Today we’d like to introduce you to Kassandra Howard.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Kassandra. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I am a true animal lover! I have been blessed with many amazing pets throughout my life and am passionate about working with dogs and other animals. My dog Josie is my pride and joy and she is the dearest thing to me in this entire world. I graduated from Duxbury High School on the South Shore in 2001 and studied Business Management and Outdoor Education at Johnson State College in Vermont. I love spending time in the great outdoors, hiking, cycling, exploring beautiful natural areas, and of course walking with my dogs! I would often volunteer to walk my friends’ and neighbors’ dogs as a child growing up, and I have worked professionally as a dog-walker and pet-sitter for other companies in the past. When I decided to start my own business, it was a terrifying process that felt like taking a giant leap of faith, but from day one I prided myself on my vision of going far above and beyond the efforts of your average dog-walker. I would love and get to know every animal I worked with as though they were one of my own. We would go for great adventures to local dog parks, playing fetch and running around for hours every day, or taking extensive hikes and field trips with groups of dogs out in the Middlesex Fells or other nearby conservation areas. I threw myself fully into my work every single day and gradually I cultivated relationships with several dedicated clients, who could see how passionate I am about working with animals and how much I enjoy and love this work. Today I have a wonderful pack of dogs who join me for playgroups and walks from day-to-day. I also do home visits with cats and often have dogs stay as overnight guests at my condo in Medford. Here at Kassandra’s Pet Care, I take great pride in treating every animal I work with just like a member of my own family.
I am now in the process of pursuing further education in the knowledge and skills to become a professional dog trainer and to move towards being able to offer more services to my clients. I know that working with animals is my calling in life and I am very excited to grow my business in the years to come.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I have enjoyed many wonderful days working with some amazing animals in my time running and growing my business thus far, but it definitely has not always been a smooth road. Starting my business was slow going in the beginning and I often felt discouraged. I worried that people would not take me seriously, and my gender identity also felt like a major concern for me. I identify as a transgender woman, and I just wanted to live each day completely and fully as my true self, but I thought in the beginning that this fact would put me at a disadvantage in the process of locating and retaining clients. I have found more and more, however, that Boston is a very diverse and accepting city, allowing everyone equal opportunities to realize their dreams and build their lives, regardless of who they are or where they come from. I was inspired by friends and loved ones who encouraged me every step of the way, and ultimately potential clients could clearly see how dedicated I am to this work and how passionate I am about working with animals, throwing myself so fully into my work and treating every pet with the same love and care as I would one of my own. I believe it was this level of commitment and passion, dedication and caring that has earned me the trust and respect of many of my regular clients who are still with me to this day, Words cannot describe the gratitude that I have felt for the opportunities given to me to provide my care and services for these beloved pets. All things considered, living and running my business as my true self has been an amazing asset to me in my professional and personal life, far more so than it has ever been a burden or roadblock. I have absolutely no regrets and look forward to many happy and fulfilling years in this business!
Kassandra’s Pet Care – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I provide quality pet care and dog-walking services, offering an alternative to traditional day care and kennels.
My dog-walking service provides exercise and adventure for dogs. 1 hour walks in the local area are a great way for dogs to get out of the house and have some fun!
3-hour play group sessions are held at local dog parks and are a great way for dogs to have fun, socialize and play with other dogs. I provide transportation to and from playgroups. During play groups, I interact closely with dogs providing training of basic commands through positive reinforcement. I love to send picture and video updates of the dog’s daily activity at play groups in order to ensure a well-connected experience. Any of my clients could tell you that the pictures and videos I send them of their pets while under my care is something that always makes their day and distinguishes me from others in this field.
I also provide overnight care for pets, at either my home or the clients’, whichever is more convenient for them. During their stay with us, pets enjoy plenty of one-on-one attention and interaction, spending lots of time outdoors, exploring, making new friends, going for walks and hikes, and visiting dog parks. Positive reinforcement training techniques are employed throughout a dog’s stay.
As a company, I am very proud of the fact that I am so much more than just your average dog walker. Unlike many dog walkers who will simply bring a group of dogs to a park and then just stand there and supervise them while they play, I always throw myself fully into the work. I am constantly engaging with the dogs, playing fetch and running with them, making sure their day is fun and fulfilling to the max. Sometimes I will take groups of dogs hiking at the Middlesex Fells or other nearby conservation areas, and I take great pride in some of the epic adventures that the dogs get to enjoy alongside me and my pack. Again, I always make sure to fully document all of these outings, play sessions, and adventures with high-quality pictures and videos so that clients can feel like they are actually a part of the action, and I take great pride in this. Some of my clients have shared these pictures and videos with everyone in their office, amidst a chorus of love, delight and amusement. Even on a simple home visit to feed a cat and change a litter box, for example, I will make sure to get an adorable picture of the pet so that parents can see first-hand that their loved one is safe and sound, and happy. I am extremely enthusiastic about my work and I take the care and safety of each and every pet very seriously. I am also fully insured and I am certified in Pet First Aid and CPR, because I want to do everything I can to not only ensure fun and growth but also safety for every animal I work with.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I define success as living each day to the fullest and trying my absolute best in everything I do. Client satisfaction is my top priority. The satisfaction of knowing that I have gone far above and beyond to provide exceptional service for my clients. To create an environment for the animals I work with that is caring, healthy, fulfilling, beneficial and fun. If I can go home at the end of the day and truly feel proud of the things I have done and the way I have conducted myself and my business, and taken great care of my clients and my staff, then I have succeeded.
Pricing:
- Play Groups/Doggie Day Care: $35 for 3-hour session.
- Dog Walking: $20 for 1-hour walk, $15 for half-hour walk.
- Overnight Dog Boarding: $50/night.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kassandrapets.com
- Email: kassandra.mattea.h@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/kassandrapets
- Facebook: facebook.com/kassandrapets
- Yelp: yelp.com/biz/kassandras-pet-care-boston
Image Credit:
Kassandra Howard
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