05/08/2025
I’ve realized I have yet to make an “about me” post after all these years! I want to share a bit about myself to help you get to know me a bit better, or for new/potential clients to feel confident & comfortable with me as your professional pet sitter! Bear with me, this will be a very long post.
My name is Yael, I do go by Yaya. Mostly because it happens to be easier for most to pronounce and to remember!(Yaya was also my childhood nickname😊)
From as far back as I could possibly remember, the animal kingdom has been my cornerstone in life. From reptiles and birds, to dogs and cats, including everything in between. Animals have always been my safe space and dare I say… obsession.
I have over 16 thousand photos of just dogs in my camera roll😂 (proof in photos below)
I grew up living in a home with many birds(9), frogs, tortoises, lizards, and dogs. I don’t think my parents could escape the fact that I was going to have animals in my life no matter what, and thankfully my mother shared my love for animals. Especially the less common household species, and I couldn’t be more grateful!
I started “working” with animals as a young child. Of course tending to those that lived with me, under the guidance of my parents, as well as my grandmother(Granny) Andrea. She happens to play a huge part in why I have been so lucky to live the life I have working with the animals I love so deeply. At 9 years old I started as a volunteer at the Harford County Humane Society. My grandmother would then go on to take me every single Wednesday for 4 years. Those memories I hold close to my heart. My first real look into the animal care industry.
During those 4 years I gained interest in the Equine world. I started horseback riding lessons at 11/12, and continued riding until I was 21. My granny took me to every single lesson until I had a car of my own🥹
During my early years in highschool I was a volunteer at Normandy farm for a couple months working with special needs children, aiding them in riding lessons. This was a very fulfilling experience for me.
I started pet sitting for neighbors, friends, and family in 2014 as a side job while I waited for my “big break” (at 15 I couldn’t find a job in the animal care industry that would hire me without prior experience in the field as a paid employee). I spent so much time hoping and dreaming of getting a job working with animals.
In 2018 I finally started my first dog oriented job at To Wag For on mainstreet. 😍
I worked there as a dog daycare attendant and retail staff for many of bel air’s wonderful dogs. I continued my pet sitting on the side throughout my time there and all future jobs.
2019 I worked as a barista & started fostering for “Adoption option Inc.” I’ve fostered over 10 cats 🥹 I’ve also fostered 3 pitbull puppies and one adult.(not sure how I didn’t foster fail!)
In 2020 I started working as a bather and prep work employee at a grooming salon in fallston. This was amazing for me. In my search for the perfect job for me, I had believed I found it!!
I stayed at this job for quite a while before making a big move to Charlotte NC.
In Charlotte I worked in a beautiful facility that offered daycare, boarding, training, & grooming. I was in charge of caring for roughly 30 dogs a day myself, had extensive training on canine behaviorism and body language, and I absolutely loved every second of it. We had about 140 dogs in house daily, so when I say I’ve handled it all, you can really believe that!
I had to make the difficult decision to move back home to Maryland only 1 year later due to unfortunate personal circumstances.
I then settled back in and started a new job at Pet Nirvana in bel air! I worked up front in retail for a bit, which gave me quite a well of knowledge on dog/cat nutrition and foods. As well as some great insight on what toys and treats are the healthiest, and safest for your dogs! I soon became the grooming salon manager and I truly enjoyed my time there.
I never gave up my love for pet sitting. My time with pet nirvana came to a close, and I took a leap of faith to make my pet sitting business my full time profession!
11 years of pet sitting, and 15 years of animal care experience. It has been quite the ride.
We’re now coming up on my second year anniversary of running this business full time!
I know I say this often, but I truly believe I can’t say it enough. From the bottom of my heart I thank you for supporting me and my passion for animals. Without you lovely pet parents, I wouldn’t be able to do what I do today! My child self would be squealing with excitement if she could see what we’re doing now and have experienced as an adult! ❤️
