Our Pet Sitters

Donna

Hi, my name is Donna. My husband and I moved to Reston from Wisconsin in 2004, and we really enjoy Virginia life with our labradoodle, Foster. We have a daughter who lives in the New York City area with her two dogs. We love to have them visit. There's never a dull moment when the three dogs are together. I've been with Villaridge since 2006, and I never dreamed that walking dogs would be my dream job. Every day, I look forward to taking care of my dogs; they are all very special and make me feel special also. Villaridge has a great group of walkers. Every one of them is very reliable and caring. I'm proud to be part of such a wonderful organization.

Julia

Hi, I'm Julia. I've been with Villaridge for a little over a year. I currently share my home with 3 dogs, 8 cats, a very tolerant husband & our 2 almost adult children. Over the years, we have had the fortune to give a loving home to 20 dogs & cats. Most have been rescues because we are firm believers in 2nd chances. I am frequently seen in my neighborhood walking my 3 dogs, or any number of my neighbor's dogs, which is why I decided to work for Villaridge as a full time dog walker. Hanging with dogs during the day is my favorite thing to do! In my off time, I work for the office manager at Great Falls Animal Hospital. My favorite thing in the world is drifting off to sleep at night with my dogs all around me & a few cats on the bed. Bliss.

Aimee

I have been employed by Villaridge Pet Sitters LLC since September 2006. I feel extremely fortunate to be working for Rhoda Otero and Sarah Parkinson. They have given me so much over the years that I think I have now been thoroughly spoiled for any other job, and I know for certain I am not the same person I was before I joined their team of animal lovers. Being a pet sitter has given me an outlet for embracing my lifelong passion for animals. I can't imagine another occupation where I get to interact with so many wonderful animals and their fantastic owners. I truly believe the pets we care for and their owners are the heart of the company! I am able to administer medication to dogs and cats and am always willing to go the extra mile for you and your furry, feathered, or scaled family member! This is a picture of me with my dog, Ginger.

Meghan

My name is Meghan McAuliffe and I am a pet sitter for Villaridge Pet Sitters. I started part time in May 2010 and as of July 2011 I am working full time for the company. I have been a pet sitter in the local area for the last 20 years. My husband Brian and I live in Gainesville, VA with our Labs Daisy and Lily and our cats Emmie and Winnie. In my spare time I am a volunteer with Lab Rescue LRCP. I foster Labs, do adoption coordinating, and I am an intake coordinator for the owner give ups.

Lucy

Since having a dog as a child, I've always loved animals. Before moving to Reston, I lived in an apartment that wouldn't allow pets. Therefore, I started volunteering at an animal shelter, where I took care of many dogs and cats and met our dog, Susie, whom I loved so much that I moved to a pit bull-friendly townhouse so I could take her home. She was one of the many sweet, unwanted pit bulls who waited and waited to find a forever home at the shelter. Many dogs, especially pitbulls, end their short lives at the animal shelter because nobody wants them. It broke my heart that I couldn't rescue all of the precious, unwanted animals at the shelter. However, I did save Susie's life. She captured our heart, and she no longer has to spend nights alone in the corner cage at the animal shelter.

I look forward to meeting you and your pets. I promise to take care of them as if they were my own.

Anne

My name is Anne, I am 25 and live in Northern Virginia. All of my life, I have had a passion for animals from rats to horses, which are my other passion. Whether it's taking care of a sick animal I find or showering my pets with love, I am not happy unless I am involved with animals. Working for Villaridge is amazing. Every one of the sitters has the same passion for the animals that I have. Getting to know and work with your clients is a very special aspect of the job. We form such strong bonds with our furry clients, and they really look forward to seeing us every day.

Christine

Christine Fox is a Northern Virginia native and has always had a soft spot in her heart for children, seniors and animals. Growing up we always had pets, mostly dogs but we did have a manx cat, a squirrel, and a skunk. If you couldn't tell my dad was an animal lover too. I currently have two dogs. A miniature dachshund (Mollie) and the beef cakes bull dog (Remington) with me in the picture. They are spoiled rotten as all pets should be! After retiring from the federal government, I decided I wanted to have a FUN part-time job. A fun job would be working with the soft spots on my heart. Therefore, I currently take care of my great niece, care for a senior friend one day a week and the remaining time is with my furry friends. My furry friends are always happy to see me, we both get some fresh air and exercise, and they never complain. What a great life!

Sara

I have been working with Villaridge Pet Sitters for 3 years, and I couldn't be happier. Caring for animals is a happy and relaxing way to make my income. I truly love animals, and I hope to continue to work with pets and the wonderful family that Villaridge has become for many years.

Natasha

My name is Natasha Mandel and I have been with Villaridge PetSitters for a year now. We have a great crew and all work together to get the job done and to give the best care possible to your furry family members! Most of us have our regular clients and think of them more as extended family, than just another client. I think that is what sets us apart from the rest! We love your pets and care for them as if they were our own :) I myself have dedicated my career to animal care; I was a kennel technician with an Animal Control and Shelter for 4 years, worked for Virginia's own, Reston Zoo as their Reptile and Bird Zookeeper and now am working with my fellow Villaridge Petsitters! I have loved and raised many animals from cats, dogs, ferrets, fish, birds and my specialty...Reptiles and Amphibians (of which I have more than 15 years of experience raising, handling, etc!! Love and Dedication is what you get when you choose Villaridge Petsitters!!

Joe

My name is Joe Mendoza. I've been with Villaridge since Spring of 2011, and enjoyed it, ever since. I've lived in northern VA for 3 years now, and have always owned animals ever since I was a kid. My parents were dog breeders for about 8 years, so we've owned all types of dogs. Currently, my wife and I own a Blue Pit Bull, named Bishop, that we got in Georgia, and he's been the light of our lives! We treat him like he's our child, and sometimes, it can get pretty pathetic! I respect people who become clients of Villaridge, for the main reason that they love their animals very much, and always want the best for them. Being around grateful animals shows good things about the owner, and that I am thankful for, which is why I do what I do.

Priscilla

Since 2006 I have had the privilege of being a pet-care contractor, and caring for pets has been "my pleasure" since that time. The "precious ones" that I have cared for, and continue to care for, are such loving and lovable pets.

Janis

About a year ago, I realized that my Social Security check was not going to support me. I needed a part-time job. I didn't want to teach, write computer documentation, or edit bad writing. What I really wanted to do was spend my time with my Beagle, Runner, and my grand dogs (which are various shapes and sizes from a tiny Maltese to a huge Pyrenees). But that was not a good way to supplement my income. The best of both worlds? Working with the great people at Villaridge Pet Sitters. I get to spend all my time with wonderful pets that range from dogs and cats to birds and hermit crabs, and I earn a little "pocket money." Only one drawback. I want to bring all of the animals home with me. I fall in love with each and every one!

Natasha

Three years ago, I left my job as office manager for a construction company and started walking dogs for Villaridge. Although I am always on the go and always putting out fires, I love my job walking dogs. When I was growing up, we always had dogs as part of our family; at one point, we had three. I can't imagine growing up without them. Walking dogs helps me support my family and gives me the flexibility I need to be a great mom. I still do office manger duties for Villaridge, but what I love most is that, regardless of the day, time, or weather, the pups I walk ALWAYS put a smile on my face!