personally. Every day flexes to the animal in front of me. A nervous rescue's good day looks nothing like a young lab's, and I'd rather match your pet's real pace than run everyone through the same schedule.
Valentina D.
Jamaica Plain, Boston, MA