At A1 Pet Care, we strive to always provide your pets with the best care possible. We will listen to your needs and concerns for your pets and see that while your pets are our care that they receive the love, food and more that they need to be happy. One way we do this is by encouraging our workers to take additional training and continuing education classes so that they can be better informed in the field of pet sitting/pet care. Recently, one of our pet sitters, Jessica Perry, completed the NAPPS (National Association of Professional Pet Sitters) course. We have asked her to share a bit about the NAPPS certification program, so that you, our family of pet lovers, can understand more about how serious A1 Pet Care is regarding providing your pets with the best possible care.
How NAPPS Has Made Me a Better Pet Sitter
The NAPPS certification course was very broad and contained a wealth of information. The course covered how to take care of birds, dogs, cats, rabbits and exotics (turtles, hermit crabs, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, snakes, mice, iguanas, tree frogs, etc.). I really learned the most about birds. I had no idea how social they are! It was actually recommended that they get 2 pet sits per day while their owners are out of town. If they do not get enough attention, and/or they do not have enough stimulation, than they will begin having all sorts of behavioral issues (such as feather picking). I also learned that birds generally need much larger cages than their owners provide for them. The most interesting thing to me was how much they enjoy bathing and being in water! The course recommended misting birds often with a spray bottle or even putting parrots in the shower.
The NAPPS certification course also included American Red Cross books on dog first aid and cat first aid, which I think covered the most important information. The main subjects that I learned were about injuries, illnesses, medical emergencies, first aid, protecting a dog or cat’s health, and disaster plans. I am now educated on all sorts of emergencies from pet CPR to saving a pet from choking. I now keep the pet first aid books in my pet sitting bag at all times, and I plan on purchasing a pet first aid kit to keep in my pet sitting bag as well in the near future.
One of the best points made in the disaster plans chapter was to make sure that a pet on identification on him or her at all times. This means wearing tags and/or having a microchip. Many pet owners do not have any identification for their pets, especially if their pets only stay indoors. However, a pet can somehow get out and then get lost for a number of reasons.
Getting certified by NAPPS is important to me, because I have the tools that I need to help save a pet’s life in an emergency. I am more knowledgeable about quite a few animals now. If I had not taken this course, I wouldn’t know the first thing about hermit crabs or even some of the exotics that I previously mentioned. My long-term goal is to pet sit full-time, and maybe even own a pet sitting business one of these days. So the more educated I become about animals and pet sitting, the better! Pet sitting for A-1 Pet Care has been the best job that I have ever had, and I have really enjoyed learning all of this new material!
What This Means for You, Our Pet Owners
Jessica’s new knowledge will make her an even better pet sitter. She graduated with top marks on all her classwork, so you can depend on her to know “what to do if….” The A-1 Pet Sitters team is proud of her accomplishments and knows that she is going to do an even more wonderful job as she works with your pets.
As part of the A-1 Pet Care family, you our pet owners can expect your furry and feathered friends to receive the best care possible. We will be there to not merely feed your furry family, but will provide them with exercise and camaraderie so they do not get lonely in your absence. You don’t have to be concerned about your pets getting their medicine or being stuck inside, our A-1 pet sitters will give them their medicine, take them for walks, play ball or whatever activities you suggest that your pet loves.
As summertime and vacation season is right around the corner, don’t forget to make your pet sitting plans now. Contact us today, to reserve your furry family member’s space with A-1.
