NAPPS Network (winter) - National Association of Professional Pet

Transcription

NAPPS Network (winter) - National Association of Professional Pet
Spring 2006
Volume 16 • Number 1
NAPPS San Diego Conference
A Smashing Success
NAPPS Member Benefit:
Teleconferencing
Learn About “Refer A Friend”
Table of Contents
DEPARTMENTS
• President’s Message . . . . . . . . . . . 1
• Notes to NAPPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
• The Hidden Power
of Networking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
• Upcoming Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
• Conference Pics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
• Annual Conference Highlights . .9
• Contest winner! “How
has NAPPS bettered
your business?” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
• Preparedness for our Pets . . . . .12
• NAPPS Wins Awards . . . . . . . . . .13
• NAPPS Member Benefit:
Teleconferencing . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
• Spring into the Season . . . . . . . .14
• Write It Down . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
• New Products for NAPPS . . . . . .16
• Refer-a-Friend . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
• Home Alone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
• President’s Award Winners . . . .19
• New Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
NAPPS Network
Mission Statement
NAPPS
The mission of the NAPPS
Network is to provide tools
for members to enhance
their business, help them
expand their knowledge of
professional pet sitting, and
communicate association
news and events.
Copyright April 2006.The NAPPS Network is published
four times a year in January, April, July and October by
NAPPS Headquarters: 15000 Commerce Parkway, Suite
C, Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054. Periodical mailing privilege
pending at Mt. Laurel, NJ and additional mailing
offices. Postmaster: send change of address to the
NAPPS Network c/o NAPPS Headquarters, 15000
Commerce Parkway, Suite C, Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054.The
NAPPS Network is free to National Association of
Professional Pet Sitters, Inc. members. No part of this
publication may be reproduced without written
permission of the publisher. Editorial offices: 15000
Commerce Parkway, Suite C. Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054.
National Association of
Professional Pet Sitters, Inc.
15000 Commerce Parkway
Suite C
Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054
Phone: (856) 439-0324
Fax: (856) 439-0525
Email: [email protected]
www.petsitters.org
President’s Message
O
ur NAPPS Annual Conference gets better every year
– not an easy accomplishment. Charlotte Reed has
provided a template for an effective tool that delivers
a very valuable learning experience to our members every
year. Many thanks are also due to Felicia Lembesis and
many others from our headquarters staff, and also to the
NAPPS board of directors. All of these people worked hard
to present an engaging, enlightening, and entertaining
conference, all aimed at helping our members succeed.
This year we enjoyed hearing from experts in 13 different areas. Many attendees
received or renewed their pet first aid certification. Members new to the business
had an opportunity to hear from a seasoned pro, Candance Labane-Godfrey,
about the basics of our professions in a class titled “Pet-Sitting 101.” We learned
about topics that will help us serve our human and animal clients more
professionally – in presentations ranging from reducing an animal’s stress with
massage, to the special needs and methods of handling small dogs; and from
understanding the latest trends in the pet industry, to how to understand and
nurture a cat’s psyche. We also learned how to expand our influence for the
betterment of animals and our businesses – in seminars on how to work
successfully with your local media, and creating customer loyalty. It was
rewarding to have many members praising their experiences approach me to let
me know this was one of the most educational conferences they have attended.
We also enjoyed time for getting to know one another at several outings, and
over delicious meals. It was a pleasure to observe and participate in the sharing
of stories and exchange of information that are a hallmark of these annual
events. Your board of directors took this opportunity to make it a point to learn
more about members’ ideas and concerns, so that we can consider your
viewpoints as we implement new programs or revise old ones.
The emotions of the conference can’t be ignored either. We were all moved by
the message of gratitude for the enrichment our animal companions bring to our
lives, and the passion for the compelling message of ending animal abuse
brought to us by Reverend Gerald Walcutt.
It is not too early to begin thinking about next year’s conference. There are still a
few exciting cities in the running and we are making an effort to reach members
in areas where we haven’t held previous conferences. The 2007 conference will
take place between mid-January and mid-February. We look forward to seeing
you then. You’ll be happy you made the decision to join us, and we will too.
Jerry
NAPPS Network is published quarterly by the National
Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS), a
PLEASE SEND ALL LETTERS TO
THE EDITOR:
nonprofit organization, and is available through
membership subscription. No portion of the
magazine may be reprinted without the written
consent of the National Association of Professional
Heidi Zengel
15000 Commerce Parkway, Suite C
Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054
E-mail: [email protected]
Pet Sitters. The letters and advertisements contained
in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the
opinions of the association. NAPPS is not liable for
validity or correctness of any claim, express or
Letters should include your name, address, and
daytime telephone number. Letters may be
edited for length or clarity. Submissions may be
mailed or emailed as a word document.
implied, made in advertisements or writings of this
magazine.
The NAPPS Network • 1
Board of Directors
Membership Services
President
Jerry Wentz
Homesitters of Raleigh
E-mail: [email protected]
NAPPS Headquarters
Past-President
Jeffrey Lauterbach
Critter Sitters, Inc.
E-mail: [email protected]
President-Elect
Charlotte Reed
Two Dogs & A Goat, Inc.
E-mail: [email protected]
Secretary Treasurer
Candance Labane-Godfrey
Precious Pets In Home Services
E-mail: [email protected]
Director
Linda Norton
Precious Pets
E-mail: [email protected]
Director
John D’Ariano
A Pet Sitter Plus
E-mail: [email protected]
Director
Kathleen Luxton
Ranch Pet and House Sitting
E-mail: [email protected]
Director
Nancy Dorger
A To Zoo Petsitting,
Housesitting, Ranchsitting
E-mail: [email protected]
Director
Tammy Kubo
Hawaii Pet Nanny, LLC
E-Mail: [email protected]
Director
Monica Leighton
Professional Pet Sitting
E-Mail: [email protected]
Director
Olga Wharton
Valley Ranch Pet Sitting Services
E-Mail: webmaster@
valleyranchpetsitting.com
The NAPPS Network • 2
15000 Commerce Parkway, Suite C
Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054
Phone: (856) 439-0324
Fax: (856) 439-0525
E-mail: [email protected]
www.petsitters.org
Felicia Lembesis
Executive Director
Ann Mitchell
Acting Meeting and Exhibits Manager
Cathe Delaney
Membership Coordinator
Business Insurers of the Carolinas
PO Box 2536
Chapel Hill, NC 27515-2536
Phone: (800) 962-4611 ext. 224
www.petsitterinsurance.com
For Dishonesty Bond and/or
General Liability Insurance
The National Group
Insurance Exchange
3210 Doolittle Dr.
Northbrook, IL 60062
Phone: (800) 955-0418
Fax: (847) 559-9499
Email: [email protected]
www.wwins.com
Contact: Alan Leafman
For Dental and Health Insurance
For pet sitting questions contact:
• Any board member
• NAPPS’ Web site: www.petsitters.org
NAPPS Network Staff
Coordinating Editor
Heidi Zengel
Art Director/Designer/Illustrator
Justin Fennelly
Notes to NAPPS:
Wow! I had no idea! Thank you for the wonderful article
about me in the Fall 2005 issue of “NAPPS Network.” I was
quite surprised and pleased that you featured me. Even
though I won “The Best of Philly” award for pet sitting, I feel
that all of the NAPPS association had a part in my success. In
the fall of 2002 I knew the non-profit (Greater Philadelphia
First) for which I worked would be merging with the Greater
Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. That would mean
another corporate move for me and I couldn't imagine
doing that again. It just so happened that about the same
time I read an article in the Tufts University “Catnip”
newsletter about hiring a pet sitter. I thought “I could do
that” and I immediately called the NAPPS office (as the
association was listed in the article) to find out how to
begin. As they say, the rest is history!
