Urban Trotters

06/07/2024

Give a warm welcome to Micah! They have a big place in their heart for our canine friends!

Micah is Urban Trotters' newest staff member. They have been spending their first week getting to see the day-to-day process of being a Canine Exercise and Enrichment Provider!

This is such an exciting step as Urban Trotters continues to serve the community with dedicated and reliable dog care!

Community and collaboration have been a huge influence in welcoming Micah to the professional dog world. Without the connection of our peers, our work may not have been possible.

As Urban Trotters continues to find ways to promote equity in the Greater Grand Rapids Community, remember to support our friends and neighbors who need us most.

04/12/2024

04/12/2024

Today I want to try something a little different. I want to share what has been on my mind.

Every day is a new journey. We get the chance to live life here together, and that is an incredible thing.

Life has taught me many hard lessons, and yet there are more to come. That is why we feel the feelings and live life one day at a time.

There is no guarantee for the future, so I want to act today. With the voice I was given, I am committed to using it for love and learning.

Urban Trotters is something I created and will continue to use for good in any way possible. From filing taxes to spending one-on-one time with your dog, my heart is in it.

03/12/2024

12/14/2023

December is a month packed full of important dates.

I am so proud to have made it to the end of 2023 with my company, Urban Trotters. I adore spending time with all of these awesome dogs. I enjoy learning from them and their humans.

For the past year or so, I have been focusing on helping more pet parents by starting a non-profit. This idea is coming to fruition and becoming a reality.

I have such an incredible privilege to do the work I am doing. I started Urban Trotters with the money I saved from the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, after losing the majority of my clients with my last employer. Now, I am supporting my family with this business. Sometimes, that is hard to believe.

I have grown so much from the start of this company and I have learned it is a process that will never stop. While I have made so many personal and professional strides, I can't ignore those suffering and struggling around me worldwide every single day. To those who are oppressed by a system that breeds injustice, I stand with you and will do everything in my power to make this world a more equal and just place.

If you have gotten to this point in this journey with me, thank you for supporting my work and I hope you will stand with me in the fight for justice this holiday season.

10/09/2023

This photo is from April 2019, when I had the privilege to travel with my family to Arizona.

We came across the Lomaki Pueblo ruins and spent time walking the grounds, trying to imagine what life was like here.

I find myself craving knowledge about the Native people who cared for the land before us. Indigenous Peoples' Day is here to remind us of their history before colonization.

Take a moment to consider how life before modernization might have looked. Can we bring pieces of that back and integrate them into our daily lives?

09/01/2023

Saying goodbye to August with reflection. Pictured are many of the dogs who made last month so awesome!

As fall rolls in and school starts up again, Urban Trotters' schedule is fully booked.

To help serve more community members, we need more human help. If you want to work with these wonderful dogs, check out the job application!

https://www.urbantrottersgr.com/apply

08/07/2023

Welcome, Piper and Olivia! 👋

Can you tell these two are sisters? They are under a year old and have worked their way into their mom's heart very quickly!

They are bursting at the seams with curiosity! They are always ready for what's next, and love figuring out new ways to have fun.

They have been learning how to hang out with a new friend and what it looks like to walk together as a team. They love snacks, toys, and wrestling!

07/19/2023

Hello, fellow dog lovers!

Urban Trotters is hiring! The search is on for an experienced individual with morning/daytime availability. If you are a creative thinker, empathize with animals, and are interested in helping the Greater Grand Rapids community with dog-related topics, this could be the right opportunity for you! Check out more details here: www.urbantrottersgr.com/apply

So thankful to be a part of this awesome community! Keep being incredible! 🐾

Urban Trotters is seeking a dependable individual to join our team as a  Canine Exercise and Enrichment Provider. In this role, you will work directly with clients' dogs, providing them with physical and mental exercise in a patient, encouraging, and energetic manner. This is a 1099-NEC Independent...

07/06/2023

The summer Trotters! 🌞

These guys have been sticking with us through the hottest months of the year!

How do we keep them cool?

• frequent shade breaks
• keeping high-intensity exercise to a minimum
• resting when tired
• access to fresh drinking water
• indoor playtime if necessary

Climate change has been causing record high temps, poor air quality from nearby forest fires, and intense temperature fluctuations. Anyone who cares for a dog knows how important outdoor time is. Take action to support our Earth and continue enjoying fun outdoor summer activities!

https://climate.mit.edu/what-can-be-done-about-climate-change

06/15/2023

Meet Glacier! 🏔️

This guy is the newest Trotter! Glacier encapsulates everything that makes a mutts so awesome. He's social, curious, always ready for an adventure!

Can you tell how much Glacier likes to sniff? 😂 He's especially good at finding moles underground!

06/01/2023

Did you see it? 🔎

The latest EXCLUSIVE post! urbantrottersgr.com/post/dr-sophia-yin-how-to-behave-so-your-dog-behaves

You'll find a brief introduction to one of the most comprehensive, beginner friendly resources available to dog parents! 🤯

05/24/2023

This post is in honor of a beautiful friend, Smokey.

