Dog Walking Merrimac

About: I am big about safety. Safety for your pet, community, and myself. I will always respect your pet and treat him as if he was my own. I slow down and take the time to get to know your pet and make sure he gets all the cuddles he deserves. I am a student at Virginia Tech, but I get out of my classes before 12:30 pm everyday, so I have a lot of availability. I work in EMS, so I know how important it is to go into a strangers home and make sure they are comfortable. This means no snooping around in peoples houses and treating everything in their house with respect. I will always own up to making a mistake, if one occurs.

About: I currently live with a German Shepherd (Cody) and a Black Lab (Joey). I have always had dogs growing up (mostly pugs). I love all dogs and being around them brings me so much joy! I am a graduate student at Virginia Tech studying Civil Engineering. I am available for free meet and greets to meet you and your pet! I am available to walk or check in with dogs (or cats) when I am not working on school or research. I am very loving towards dogs (and cats) and respectful of their homes. I treat everyone’s dogs and their homes with respect. I will be sure to keep your furry friend safe and happy!

About: I’ve been taking care of dogs, cats, and chickens since I was 11. Recently I have been house sitting every few months taking care of 3 large dogs and 5 chickens. I have experience with animals of all sizes and types, including administering medication. I currently go to Virginia tech as a graduate student. I have a lot of free time during the day and throughout the night since I only have 1 or 2 classes each day with about 5 hours between the two. My cat has her own room with her toys and shelves set up. She also has an automatic feeder and water fountain. When at my clients house, I let the out into the backyard every 2 hours or as needed. I refill their water between bathroom breaks and they get fed twice a day. I stay at the house full time, play with the dogs throughout the day, and send photo updates daily. They also have chickens that I regularly change their food and water, collect eggs, and replenish their bedding.

About: I take care of dogs, cats, and chickens at home and frequently dog sit for neighbors and friends. I am open to taking care of any breed and age cat or dog, and other species as well! I work part time, so I have lots of availability. I do not have a set schedule so I am very flexible with days and times. I am happy to follow any specific instructions to meet the individual needs of your pets and ensure they are as happy and comfortable as possible!

About: I have 6+ years of experience with multiple animal species, including dogs and cats of various sizes and attitudes. As a third year veterinary student, I am also capable of handling daily treatments as needed. I’m currently a full-time veterinary student, but year 3 has a schedule perfect to work with your pets. I will have multiple hours per day to visit, walk, etc. I am very willing to tailor my services to your individual needs. Just let me know what is needed, and I am happy to accommodate.

“McCall is incredibly responsive and a great addition to our routine. She provides updates and pictures from their walk which is so appreciated. Our dog has epilepsy and she has gone out of her way to give my family peace of mind. I am confident our dog is happy and safe while in her care.”

Erin R.

“Emily took great care of Pabo on his walks and left detailed notes”

Kira G.

About: I’ve spent the past 3 years volunteering with shelter dogs that were reactive, nervous, high energy, sensitive, untrained, and everything in between. My sister and I would take shelter dogs out for the day and bring them to the beach, on long walks, car rides, basically just let them have a full day outside of the shelter. That experience taught me a completely different level of dog care than I was used to from simply caring for my grandmother’s dog, Lulu. I learned how to recognize when a dog is uncomfortable, when to give them space, and how to work with their individual boundaries instead. Shelter dogs taught me that no two dogs are the same, and caring for them isn’t something to take lightly. I’ve also volunteered at the Staten Island Zoo for 2 years and have had animals around me my entire life. My pets back home in New York include my 8 year old cat Nemo, a blue tongued skink, bearded dragon, gecko, gerbils, tortoise, pixie frog, and more. My sister and I grew up going to animal expos, so I’ve had experience being around and caring for many different kinds of animals. Because of that, I’m very comfortable around animals, but I also know that being comfortable doesn’t mean ignoring their boundaries. I want to know their routine, personality, triggers, habits, favorite things, and anything else that helps them feel safe and comfortable. The more I know about your pet, the better I can care for them! I’m a Virginia Tech student with a pretty open class schedule. Classes usually take up only about two hours of my day, so I have plenty of time to spend with your pet. I’m happy to take dogs on long walks and give them lots of time outside if that’s what they enjoy. When we’re home, they’ll have my attention too, whether they want to play, relax together, or just have someone nearby. I live at The Hub, which is a pet friendly community with its own dog park and plenty of outdoor spaces for walks and potty breaks. I’d only use the dog park if it’s empty. I’m also happy to skip it completely if that’s what you prefer! I’d follow whatever routine your dog is already used to and keep things as normal and comfortable for them as possible while they’re with me!

