Summary

Availability: Current

Rates: TBA

References: Yes

Insurance: No

Services Offered

Dog Walking

Dog Sitting

Dog Daycare

About Me/ Company

I am a middle age professional man in a semi retired position now. All started looking after some friends pets when they go on holiday and evolved from there. I had dogs in the past also horses, my last dog was a Miniature Schnauzer who died of old age. I have not bought another dog as from time to time I do travel and keep myself busy with my garden and other activities too, so this is more like quality dog time for me rather than quantity for a money making scheme...obviously people pay you for a service, but I only like to take animals I feel connected to and they feel the same with me. It is a big responsibility to take care of someone else pet, is like taking care of a child really. So both parties have to assess if there is a good rapport at first sight. Animals are very intuitive and they can sense immediately if they like you or not. I like to enjoy my time with the animals I take care of and make sure they have a holiday with me and try to make the separation from their owners less stressful. I do not take multiple animals at the same time, as I like to dedicate good quality time to a specific pet so it works best for all. If you are going to leave your pet in my house while you are away on holiday I would like you to come with your pet and see the environment and how the animal feels at home. I have a big garden too and I live near some beautiful parks for walks, so good facilities. Also if you are a local person within 10 miles from Purley and need your dog to be walked or taken to the vet, that can be arranged too and of course it will be subjected to availability.
I like to keep a relaxed and friendly connection with clients and their pets.

Previous Experience

I had dogs in the past also horses so my experience comes from animal ownership at first. I learnt how to groom my own dogs, particularly Schnauzers, using clippers and other pertinent tools. All breeds have different hair styles but the basics of grooming are applicable to all dogs. I am involved with the Hearing Dogs charity which train dogs for the deaf. So I studied for my own interest on subject areas of dog behaviour, nutrition and first aids. I know how to administer certain medication to animals, emptying dog's anal glands, flee treatments and how to keep a dog and cat clean. I usually wash them after each muddy walk so they come clean in the house, none of this smelly dirty muddy dogs after each walk... A cat can clean itself but a dog is as clean as the owner...

Qualifications & Training

I am a qualified psychologist but this is relevant as much as why humans need animals around them and why animals form strong bondings with us and the effect that this has in our lives.
You can learn and be trained on many aspects of animal dealing but I feel is a vocational qualification as you have this natural tendency to connect with an animal or you do not have it.
Why some people are good with animals and others cannot get on with them is something more intrinsic that cannot be fully explained, certainly animals can perceive and sense things that we cannot, that is why is so important to follow your gut feelings when choosing a pet and also in making any decision related to your pet welfare... I would like to think that I posses this natural gift that connects me with animals, well I have experienced so many years of good bonding with pets, so that is my best credential...