Thank you again!
Madeline Irwin
Madeline, Paws and Claws Sitter
To my fellow NAPPS Members,
Our lives have forever been changed and yet our blessings
do not go unrecognized. From the first time I contacted
NAPPS I was welcomed as a part of the NAPPS family. I
joined NAPPS three days prior to Hurricane Katrina, on
August 26. Two days after Katrina (when the levees broke) I
sent an e-mail asking if it would be possible to cancel my
membership based upon the fact that I was not sure I would
ever be able to return to New Orleans and I was sure I would
need every bit of money I had to support my family. Then I
received the e-mail from my NAPPS family extending a hand
in support of my dream.
I am so grateful for the support of NAPPS staff and I can not
thank the family enough for supporting me at this time. It
means so much. One of my clients returned last week and
when I walked in the door, my sweet little girl, a beautiful
yellow lab, looked at me as if to say,“Where in world have
you been?” Forget the fact that she had been in three cities
in four months and now has been
confined to the second floor of the family
home because the flood water was only
six inches from the first floor ceiling. She
is home indeed and her mom and dad
have returned back to work in the city.
For a few minutes I sat and held her and
she kissed me like she kissed me so many
times before and I admit I cried – again.
She had only been my client for a few
weeks pre-Katrina because I had just
started my business. We had a great
bond; we loved each other and had
worked hard to establish her puppy
routine. Nevertheless, we were back
together again and her reaction defines
why we do what we do. It was a new day
and she was ready to get back to
business!
We still have a long road ahead of us but,
that long road includes some beautiful
babies that approach the day as a new
day. It is a lesson I am attempting to learn
from them.
Respectfully, and with overwhelming
gratitude,
Nicole Douget – New Orleans Pet Care
www.neworleanspetcare.com
The NAPPS Network • 3
The Hidden Power of Networking
By Robert Warlow, Small Business Success
We all make use of traditional forms of
getting new business in – advertising,
direct mail, brochures, etc., but
networking is one form of marketing
which has been under-utilized. Until
now that is. Small business owners are
finally beginning to understand the
power of networking and what it can
do for their sales figures.
But what is networking?
In its most basic form, it’s word-ofmouth advertising originated by you,
not your customers. It involves taking
every opportunity to raise awareness
of your product or service amongst
the people you meet. At a more
sophisticated level, networking can be
achieved by taking advantage of the
formal networking groups or events
that have been arranged purely with
the idea of putting potential partners
together. Perhaps the most famous
example of effective networking was
the First Tuesday group, which during
the height of the dot-com era, was the
primary way of getting new business
ideas across to the people with the
cash!
But how can you, as a small business
owner, become a more effective
networker and take full advantage of
the opportunities presented? We are
going to give you some key tips and
ideas on how to be a better
networker.
What are the key
advantages of networking?
Networking has some very good
advantages over the traditional types
of marketing:
• It’s free! Talking to someone costs
nothing except your time.
• It’s targeted marketing in that it’s
likely the person you are talking
to has a direct interest in your
product or service. Consider
newspaper advertising, which will
mostly be read by people who
have no interest in what you have
to offer.
• It’s face-to-face marketing unlike
direct mail, adverts and
The NAPPS Network • 4
telephone calls. You have the
immediate opportunity to
establish rapport and get an
understanding of the person’s
problems.
• You have the chance to mix with
business owners in other
industries, which may open the
door to new opportunities you
had not previously considered.
• It’s not only a way of creating
business but also a great way to
solve problems and seek advice.
Why sweat over a solution when
someone has probably already
experienced and solved the same
problem? Ask and find out who
can help you.
Where to find a network
Finding a place to network, where like
minded business owners are present,
is not that difficult. Whilst you should
be networking all the time – taking
the opportunity to promote yourself
wherever you can – it’s more effective
if you can meet people who are there
to do the same thing; you can get
onto the same wavelength that much
quicker. Here are some possible
networking opportunities to think
about:
• Your local chamber of commerce
or business club – as well as
hosting their normal meetings
(which are great networking
opportunities anyway) they may
hold regular networking sessions
which are dedicated to putting
business people together
• Business Link – with their remit of
helping local small businesses,
some of them may already hold
network meetings where they
bring together a batch of ‘new
recruits.’ Check out the Business
Link Web site for details of your
nearest office and give them a
call (www.businesslink.org)
• Trade associations – your industry
may have an association which
holds regular meetings. Whilst
you are dealing with businesses
in the same line as you, so making
it difficult to get new business,
you will still be able to find
solutions to problems and pick
up new ideas. Who knows, if you
establish good rapport with
another business, they may be
happy to refer surplus work to
you or tap into a unique
specialization you may have.
• Seminars – keep a look out for
seminars being run for small
business owners. As well as being
informative, they are a great
networking opportunity,
especially over coffee and lunch
when you have the chance to
start a conversation going along
the lines of, “How do you think
you’re going to apply that point
we learnt this morning in your
line of business?” In just this one
question you will have found out
what business they are in and
one of the problems they are
currently facing. If you’re lucky,
you may be able to offer help as
well – one extra sale!
• Anywhere and everywhere –
remember to network all the
time! Never miss an opportunity
to tell people what you do. You
may only get a successful hit in
one out of a hundred contacts,
but one sale may be enough to
make it all worthwhile!
Where and when are
meetings likely to be held?
Formal networking events can be held
over breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Breakfast sessions are popular
because it allows business owners to
start the day on a positive note,
leaving the remainder of the day free
for ‘business as usual.’ However, how
good are you at holding a sensible
conversation at 7 o’clock in the
morning? If you don’t look or sound
your best in the early morning, then
you had better find an alternative! The
best networking events are where you
are free to ‘work the room’ and not be
tied to a table with food being served.
Hotels and pubs are popular venues
but if you are attending events hosted
by Business Link then you may find
them held at their offices.
What to prepare
As with any marketing promotion, any
networking should be thoroughly
prepared for. Badly presented sales
pitches lead to lost sales; the same
goes for networking. So what should
you do before attending a networking
session?
Step 1: Know your products and
services inside out. If you are only just
starting out, make sure you are fully
briefed on all the in’s and out’s of your
product.
Step 2: Write and rehearse an opening
statement to the question “What do
you do?”This may sound like an easy
question but try thinking an answer
on the spot and at the same time
making it sound good! Not so easy.
Write a clear and concise statement,
which encapsulates everything about
your business. Remember, this is your
chance to impress! Having decided on
your opening line, rehearse, rehearse
and rehearse. It has to be word perfect
and confident sounding.
Step 3: Make sure you have enough
business cards. You don’t want to
scribble your number on the back of a
napkin!
Step 4: Double check the venue and
time. You don’t want to turn up late
and miss any opportunities or appear
to be lacking in time management
skills.
Step 5: Dress to impress. Make sure
you are neat and tidy – everything a
successful small business owner
should be.
Step 6: Leave your house/office in
plenty of time to make sure you don’t
arrive totally stressed out.
You’re off!
You have arrived at the venue and if
this is your first time, what are you
likely to do? Find the nearest corner
and pray that someone doesn’t
approach you! Networking, especially
the first time, can be nerve-wracking.