Smokey was one of those dogs who could make you smile on your darkest day. His enthusiasm in the brisk winter chill will be held near. His love knew no bounds. He was an intelligent soul who held a deep passion for his treats.

Smokey passed away after a life thoroughly enjoyed with his two rescue parents. He will be missed by everyone that had the honor of meeting him.

04/06/2023

Emergencies can be scary and difficult to prepare for. That's why a fully stocked first aid kit is brought to every scheduled event.

The process of preventing and preparing for an emergency is an ongoing process. To further ensure the wellbeing of each client, our Emergency Protocol is reassessed and updated frequently.

What do you make sure to have included in your first aid kit?

01/24/2023

Some new faces along with some familiar ones too!

The beginning of the new year has been SO busy! Urban Trotters now has 3️⃣ humans caring for all the wagging tails and muddy paws.

This means we can take on even more new clients! If you have been thinking about changing up your dog's routine, now's the time to reach out. We can deliver quality exercise and enrichment when you need it most!

12/22/2022

Winter is officially in full swing! What better way to start it off than with a blizzard? 🥶

With the beginning of winter, families are celebrating the holidays too. So before the new year is here, take time to celebrate the people and pets in your life.

Make everyday a reason to hold gratitude for the beauty of life and love!

Pictured are a few of the Trotters that make this company possible! Stay safe everyone! 🐾❄️

(Photos courtesy of our Canine Exercise and Enrichment Provider, Emily)

12/13/2022

Recently, Urban Trotters made the switch from "Dog Walking" to "Dog Care". This is due to a realization that the standard walk on a leash isn't always the dog's most desired endeavor.

We work on fulfilling each dog's unique physical needs based on their personality, prior experience, and activity level.

With Urban Trotters Professional Dog Care, you know your dog will be getting regular quality exercise and enrichment.

Contact us today and set up services for the new year! 🎊

12/05/2022

For those of you who don't know already, I have been recovering from surgery this past week and my body has been forced to slow down.

I have gotten so many new client inquiries I haven't been able to keep up! I'm so thankful for my current clients and for all the further ones.

Thankfully I have an awesome partner and two awesome dogs to keep me company (Joey not pictured 🐾).

Thank you for your patience as I work to get back on my feet and back into the world of working with our wonderful canines. 💜

11/22/2022

Huge News!

Today is the day you get to meet Urban Trotters new staff, Emily Steenwyk!

There is a new blog post about it on the ~updated~ Urban Trotters website.

Check it out! www.urbantrottersgr.com/post/welcome-to-the-team-emily

11/16/2022

This just in! 📰

You can now earn a discount on walks when you refer friends to Urban Trotters. 🤯

Take advantage of this deal and give your dog the gift of more time outdoors!

11/02/2022

Action shots! 🏃

Being a client of Urban Trotters means exercise and mental stimulation for your dog when YOU need it most. As this company continues to grow, the more pet parents we'll be able to help.

To achieve this, the first hire has been made and will receive a formal introduction soon. Until then, please continue to enjoy pictures from the end of summer/the beginning of fall.

Thank you for all the support that has been poured into this dream come true!

10/10/2022

🚨 New client update! ⚠️

Urban Trotters has been very busy walking all these paws! Meet our three newest clients in order of appearance:

• Raven the
• Honey the
• Mikey the

This small business has been growing fast! With new developments in motion, social media has been tough to keep up with. I'm hoping to keep sharing and keep connecting with all of you through this platform as things start to settle.

Thanks for all of your support through the craziness of life! ☺️🐾

- AM Hutchings "Canine Specialist"

08/30/2022

When in doubt, sniff it out! 👃

What does your dog's sniffing habits look like during walks?

08/25/2022

🚨 New Client Alert 🚨

Foss is a super handsome Chihuahua/Beagle mix. It's not a surprise that he loves to exercise his sniffing skills whenever he gets the chance! 👃

07/11/2022

An ongoing series: Murphy and a stick 🌿

06/24/2022

Are you a dog lover? Do you have experience working with our canine friends? Are you looking for a job?

Apply now! indeedhi.re/3QM3mFC

01/31/2022

Hey everyone, AM here!

With everything going on in the world right now, I've decided to take a break from social media. I want to focus on my studies, my clients, my well-being, and my dreams for the future.

As a one-man show, managing all the different parts that go into my business keeps me incredibly busy. I'm afraid to say that social media takes up more mental space then I like it too.

With that said, I couldn't be here without you guys. Urban Trotters means so much to me. Thank you for all of your support in making this dream of mine become a reality.

If there are ever any canine-related needs that I can assist you with, you can always reach me at (616) 510-7261 or [email protected]

01/25/2022

A little snow can't stop these Trotters!

01/21/2022

Sweet Lexi is finding confidence with every walk!

She loves her time outside but she isn't quite sure about walking with a new friend yet.

01/11/2022

Have you guys been having as much fun in the snow as these guys have?