Happy Houlas Dog Walking & Pet Sitting

04/18/2022

🐶😾🐠🦜🦎🐹**Hiring!**🐶😾🐠🦜🦎🐹

Woodbridge Pet Care, LLC (formerly Happy Houlas) is needing help with all our furry, feathered, scaled clients. Immediate need for midday (10-2) dog walkers as well as pet sitters.

Midday availability is a must (sorry no children may be present) and need to be able to walk several miles a day in all weather while handling large and small dogs.

If this could work for you, please out via [email protected] or www.woodbridgepetcare.com.

Thanks so much!🐾

We believe all pets are members of the family. We specialize in long hikes for large dogs and medical care for senior animals, and we focus on making your pets feel as happy and as loved as our own pets. We provide love and companionship on each visit and pride ourselves on attention to detail. Ther...

04/14/2022

**Exciting Changes on the Horizon!**

Aloha y'all! We have some BIG news to share: Happy Houlas became Woodridge Pet Care (www.woodbridgepetcare.com) with our friend/client/employee Heather at the reigns on April 2, 2022. As most of you know, my family is active duty Marine Corps. Unfortunately, our time here in Nova is already coming to a close, and we'll be headed off to 29 Palms, CA this June.

I want to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for allowing me into your lives and homes and sharing your furry family members with me. I've loved every single one of them like my own and will be forever grateful for the opportunity. We got started here just before the pandemic began, and with your support, we were able to keep going and growing even when so many other small businesses were forced to close up shop. Then came the surprise of another little human taking me away from daily pet care. Still, you supported us and eagerly accepted new employees in my place. I can't thank you enough. I got to love on 155 pets and their families these past 2 years and traveled 2,500+ miles with them. It's been an honor.

With tremendous love and gratitude (and maybe a few tears),
Kristy

02/22/2022

"She's my best friend. She's a real cute girl!" - allllll the pups & kitties about their bff Heather 🎶🐾❤

01/04/2022

Dogs + kids + snow = fun! ❄️🐾💕👣

12/25/2021

From our Happy Houlas Ohana to yours!
🎅🐾🎄

12/22/2021

If your pet sitter doesn't do this at visits, you need to call us.😉
Heather is hands down the best caregiver around. She has a small zoo of rescued animals, is a wildlife rehabber, adores every single client, and treats my pups and kids like her own.
What do you do for an incredible person/friend/client/employee? Give them a reserved parking spot (in their own garage) and a "You're awesome. Keep that 💩 up!" cup of course.🤣

12/09/2021

Y'all wanna hear something crazy?! We added **86** new pups and kitties to our Happy Houlas Ohana during 2021 to include this silly girl!
While lots of small businesses failed during the pandemic, you guys have enabled us to survive, thrive, and grow! So thankful!💕🐾

12/05/2021

Our very own Sissy Pie (aka Paisley) doing a lazy Sunday up right!🐾😴💕

07/29/2021

✅ Have you considered the legal ramifications of hiring the neighbor kid to care for your pets if something goes awry? And would they notice if something is amiss with your home or pet?

✅ Have you seen how claims against the big companies have been handled when pets have died and/or disappeared under the care of their sitters/walkers?

Entrepreneurial spirit in kids should always be encouraged, but be smart about whom you entrust with your furry family members. It is SO important to have a legal adult who is completely reliable, has the experience and knowledge to effectively manage situations as they arise, runs a legal business where all parties are protected, and who does it for the right reasons (not to make a quick buck on the side).

We definitely cost more than the kid next door (taxes, insurance, software, payroll expenses, training, etc), but surely your family members are worth it.🐕🐾🐈

A look into why hiring a local, reliable, professional pet care business is better for you and for your pets.

07/16/2021

Happy 1st birthday to this pretty Pyr girl, Maple! She's one of the newest members of our Happy Houlas Ohana (and we've added a whole bunch lately).

I promise to properly recognize all our new additions soon and show you guys the things we've been up to. Life/business have gotten BUSY!🐾

07/07/2021

Did you adopt a pandemic puppy or kitty and are now finally needing to head back to the office? They've likely never been left alone for long periods, so it'll be a big adjustment for all.

This transition doesn't have to be a stressful one for your pets, but it does require some preparation.

🐾Start leaving them for short periods of time which gradually increase without making a big deal of your comings and goings.

🐾Take them for a good walk or play session before heading to work so they're ready to settle down.

🐾Consider something fun like a little scavenger hunt with hidden (safe) treats and toys around the house. Maybe even a doggy camera to check on them and toss treats periodically.

🐾If you're going to be gone more than a few hours (and especially if they're a young puppy or senior unable to hold their bladders easily), consider hiring someone to come check on them, take them for a walk, give them a little playtime halfway through your work day.

Ultimately there are lots of options to make the transition as pleasant as possible, but heading straight for anxiety meds likely shouldn't be one of them.

Nic Carmona and Melissa Rodriguez’s pet dog Luna is like a daughter to the young married couple. They took her into their North Oak Cliff home last...

07/05/2021

Food for thought today! You may have had the best 4th ever, but chances are real good your pups (and most other animals) beg to differ.