It does take a degree of confidence,
but over time this gets better.
www.smallbusinesssuccess.biz
© Robert Warlow
Small Business Success
www.smallbusinesssuccess.biz
Small Business Success is a resource dedicated
to helping small business owners be more
successful. For more information visit
www.smallbusinesssuccess.biz
UPCOMING EVENTS IN 2006
April 7-9
18th Annual Pet Industry Spring Trade Show
& Educational Conference
October 6-8, 2006
HH Backer's 40th Annual Pet Industry Trade
Show and Educational Conference
The New Atlantic City Convention Center
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
Rosemont (Chicago), Illinois
April 7, 2006
PIJAC Feline Certification Seminar at HH Backer
NAPPS
Board of Directors Meeting
October 20-21, 2006
Atlantic City Convention Center, Atlantic City, NJ
April 7, 2006
PIJAC Reptile Certification Seminar at HH Backer
Atlantic City Convention Center, Atlantic City, NJ
NAPPS
Board of Directors Teleconference Meeting
December 5, 2006
NAPPS
Board of Directors Teleconference Meeting
June 6, 2006
January 30-February 2, 2007
Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA)
Management Conference
NAPPS
Board of Directors Teleconference Meeting
August 1, 2006
St. Regis Monarch Beach in Dana Point,
(Orange County) California
The NAPPS Network • 5
A Collage of Conference Pics
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The NAPPS Network • 6
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The NAPPS Network • 7
A Collage of Conference Pics (continued)
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Monica Leighton
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The NAPPS Network • 8
the First Aid Se
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200 6 Annual Conference Highlights
NAPPS would like to thank the following
2006 sponsors and silent auction
contributors. Without their support the
Annual Conference would not have
been possible.
Platinum Sponsor-$2,000
Church & Dwight Co, Inc.
The Hartz Mountain Corporation
NUTRO
Gold Sponsor-$1,000
The Business Insurers of the Carolinas
Bamboo Pet
SeaYu Enterprises
Bronze Sponsor-$250
Pet Food Institute
PetSits.com
Silent Auction Contributors
Arden Moore
Ark Naturals
Bluewave
Canine Genius
Darlene Arden
Mario's World
Sherpa's Pet Trading Company
Thayer and Ridge
For NAPPS members unable to tear
themselves away from the pets they
sit, here is just a sample of the great
presentations you missed at this year’s
conference!
Pet Pitching to the Local Media
Arden Moore
Want to see your words on a printed
newspaper page? Hear them on the
local radio or see yourself on
television? It is easier than you realize
to pitch stories to the local media.
Moore, a former newspaper reporter,
is now the author of 14 pet books,
editor of Catnip magazine, and a
contributor to many national
magazines.
During her presentation, Moore mixed
humor with insights into the world of
the media by providing samples of
press releases: those destined to be
pitched in waste baskets and those
guaranteed to generate interest.
She stressed the need to use words
wisely – and accurately.
“One of my first newspaper editors
told me,‘If you’re mother tells you she
loves you, check it out,’” said Moore to
the attendees.“In other words, always
verify your facts first. Having a
reputation for accuracy helps you gain
more media opportunities.”
She pointed out that the average
Sunday newspaper contains about as
many words as the thick tome, War
and Peace by Leo Tolstoy.
“Each Sunday, newspapers have a
huge editorial hole to fill with copy,”
said Moore.“Use this as an
opportunity to publish pet columns
and articles that are localized to your
area.”
She also encouraged NAPPS members
to be creative by exploring other
media opportunities beyond local
newspapers such as animal shelter
publications, senior citizen center
newsletters, and real estate guides.
Offer to fill-in for columnists on
vacation.
Her final advice: keep the ideas
coming.
“Editors, radio show directors, and
television producers are more apt to
seek out pet sitters who keep pitching
ideas to them,” said Moore.“Customize
your pet story ideas around
approaching holidays, events in your
community, and new trends in the pet
industry.”
Humans and Animals
Living in Community
John Pitts, DVM
Responsible citizens should have the
right to share their lives with domestic
The NAPPS Network • 9
animals as long as they
provide humane care,
responsible husbandry,
exercise, and appropriate
nutrition.
Adults must understand the
need for kindness, patience,
and love for pet animals and
wildlife, and should share
their knowledge and
compassion for all life with all
children. Animals are not only
fun and playful, but they
share a bond with humans
that enrich our lives and help
use understand the
community and our world.
The session provided insights
into how humans and animals can live
together, and how we can work with
community, schools, teachers,
students, and our neighbors to better
care for, recognize, and mitigate
potential trauma, allergy/asthma, and
zoonotic diseases.
Understanding the Pet Psyche
Carole Wilbourn
Because guardians depend on their
sitters to be their surrogate guardian
while away, it’s paramount to
understand how and why cats are
affected. By reducing stress, deviant
behavior can be prevented;
aggression can be treated;
indiscriminate toilet habits can be
cured; and new kittens can be
introduced without culture shock.
Sugar, our feline guest, permitted me
to show how I relaxed my patients
with touch, whale music, and my body
language. Her cat sitter is one of you!
Two of my books,“Cat Talk” and “The
Total Cat,” and a Kitty Walk stroller and
Cozy Cabin were raffled off for top cat
energy. The better a job done by one
of you, the less separation anxiety felt
by the cat.
Small World
Darlene Arden
When caring for a small dog, it is
crucial to remember that the way you
care for it will be different than when
caring for a large dog. Keep in mind
that the world is gigantic to a small
dog. Get down on the dog’s level to
experience it. When first approaching,
don’t pat a little dog on the head and
don’t loom over it. When entering the
The NAPPS Network • 10
room a small dog occupies, move
slowly and choose appropriate
movements that won’t stress the dog’s
joints and muscles. A pet sitter who
doesn’t have much patience isn’t a
good candidate to work with little
dogs.
Little dogs may require extra care and
usually a tailored lifestyle. For
example, little dogs lose body heat
very rapidly; so he’ll need a warm
sweater or coat in the winter. A choke
or prong collar can cause permanent,
possibly fatal, damage to the dog’s
trachea, not to mention the dog’s
psyche. A harness is usually the best
choice. Don’t coddle the little dog but
keep an eye towards safety; beware of
unsupervised dogs and unsupervised
children.
There are also general rules that apply
for little dogs as well as large dogs.
Warm-ups and cool-downs are just as
important for little dogs as they are
for their larger cousins. Also, don’t
make food an issue.
By heeding these simple guidelines,
the time you spend caring for your
little dog will be filled with lots of love
from your little pet.
Raving Fans
Mark Paskowitz
The success of the Raving Fans
process is to remember that without
the customer our businesses cease to
exist. The concept is based on three
powerful principles.
Decide- Decide what service
perfection looks like from your
perspective first, as a business owner.
This involves getting clarity on who
your ideal client is, what is your vision
of success and how you plan to
execute your plan.
Discover- Then find out what your
customers want through listening and
various forms of collecting feedback.
These can be focus groups, interview
surveys or business advisory boards as
an example.
Deliver- Develop systems and process
that exceed what your customers
want. Anticipate recovery issues ahead
of time. Remember, consistency builds
credibility.
Home Alone
Margaret Lenoir
Lenoir, behavior and training educator
from the San Diego Humane Society
and SPCA, gave an informative
presentation called “Home Alone.”
She provided examples of how using
positive reinforcement training and
calming techniques can help pets
learn to be home alone without
becoming anxious or destructive. The
presentation included how using
enrichment items, such as Kongs and
food storage toys, can help keep pets
busy and focused while their parents
are away. She also provided
suggestions on how to humanely
train for managed confinement
techniques, such as crate training.
