meet the sitters

Alicia – I have been petsitting for Lisa/GPP several years. I have enjoyed getting to know and love all the animals that we help out.  I have my own dog, Francis, whom I rescued from the Bahamas six years ago after a hurricane and a cat, Geb, who I found at the Dearborn Animal Shelter 3 years ago.  As you can see from my photo, Francis is still a “beach bum” at heart! At GPP I specialize in vacation sits and try to give the animals as much love as possible while their owners are away from home.

 

Anna – I have been with Gentle Pet Protectors for over a year , but have been pet sitting for several years.  The past few summers I have spent a lot of time taking care of friends’ pets and their homes.  When I was approached about sitting for Gentle Pet Protectors,  I jumped at the idea.  It’s great to have the support of these fellow animal-lovers as we work to ensure the animals get the care they need and deserve!! My specialty at GPP is overnight stays in the client’s home.

When I’m not pet-sitting, I like to drink coffee, baby-sit, read, knit, cook, go on picnics, volunteer at church and play with my cat, Mr. Mittens.  I am a graduate of Wayne State in Detroit, where  I majored in Linguistics, and I’m currently thinking of graduate school.

Cheryl – I am one of the lucky people who actually love their jobs! After 15 years at a job that I hated, fate stepped in and took me from that job and into pet-sitting the very next day.

I have had companion animals since I was 5, and every one has had their own distinct personalities; I have become a better person with a deeper understanding of compassion and love with each one. I adore the happy faces and big greeting I get every time I walk in the door from my dogs and every other pet I visit. There is no greater feeling than being appreciated for what you do, and the animals give you that instant gratification. My specialty at GPP is dog walks and live-ins at my home. I thoroughly enjoy the walks with the dogs, and the gentle quiet time I spend with the cats. In my little bit of spare time, I like to spoil my 2 girls (of the canine kind); oh, and my husband of 22 years too!

Claudia – I had my first dog when I was 3 years old, and throughout my life have never been without a dog or cat.  I met Lisa when looking for a pet sitter, and have used GPP for the past 5 years.  I couldn’t believe how much easier it made my life to know that my dog was cared for with such love when I was out of town or working.  Recently Lisa asked me to join the GPP family.  I had just lost my beloved collie, Tucker, and jumped at the chance to share that same standard of love and care for other animals.  My specialty is live-in assignments; I strive to keep your pets in their normal routine in their own homes when their “parents” have to be away, giving them lots of love and attention.  Also, you might reach me when you phone Gentle Pet Protectors as I help Lisa in the office.

In my spare time, I love to golf, read, travel, cook, sing in my church choir, and spend time with our 3 granddaughters.  My husband Mike and I have been married for 26 years and live in Dearborn.

Emily – Growing up with a brother who had allergies, my family were not “pet-people”, but I always wanted a dog. I started petitioning my parents when I was nine and finally succeeded during my senior year of high school. While away on a five-day retreat, my parents got a glimpse of how quiet the house would be when I went to college and gave in to my request. Not long after we got the first puppy, (and met Lisa along the way) we were bringing her home a little brother and we’ve never looked back!

I’ve always enjoyed working with dogs outside the home as well. While I was in college I volunteered at the Humane Society of Huron Valley, and after graduation Lisa asked me to join the Gentle Pet Protectors team. I took a break last summer to head North to Alaska to work with sled dogs at Denali National Park. At GPP I specialize in overnight stays in the client’s home. When I’m not working I like to bake cupcakes, knit, and read.

Maya – I have been sitting for Lisa/GPP for 1 year now and I feel blessed every time I get to take care of those adorable friends. So far I have been visiting cats but I can’t wait to meet other animals. I am married with two children and a cat named Vinnie whom we rescued from the shelter and really acts like a dog. I have a degree in Psychology and am fluent in two other languages. I grew up with dogs, birds, turtles etc… all my life, but through my son wanting a cat, I discovered that they are truly amazing…Vinnie now is my other baby. I am an animal lover and am looking forward to spending time with your beloved furry (or not) friends. For GPP I do dog walks and home visits.

 

Meri – Pets have always been an integral part of my family. We currently share our home with Shane our Bernese Mountain dog, Shannon our Lab, and Josie our Golden Retriever. We also have a couple of cats that complete our animal family.