Be extra sensitive to and aware of how they're feeling today!🐾

4th of July is over and so are last night's fireworks ... but your dog's stress might not be!
Hopefully yesterday was not too bad for your pups. This is no dog owner's favorite holiday - fireworks can scare our poor dogs so much, and there is not always a lot we can do to comfort them.
But even though today it's quiet again and you are ready to move on, YOUR DOG MIGHT NOT BE.
Stress does not disappear instantly and can linger for days. Today your dog might still be on edge and prone to reacting strongly to stressors that usually would not be a big deal.
This is known as "trigger stacking" - meaning that stress is cumulative and adds up. Your job as a vigilant dog owner is not over today. In fact, you need to be extra aware of your dog's emotions and state of mind now.
If you already know that certain situations are tricky for your dog (such as being near resources when other dogs are around, encountering triggers on your walk or even having his nails trimmed), you should AVOID those.
Chances are that his reactions would be more intense than usual because they are amplified by yesterday's stress.
Do something calm and fun today - a sniff walk, some food puzzles, teach your dog a new trick or play his favorite game with him. Be proactive about situations that you know are already difficult an "normal days" - today they might push your dog over the edge.
Is your dog annoyed by another dog of the household frequently? Just separate them.
Is your dog easily startled on walks? Do not take him on an off-leash walk or he might bolt.
Be mindful of trigger stacking and keep it in mind today and in the following days. Fireworks are hopefully over - but your dog's stress might not be quite yet!

07/03/2021

Happy Independence Day Weekend!🇺🇲
Unfortunately, this weekend is among the most dreaded for pets and pet parents. Please remember to keep your babes safe and secured inside your homes.
Some of our best tricks are Composure treats (although benadryl or melatonin may also help), Alexa blasting the spa music station, and everyone heading to the basement bedroom with the windows blocked.
And if you're a firework lover, please be considerate of your neighbors with pets, kids, even veterans who definitely don't enjoy the day as much as you.

06/22/2021

We have some BIG news for the Happy Houlas Ohana...we're growing in more ways than one!

Please help us welcome Heather and Megan! Below you'll find a little more about them, but these ladies were carefully chosen and have LOADS of pet care experience. They are true employees (not independent contractors like you'll find on Rover and Wag) which means they can be thoroughly vetted, trained, insured, bonded, and will become part of our and your families.

First up...Heather!

You'll see lots of Heather this summer and beyond! She's the mom of 8 special needs and rescued animals of all sorts (ferrets, cats, dogs and even an African Grey Parrot). She and her family have been loyal clients of mine for the past year, so I was overjoyed when she decided to take a leave from her career as a speech therapist to follow her true passion of helping animals. When she isn't busy caring for her crew or rehabbing orphaned wildlife, she's out enjoying time with her husband and pursuing a degree in animal health and behavior. She has experience with multiple medical issues to include diabetes, collapsing trachea, renal failure, blindness, and dementia. She is trained and experienced in administering oral and opthalmic medications, sub q injections for insulin and giving sub q fluids. She also has experience with aggressive, fearful, and unsocialized animals and recently became licensed as a wildlife rehabilitator in the Commonwealth of Virginia, focusing her efforts on rabbits, opposums and rodents.

Next...Megan!

Megan comes to us with a background overseeing large playgroups in doggy daycare facilities as well as years of experience as a kennel professional within a vet facility. She has 2 pups of her own - a bully and a rottweiler (both young, wild pups!), so the size, strength and energy of your dogs will come as no surprise for her. Did I mention she also has a bearded dragon? So yep, she'll be your girl for any reptilian families needing care. She's super excited to join the pack and is looking forward to meeting all the Happy Houlas pets!

And baby!

And lastly, we have another tiny human joining the pack in early September! While that means you'll see less of me (Kristy) for a while, I'll still be readily accessible via the Time to Pet portal and will be in the background ensuring everything is running as smoothly as ever (and better!). Heather and Megan have been out shadowing and training for the past couple of weeks, and we're excited to have them out on their own this week providing all of you guys with top-notch pet care.

If any of you have upcoming pet care needs with returning to in person work, vacations, or even those who we've been unable to serve in the past, please reach out! We'd love the opportunity to help care for your furry/feathered/scaled family members.

Also, if you refer anyone to us, please be sure they tell us! We'd love to provide you with a referral credit on your account for future use.

As always, thank you all SO much for your continued trust in us and support of our small business!

❤ Kristy

05/29/2021

Join Our Pack!

Do you have a passion for helping animals AND their humans?🐾
​
Would you love to spend your days outdoors with the cutest coworkers around?☀️🐕
​
How about getting paid to exercise?💪
​
If so, you may be just who we're looking for to grow our Happy Houlas Ohana!
​
​
Requirements:
​

1,000% trustworthy and dependable

Passion for all animals (dogs, cats, birds, bunnies, ferrets, etc)

General understanding of animal behavior and ability to handle large dogs

Willingness to learn and grow

Live in or around Woodbridge (22193), Montclair, Lake Ridge, Manassas (Ashland), Dumfries

Flexible schedule to work middays and some mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays (with extra pay!)

Valid driver's license and insured vehicle

Smart phone (used to send client visit reports, photos, GPS tracking)

Submit to criminal background check

​https://www.HappyHoulas.com/jobs

Compensation will be hourly plus mileage and range $12-15 total + tips & weekend/holiday fees.

**Only serious inquiries for those looking for part time, supplemental income but willing to stay with us and our clients, partake in continuing education and grow within our small business. Must be at least 18.**

05/28/2021

05/19/2021

Anyone local looking for a new family member? I can definitely tell you how life with a Houla (or 2) is.🐾❤

05/04/2021

This note from his mom brightened up my day for sure 🥰 Super proud of this Loki boy!

04/28/2021

This Lukey boy right here...he’s one of my all time favorite puppers on the planet. He’s had a real rough go of it health wise these past several months but keeps surprising us all and bouncing back - always with this infectious smile on his face. ❤️
Please send him and his family all the prayers, well wishes and good vibes you can. They could all really use them.