Additionally, Margaret gave examples
of the use of body language to help
calm animals, and answered a variety
of questions.
NAPPS Member Contest Winner!
By Tricia Terrell
How Pet-Sitting Changed My Life and
NAPPS’ Role in My Business Success
In November 2005, NAPPS held an essay contest “How Did Pet Sitting
Change Your Life?” The winner, Tricia Terrell, was awarded complimentary
registration, lodging, and airfare for the 2006 Annual Conference. Terrell
was chosen not only because she explained how pet-sitting changed her
life and helped her business, she also incorporated the NAPPS mission and
how she has fulfilled that mission by volunteering in addition to being a
member. NAPPS would like to thank all 18 members who participated in
the contest. Here is Tricia’s winning entry!
Pet sitting has changed my life and
with the help of NAPPS’ structure and
guidance, my clients, community, and I
have all benefited. I was able to
complete my 21-year Air Force career
while pursuing a career working with
animals, for which I have a steadfast
love. My business success is evident
with more than 30 clients (gained in
less than two years, mostly through
referrals) and resulted from applying
NAPPS’ mission and using the tools
and support of the association.
Promoting the value of pet sitting to
the public and advocating for the
welfare of animals has given me the
courage to persevere as my own
business person. I have taken
advantage of the NAPPS’ certification
opportunities, and continue to use the
books and videos in day-to-day
operations.
As a member of PETS (People
Experienced To Sit) Network of
Southern Ohio, I advocate on behalf of
NAPPS by sharing information I gather
through the NAPPS Web site,
teleconferences, and networking
opportunities via our monthly
meetings. Using many avenues of
media to build my business, I
incorporated NAPPS’ expertise and
promotional materials in our local
“Popcorn Festival” and sent donations
to an animal rescue agency to help
four-legged hurricane victims. I
recently sent the second E-Zine
edition to clients providing them with
current information, while allowing
me to tend to other day-to-day
Tricia Terrell
For the Love of Animals Pet-Sitting Services, LLC
Beavercreek, OH
operations. With mentoring
teleconferences, I participate in
ongoing training and networking
opportunities without leaving home.
By utilizing the tools provided
through NAPPS, I have been able to
mentor a new area pet sitter who has
chosen to join the NAPPS team.
An attitude of success is contagious.
With the encouragement of a NAPPS
staff member, I volunteered to be a
part of the Disaster Preparedness
Committee. From the little bit that I
have contributed in our ongoing
teleconferences, I have received tenfold. Networking makes my job even
more rewarding because I truly feel
connected to a bigger entity and am
proud to know I am making a
contribution in the lives of the animals
placed in my care. I signed up for my
first NAPPS conference knowing the
cost would be steep, but the
experience priceless.
About Tricia…
Tricia Terrell moved to Beavercreek,
Ohio, in August 2003, and started her
business, For the Love of Animals PetSitting Services, in January 2004, when
she was also certified by NAPPS. Tricia
and her husband have no children,
except for Romulus and Natasha, their
furry cats. Tricia chose pet sitting for
three reasons:
She wanted a job where she could
work with animals and give back to
them the unconditional love they had
given her over the years.
She knew she could never afford to
have many animals of her own and
hoped this business would allow her
to share in the care of other’s pets (her
husband appreciates this reason best).
After moving to Ohio, Tricia called
different pet sitters in the area to
acquire knowledge on pet sitting as a
profession. As a result she received the
gift of a gracious mentor, Christina
Massie, who continues to pass on her
pet sitting and animal behavior
knowledge and experience. With
Christina’s wisdom in hand, Tricia
sought real-life experience by
volunteering at a doggy care center
where she found clients for her pet
sitting business. She also volunteered
at a local cat shelter and observed a
puppy training class. She received
ongoing support and encouragement
from the PETS Network of Southern
Ohio. With the desire to give back to
what she has been given, Tricia
became a mentor.
Tricia is looking forward to seeing
how far her pet sitting business will
grow, and is seeking other ways to
contribute to animal welfare within
her own community and at other
levels.
She has always been surrounded by at
least one pet, even since birth when
she had a cat.
The NAPPS Network • 11
Preparedness for our Pets
By Monica Leighton, Chair of the Disaster Preparedness Committee
During Hurricane Katrina, many pet
owners faced the difficult decision of
what to do with their pet in an
emergency. Whether it was prior to the
storm’s hit, or during the days and weeks
of its aftermath, pet owners and sitters
alike had to face questions of how to
shelter and feed their pets and where to
relocate them. One of NAPPS’ board
members, Monica Leighton, took it upon
herself to create a set of guidelines in
preparation of another disaster so pet
lovers will never again be forced to leave
their pet alone to face the terror and
fear of an event like this.
Driven by recent natural disasters in
Louisiana and Florida, the NAPPS
Disaster Preparedness (DP) Committee
has focused its efforts on assisting our
members to prepare their clients and
pets for disasters of all kinds. We have
four exciting and important initiatives
that will interest NAPPS members.
1. On behalf of the NAPPS Disaster
Preparedness Committee, I am excited
to announce the completion of the
first two phases of the NAPPS Disaster
Preparedness Plan: the Disaster
Preparedness Guidelines for Pet
Owners and the Disaster Preparedness
Guidelines for Pet Sitters. The plans
can be found on the “members-only”
section of the NAPPS Web site.
Both plans are designed to assist pet
sitters in completing their own,
customized DP plan. Since our
members live and work in diverse
areas of the country, the NAPPS DP
Plans cover preparedness in
everything from hurricanes to
wildfires. We encourage our members
to take full advantage of these plans
and share them with their clients.
NAPPS is certain that clients will
appreciate their pet sitter taking time
to prepare for disaster –if and when it
strikes.
2. All of us witnessed the devastation
left behind by Hurricane Katrina over
the last few months. The stories of
people who stayed behind to care for
their pets instead of evacuating to
safer ground are numerous. Even
The NAPPS Network • 12
sadder was the reality of pets losing
their lives during the weeks it took
rescuers to reach them.
One of the lessons learned from the
needless pet deaths caused by Katrina
is that the United States must improve
the protection of pets through the
development of pet friendly shelters
in local communities. We are pleased
to let you know that we have added
“We can make a
difference if we
choose to get
involved.”
guidelines and instructions on how to
petition local authorities for the
creation of pet friendly shelters.
NAPPS members will find this
information under the DP link on the
NAPPS Web site. Assisting in the
creation of local pet friendly shelters is
one way that we can all impact the
safety of pets in our communities. We
can all make a difference if we choose
to get involved. Please read the
information we have compiled about
petitioning local authorities for pet
friendly shelters.
3. On September 22, a bill was
introduced that NAPPS believes is
very important to the future safety of
pets. H.R. 3858, the Pets Evacuation
and Transportation Standards (PETS)
Act of 2005 proposes that state and
local authorities address the need of
individuals with household pets and
individuals with service animals
through the development of
emergency preparedness plans.
NAPPS members can assist the pets in
their communities by calling, writing,
or e-mailing their local Senator and
Representative. In addition, NAPPS
encourages members to share this
information with their clients. We
know that there are a lot of loving pet
owners out there who never want to
have to choose to leave a pet during a
disaster, or emergency. Members will
find prepared scripts on the NAPPS
Web site as well as instructions on
how to locate their Senator and
Representative.
