MARY– I’ve been an animal lover my entire life. When I was younger, I was always getting in trouble for bringing “new friends” home. In fourth grade, a rather large Saint Bernard puppy “followed” me home after school and I think that’s the loudest I ever heard my mom yell! Until recently, I was owned by five fur babies. Three very social cats and two dogs who enjoy each day to the fullest. On April 1st of this year, we lost our sweet, sweet 14 year old black lab, Norman, to renal failure. He is greatly missed by all.
In my free time, a few things I enjoy are gardening, reading, estate/garage sales, going on adventures with my mom and husband, scrapbooking, home improvement, fun projects from Pinterest, etc. I am so excited to be working with Gentle Pet Protectors and meeting lots of wonderful new pets.
CLAUDIA – I had my first dog when I was three years old, and throughout my life have never been without a dog or cat. I met Lisa when looking for a pet sitter, and GPP cared for my dog for several years. I couldn’t believe how much easier it made my life to know that he was cared for with such love when I was out of town or working. After losing my beloved collie, Lisa asked me to join the GPP family. You will probably reach me when you phone Gentle Pet Protectors as I help Lisa in the office. In my spare time, I love to read, travel, cook, sing in my church choir, and spend time with our three granddaughters. My husband Mike and I have been married for 38 years and live in Dearborn.
MAYA – I have been sitting for Lisa/GPP for several years now and I feel blessed every time I get to take care of those adorable friends. I visit both cats and dogs and love it all. 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.
MERI – I live in Dearborn with my husband and two daughters. My family has a great love of animals and we share our home with Shannon, our 13-year old Lab, Maya our year-old St. Bernard mix, Josie our Golden Retriever, four wonderful cats and a bunny, Rascal. We have always had a houseful of animals and have enjoyed them all. I retired from Ford Motor Company after 25 years. Love of animals has been a passion of mine, and working with Lisa and Gentle Pet Protectors has given me the opportunity to do something I thoroughly enjoy. Pets add so much to our lives, it is nice to be able to give back and offer them the care they so deserve. The unconditional love and appreciation animals give makes my work so rewarding. I have been with GPP for many years, and I specialize in vacation and midday visits.
ANGIE – I learned about Gentle Pet Protectors through an article in a local publication and thought it would be a wonderful way to work with animals, something I have always wanted to do. I reached out to them and have been sitting ever since. I have loved animals all my life and have bonded with them easily. Growing up we had dogs, fish, a hamster & a bird. After getting my own home, I adopted a dog and two cats, all strays, who I loved more than I can express. They were truly my family and such a blessing to me. I take great pride in caring for your babies, whether they have fur or not, as if they were my own and in the process giving you peace of mind, while you are at work, away for the day, or on vacation.
TRACY – I’ve met some wonderful pets and their human companions since I began working with Gentle Pet Protectors. I enjoy providing petguardians with peace of mind, knowing their beloved buddies are receiving excellent care. I recently returned to the field of animal welfare as a staff member with Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit, the organization that runs the Dearborn Animal Shelter. I’ve volunteered there for years, and my newest role as such is with the team that traps/neuters/returns feral cats. I once worked in the kennels at the Michigan Humane Society’s Westland shelter, followed by a career in journalism. I live in Dearborn with seven cats, two dogs, and a husband with a heart of gold.
MICHELLE – Hello! I am a life-long animal lover; there are photos of me as a wee baby getting up close and personal with my aunt’s Old English Sheepdog puppy. My grandmother put the James Herriot books in my hands shortly after finding me curled up with the family dogs under my granddad’s desk, and the rest is history. I’ve had dogs and cats almost my entire life, and currently have one of each: Rosa, a ginger-brindle pup, and Bacon, a Ragdoll mix cat. I also volunteer with the Dearborn Animal Shelter as a dog walker and general helpful pair of hands. My family is from the Dearborn area, and I spend a lot of time with them and their furbabies, so I have a great deal of animal experience! I recently had the opportunity to join Gentle Pet Protectors, and I look forward to meeting many new pets.
