Laina W.
Bolingbrook, IL
Laina W. has Star Sitter status
The Star Sitter program highlights responsive sitters who deliver highly rated care and have a history of listing accurate availability and preferences, making it easier for pet parents to find the best care for their pets.
Solutions for anxiety/XXL/medical/b
Pet care experience
Hello! I'm Pet CPR and First Aid certified. I specialize in caring for dogs that have separation anxiety, special medical needs, mobility, behavioral, or incontinence issues, disabilities, giant breed dogs (e.g. bloat and torsion prevention), and seniors, as well as puppies and healthy adult dogs. As my animal care business has grown, I have found that there are many families who have dogs with issues that make it difficult to find the right caregiver. I really enjoy working with my clients and guests to find solutions for their specialized needs. My husband Bill and I began to foster dogs for an animal rescue in 2012. We were drawn towards senior dogs and dogs that were medically fragile, and ended up adopting many of our foster dogs. This is how we gathered experience training and caring for dogs with problems like incontinence, chronic conditions or diseases, blindness, deafness, mobility issues, and behavioral issues. One of my most beloved dogs had no lower jaw and required help to eat. Because our "pack" required so much patience and care, there was a period of eight years in which my husband and I could not take a vacation together! Since we started caring for dogs through Rover, we have discovered that we were not unique in our situation. Many families have beloved pets that, for one reason or another, make it very difficult to find someone who can properly care for them and allow the family to have time off to travel, work, or have guests over. Since we began offering care, our little "side gig" has quickly grown to a busy small business. We have had the privilege of caring for all sorts of wonderful dogs and many of our clients have become dear friends! When we host your pet, you can be assured your dog will *not* be left alone in my home at any time. Our guests are supervised outside during yard playtimes, and the frequent potty breaks we provide. You can text, telephone, or video call us at any time to check in and say hi!
Reviews
Thank you so much for taking such great care of our dog! We felt so comfortable leaving him with you and it gave us so much peace of mind while we were away. He came back super happy and clearly had a great time. We really appreciate it and would definitely leave him with you again!
Laina and Bill were exactly what we AND Thor needed during our time away! They gave us the perfect amount of updates and we never felt any stress. We really appreciated being able to drop Thor off for a few hours a couple times prior to our trip to get acclimated before his visit. They also followed every detailed instruction (I’m crazy so there were a lot) perfectly. We really couldn’t be happier for his and our experience and we will be back!
Lexi has anxiety issues. Laina and her husband were very loving and understanding. They sent pictures throughout the visit letting me know she was doing well. Thank you so much for allowing us to attend our Granddaughters birthday party.
Laina takes such good care of Luna for us! Luna is very skittish (can be reactive) but she takes to Laina right away. She's so good with her! I appreciate her loving care very much.
About Laina W.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
About me: I am a freelance artist, small business owner, and former high school/ college educator. I have a BA in Art and German, an MA in Education, and an MA in Accounting & Financial Management. My husband and I run a small design business from our home. My passions are serving others through art education and animal care. My hobbies include painting, sculpture, piano, dog obedience training, and Scuba diving. I have completed many training and obedience classes with my own dogs, and even obtained Canine Good Citizen certification with some of them. My husband Bill and I are in our forties and have been happily married for almost two decades. We have worked in public schools and colleges, non profits, and eventually own our own small businesses. We have both had dogs since we were children,and have been rescue volunteers and dog foster parents since 2012. We have a lifetime of experience with pets, and can provide references from our rescue organization.
Home
Information Laina W. would like to know about your pet
I can provide any feeding and exercise schedule you prefer. Please let me know when to give your pet meals, what they eat, if they need medication, and if they are allowed to have treats. I will stick to their regular plan and schedule, while keeping them clean, exercised, entertained, and happy. If a dog requires a number of medications, I will often create a checklist using Google sheets to keep track of each dose during their stay with me. When I administer each dose, I check it off. This allows my clients to track their dog's medication in real time from wherever they are. During you dog's stay, I will send lots of updates and videos on the first day so you will feel comfortable about their activities. I will continue to send photos and will respond to all your texts and phone calls promptly. You are welcome to video call me at any time or chat with me to get an update. I will provide you with my mobile phone number and will text you with updates and photos as well as posting on the Rover app.
A typical day
During your dog's stay, I like to spend time outdoors on walks and playing in our back yard. We like to play fetch and have agility equipment. Some clients prefer that I walk their dogs several times a day, and others prefer their dogs to play only in my fully fenced yard. I have a large park and school less than a block from my house. I have a six foot wooden fence. Whenever my guests are outside in the back yard to play or relieve themselves, they will be supervised the entire time to ensure their safety, even if it's cold or rainy.
Services
Laina can host
Laina can watch in your home
Availability
The experience I have gained in caring for dogs has been informal and through fostering and adopting. I have had seven of my own rescue Great Danes, and had to learn to be aware of and watchful for the symptoms of bloat and torsion which is especially common in giant or deep chested breeds such as Mastiffs, Boxers, Weimaraners, and St. Bernards. I am careful with meal and play schedules, and can provide slow feeders and other accommodations. I have cared for both male and female dogs with incontinence issues and can keep them clean and healthy. I have firsthand experience caring for dogs with skin wounds, diabetes, dementia, megaesophagus, tracheal collapse, blindness, deafness, Cushings, Addison's disease, thrombocytopenia, arthritis, Wobblers, autoimmune disorders, cancer, heart and respiratory problems, hip dysplasia, and less serious conditions.
| S | M | T | W | T | F | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | ||||
4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 |
About Laina W.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
About me: I am a freelance artist, small business owner, and former high school/ college educator. I have a BA in Art and German, an MA in Education, and an MA in Accounting & Financial Management. My husband and I run a small design business from our home. My passions are serving others through art education and animal care. My hobbies include painting, sculpture, piano, dog obedience training, and Scuba diving. I have completed many training and obedience classes with my own dogs, and even obtained Canine Good Citizen certification with some of them. My husband Bill and I are in our forties and have been happily married for almost two decades. We have worked in public schools and colleges, non profits, and eventually own our own small businesses. We have both had dogs since we were children,and have been rescue volunteers and dog foster parents since 2012. We have a lifetime of experience with pets, and can provide references from our rescue organization.
Home
Information Laina W. would like to know about your pet
I can provide any feeding and exercise schedule you prefer. Please let me know when to give your pet meals, what they eat, if they need medication, and if they are allowed to have treats. I will stick to their regular plan and schedule, while keeping them clean, exercised, entertained, and happy. If a dog requires a number of medications, I will often create a checklist using Google sheets to keep track of each dose during their stay with me. When I administer each dose, I check it off. This allows my clients to track their dog's medication in real time from wherever they are. During you dog's stay, I will send lots of updates and videos on the first day so you will feel comfortable about their activities. I will continue to send photos and will respond to all your texts and phone calls promptly. You are welcome to video call me at any time or chat with me to get an update. I will provide you with my mobile phone number and will text you with updates and photos as well as posting on the Rover app.
A typical day
During your dog's stay, I like to spend time outdoors on walks and playing in our back yard. We like to play fetch and have agility equipment. Some clients prefer that I walk their dogs several times a day, and others prefer their dogs to play only in my fully fenced yard. I have a large park and school less than a block from my house. I have a six foot wooden fence. Whenever my guests are outside in the back yard to play or relieve themselves, they will be supervised the entire time to ensure their safety, even if it's cold or rainy.
Location
Bolingbrook, IL
Pets
Laina W.
Bolingbrook, IL