4. Finally, none of this would be
possible without the hard work of the
following NAPPS members:
Brigitte Baker, Barkalounge Doggy
Daycare, Indianapolis, IN
Jan Brown, Jan's Pet Sitting, Foster
City, CA
Judy Fox, Fox N Hound Pet Sitting,
Land O'Lakes, FL
Sherri Giordano, PAW-fect Ride Pet
Services, Madison, WI
Christine Keine, Reigning Cats and
Dogs, Holiday, FL
Sandy Kozuck, Lowcountry Pet Sitting,
Beaufort, SC
Monica Leighton, Professional Pet
Sitting, Venice, FL
Esther Mills, Mrs. Doolittle's Doggie
Daycare, Longmont, CO
Carol Reed, Sharaya's and Ginger's
Place, Chipley, FL
Lisa Rotzell, Kritter Komfort Sitter,
Bangor, PA
Jennifer Sims, Busy Pets, Foster City, CA
Tricia Terrell, For the Love of Animals
Pet Sitting Services, Beavercreek, OH
Olga Wharton, Valley Ranch Pet Sitting
Services, Dallas, TX
The Disaster Preparedness
Committee is currently working on
developing LOCAL Disaster
Preparedness Networks. The
committee’s goal is to research and
compile a database of local agencies
that can help pet sitters educate
themselves on potential disasters in
their areas and assist them in
developing their own Disaster
Preparedness Network. We are
looking for volunteers that are
interested in taking part in this
exciting project that will benefit pet
sitters and pet owners nationwide.
Please contact Monica Leighton, the
DP Committee Chair, at
[email protected] for
more information.
NAPPS Makes Headlines
NAPPS has received the 2005 Positive
Impact Award from the New Jersey
Society of Association
Executives/Delaware Valley Society for
Association Executives for its Disaster
Preparedness Plan for Pet Sitters and
Disaster Preparedness Plan for Pet
Owners!
Started in 2003, the Positive Impact
Awards are given to organizations
that utilized original thinking to
successfully implement a
project/activity that produced a
positive impact on the organization,
its membership, and/or its vital
communities. NAPPS was chosen for
this award because the organization
responded to members' need by
developing this wonderful initiative.
“the Positive Impact Awards are given to organizations that utilized
original thinking to successfully implement a project/activity that
produced a positive impact”
NAPPS
Member
Benefit
NAPPS hopes that every member
takes full advantage of the benefits of
membership. In each issue NAPPS
Network will feature a member
benefit. In this issue, we are
highlighting the monthly
teleconference.
To those NAPPS members unfamiliar
with teleconferencing, here is a crash
course. Teleconferencing is basically a
conference via phone. As few as two
people and as many as several
hundred people can join in on the
call. The great thing about
teleconferencing is that you can be
anywhere, on vacation, at work, even
in the car, as long as there is a phone
available, you can call in and join the
teleconference. NAPPS will provide
you with a number that the rest of
the conference participants will also
call and you can listen to a speaker
present a topic or you can have a
round table discussion about a topic.
NAPPS teleconferences take place the
third Monday of the month, during
the months of January-May and
September-November.
Teleconferencing
The topics previously covered have
been:
• January 2005 - Open Forum
(First Teleconference)
• February 2005 - Strategies for Success
• March 2005 - Organizing Your Business
• April 2005 - Pet Sitting 101
• May 2005 - Top Ten Insurance Claims
and Top Ten Insurance Questions
• September 2005 - Ways to Grow Your
Business
• October 2005 - Disaster Plans for
Hurricanes and Handling Pets
During a Hurricane
• November 2005 - High - Touch
Customer Recognition at a Low
Cost
• January 2006 - How to Petition
and Open Pet Friendly Shelters in
Your Area
• February 2006 - Independent
Consultants versus Employees
How to participate:
• Members will receive an e-mail
indicating the topic, presenter and
call in as well as access numbers for
the teleconference.
• Members with a question
regarding the topic are invited to
send an e-mail to [email protected]
with the subject line "Mentoring
Teleconference." Your question will be
provided to the presenter for
response on the call.
• Calls begin promptly at 8:00 p.m.
Eastern time.
• There will be a 10-15 minute
presentation, followed by a question
and answer period.
• All callers are muted by the
moderator. To ask questions that may
arise during the question and answer
period, participants must press 6 to
speak. Once you have asked your
question, please press 6 to re-mute.
• Following the question and answer
period the speaker will resume
speaking on the topic.
• Participants once again have the
opportunity to ask questions, but are
reminded to un-mute and re-mute.
• There is no charge to NAPPS
members to participate on the
Mentoring Teleconference. Members
will incur only phone charges related
to calling into the teleconference
number.
For future teleconferences, recordings
of the calls will be available. If you
have a topic you would like covered
via teleconferencing, please e-mail
[email protected]. We’d love to hear
your suggestions!
The NAPPS Network • 13
Spring into the Season!
By Heidi Zengel
With spring here, it’s important to
remember that humans aren’t the
only ones suffering from cabin fever.
Aside from the traditional walks
around the neighborhood, there is an
alternative option for exercise.
For dog owners without their own
plot of grass, or for owners who simply
want to enjoy the outdoors leash-free,
the dog park is the perfect solution
for man and beast.
Another valuable benefit of dog parks
is the socialization your dog will
experience. Rather than feel
aggressive or defensive when faced
with a strange dog, these parks allow
your dog to be in a completely
recreational environment with other
breeds. While dog parks offer
socialization to dogs of every shape
and size by letting them run and romp
with each other, it is also a great social
outing for people.
These parks allow owners a chance to
meet other dog-friendly folks and ask
questions that fellow owners may
have also had at one time. It’s also a
great alternative to run-of-the-mill
places like bars that tend to have a
negative association. The best part is
that dog parks provide a comfortable
place to meet like-minded people
who you share at least one thing in
common with.
What is a Dog Park?
A dog park is a facility set aside for
dogs and their owners to exercise and
play off-leash in a controlled
environment. According to Wikepedia,
parks vary, but most have the
following in common: a large fencedin area; separate, double-gated entry
and exit points; a pond for swimming;
hydrants for watering dogs; and tools
to pick up and dispose of animal
waste. Some even have separated
sections; one for large dogs, and one
for small dogs so there’s no need to
worry about how your miniature
dachshund will get along with your
neighbor’s Great Dane.
What Are Some Benefits?
The benefits of a dog park are
plentiful for dogs as well as their
owners. For our prized pooches, these
parks present the setting for worryfree recreation.
Since starting up a dog park takes
hours of planning and approval from
various township and city boards, you
can rest at ease knowing it has passed
multiple safety regulations and is a
safe haven for your furry friend.
Gaining in popularity in cities and
densely packed suburbs, dog parks
provide one key missing from even
the most posh Manhattan loft: space.
These designated areas are a great
solace for dog-lovers who don’t have
the option of having a fenced-in
backyard. It’s a fantastic way to show
your pup just how much they mean to
you by letting them run amuck for 15
minutes and letting them unleash the
energy they have stored up waiting
for your return!
The NAPPS Network • 14
Where Can I Find a Dog Park Nearby?
To find a dog park for your pooch to play, visit any of the following Web
sites and get ready to unleash a happier pet!
www.ecoanimal.com/dogfun/
www.dogfocused.com/you-and-your-dog/dog-park.php
http://animal.discovery.com/features/dogpark/map/map.html
Get More Clients by Writing It Down
By Jo Ann Kirby, KRG Communications Group, LLC
Remember that last really bad sales
presentation you made? You
remember it: you lost focus; you
weren’t prepared to overcome
objections. When you asked for the
client’s business – if you asked for it at
all – you sounded stilted and forced.
And naturally, you didn’t get their
business.