HOLLY – I live in Dearborn with my two babies (dogs), Nero & Ophelia. I love animals and have had animals my entire life and can’t imagine a life without them. I also have past experience volunteering with an animal rescue. When I’m not at work or doing work around the house, I enjoy exercising, playing with my dogs, movies and music.
BOB – I have been with Gentle Pet Protectors for several years now, and have been walking dogs even longer. I find it very rewarding working with and getting to know a wide variety of pet types. I live in Dearborn with my Pug, Tonka. Once a month we join other pugs and their owners at the Downriver Pug Group. Come join us if you have a pug (he/she will love you for it)! Years ago I experienced firsthand how much better it was for pets AND their owners to have their pets cared for at home, instead of boarding. Once I tried it I never looked back, and you will love it too! In my spare time I enjoy long rides on my recumbent bike, gardening, and playing Bridge, Pinochle, and Euchre (in that order). I am also an avid photographer. Will I be adding you to my growing list of satisfied Pet Parents?
LISA V – I am so excited to join the Gentle Pet Protectors team. Having had pets all my life, this is a wonderful way to get my walks in with your pets, since my 4 cats are not currently leash-trained! As a retired RN and Vet clinic tech and office manager, I look forward to meeting your furry family members. Living in Dearborn, having moved from Texas, is a large climate change, and I’m almost adjusted after 6 years. Gardening, baking, photography, reading and walking are a few things I truly enjoy. My spouse works at Carhartt so warm clothing is always available. I grew up in a family who moved all of my school years; my Dad was in the Army. I’m enjoying the seasons here and I have found something to plant all the time. I enjoy eating anything plant-based. Looking forward to meeting you and your pet family!
ERIN – I live in Dearborn with my 2 dogs Brodie (a Brittany/Golden Retriever mix) and Jack (our best guess is a Border Collie/Flat Coated Retriever mix). We first heard of GPP as a client and were delighted to have such a friendly service right in our neighborhood. I have always had a pet in my house until I moved to San Francisco, which is where I started caring for other pets since I was not able to have one in an apartment. To further spend time with more animals, I volunteered for 4 years at Muttville Senior Dog Rescue in SF. I’m currently employed full time and have a flexible work-from-home schedule, which allows me to have the ability to care for animals as I would care for my own. I look forward to meeting you and your pets!
LILY – I am a Junior at Wayne State University and have been helping at Gentle Pet Protectors during the busy summer months and during school holidays. My family has always had dogs and cats; we currently have two rescues: a dog Odie, and a cat Juno. I love all animals and am looking forward to helping with your fur-babies!
LINDA – Born and raised in Dearborn, I am the newest addition to the awesome staff of Gentle Pet Protectors as an office assistant and cat sitter. I have been a Licensed Veterinary Technician for over 35 years with a BS from Michigan State University (Spartans Will!) and an AS from Wayne State University. I am also a certified Pharmacy Technician. Having experience in general veterinary practice as well as emergency services, I have seen a wide variety of pets and love them all (well except maybe spiders), but I have a special affinity for cats. Over the last several years I have made it my goal to adopt the senior or special needs cats and give them the best rest of life possible. After a battle with Pancreatic cancer I decided to retire and spend time volunteering. I deliver Meals on Wheels, support several animal rescue groups and volunteer with the America Legion Women’s Auxiliary. I like to spend my free time flower gardening, reading and crocheting. I look forward to meeting our wonderful clients and their animal companions!
PRISCILLA – I am a lifelong resident of the Detroit area and have always had pets in my life. Currently there are two cats and two dogs who bring so much love to my house – Bella, who is part boxer, thinks she is still a puppy even though she is 8 years old. My son found Bella wandering around the Churchill High School parking lot and brought her home – she was barely 8 weeks old and he told me I needed her! At the time I had two other boxers but I couldn’t resist and she joined the family. Then there is Jake, my wild man, who is a Jack Russell/Beagle mix and by some miracle has made it to the age of 15. He has finally calmed down a bit, so I no longer have to run through the neighborhood chasing him when he runs out the door, thank goodness! My two cats, Stormy Bartholomeow and Scarlett Rain, joined the family two years ago. My son found Stormy and couldn’t keep him at his apartment, so guess what, he brought him to me! And then I just had to get Scarlett so he had a playmate and boy do they play!! Running through the house at all hours. But it’s ok – I love the chaos – until I hear a crash!
