Dog Walking Merrlam Park

About: Growing up with 2 dogs, I know the amount of pure joy and giggles all doggies bring to families! I grew up with 2 little Dachshund (wiener) Dogs named Frankie and Lily! They were both so smart and oddly enough thought they could fly! They knew every night at exactly 9pm it was officially SNACK time! As they both aged, I spent much time carrying them up/down stairs, walking them and bringing them to appts such as Vet, Chiro and other therapies. There is no greater experience than coming home to your best friend wagging their tail. My main job is supporting the deaf/hard of hearing in the twin cities. My work experience allows me to get a sense of my surroundings quickly. I have experience house sitting, walking dogs and also taking dogs to vet/grooming appointments. Now I have 2 fur babies Highlander cats, Gracie and Fynn. ❤️ can’t believe I lived so long without my kitty cats!!

About: I've taken care of cats for most of my life and volunteered at an animal shelter for a few years. I've taken care of two cats up into their old ages of 16 years and 19 years old each, both living healthy, happy, comfortable lives indoors. They were shorthaired cats, named Morris and Edward. Morris was a wild rez cat, he was very silly, small, buff black cat who grew just a little bit fat in his old age, and since he was young he's had a slightly shorter, stubbed tip tail and a frostbitten ear. Edward was a rescued wild barncat from the farmlands outside of Wrenshall, a big, lean, and smart gray cat. They both lived very happily together under my care and the care of my parents and grandparents for their entire lives. I have two cats, the oldest is 5 years old, her name is Charwee, and the youngest is 2 years old, his name is Riggsatoni. They are both longhaired cats, with Charwee being a near-black tortoiseshell with a golden ruff, left foot, and a series of golden freckles across her face like a galaxy, finishing with a "shooting star" out of her left ear. Riggs is an dusty orange and white mask-and-mantle, taller than his new friend, Charwee, but with just as much fur and sweetness as she has. He's still getting the hang of being part of our household, as he's been with me since November 2025. I've also managed to train my 5 year old cat a variety of tricks and help behaviors, such as: She reminds me to take my medications if I've not gotten to it yet. She can also do two variations of a "stand" trick, complete the "spin" trick in both directions, and understands her "left" and "right" sides after training her the "touch" and "high five" tricks, meaning you can ask her for a "left paw touch" and she'll give you one. She is also trained to walk on harness. I am in process of training my youngest 2 year old cat to get him used to his harness, and even considering training him with tricks as well, but I am also giving him time to get used to his new home with my boyfriend and I. I have lived with both shorthair and longhair cats, and I've managed to trim claws with little issue for most cats; granted, some cats are obviously not always going to be comfortable with claw trims, and therefore, in my experience, it has been better for their mental state to only do one claw every five to thirty minutes, and reassure them that they're okay with giving them pets, play, and treats, or even their personal space if they desire instead, with gentle speak to remind them they still need their "spaw" day, because no one wants their nails embedded into their pads. For very short times over the course of my 26 years, I have also taken care of dogs every now and again, and even managed to train them how to handle claw trims or do some tricks. I once even had a pair of two mixed shepherd pups, picked up from my reservation, and managed to train them to follow off-leash, accept claw trims, wear harnesses, do a few tricks, and even accept baths in the short time that I was taking care of them. I'm flexible as I'm currently unemployed and job-hunting. I'm often awake at 7am but I don't become more active until 8am, and from then I'm available until 9pm. I'm usually observing body language, often consciously listening to vocal cues, and being mindful while learning about other's pet's behaviors and preferences, paying attention to any possible wants or needs via observing body languages; a few examples I can provide is when my cats point their bodies towards their bowls and indicate to me that something isn't full enough and needs more food or water, or when they indicate they want to play with me and not the other cat, or when they use their paws to touch things that have something they want inside of them, like a bag of treats or a drawer that contains the treats.

“Molly was such a joy to work with and went above and beyond to give our dog a much needed break and extra attention in the middle of the day. We will use her again in a heartbeat!”

Sara B.

“Sophie has been an extremely reliable dog walker for our pup over the past 5 months! She was great at managing his high energy levels and figuring out a play/walk routine that worked well for them both. We are very grateful for her services!”

