About Us :: Biography of Loving Hands; premier Alachua County pet sitting and Alachua County pet sitters
Loving Hands Pet Sitting is owned and operated by Karilon Kilpatrick of Keystone Heights, Florida. Karilon has spent years caring for animals, including work as a kennel technician at the Alachua County Animal Services and at a local horse ranch. She is certified in Pet First Aid by the American Red Cross and occasionally attends the annual conferences sponsored by the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters and Pet Sitters International in order to continually learn more about pet sitting, dog walking and general pet care. In the past, Karilon has also worked as an adoption counselor for Gainesville Pet Rescue and as a veterinarian assistant at Lake Area Animal Hospital in Melrose, Florida. Karilon’s certification by the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters is one of her proudest achievements. Her certification is backed by continuing education in the management and understanding of animal health and welfare issues. She brings her expertise to every pet sitting and dog walking session.
Karilon takes her pet sitting business very seriously, knowing that every client is entrusting their beloved companion to her care. She works with each pet personally in order to establish a loving, trusting bond that will reassure each animal so that they have a sense of continuity while you are away. Karilon’s love for animals shines through in every interaction with the pets in her care. She will provide far more than the necessities, giving affection, play time and the undivided human attention that all pets crave. She will care for your home with the same attentiveness and respect.
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Karilon is the proud pet parent of ten cats and one Chihuahua, some of who were rescue animals. She occasionally fosters cats and kittens in need for the SPCA, nurturing and love them until they find their forever homes. Karilon is also involved with the SPCA of Gainesville, which she supports with fundraisers at least once or twice a year. She founded Loving Hands Pet Sitting on the belief that pets are most comfortable in their own environment and can thrive and even enjoy themselves while their owners are away if they have someone caring for them who will go beyond the necessities. Karilon’s job doesn’t end with food, water and a quick walk. She always gives each pet in her care the love, affection and play time they need while their owners are away.
Loving Hands Pet Sitting is an advocate of pet owner education. She provides every client with education materials, a quarterly newsletter and is always ready to answer any questions pet owners may have. She continues to further her own education through independent research, pet care journal articles and attendance at the NAPPS and PSI conferences each year.
Loving Hands Pet Sitting sponsors an annual pet donation drive every year, during the month of October, called “Presents 4 Pets”. This annual donation drive was developed through NAPPS, The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters and is in conjunction with the Humane Society of the United States. Presents 4 Pets is a nationwide program designed to help support local shelter and rescue groups and the animals they serve. Pet sitters from all over the United States come together every year and choose a local shelter or rescue group in their area to collect donations for the pets.
Donations are then presented to that group on “National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week”, which is generally the first week or so of November.
2009 Presents 4 Pets donations were collected for The SPCA of Gainesville. The SPCA is mainly a cat and kitten rescue group, which is operated out of Melrose, Florida and has adoptions every Saturday and Sunday at Petsmart on Archer Road in Gainesville, Florida. You can visit their website at: www.spcagainesville.webs.com. For more information on fostering, adopting or donations to The SPCA of Gainesville, please contact Robin Dining at: (352) 339-3352.
2010 PRESENTS 4 PETS donations will be collected for, “Bradford County Animal Shelter” in Starke, Florida. Loving Hands Pet Sitting will begin accepting donations throughout the year for the annual donation drive. Bradford County Animal Shelter is a county funded facility that operates under the jurisdiction of the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office and is located at: 606 Edwards Road in Starke. Please visit their website at: www.bradfordsheriff.org to see a list of their adoptable pets. Their hours of operation are: Mon-Fri, 9:30-5:30 (904-964-9200); evenings and weekends (904-964-6161).
In order to provide the pet sitting and dog walking services most needed in the areas in and around Keystone Heights, FL, Karilon has taken the time to learn about the care and feeding of a wide range of animals. Her experience with farm animals such as horses makes her uniquely qualified in the Keystone Heights, Melrose and Starke communities. She provides experienced, professional care for "all creatures great and small" throughout areas of Alachua, Bradford, Clay and Putnam counties.
Meet the "Pet Nannies"
Karen Hersey and her husband Huey, live in Melrose and are proud owners of five dogs and two cats, most of which have been rescued in some way or another. Karen has a great passion for animals and has been an avid animal lover for as long as she can remember. Karen has worked part-time for Loving-Hands Pet Sitting since 2008 and loves meeting new pets! She is employed full time at Shands UF and enjoy hobbies such as salt-water fishing, gardening and bird watching. Karen says, "She looks forward to pet sitting visits because she can "hang-out" with pets and give belly rubs."
Janet Littlejohn and her husband live in Earleton and are the proud owners of two dogs, three cats and two horses. Janet is an avid horse lover and enjoys spending her time outdoors with her pets and home projects. She and her husband have lived in the Earleton area for nearly nine years and have one son, one daughter and one grandson. Janet has working part-time for Loving Hands Pet Sitting since 2008. She enjoys outdoor activities that include trail riding, jogging and traveling; she also enjoys baking and reading. Janet says, "She enjoys meeting new clients and enjoys the physcially aspect of walking dogs and caring for horses."
You no longer have to rely on friends and family to squeeze your pets into their busy schedules.
Karilon and her staff will give the ultimate in one-on-one care with Loving Hands.
Your pets will always be our number one priority!
For more information about Loving Hands Pet Sitting service, please call 352-473-4174.
Karilon looks forward to hearing from you.
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