I have had Gentle Pet Protectors take care of my babies for many years and have always been impressed with the attention and kindness they have shown to my babies. I am glad to now be a part of the pet sitting team and promise to treat your pets with that same attention, respect and love they deserve.
ANDREA – I’m new to Gentle Pet Protectors but not new to pet sitting – I was previously a sitter with Woof N Purr for over 2 years. I’m very excited to be able to continue in the pet care industry. I truly enjoy it. I always had pets as a child and continued the tradition with my own children. We currently have a dog, Lola and 2 cats, Mia and Dexter. All three are rescues from the Dearborn Animal Shelter. We consider ourselves very fortunate to have such loving pets. In my spare time I enjoy golfing and spending time with my children, Alex and Sam. I’m looking forward to meeting our clients loved ones!
meet the sitters
In my free time, a few things I enjoy are gardening, reading, estate/garage sales, going on adventures with my mom and husband, scrapbooking, home improvement, fun projects from Pinterest, etc. I am so excited to be working with Gentle Pet Protectors and meeting lots of wonderful new pets.
MICHELLE – Hello! I am a life-long animal lover; there are photos of me as a wee baby getting up close and personal with my aunt’s Old English Sheepdog puppy. My grandmother put the James Herriot books in my hands shortly after finding me curled up with the family dogs under my granddad’s desk, and the rest is history. I’ve had dogs and cats almost my entire life, and currently have one of each: Rosa, a ginger-brindle pup, and Bacon, a Ragdoll mix cat. I also volunteer with the Dearborn Animal Shelter as a dog walker and general helpful pair of hands. My family is from the Dearborn area, and I spend a lot of time with them and their furbabies, so I have a great deal of animal experience! I recently had the opportunity to join Gentle Pet Protectors, and I look forward to meeting many new pets.
BOB – I have been with Gentle Pet Protectors for several years now, and have been walking dogs even longer. I find it very rewarding working with and getting to know a wide variety of pet types. I live in Dearborn with my Pug, Tonka. Once a month we join other pugs and their owners at the Downriver Pug Group. Come join us if you have a pug (he/she will love you for it)! Years ago I experienced firsthand how much better it was for pets AND their owners to have their pets cared for at home, instead of boarding. Once I tried it I never looked back, and you will love it too! In my spare time I enjoy long rides on my recumbent bike, gardening, and playing Bridge, Pinochle, and Euchre (in that order). I am also an avid photographer. Will I be adding you to my growing list of satisfied Pet Parents?
LILY – I am a Junior at Wayne State University and have been helping at Gentle Pet Protectors during the busy summer months and during school holidays. My family has always had dogs and cats; we currently have two rescues: a dog Odie, and a cat Juno. I love all animals and am looking forward to helping with your fur-babies!
LINDA – Born and raised in Dearborn, I am the newest addition to the awesome staff of Gentle Pet Protectors as an office assistant and cat sitter. I have been a Licensed Veterinary Technician for over 35 years with a BS from Michigan State University (Spartans Will!) and an AS from Wayne State University. I am also a certified Pharmacy Technician. Having experience in general veterinary practice as well as emergency services, I have seen a wide variety of pets and love them all (well except maybe spiders), but I have a special affinity for cats. Over the last several years I have made it my goal to adopt the senior or special needs cats and give them the best rest of life possible. After a battle with Pancreatic cancer I decided to retire and spend time volunteering. I deliver Meals on Wheels, support several animal rescue groups and volunteer with the America Legion Women’s Auxiliary. I like to spend my free time flower gardening, reading and crocheting. I look forward to meeting our wonderful clients and their animal companions!
I have had Gentle Pet Protectors take care of my babies for many years and have always been impressed with the attention and kindness they have shown to my babies. I am glad to now be a part of the pet sitting team and promise to treat your pets with that same attention, respect and love they deserve.