There’s an easier way. Create a
planned presentation. This process
works well whether you make your
presentations face to face or over the
telephone. Many people leave the
mechanics of getting sales up to
chance.“Make a few calls,”“ask for the
business” we’re told. But how should
we ask? What should we ask? It often
feels as though a sales call is a black
hole.
Just as we write out our business plan,
we must take the same effort to
create a sales presentation. Doing this
is more than just outlining your
conversation points beforehand and
knowing your product’s benefits. You
must also script out the words you will
use and how and when you will use
them.
Many people balk at the idea of
writing out a presentation. They
equate it with bad telemarketing calls
– and they usually are if not done
correctly.
Here are some tips to create an
effective presentation that will help
you get more clients. First, as Stephen
Covey, author of “The 7 Habits of
Highly Effective People” says, begin
with the end in mind. What is your
goal for this call? What do you hope to
accomplish? Write it down. You may
find you have more than one goal.
Rank them and recognize you may
not accomplish all of this in one call.
Next, think about the calls you’ve
made in the past. Write down what
worked for you and what didn’t. Then
roughly write out a potential
conversation with a prospective client.
Try to write it in a conversational style.
Forget what your English teachers
taught you about writing in complete
sentences; write your script the way
you speak.
A good presentation should include
the following points: opening,
exploring, offer, close, objection
rebuttal. During your opening, you
have a limited time to introduce
“Forget what your English
teachers taught
you about writing
in complete sentences;
write your script the
way you speak.”
yourself and catch someone’s
attention. You want them to continue
listening to you. Exploring gives us the
opportunity to ask questions, to find
out more about the person we’re
speaking with and what their
concerns are. It’s very important in a
presentation to give your prospective
client plenty of chances to talk. It
helps them become more vested in
your conversation, which in turn
makes it easier to come to agreement
and allows you to learn what’s
important to them. You can then tailor
your offer to these concerns. Your offer
should always be stated in the form of
“what’s in it for me” to your prospect.
presentation, think of as many
potential concerns or objections a
prospective client might have about
using your products or services. This
requires being able to step outside of
ourselves and put yourself in another’s
place. Prepare to ask your prospect
more about their thoughts. Then
based on the information you have
been given, gently show how your
service or product can help them. This
should also be written out. If you
spend more of your selling time on
the phone, it is very simple to use a
planned presentation as you can keep
it in front of you as you speak. Do not
read it. Practice it until you are
comfortable with the words and can
speak it conversationally. Think of
yourself as an actor learning a script.
Once your presentation is written out,
however, you will still have work to do.
You must test your presentation. To do
this, begin using the presentation you
have created. Take note of what works
and doesn’t work. Make changes until
you are confident you’ve found a
winning presentation.
By writing out your presentation
beforehand, you will find yourself
prepared to successfully handle any
situation that arises.
Finally, ask for agreement. This is your
close. Although some sales novices
associate “closing” with high pressure
sales, a close is simply asking for
agreement, in this case agreement to
use your services or products.
Also remember that the people you
speak with may have initial concerns
to using your services. Before your
The NAPPS Network • 15
New Products for NAPPS!
Gulpy Pet Water Dispenser
•
•
•
•
Physical Description:
•
•
•
Exclusive flip open, flip close design
Water bottle and travel
trough/bowl in one
Polypropylene construction
•
•
•
Assorted colors of blue,
green or yellow
Slip-proof bottle grip
Leakproof automatic opening valve
Hinged trough/bowl that flips
down and fills with water when
bottle is squeezed
Automatically seals when nested
Bottle rests on a tray when
closed for leak-proof portability
Built-in belt clip for carrying
•
•
•
•
•
hands-free on fanny pack or belt loop
20 Oz. liquid capacity
Each measures overall
approximately 9.5 inches long
by 2.75 inches in diameter
Fits bicycle water bottle holders
Comes attached to cardboard
header card
Instructions printed on header card
Ava i l a b l e a t
w w w. s o l u t i o n s. co m
For your favorite client,
a new client or a
“get well” gift
for a client’s pet, try
Large Tabby Takeout or
Toys! And Treats!
Gift Baskets.
The Large Tabby Takeout plain white
Chinese takeout carton is filled with five
catnip toys and two samples of catnip
and treats. Price includes priority mail
shipping!
Your order (listed on a green guest check
contained in the carton), will include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
1 Bubba Bee catnip toy
1 Refillable catnip bag toy, filled
with over 1/4 cup of gourmet leaf
and flower catnip (suitable also for
use with honeysuckle or valerian).
1 Monkey's Fist Catnip Ball toy sturdy, ingenious sailor's knot made
of sisal rope, with a bell and pinch of
catnip captured in the center.
1 SmartCat Rainbow Ralph Felt Mice
in Catnip, 2 Pack - a delightful pair of
The NAPPS Network • 16
•
felt mice in 1/4 cup marinade of
Plain Brown Tabby's potent
Gourmet Leaf and Flower catnip.
Sample of WildSide Salmon - our
most popular all natural and
delicious cat treat.
Sample of Kooky Kat® Stalkless
Mulch Organic Catnip - a very fine
grind of catnip containing no bits
and pieces of stalk. For your "catnip
connoisseur"!
A fortune cookie for your
enjoyment!
The second basket is my Toys!
And Treats! Gift Basket.
Charming mini-laundry basket is filled
with favorite toys and all natural treats
for your cat, price includes shipping and
insurance!
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Contains 2 cans of Kitty Kaviar®,
2 WildSide Salmon for Cats, 1 Hot
Cats®
Deluxe catnip toy
1 Kittybird® toy
1 organic catnip pillow by Kooky Kat®
1 package of Kooky Kat® Catnip
Stalkless Mulch
1 Rosie Rat by Kookie Kitty®
Feather Top Carrot by Dr. Noy's Cats
with An Attitude® (a refillable catnip
toy).
w w w. ca t n i p t oy s. co m
Hartz®
For almost 80 years, The Hartz
Mountain Corporation has provided
pet owners with the highest quality
products – innovative solutions
developed with proven science and
love for companion animals. Hartz®
offers more than 1,500 products for
dogs, cats, birds, small animals, fish,
and reptiles, each dedicated to the
health and well-being of household
pets. This year NAPPS welcomed
Hartz® as a platinum sponsor of the
Annual Conference held in San Diego.
Hartz® carries a full line of toys, health
care products, grooming items, and
rawhide products for dogs and cats,
while providing food, treats, and
supplies for birds and small animals.
Hartz® also markets bird and small
animal products under the LM
ANIMAL FARMS™ brand, sold
exclusively in pet specialty stores. And
for fish and reptile lovers, Hartz®
markets products under the Wardley®
brand, sold by grocery and mass
merchandisers. Select Wardley®
products are also offered in pet
specialty stores.
for all types of pets
with the Hartz® enewsletter when you
sign up on the Web at
www.hartz.com. Each
month you’ll receive
exclusive prepublished
information, catered
to the animals you
need to know all
about. Our e-news
covers everything
from important
topics like health and
nutrition to fun topics
like animal behavior
and playtime.
And if you’re a dog
lover, don’t miss the
chance to receive the
AKC Guide to
Purebred Dogs
poster. Simply call our
consumer relations
department at 1-800275-1414 to receive
your free poster while
supplies last.
Because information is such a vital
part of caring for any animal, you can
receive helpful advice and information
Refer-a-Friend to NAPPS and Earn Rewards
As a NAPPS member, you know there
are a host of valuable membership
benefits available only through the
association. Whether responsible for
providing the tools to get you started
in the industry or simply helping you
to build a better business, NAPPS
plays an integral role. Why not
encourage your colleagues or friends
to take advantage of the networking
and career development
opportunities NAPPS has to offer?