Kysa M.

“Was worries at first that my boy Bear was barking so much but Phenix got him calm and had a good walk with him! Bear can't wait to see them again 💕”

Bekah B.

About: I’ve had my family dog, a vizsla for 9 years, in a house that fostered and helped other dogs. As his primary human, I have a lot of experience with high energy, big, clumsy, and loving dogs. Long playtimes, entertaining walks and cozy naps are the norm for me, and guaranteed for your furry friend. When class isn’t in session, my life revolves around my pets. I wake up at 7, feed my cat and myself, and then spend a few hours tending to my responsibilities. My cat and I play chase throughout the day and cuddle, I take walks outside and enjoy nature, and in the evening I cook and clean for myself, before settling in with a show or book with my cat. I always check to ensure any tempting packaging or food is out of reach, clean thoroughly to avoid any hygiene or contamination issues, follow instructions to the letter.

“Allison responded so quickly the night before I needed last minute help with Luna during a long work day. We loved seeing all of the photos of their walks. Thanks so much!!”

Hazel B.

“Tony was super friendly, had great communication and was awesome with our girls on their walks. Wrigley and Griffey were stoked when Tony came for their evening walks. My in-laws and my husband and I have nothing but great things to say about him! We will be using him again! Highly recommend!”

J D.

About: Hello! I have experience with animals of all types and sizes. I am available for drop in care and overnight care! I've taken care of animals with various personalities and special needs. I work Monday through Friday, working remote on Wed & Thurs. I am available weekday nights and throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday! I am not available for drop in care in the middle of the day unless it is on a remote work day. I am only available to take care of pets within their own home. I am comfortable with pet cameras! It's important to me that the client feels their home is safe. I can help with animals, pet hair, clutter in common areas, watering plants etc.

“Laura has been excellent - you can tell she loves animals! She is great with the dog that she walks for us. She is dependable, great with communicating and responses!”

Julie & Steve E.

“Kayleah did a great job with our very large and energetic Shepherd mix! Her communication was excellent, and Dawson was always excited to see her. Next time we need a dog walker, we’ll definitely reach out!”

Daniel E.

“Katherine was wonderful with Huey! Very reliable and fantastic communication. Highly recommend!”

Kelly F.

“Shayla has been an amazing dog walker for our little Mabel! She’s very attentive, fast at communicating, always takes lots of pictures and always fills out the Rover card! If I could give her ten stars, I would! 😊”

Karlee B.

About: I got my first dog (Winston) when he was a puppy and have been through it all with him, including puppy training! Although he’s older now, Winston is still full of energy and super playful, so I do well with active and energetic dogs. When he does have his calmer moments, I’m always there for a short walk with lots of stops to lay in the grass! Additionally, I’ve worked with senior dogs in the past. I have experience administering daily oral medication and going for walks with dogs that have mobility issues, such as arthritis and weak knees. I love to go on daily walks, often in the late afternoon or early mornings, and always enjoy the company of a furry friend! On the weekends I am available throughout the whole day for walks and playtime. I have years of experience walking my own dog in a city environment and am always focused on my surroundings, from cars to food on the sidewalk, to ensure his safety and enjoyment. Additionally, I have a lot of experience working with dogs that have anxiety. Winston is very sensitive to certain noises, such as the shuffling of playing cards, so I always make sure to avoid using cards around him. When entering a client’s home, I always make sure to treat the space exactly how I would want my space to be treated; with care and respect.