“We booked Maddie for a walk to do a meet and greet with our doggy Hank. She was on time and very communicative and pleasant. She understood our needs, and Hank fell in love right away haha! We followed up by booking her for regular walks.”

Courtney P.

About: My family adopted a 10 month old rescue pup, Charlie, when I was 7 years old. For the 12 years that I got to spend with him he was my best friend. Although he was stronger than me the first few years of his life, I was still involved in his training and feeding care until I was big enough to take him out and walk him. Once I could handle him, I took him out, walked him, and helped give baths. As an adult, I have done multiple pet-sitting jobs for neighbors and family friends. I have taken care of dogs and cats of all ages. My job experience includes retail, landscaping, and food/bar service. Working late nights in downtown Blacksburg, I have become keen at cleaning up messes of all kinds. This summer, my schedule is wide open! I play pool a couple of nights a week, but that doesn't last for more than a few hours and I can always go late/leave early to get back to the pets. When the school year starts, I will schedule pet sitting around my class schedule. I am equipped to handle dogs of almost any size on a leash, and I love to play fetch in a yard/at the park. I can keep food and water bowls clean and full, I can crate dogs if needed, and I can keep a litter box clean!

“Paige is a good support!!”

Clemente A.

About: I’ve loved caring for dogs and cats for many years, including family and friends’ pets and my own Chihuahua/Rat Terrier mix, Oreo, who has been part of my family for 17 years. I also have extensive experience with cats, including the four cats currently in my family and others I’ve cared for over the years. I take a lot of time to make sure the pets I care for are treated to their specific needs. I’m currently finishing my library science degree part-time, which gives me a flexible schedule and plenty of time to devote to pet care. I’m happy to work walks, drop-ins, or sitting into my routine and make sure your pets have a comfortable, fun time while their families are away. I like to keep pets comfortable and stick to their normal routines as much as possible. I’ll follow your instructions for feeding, walks, playtime, medications, and anything else they need, while giving them plenty of attention and affection. Whether I’m caring for them in your home or stopping by for a walk or drop-in, I want them to feel safe, happy, and well cared for while you’re away.

About: I’ve had dogs and cats all of my life. My family currently has a Golden Retriever, an Australian Shepherd, an English Bulldog, and 2 cats. I personally have a cat who lives with me at my apartment. I had lots of experience on Rover in summer of 2024. I received great reviews from many different pet owners, and I even had multiple regular clients whose pets I loved visiting. During this time, I offered drop-in and home sitting services for dogs and cats. Breeds varied from Australian Shepherds that needed lots of playtime and attention to older mixed-breeds who just loved to cuddle on the couch. I didn’t offer much dog sitting at the time, but I had one regular client in the winter of 2023 who I did drop-in visits for as well as walking their young Pit Bull mix with no issue. I am currently a junior at Virginia Tech. My classes are pretty spread out through the week, so I have lots of breaks to do drop-ins or walking. My weekends are usually totally free! Tuesdays: 7am-11am, 7pm-11pm Wednesdays: 7am-9am, 1:30pm-7pm, 9:30pm-11pm Thursdays: 7am-4pm, 7:30pm-11pm Fridays: 7am-11am, 4pm-11pm Weekends: Times vary, but mostly open I’m available for anything you may need me to do to care for your pup or kitty at your home! I can play with them, give them love, take them on walks, or leave them be if they’d prefer that. I can let them outside/walk them as much as they need and feed them when instructed. I can administer medication and fulfill any other needs that your pup or kitty may need.

About: Dogs have always been apart of my life! Aside from my family's dog, all of my neighbors, friends, and extended family members have dogs that I have been entrusted with caring for. Ranging from puppies to senior dogs and a miniature schnauzer to a German Shorthaired Pointer! I'm new to the Blacksburg area and am currently searching for part-time or full-time work. Meanwhile, I am available during the week or weekends for housesitting, dog walking, or drop-in visits! As my employment changes so will my availability, likely limiting me to weekends. Allowing dogs to stay in their home keeps them comfortable and their toys accessible! I also maintain the utmost respect for your home and house rules to keep it clean and ensure safety at all times.

“Katie has been great with Indie, communicates very well, and is on time and flexible with our dynamic schedule needs so we are thankful to have found her and plan on making her our regular walker for the foreseeable future.”

Ced S.

