Valentina D.
Valentina D.
Highlights
Pet care experience
Law Student, Full-Time Dog Person
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.
Qualifications
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.
Ratings and reviews
Valentina was very communicative and did a great job watching my dog, cat and bunny. The week prior to her staying my cat suffered a knee injury and she was able to provide daily liquid medication and help him use his litter box. Thank you!!
Our experience with Valentina was great. She was very responsive and communicative throughout both the planning process and during the housesitting stay, and was attentive and detail oriented in understanding Kaito's typical routine. She sent daily updates with pictures, which my partner and I definitely appreciated. Kaito was well cared for, happy, and relaxed when we returned home. We would definitely book with Valentina again!
Thank you Valentina! You handled BB like a pro, and we will definitely be recommending you!
Calendar and availability
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Schedule
Fall semester: Mondays - Anytime before 6 PM Tuesdays - Anytime after 12 PM Wednesdays - Anytime after 10 AM Thursdays - Available from 12-3 and after 5:30 PM Fri thru Sun - Open availability
- Cats0 to 15 lbs16 to 40 lbs41 to 100 lbsover 101 lbsValentina can host up to 3 drop-ins per day
- 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