In an effort to expand our
membership and provide additional
member benefits, we want you to
share your experiences and invite your
friends looking for a popular career
alternative to join! NAPPS recently
launched the “Refer-a-Friend”
campaign, offering membership
discounts simply for encouraging
others to be a part of this valuable
association. For every individual that
indicates they were “referred by” you
on their membership application,
you’ll receive the following:
• 1 referred member –
5 percent membership discount
• 2 referred members –
10 percent membership discount
• 3 referred members –
15 percent membership discount
• 4 referred members –
20 percent membership discount
• 5 referred members –
25 percent membership discount
• 6 referred members –
30 percent membership discount
• 7 referred members –
35 percent membership discount
• 8 referred members –
40 percent membership discount
• 9 referred members –
45 percent membership discount
• 10 referred members –
complimentary membership,a
plaque,and recognition in
NAPPS Network
• 20 referred members –
complimentary trip to the
Annual Conference and Small
Business Forum,a plaque,and
recognition in NAPPS Network
With your help, NAPPS will continue to
grow as an association and further the
in-home pet care industry.
The NAPPS Network • 17
Pets Home Alone: Do They Party or Pout?
By Linda Norton
Do you ever wonder what your pets
do when you aren’t home? Many
times you can tell how well they
coped when you were away by the
condition of your home and their
attitude when you return.
All of my clients have told me they
know their pets received good care
from me while they were away
because their pets seem relaxed when
they got home. That is good to hear
because I try to help your pets feel
relaxed and stress-free while you are
away. I’m a good observer of behavior
and can easily sense when a pet is
feeling lonely or stressed and I try to
adjust their care accordingly.
were a bored pet, would you find your
way into that open closet and pull
things out? Would you sniff out the
contents of the garbage can and
unknowingly feast upon poisons,
sharp objects, strings, or plastic
baggies?
I talk to pet owners frequently and
hear of some of the sad things that
happen to pets in their own homes –
all by accident. It is heartbreaking to
their humans who only love their furry
babies deeply and can feel such guilt
when something happens to cause
injury to their pets. I feel a
responsibility to pass on warnings to
other pet owners so things won’t
happen to their pets as well.
As we all know, having pets is like
having children that never grow up
and it is always a challenge to provide
them with enough stimulation and
safety so they can thrive and live long,
healthy lives. Never underestimate the
curiosity and intelligence of those in
the animal kingdom, and plan
accordingly. Also, communicate with
your pet sitter, about your pet’s
behavior so that he or she can be
better prepared to their needs when
you are away.
However, there are pets that do not
like being alone regardless of who is
stopping in to care for them. This is
especially true if a pet and human are
very bonded and the pet is rarely left
alone. Single pet homes tend to have
more problems with pets being bored,
lonely, or anxious than multiple pet
homes.
A bored, angry, or lonely pet will go to
great lengths to keep themselves
busy or come up with a way to “redecorate” your home to let you know
of their displeasure in your leaving.
Birds can even start feather picking if
bored or anxious. Cats can get
aggressive, and all pets can become ill
if stressed. You may want to book an
extra pet visit a day to help with a pet
that tends to have more separation or
loneliness problems than other pets.
It is a good idea to leave special toys
out for your pets that they only get to
play with when you aren’t home.
Leave special treats for them, or buy
them a new doggy bone, cat tower, or
catnip toy. Leaving a radio or TV on
while you are out can be a big help
too. As a pet sitter, I see a positive
difference in a pet’s demeanor when a
pet’s home is prepared with their
needs in mind.
Before you leave your home, look at
your home from your pet’s eyes. If you
The NAPPS Network • 18
ORLANDO PET SITTING BUSINESS FOR SALE Established 14 years. Many repeat clients.
Web site and business systems in place.
Asking $130K GOLDCREST (Broker) 407-869-6446
NAPPS President’s Award Presented to Five Outstanding Volunteers
Kathie Luxton, Monica Leighton, John
D’Arianio, Olga Wharton, and Linda
Norton were presented with NAPPS
President’s Award at the association’s
recent conference in San Diego. The
award was presented “In recognition
of their professional, positive,
enthusiastic, and selfless dedication to
NAPPS.”
The awards also recognize the
recipients’ contributions to the many
recently added member benefits.
Kathie Luxton served as chair of the
Member Benefits Committee in 2005
as the Mentoring Teleconference was
introduced, pet sitting business forms
and a Member’s Resource Library were
made available online, and also an
effort to redesign certification began.
John D’Ariano led the E-Zine project.
This low cost marketing tool allows
members to stay in touch with their
customers using an individualized
quarterly electronic newsletter. (It is
coming in printable form soon!) All
NAPPS members receive one free trial,
and many see that it will more than
pay the subscription cost ($60 per
year) with just their trial offer. John is
responsible for a program that
financially benefits both our members
and association.
Olga Wharton and Monica Leighton
both contributed to the Disaster
Preparedness Guides for Pet Owners
and Pet Sitting Businesses. Our
members’ businesses and many of
their pet families are
better prepared thanks to
Monica and Olga’s work.
And by the way…If you
are interested in using
disaster preparedness as
a way to differentiate and
market your business, and
get others to help you do
it – for free, ask Monica or
Olga to help you get
started.
Linda Norton was
recognized for her
involvement in several
NAPPS projects, but
specifically her
contribution to
certification. Linda is part
of a team working to
make certification
learning and testing
available online to our
members by year-end.
John D’Ariano receives congratulations
from President Jerry Wentz
Jerry Wentz, NAPPS
President commented,
“We have been fortunate
to have such a dedicated
group of volunteers. I
want to thank them on
behalf of our members
for putting their own
agendas aside, having the
Linda Norton is recognized for her contributions
spirit to tackle tough
bests benefits all our members, and
assignments, adapting to the
being a role model for others. It has
circumstances to successfully
been inspiring to work with each of
complete their projects in a way that
them.”
President Jerry Wentz & Award Recipient Monica Leighton
Kathie Luxton receives her award
(Olga Wharton is expecting her first child and was not able to travel to the conference.)