About: I’ve grown up with dogs my entire life and have nearly 7 years of dog sitting experience starting in middle school. I’ve cared for dogs of all sizes, breeds, and personalities and I pride myself on being extremely attentive, reliable, and detail oriented with every pet. I have experience handling multiple dogs at once including caring for up to five dogs for 7+ days, so I’m very comfortable with both longer stays in higher-energy households. I treat every dog like my own and always make sure they feel safe, happy, and well cared for. I also provide consistent updates so you can feel confident and not ease while you’re away. I’m a student at Virginia Tech with a flexible schedule, typically having at most two classes a day. Outside of class, I spent most of my time at home, which allows me to give pets plenty of attention, supervision, and care throughout the day. My routine makes it easy for me to incorporate walks, feeding, playtime, and check-in consistently. I’m able to adapt to each pets needs and schedule, whether that means early mornings, midday visits, or evening care. Your pet’s safety and comfort are my top priorities. I live in a pet friendly apartment with a fence dog area, so dogs have a safe place to get outside and play. I’m very attentive and make sure pets are always supervised and cared for based on their specific needs and routines. I also keep owners updated regularly so you always know how your pet is doing.

“Shennan was absolutely wonderful! Took lots of cute pics of my girl and gave her a couple great walks. We will definitely be booking again soon.”

Ainsley C.

About: I'm a third-year veterinary student at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine and have worked with animals professionally for several years through both veterinary medicine and pet care. Before veterinary school, I worked as a veterinary assistant, where I helped care for hospitalized patients, assisted with treatments, and supported pets with a variety of medical needs. I've administered medications including oral medications, eye and ear medications, injectable and topical treatments, as well as assisted with treatments such as subcutaneous fluids and diabetic management. That experience has made me comfortable caring for pets who need extra attention, whether that's giving medications, monitoring changes in appetite or behavior, helping senior pets stay comfortable, or noticing when something seems different from their normal. Outside of the clinic, I've provided dog walking and in-home pet sitting for dogs and cats with many different personalities and needs. Some pets need plenty of exercise and activity, while others are happiest with a calm visit, their normal routine, and some extra attention. Whether your pet needs medication support, senior care, or simply someone dependable while you're away, I bring professional animal experience and veterinary training to every visit. My veterinary school schedule varies throughout the semester, but it is planned well in advance. I keep my Rover calendar updated so my availability is always accurate. In general, I am available for early morning visits before class, evening visits after class, and most weekends. I also have additional weekday availability depending on my class schedule. If you're planning ahead for a trip, vacation, or recurring visits, send me your dates and location and I'll let you know what I can accommodate. My veterinary training has taught me to pay attention to the small changes that can matter with pets, like when a normally social dog seems withdrawn or a cat's eating habits suddenly change. If something unexpected happens, I stay calm, gather information, communicate clearly, and help determine what needs to happen next. As a VMCVM student, I'm familiar with local veterinary resources and emergency care options in the area. For walks, I take safety seriously. I check collars, harnesses, and leashes before heading out, avoid off-leash situations outside of secure fenced areas, and adjust activity based on weather, temperature, and your pet's comfort level. During summers, that also means being mindful of hot pavement and heat exposure. When caring for your home, I treat it with the same care and respect I would expect from someone entering my own home. I follow your instructions, secure doors and gates after visits, bring in packages or mail if requested, and leave your home the way you expect it to be.

“Heather was able to do a last minute holiday walk for my dog when I found out my hours changed! She was so good with Ravin and was super helpful!”

Katie M.

About: I’ve been around dogs my whole life, my family had some growing up and once I moved out I got 2 of my own. I’ve also watched many neighbors and friends dogs since i was young and feel more than comfortable taking them out, administering medicine, and loving on them! Fur babies are family and should be treated as such! And that’s exactly the kind of care I would show your fur baby. Dogs are creatures of habit, so it’s important for me to know what your routine looks like so I can try my best to keep it the same. It will be as if you’re not even gone! I work from home so my days are extremely flexible. Aside from occasional meetings and needing to administer my own dog his medication three times a day (6am, 2pm and 10pm) I have an open schedule to check in on your baby. If you were to bring your dog to me, they would be in a spacious little townhome with an open yard. All I ask is that your dog is friendly with other dogs, as I have 2 at home that would be there with us. One is a staffordshire terrier/husky mix, and the other is a border collie. They all would get plenty of walks and playtime together. If I were to drop in at your home, I would take whatever care necessary! What that looks like is up to you. Taking your dog on a walk, administering medicine, playing with them, whatever you and your pet need!