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Carol Turner is the owner of Carol's Pet Sitting and Dog Walking in Leavenworth.
1. Can you tell us about Carol's Pet Sitting and Dog Walking business: how you got started, how many years you've been doing this, and why you chose to become a pet sitter? Do you sit with any type of animal such as snakes, pot-bellied pigs, birds or fish? And where do you draw the line?
I have been pet sitting for almost 16 years. I am a member of Pet Sitters International (PSI), am bonded and insured specifically for pet sitting and dog walking. When my husband retired from the Army, we bought a house in Leavenworth. I started out doing this part-time but I decided to take my business full time after working in the corporate world for several years and it's been gaining steam ever since. I have many active duty and retired military as well as civilian clients. I started pet sitting from a love of animals and requests from friends, family and business partners. I mostly care for dogs, cats, puppies, kittens, and birds. I have also cared for snakes and guinea pigs. I have a long-time client with dogs and a cat, that has recently acquired chickens, which will be new and educational. I don't draw any lines,
I'll work with anyone and any pet.
2. You and a new employee, Mark Higley, are now American Red Cross Pet First Aid Certified. You are the only pet sitters in the Leavenworth area to offer that added benefit. Do you think this will give pet owners added piece of mind when they leave their companion animals in your care?
Absolutely, I know for a fact that it already has. All of my client's pets are beloved parts of their family, some are even show pets.
To know that their rescue pet or champion not only has a professional, properly insured pet sitter but also one that is first aid certified, gives them great confidence and reassurance. Mark and I each have our own American Red Cross pet first aid kit when we make visits to a client's home as well as emergency vet numbers.
3. What are some of the accidents or health problems that a pet might undergo that you will now be able to treat on the spot?
Mark and I both know how to properly stop bleeding, remedy burns and choking, as well CPR (mouth to snout rescue breathing), until the pet can be taken to a licensed veterinarian. According to Dr. Emily Pointer, DVM, of Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital in New York City, “Be Prepared for Injuries is Message for National Pet First Aid Awareness Month,” April 2010, Pet Sitter International’s website; “Simple first-aid procedures can be the difference between life and death. Knowing how to apply pressure to a source of bleeding and place a temporary bandage is vital to your pet’s safety, and may even save the life of your pet. According to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), 25 percent more pets would survive if just one pet first aid technique were applied prior to getting emergency veterinary care.”
Carol Turner is the owner of Carol's Pet Sitting and Dog Walking in Leavenworth.
1. Can you tell us about Carol's Pet Sitting and Dog Walking business: how you got started, how many years you've been doing this, and why you chose to become a pet sitter? Do you sit with any type of animal such as snakes, pot-bellied pigs, birds or fish? And where do you draw the line?
I have been pet sitting for almost 16 years. I am a member of Pet Sitters International (PSI), am bonded and insured specifically for pet sitting and dog walking. When my husband retired from the Army, we bought a house in Leavenworth. I started out doing this part-time but I decided to take my business full time after working in the corporate world for several years and it's been gaining steam ever since. I have many active duty and retired military as well as civilian clients. I started pet sitting from a love of animals and requests from friends, family and business partners. I mostly care for dogs, cats, puppies, kittens, and birds. I have also cared for snakes and guinea pigs. I have a long-time client with dogs and a cat, that has recently acquired chickens, which will be new and educational. I don't draw any lines,
I'll work with anyone and any pet.
2. You and a new employee, Mark Higley, are now American Red Cross Pet First Aid Certified. You are the only pet sitters in the Leavenworth area to offer that added benefit. Do you think this will give pet owners added piece of mind when they leave their companion animals in your care?
Absolutely, I know for a fact that it already has. All of my client's pets are beloved parts of their family, some are even show pets.
To know that their rescue pet or champion not only has a professional, properly insured pet sitter but also one that is first aid certified, gives them great confidence and reassurance. Mark and I each have our own American Red Cross pet first aid kit when we make visits to a client's home as well as emergency vet numbers.
3. What are some of the accidents or health problems that a pet might undergo that you will now be able to treat on the spot?
Mark and I both know how to properly stop bleeding, remedy burns and choking, as well CPR (mouth to snout rescue breathing), until the pet can be taken to a licensed veterinarian. According to Dr. Emily Pointer, DVM, of Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital in New York City, “Be Prepared for Injuries is Message for National Pet First Aid Awareness Month,” April 2010, Pet Sitter International’s website; “Simple first-aid procedures can be the difference between life and death. Knowing how to apply pressure to a source of bleeding and place a temporary bandage is vital to your pet’s safety, and may even save the life of your pet. According to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), 25 percent more pets would survive if just one pet first aid technique were applied prior to getting emergency veterinary care.”
4. Tell us about some of the animals you've taken care of and how you tailor your attention and care to their differing personalities. What specific experiences with pet sitting have been the most humorous and enjoyable, and what have been the most challenging?
Every pet is different and so we customize every pet’s visit to their needs. We've cared for feral cat colonies and we've cared for many big dogs, some of them high energy or difficult. Mark and I both have big dogs and he is currently rehabilitating his own rescue German shepherd. He and I are both firm believers in positive reinforcement, so this is how we approach our clients’ pets. Mark has this talent where he can safely leash a dog up to his bike and ride while the dog walks or jogs, burning off excess energy. Mark can also train a dog to use the treadmill. I usually walk or jog with a client’s dog(s) or invite clients’ pets over in the summer to swim in my pool for safe exercise in the extreme heat. This is great for willing elderly pets with hip issues as well. I have also had many senior or sickly pets that I have cared for, which require close monitoring, insulin shots, medications and extra TLC. I cared for a 16-year-old cat once for six months while the owners studied in Germany. Puppy sitting is the most rewarding, it's great to reinforce house training and basic training commands when owners work or are in school all day. I have the best job in the world, everyday is so rewarding. The coolest times are when I discover a talent or trait that the pet has, that the owners have no idea existed.
5. You must obviously love animals. What gives you the most satisfaction from your profession?
I have worked for several years with the local Leavenworth animal groups Leavenworth Animal Welfare Society (LAWS), Mid America Bully Breed Rescue (MABBR), Human Animal Bond (HAB), and the Leavenworth Animal Shelter. Mark and I both volunteer for Leavenworth County Humane Society (LCHS), of which I am a founding board member. Mark also volunteers with Missouri German Shepherd rescue (MOGS). Working with these groups gives us a broader knowledge of what pets are available for adoption. It's really gratifying when I know of a family looking for a new pet and can steer them in the right direction. When we can facilitate a rescue or adoption, we often get to care for those pets years after the adoption, which is really satisfying.
Carol Turner can be reached at 816-808-9994 or www.carolpetsit.com. Carol's Pet Sitting serves Easton, Fort Leavenworth, Leavenworth, Lansing, Piper and Basehor.
— Rimsie McConiga