The NAPPS Network • 19
New NAPPS Members
Cindie Carter–Walks & Wags, Inc., Mobile, AL
Deanna Hamilton–Prescott Professional Pet Services,
Prescott, AZ
Karen Scherer–Loving Hands Pet Care, Chandler, AZ
Lorna Albertsen–Thousand Palms, CA
Hillary Alexander–The Jogging Dog, Van Nuys, CA
Juliane Arpel–WonderDogs, Inc., Beverly Hills, CA
Magdalena Buendia–THEKRITTERSITTERS.COM,
Vallejo, CA
Elizabeth Duenas–Guardian Casa Care, Lake Forest, CA
Laura Ann Fisher–True Love Pet Care, Murrieta, CA
Elizabeth Kulbin–All Four Paws, Redlands, CA
Sabrina Moeti–Mission Viejo, CA
Henry Mooney–Hank Mooney-Fine Dog Services, San
Francisco, CA
Sharon Olson–Long Beach, CA
Rita Reimers–The Kat Lady, Los Angeles, CA
Jessica Resnik–IronDogs, Piedmont, CA
Jacqueline Shulman–Hello Poochie!, Marina Del Rey, CA
Lisa Starr–Oxnard, CA
Marnye Summers–Goin' To the Dogs, Agua Dulce, CA
Michelle Taub–Michelle's Pet-errific Care,
Arroyo Grande, CA
Karen Tench–Napa Valley Pet Sitters, Yountville, CA
Sally Way–Earth Angels, Yucca Valley, CA
Claudia Weintraub–As You Like It Pet Sitting,
Thousand Oaks, CA
Nancy Dzina–Durango Dawg, Durango, CO
Susan Flickinger–Sojourn, Denver, CO
Geir Hansen–Doggie Whisperer, Aurora, CO
Jennifer Bridgeland–Happy Pets, Norwalk, CT
Elizabeth Sotomayor–Pets Luv Company, Milford, CT
Susan Blits–South Paw Pet Sitters and More,
Lake Worth, FL
Gwendolyn Bodry–Enchanted Pets, LLC, Palm Bay, FL
Leanne Harshbarger–No Place Like Home, Riverview, FL
Darien Moskowitz–No Claws For Worry Pet Care,
Belle Isle, FL
Sandra Pompey–Pompey's Pet Sitting,
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
Whitney Quillin–Perry–Walks With Whitney,
Lake Monroe, FL
Francine Thurman–RiverCity Home & Pet Care, LLC,
Jacksonville, FL
Deborah West–Aloha Auntie Deborah Goldensitter,
Stuart, FL
Kathryn Wilson–Clermont Pet Sitting, Clermont, FL
Pam Mealer–P.A.M.S. (Pets Are My Specialty) Pets, Inc.,
Douglasville, GA
Elizabeth Brown–Pet Sitting By Lizzy, Springfield, IL
Nick Fischer–Always There Pet Care, Riverside, IL
Mary Hill–Your Pet Solutions, Aurora, IL
Matt Kriser–The Barking Lot, Inc., Chicago, IL
Sara Lutz–Pets R People 2, Wadsworth, IL
Jane O'Mahoney–Go Dog Go, Chicago, IL
Sandra Schroeder–Palatine, IL
The NAPPS Network • 20
as of February 2, 2006
Tyra Schutt–Smarty Pets, Chicago, IL
Bob Sullivan–Animal Care Experts, Inc., Woodstock, IL
Deborah Coch–We Care Pet Care In-Home Pet Sitting,
South Bend, IN
Cecilia Forbes–Your Best Friend's Friend, Fishers, IN
Bonnie Ravesloot–Love Your Paws Pet Sitting Service,
Saint John, IN
Isola Hoff–HEAD TO TAIL ETC., Scott, LA
Karen Avery–Doggie Nosh Pet Services, Framingham, MA
Susan Chalmers–Boston Felines, Boston, MA
Kimberly Huskins–Paws To Consider, Roslindale, MA
Keith Purrier–WAG 'N WALK, Mansfield, MA
Jill Freifeld–Happy Hound Dog Care, Silver Spring, MD
Eliza Graney–Feeling Guilty LLC, Baltimore, MD
Terry Liebman–At Home Pet Sitters, Baltimore, MD
Rick Robinson–No Worries Pet Service, Germantown, MD
Jennifer Howlett–Critter Comforts, Presque Isle, ME
Carynn Sandusky–Club Canine, Howell, MI
Lori Smith–Pawsitive Comfort Pet Sitting & Home Care,
Lansing, MI
Kevin Cooper–Creature Comfort Pet Sitting,
Hermantown, MN
Connie Slater–The Cats Meow Pet Sitting, Wayzata, MN
Jerel Jewell–Pet University, Hillside, NJ
Jennifer Makowka–Treasured Creatures Pet Care, LLC,
Sparta, NJ
Renee Henley–A Caring Companion Pet Sitting,
Henderson, NV
Michael Adams–Michael's Pet Care, Brooklyn, NY
Ralph Fevola–Animal Sitting Services, Peru, NY
Dana Levy–Ani-Nanny Pet Services, New York, NY
Belinda Perez–New York, NY
Kathleen Wade–The Hound Hotel, Rosendale, NY
Jolene Josie–A Caring Pet Service & Retreat LLC,
Richfield, OH
Carol Wolfe–Critter Care, Louisville, OH
Steven Hencze–Petology, Dundas, ON
Marie McKee–Penns Edge, LLC, West Grove, PA
Brooke Pettinelli–Blue's Best Friend, Philadelphia, PA
Laurie Vizzard–Love Your Dog Walking Service,
Philadelphia, PA
Edward Garnet Leitz–Protect Your Pet, Dallas, TX
Alicia Kutchinski–Petlove Specialties, Fort Worth, TX
Jennifer Vallis, RN, CNOR–Furry Friends Pet Sitting-of the
Rio Grande Valley, Harlingen, TX
Melissa Donoff–Bay Paws, Urbanna, VA
Ben Johnson–Busy Buddha's Professional Pet Sitting,
Winchester, VA
Robin Pemberton–Creature Comforts, Williamsburg, VA
Debby Norman–Cats Only Petsitting, Seattle, WA
Jessica Britz–The Pet Nanny, Eagle, WI
Roxanne Danek–While You're Away....Roxanne, LLC,
Racine, WI
Cam Robinson–Invisible Fence Of Madison, LLC,
Waunakee, WI
National Association of Professional Pet Sitters, Inc.
15000 Commerce Parkway, Suite C • Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054
E-Mail: [email protected] • Website: www.petsitters.org
COMMITTEE APPLICATION
(Print or Type)
As a member of NAPPS, you play a part in the exciting growth of the inhome professional pet care industry, and you have a voice in the
association’s affairs and governance. You can help shape your association by
becoming more involved in the programs and activities that NAPPS offers.
Your time commitment is up to you. You can be involved as little or as much
as you like. By serving on a Committee, you learn new skills and network
with your peers. Get involved today!
Member ID ______________________________________________________
COMMITTEES
Benefits Committee
Develops New Member Benefits.
Participates in Certification Program
and Disaster Preparedness Program.
Oversees Ezine, Volunteer Recruitment,
NAPPS Chat List Serve.
Business Name __________________________________________________
Your Name _____________________________________________________
Address ________________________________________________________
City________________________State__________Zip___________________
Marketing Committee
Promotes NAPPS and the Pet Sitting
Profession. Assists in preparation of
Annual Conference. Reviews Website.
Solicits Corporate Sponsorship.
Phone ( ____ ) ___________________ Fax ( ____ ) ______________________
E-Mail __________________________________________________________
Membership Committee
Oversees Membership Growth and
Retention, Chapter Development.
Please indicate the committees on which you would like to serve:
Benefits Committee
Certification Subcommittee
Disaster Preparedness Subcommittee
Marketing Committee
Annual Conference Subcommittee
Membership Committee
Please return completed form to:
NAPPS • 15000 Commerce Parkway, Suite C • Mt. Laurel NJ 08054 • Fax (856) 439-0525
NAPPS offers its members
many valuable benefits
including:
• A Voice in the Association
• Prestige and Professionalism
• Exposure
• Code of Ethics
• Networking
• Bonding Insurance
• Liability Insurance
• Health Insurance
• 800# Pet Sitter Locator
• Online Pet Sitter Locator
• Website
• Annual Conference & Trade Show
• Quarterly Magazine
• Certification Program
• Ezine
• Virtual Library
• Sample Press Releases and Materials
• Business Forms
• List Serve
• Monthly Mentoring Teleconferences
• Publications & Videos
• Trade Show Support
• Credit Card Processing
NAPPS is continually looking for ways to improve
the association for its members and the
industry. So look for more
important member
benefits coming
soon!