I have thoroughly enjoyed petsitting for Lisa and GPP for the past several years. Pets add so much to our lives, it is nice to be able to give back and offer them the care and love they so deserve. I specialize in vacation sits with your pets.

Michele – I first met Lisa when she cared for my 2 older cats, Chloe and Sasha, and have now been petsitting for GPP almost 5 years. My family always had a cat while I was growing up, and now we have two small dogs, Casey and Maggie. They are the most loving and joyful companions. I’m also blessed to have two children and enjoy volunteering at their school and church. In my spare time I like to read, crochet, exercise and go for walks.

My petsitting for Gentle Pet Protectors brings me great happiness. I love all animals and truly enjoy caring for our clients dogs and cats, treating them just like my own. My specialty is midday dog walks/visits and vacation sits.

Tonya – I have had pets in my life since I was born! While growing up in California we had two dogs, two cats, two birds, a great horned owl, and a desert tortoise! When I moved out on my own I adopted a two year old orange Tabby named Remy, and then came Loki, a Bullmastiff and Sarge, a German Shepherd. We all moved to Colorado, and while there I adopted a German Shorthaired Pointer puppy, Otter. From Colorado we all moved here to Dearborn, Michigan!!

Having two very large male dogs, problems did arise when Otter was introduced. Thankfully these issues were few and far between. I trained all three dogs in basic obedience and took some extra training with Sarge, due to his dog aggression. The skills that I learned training them has given me great experience working with dogs. At GPP I specialize in daily walks/visits.

Patti – I have been pet sitting for GPP for several years now, and I’m thoroughly enjoying it!  I get the opportunity to help clients by taking care of their pets while they are at work, on vacation or just away for the day. I really have fun taking care of the various animals. I love being outdoors, so I really enjoy taking long walks with the dogs that I visit, whether it’s sunny, raining or snowing. If the pet can’t take long walks, we go out in their backyard to hang out and have some fun.   At GPP, most of my visits are mid-day dog walks/visits, but I also do morning and evening visits when needed.

Danie - My name is Danielle but everyone calls me Danie.  My pets are my children and I have five: two Chihuahuas (Honey 11, Roo 6 ), two cats (Smokey 7, Cocoa 8) and one peach face love bird (Nanoo 11). Most of my animals are special needs adopted from the Dearborn Animal Shelter, where I currently work as the office manager.  I’ve been there for over 6 years. I love animals and helping them feel safe. My Chihuahua is paralyzed from the waist down and has a wheel chair. She loves life no matter how hard it seems and just keeps rolling with the punches. Animals are my inspiration, and especially her.   Although I am new to GPP, I’ve been pet sitting for 5 years for friends and family and I love it!  Working at the Shelter I have learned so much — medical and behavioral, caring for wildlife and farm animals – I am so lucky to work in a field I love so much!  At GPP I will be doing a wide variety of things — dog walks (and I love to run if your dog needs a good workout), overnights( I call them slumber parties),  pet taxi, poop pick-up, I do it all!   In addition if you have a special needs pet I am skilled in administering medications, injections, and fluids.

 

Angie - Animals of all kinds have been close to my heart since I was young. It wasn’t strange for a dog or cat that I   didn’t know to walk up to me to say “Hello”.   My dad told me the stray cats in his neighborhood always congregated at his house, so maybe it’s something special that runs in the family.   Growing up we had 2 dogs & there were always fish in a bowl or tank in the house.  Later a hamster & parakeet came to be a part of the family.
I was blessed to have a precious beagle, Pru & my boys, Zach & Jake, 2 amazing cats.  They were my babies & I loved them more than I can express.  As they got older & their health declined there was nothing I wouldn’t do for them, including special diets, meds, & giving IV fluids to all at home.  I gladly went without so they could have what they needed.  I have wanted to work with animals all my life & now am thrilled to realize that dream at GPP.   I do dog walks, care for cats, board in my own home and do live-in assignments, not to mention many of the other services that GPP offers.  I consider it a privilege to be able share my life with the companion animals that we care for.     In my spare time I love to read, bake, crochet & watch movies.  I am also a football fanatic & if you stop by there will surely be a game on the T.V.      Go Lions !!!!!!