Roxanne Seraphin

I got started working with pets 8 years ago, when my mom and I volunteered to foster animals for Hopalong. It was immediately obvious to me that pet work was meaningful, fulfilling, and, best of all, fun. Working with Billie Jo at Walk-In The Dog has more than confirmed that original insight. I love my work. Even on tough days, when none of our little friends want to get with the program, I can still see that their hearts are in the right place and their intentions are good. I feel that I really understand them; their energy resonates well with mine. What more could you want from an occupation?

As I mentioned, I’ve volunteered for Hopalong Animal Rescue. I’ve also worked for Smiley Dog, Home at Last Animal Rescue, the East Bay Humane Society, and I have a training certificate from Animal Behavior College. At Walk-In The Dog, I oversee contract employees, manage the administration of medications, house-sit, and train. I bring a lot to this job, and I get a lot from it.

 

Elise Gaylord

My career in pet care started back in 1999, when a good friend of mine asked me to take care of her pets while she was away on vacation. As soon as I realized how much fun it was to extend to other animals the love I felt for my own pets, an entrepreneur was born. Since then I have cared for more pets than I can count, in their houses and in my own. When Billie Jo offered me the opportunity to walk dogs for a living, enhancing my formal enjoyment of nature (I’m also a floral designer) with the presence of so many eager loving canines, I jumped at the chance.

I have learned so much at Walk-n The Dog, both through day-to-day interaction with pets and through Dog Walkers Training class. I feel that I have a very special connection with the animals I work for and I do my very best to make sure that they have a great experience every day we’re together. Animals bring so much love into our lives, and I am blessed to experience joy everyday at work, even when weather extremes leave us wet and shivering or hot and panting. Thankfully, we live in the Bay Area, where our pups are almost always happy to be outside.

I have volunteered with the Oakland Animal Shelter and am certified in Animal CPR as well as by the DogTec Walkers Academy. At Walk-In The Dog, I walk dogs, administer medications as needed, house-sit, and board. I thank my four-legged friends daily for showing me how unconditional love looks and feels.