About: No matter the size, breed or personality of your pet, earning their trust and friendship (along with your own trust) is my top priority. As a lifelong animal lover, I grew up in a multi-pet household taking care of dogs, birds and small animals. Since then, I have taken care of horses, anoles, cats, parakeets and my curiosity for getting to know an animal's individual personality has only grown over that time. I currently have two dogs: an Australian shepherd and border collie mix, both of whom I raised from puppies by myself. We are an active family, walking/hiking and in general spending time exploring the neighborhood for hours a day, traveling together for camping or cabin vacations in our spare time. It's cliche, but my dogs are truly my family and as a long-time Rover user on the customer side, I understand what it means to have a sitter/walker you can trust while you're away. I love finding people who strive to understand them as individuals and who are sensitive to their needs. My border collie is highly sensitive and I have learned to work within his limits, giving him the stimulation he needs by finding more isolated parks to sniff around, mental challenges inside, etc. that keep him entertained while reducing stress. I am more than comfortable getting to know your own pets' quirks and finding ways to keep their days consistent and stress-free. Pet care is already at the center of my life, as I have two energetic herding dogs. We walk frequently every day to help burn energy -- I like to let my dogs walk at their pace so they can sniff around and stimulate their brains while getting exercise. As someone with pets I understand the importance of trust-building in drop-in visit situations. As your schedule permits, we can meet beforehand via a meet and greet to get a feel for your schedule and space, and how to support your comfort and your pets'. Pets thrive with routine, and I strive to support that.

About: I’ve had different breeds of both cats and dogs throughout my entire childhood so I understand the responsibilities needed to properly take care of a variety of pets. My parents have also been on Rover for a couple of years and I alway love helping them out! This also means I understand the apps processes and how to navigate it. I’m a college student at Macalester college, so right now I’m on summer break. I am flexible with owners schedules and willing to driving all around the metro for visits or at home stays! I can do whatever the owner feels is necessary for their pet. Whether it’s putting pets into crates, or active play, or if meals need to be more hands on, I feel comfortable caring for them in pretty much any situation. I don’t have much experience caring for dogs with special needs, so some animals who need that type of assistance might be out of the realm of care I can provide.

About: While I do not have a dog of my own, I love caring for and playing with my friend’s dogs and love learning their unique personalities. I’m currently unemployed and have an abundance of time on my hands to go for walks or play or stop in for a potty break. I have a fenced in back yard and two cats. I do not have access to a crate so if that is necessary, it would need to be provided.

“Analia did an excellent job with my dog. She was a great communicator, punctual, and attentive. Kiki loved walking with her and her dog. Thank you! Highly recommend!”

Kelly E.

About: I’m an Animal Science graduate and I train service dogs with Can Do Canines, so I have a lot of experience working with dogs in different environments and understanding their behavior and needs. I’ve worked with puppies, high-energy dogs, and older pets who need a little extra patience and care. I’m very attentive to body language and routines, and I always try to make sure pets feel comfortable, safe, and loved while you’re away. I also grew up with dogs and have hands-on experience raising and training my own family pets—including a feisty dachshund puppy who I helped train into a gentle, well-behaved dog, along with two other dogs with strong obedience and great temperaments. My background means I naturally reinforce good habits, use positive reinforcement, and keep things consistent with what your pet already knows. I truly love spending time with animals, and I treat every pet like they’re my own—whether that’s going on walks, playing, or just giving them some extra attention and cuddles. After graduating from UMN, I’ll be working part-time at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Roseville (around 20 hours per week). My schedule varies slightly week to week, but this also gives me a lot of flexibility for pet care. Outside of my shifts, I have a wide availability and love filling my time caring for pets. I’m happy to work with your schedule and can often accommodate mornings, evenings, weekends, and extended stays. I currently provide care in clients’ homes, where pets are most comfortable in their own environment and routine. I always take the time to learn your pet’s schedule, preferences, and any specific instructions so I can keep things as consistent and stress-free as possible. Safety is my top priority. I’m very attentive to surroundings on walks and in the home, and always monitor pets closely. With my background training service dogs, I’m confident handling a variety of behaviors and situations calmly and responsibly. I also have experience administering medications, including oral, topical, and injectable medications, and I’m comfortable following detailed care instructions when needed. I respect your home as if it were my own, keeping things clean, secure, and exactly how you left them. I’m happy to send regular updates, photos, and communicate as much as you’d like so you can feel at ease while you’re away.

About: Over the course of my life, I have taken care of two cats and one dog. I am a responsible and attentive towards all animals in my care, and strive to make them as comfortable as possible. I am also an excellent communicator! I am currently working part time, so I have availability weekday afternoons/evenings! I am also flexible about doing work on weekend. I am excited to work with you :) I can only pet-sit in other homes, my home is not a suitable place for a pet to stay. I am excellent at communicating and following directions, so when I stay with your pet they will be well-loved and comfortable.