What Do Pet Sitters Do?

Lately we have received several inquiries as to what do pet sitters do, how much do they charge, I know that they are ‘service professionals’ so am I supposed to be tipping my pet sitter?, and other questions like these.

This will be the first article in a ‘series’ of articles about Pet Sitters; although we did post an article during the Holidays entitled,  “Tipping Your Petsitter During The Holidays”.

So, you may ask, ” What do pet sitters do? ” Well, for one thing, most of them don’t sit around all day eating bon-bons and watching t.v. because pet sitting, just like babysitting is a busy, active, and oftentimes demanding job.

Pet sitting is not just an occupation, it is a profession that is built upon trust, dependability, integrity, and a deep love of all animals.  These are qualities that you should possess yourself, and look for when choosing to hire a professional pet sitter for your precious pet family members.

Pet Sitters do so much more than provide food and water for your beloved pets while you are away.  They do many different ‘jobs’ while working as a pet sitter.

Pet Sitters spend ‘quality’ time with the pets, and in addition to providing them the basics of food and water while you are away, they also give them love and attention, they clean up pet waste and any other little ‘accidents’ like vomiting, etc. Some pet sitters may administer necessary medications and serve, or prepare and serve special diets and treats for your beloved pets.  Pet Sitters provide your pets with healthy exercise, conversation, petting and playtime, listening to ambient music with them; all of which make for a healthier, happier, much more socialized dog.  Some pet sitters also provide training and may teach your dogs helpful skills which will improve their behavior, and some also teach your pets fun new games and tricks.

Most dogs do not want to be left all alone because as most of you know, dogs are pack animals and they naturally crave the closeness and security and safety feelings they receive when they are members of their pack. The right pet sitter can help you and your dog to go a long way, as dogs are very social creatures and it is in their very nature from the time that they were once wolves and vital members of their ‘pack’, for them to want to be with us.  We humans along with other canine members of our households are their pack now. A pet sitter can help your dog to become more social with you, with other animals, and with other people, and to become less anxiety-ridden.   This will help see that your dog is the kind of dog that gets invited to your friend’s and relative’s homes and you are not asked to ‘please leave your dog at home because he’s a bit too rowdy, mannerless, or fearful to come over to our house.’

Many pet sitters also take care of your treasured home while you are away; making it look ‘lived’ in and ‘busy as usual’ to the outside world.  They bring in your newspapers, get your mail, keep your lights on and off and your shades drawn at strategic and sensible times of the day and nite to deter unwanted guests as well as potential vandals.  They water your plants and maybe your lawn, deal with your regularly scheduled contractors such as your pool man, gardener, delivery services, and other service professionals while you are away at work, out and about, or on vacation.  Most pet sitters tend to your pets on as close to your daily schedule as humanly possible too.  Many pet sitters bundle all of their services and they do all of these jobs we just mentioned, however, some separate them and charge ‘a la carte’ for the side services they provide for you such as: watching your home, getting your mail, dealing with your other service professionals, etc.

Of course it goes without saying that ‘Training’ is a professional service that would be billed separately.  Either way, pet sitters deserve the utmost appreciation and respect for the selfless work that they do because they are watching and caring for your beloved pets.  Although your home and your mail may be important, your pets are your priceless family members.

The bottom line is that your pet gets to stay in the environment she knows best and have her regular routine, and you get to go about your plans with the peace of mind that comes from knowing that your beloved pet is safe and cared for by a professional, and that your home is being watched over by someone of integrity.  A Big plus in hiring a ‘professional’ is that you don’t have to impose on your neighbors or relatives to do a job or jobs that they may not have the time, skill set, experience or patience to deal with; and that they may not have the heart to tell you that they don’t.

Pet sitters are highly respected service providers who often work seven days per week, all year long; some, like nannies for humans, are live-ins, and some even travel long distances for these assignments, and as service providers; just like your hair stylist, gardener, pool man, restaurant server, massage therapist, etc. although it is not required it is certainly appropriate to tip them for their services.

Today’s acceptable tip rate for most service professionals is typically 20-30% of the total services rendered.

Tips don’t always have to come in the form of ‘money’.  Gift Cards, or in some cases a barter might be a suitable arrangement.

We hope that this answers some of your questions about “What does a Pet Sitter do?”

*Always remember to be grateful and remain in the ‘giving’ spirit all year long.  You don’t have to wait for a holiday.   You might just surprise someone and really make their day by honoring the Universal Law of both giving and receiving with acceptance and gratitude.

~Peace, Love, Light, and Abundance to You and Yours

How To Find A Reputable Trustworthy Veterinarian

Pets, including our beloved dogs are considered as family members, and their ‘health and well-being’  is of utmost importance to their pet parent owners. Just like humans, pets also need both routine and sometimes emergency medical care and attention. For this reason, finding a reputable and trustworthy veterinarian is crucial to ensure that your pet is in good hands. In this journal article, we will discuss How to Find a Reputable and Trustworthy Veterinarian.

