This month, we want to introduce you to the special pair behind A&S Pet Care, one of the top pet care providers in Central Massachusetts. Specializing in care for nervous and reactive pets, Alex and Shannon began their journey in the pet care industry after the adoption of their own anxious pets familiarized them with the struggle of finding someone who could provide care that was both adequate and compassionate to their pets' specific needs.
Dedicated to providing exactly the type of support for pets that they were looking for when they first adopted their pets, A&S Pet Care and their team focus on offering pet care that is patient, attentive, and committed to meeting them where they're at. As they continue to grow their client base, Alex and Shannon are considering branching out into the world of dog training as the natural evolution of the specialized care they already provide.
With a team of four incredible pet caregivers at their side, Alex and Shannon are making the lives of the pets under their care brighter and allowing them to live more positive, fulfilling lives. If you'd like to learn more about the incredible work they're doing, check out their website here!
What caused you to get into pet sitting/dog walking?
Animals have always been a huge part of our lives, but our own rescue dogs really shaped the path we're on now. Having anxious and reactive dogs showed us firsthand how hard it can be to find care that truly understands their needs. We started A&S Pet Care to be the kind of support we were always looking for—patient, compassionate, and willing to meet pets exactly where they're at.
What is the most fulfilling part of owning a pet sitting/dog walking business?
Building trust with both pets and their people. Watching a nervous dog slowly relax, choose to engage, and gain confidence over time is incredibly rewarding. Knowing we are creating positive experiences for pets who are often misunderstood, and giving their humans peace of mind, is what makes this work so meaningful.
What is the most challenging?
Making your own schedule also can mean you're always working (even when you're on vacation!). When you own the business, every free moment can turn into work time, and learning how to set boundaries while still caring deeply about your clients is definitely a challenge. In January of this year, we promoted one of our employees to office manager, which has made a huge difference for us!
Where do you see your business in 5 years?
We have talked about dog training. Since we already specialize in nervous and reactive dogs, it feels like a really natural next step. Our goal is to keep growing in ways that support these dogs more fully and help them feel more confident out in the world. We get asked all of the time if we are trainers, and we always say, "Not yet!"
What has TTP changed the most about how you run your business?
Honestly, it changed everything. Time To Pet made it possible for us to hire, and we truly don't know how we would run our business without it now. Switching from text threads with clients to an all-in-one system came with a learning curve, but it has made things SO much easier—from scheduling and contracts to keeping all care information in one place. It has helped us grow quickly and seamlessly while staying organized, and our clients love the software too!