Your First Step in finding a good veterinarian is to ask for recommendations from friends, family, caring neighbors, and other pet parents/ pet owners. People who have dogs of their own and who value and love them as you do are likely to have experience with veterinarians in the area and can provide valuable feedback. *It is important to Ask specific questions about their experiences, such as how the veterinarian and staff communicated with them, the quality of care their pets received, and whether they felt their concerns were adequately addressed. Some people are only concerned with the quality of medical care the veterinarians provide to their pets, and some are concerned with ‘the way’ the veterinarian and their staff actually ‘communicate’ with both them and with their pets, and some are concerned with all three. Also, over the years of having and watching over a multitude of pets, we have found that some veterinarians are very skilled at ‘what they DO’ and some have a superior ‘bedside manner’ and the rare combination is that they are skilled at both.  Ideally, you will want to find a veterinarian and staff that matches what you are looking for in terms of care and quality of communication for your pet. Another thing we have found is important in choosing a reputable and trustworthy veterinarian for your pooch is that you ask if they have BOTH Female as Well as Male veterinarians in the office and the same holds true for Veterinary Assistants. Why do we say this? Well, because just like humans, many if not most dogs are more ‘comfortable’ in the presence of either a Male or a Female human, and often this is the case when dealing with ‘shelter’ or ‘rescue’ dogs because many of them have come from situations where they were traumatized and just like humans, dogs have very sharp memories, and even though they are not verbally able to communicate it to us in a human language, that they may have been abused by one gender or the other, or they simply have a ‘preference’ for one over the other. You will of course ‘learn’ to read your dog’s body language and determine if this could possibly be the case with your pup, and consider the fact that a visit to a doctor’s office- in this case, a veterinarian’s office is not usually something a pet looks forward to anyway so you are going to want make this as comfortable and stress-free experience if possible.

Another useful resource is online reviews.  Many veterinary clinics have reviews posted on their own websites or on popular review platforms like Google, Yelp, and Facebook. While it's important to read both positive and negative reviews, it's important to keep in mind that not all reviews are genuine or accurate. Therefore, it's important to look for patterns in the reviews and read several reviews before making a decision.

After gathering recommendations and reading reviews, it's important to ‘Research the Veterinarians on your shortlist.’   It is very important to: Check their qualifications and credentials, such as their education and any additional training they may have completed. You can also check whether they are members of professional organizations like the:

American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA.ORG )

Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC.ORG )

  American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association ( AHVMA.ORG )

Traditional Chines Veterinary Medicine ( TCVM.ORG )

Independent Veterinary Practitioners Association (IVPA.ORG )

*These organizations have strict codes of ethics that members must follow, which can give you peace of mind that you are working with a reputable veterinarian.

When visiting a veterinary clinic, take note of the overall cleanliness and organization of the facility. A clean and organized clinic can indicate that the veterinarian and staff take pride in their work and are dedicated to providing quality care. Additionally, observe how the veterinarian interacts with pets and their owners. A good veterinarian should have a calm and gentle demeanor and be able to communicate effectively with pet owners.

Lastly, it's important to consider the cost of veterinary care. While cost should not be the only factor in your decision-making process, it is important to find a veterinarian who offers ‘transparent and reasonable pricing.’  You can ask for an *estimate of the cost of common services like vaccinations or spaying/neutering to get an idea of their pricing structure.

Finding a reputable and trustworthy veterinarian takes your concerted time and effort, but it is worth it to ensure that your pet is receiving quality care. By following these steps above, you can find a veterinarian who will provide excellent care for your beloved pup.

The similarities and the differences between Allopathic Veterinarians, Holistic Veterinarians and Integrative Veterinarians are as follows: Allopathic veterinarians, holistic veterinarians, and integrative veterinarians all work to provide medical care to animals. However, they approach veterinary medicine from different perspectives and may use different methods and treatments.

Allopathic veterinarians, also known as conventional or Western veterinarians, typically use drugs, surgery, and other conventional methods to treat animals. They focus on diagnosing and treating specific diseases or conditions using evidence-based medicine.  Usually through the use of pharmaceutical prescription medications.  They may also use diagnostic tests like blood work, radiography, and ultrasound to aid in diagnosis and treatment.

Holistic veterinarians, on the other hand, take a more holistic approach to veterinary medicine, focusing on treating the whole animal rather than just specific symptoms or diseases. They may use alternative therapies like: acupuncture, chiropractic care, herbal medicine, and homeopathy to promote healing and restore balance to the animal's body. Holistic veterinarians may also consider environmental and nutritional factors in their treatment plans.

Integrative veterinarians combine both conventional and holistic approaches to veterinary medicine. They may use conventional methods like drugs and surgery when appropriate, but also incorporate alternative therapies to support the animal's overall health and well-being. Integrative veterinarians may use therapies like acupuncture, herbal medicine, and nutritional supplements in conjunction with conventional treatments to achieve the best possible outcomes for their patients.

In terms of similarities, all three types of veterinarians are trained professionals who are committed to providing the best possible care to animals. They also work to prevent and treat disease and injury in animals.

The main difference between allopathic, holistic, and integrative veterinarians is their approach to veterinary medicine.

Allopathic veterinarians focus on conventional methods of treatment

Holistic veterinarians use alternative therapies to promote healing and balance in the body

Integrative veterinarians combine both approaches to provide comprehensive care to their animal patients.

Emergency veterinarian should ideally be a combination of all of these and be close in proximity to your geographic location