Spring 2009 - National Association of Professional Pet Sitters

Table of Contents
ASSOCIATION NEWS
President’s Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
NAPPS Member Benefit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Board of Directors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Committee Spotlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Member Spotlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Get to Know Your Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Youth Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Upcoming Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Conference Highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
New Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Committees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
INDUSTRY EDUCATION
Tips of the Trade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Workers’ Compensation Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Nutrition and Genes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Touching Lives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Sitter Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Legislative Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Online Certification Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Book Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Collecting Presents 4 Pets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
NAPPS Network
Mission Statement
The mission of the NAPPS
Network is to provide tools for
members to enhance their
business, help them expand
their knowledge of professional
pet sitting, and communicate
association news and events.
NAPPS
Copyright 2009. The NAPPS Network is published four times a year in
March, June, September and December by NAPPS Headquarters:
15000 Commerce Parkway, Suite C, Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054. Periodical
mailing privilege pending at Mt. Laurel, NJ and additional mailing
offices. Postmaster: send change of address to the NAPPS Network c/o
NAPPS Headquarters, 15000 Commerce Parkway, Suite C, Mt. Laurel,
NJ 08054. The NAPPS Network is free to National Association of
Professional Pet Sitters, Inc. members. No part of this publication may
be reproduced without written permission of the publisher.
Editorial offices: 15000 Commerce Parkway, Suite C.
Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054.
National Association of
Professional Pet Sitters, Inc.
15000 Commerce Parkway
Suite C
Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054
Phone: (856) 439-0324
Fax: (856) 439-0525
Email: napps@ahint.com
www.petsitters.org
President’s Message
Monica Leighton, President
Hello invaluable NAPPS pet
sitters,
It was a pleasure to meet
many of you at our conference
in Long Beach. This
year’s conference was, in my opinion, the best
yet. The location alone was outstanding. I loved
getting up early and walking the ship, viewing
the historic ambiance and just taking in the
experience. The seminars and speakers were
outstanding. I always come home with so many
great ideas and I get so excited about implementing
all of them, but what I have found is
after the initial excitement wears down, and the
burnout from trying to do everything at once sets
in, I tend to forget or simply place some of the
items on the backburner. Two years ago, after
coming home from the NAPPS conference, I sat
down and wrote out all the programs and
changes I wanted to implement. Then I arranged
them by importance, what items I wanted to get
done right away. After that I made a goal-planning
calendar for the year, dividing all the tasks
up and assigning certain tasks to certain
months. This way I was able to sit down each
month and focus on each project individually. Not
only did it help me keep track of all my ideas, it
also improved my organization and solved the
issue of my first-quarter burnout, as I was trying
to get everything done all at once. Improving
NAPPS
Member
Benefit
NAPPS has partnered with US Merchant
Services to provide an outstanding credit card
processing program. Members who participate
in the program will have the ability to process
client credit card payments through an easy to
use online virtual terminal.
Member Pricing
Authorizations: $0.10 per Transaction
Processing Costs: 30 Basis Points Over
Visa/MasterCard Costs*
*Equivalent to $3.00
per $1000 Charged
Annual Fee: $25.00
“
This year’s conference was, in
my opinion, the best yet. The
location alone was outstanding.
I loved getting up
your services to your clients is a
”
early
and walking the ship, viewing
the historic ambiance and just
taking in the experience.
huge way to set
yourself apart from the competition and by making
an annual improvement plan you are proactively
contributing to the success and growth of
your business.
For those of you who did not make it to the
NAPPS Conference, I highly recommend you start
making arrangements now to attend next year’s
NAPPS annual conference in Orlando, FL. The
January 22-24, 2010, conference will give sitters
the education and tools to “Capture the Magic
within Your Business.” I wish you all a prosperous
and productive first quarter. ■
Credit Card
Processing Program
Program Benefits
• No start up cost
• Guaranteed rates
• No statement fees
• No batch fees
• No monthly minimum
• No contract
• No early termination fee
• No gateway fees
• Easy to read statements
• No hidden fees
• No monthly maintenance fees
• Check Guarantee
Enroll today at:
http://www.usmsllc.com/napps.asp
The NAPPS Network • 1

NAPPS 2009 Board of Directors
President
Monica Leighton
Professional Pet Sitting
E-mail: monicaleighton@comcast.net
Past President
Candance Labane-Godfrey
Precious Pets In Home Services
E-mail: leilanigodfrey@yahoo.com
President-Elect
John D’Ariano
A Pet Sitter Plus
E-mail: APetsitterPlus@aol.com
Secretary-Treasurer
Susan Reid
Reid's Pet Sitting Service
E-mail: sue@reidspetsitting.com
Director
Joette White
Park Cities Pet Sitter, Inc
E-mail: joette@pcpsi.com
Director
Jennifer Haralson
A Pause for Paws, Inc.
Email: pharalson@neb.rr.com
Director
Nancy Stevens
Ark Angels Pet Care
Email: arkangels@bellsouth.net
Director
Anna Sias
Four Paws Pet Sitting Service
E-mail: anna@fourpawstn.com
NAPPS Network Staff
Coordinating Editor
Jeanette Driscoll
Contributing Writer/Staff Writer
Erik Caplan
Art Director/Designer/Illustrator
Justin Fennelly
NAPPS Network is published quarterly by the National
Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS), a nonprofit
organization, and is available through membership subscription.
No portion of the magazine may be reprinted without the written
consent of the National Association of Professional Pet
Sitters. The letters and advertisements contained in this magazine
do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the association.
NAPPS is not liable for validity or correctness of any claim,
express or implied, made in advertisements or writings of this
magazine.
PLEASE SEND ALL LETTERS TO
THE EDITOR:
Jeanette Driscoll
15000 Commerce Parkway, Suite C
Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054
E-mail: jdriscoll@ahint.com
Letters should include your name, address, and
daytime telephone number. Letters may be edited
for length or clarity. Submissions may be
mailed or emailed as a word document.
Membership Services
NAPPS Headquarters
15000 Commerce Parkway, Suite C
Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054
Phone: (856) 439-0324
Fax: (856) 439-0525
E-mail: napps@ahint.com
www.petsitters.org
Felicia Lembesis
Executive Director
Cathe Delaney
Director of Operations
Hillary Mix
Meeting and Exhibits Manager
Business Insurers of the Carolinas
PO Box 2536
Chapel Hill, NC 27515-2536
Phone: (800) 962-4611 ext. 224
www.petsitterinsurance.com
For Dishonesty Bond and/or
General Liability Insurance
The National Group
Insurance Exchange
3210 Doolittle Dr.
Northbrook, IL 60062
Phone: (800) 955-0418
Fax: (847) 559-9499
Email: tngie@aol.com
www.wwins.com
Contact: Alan Leafman
For Dental and Health Insurance
For pet sitting questions contact:
• Any board member
• NAPPS’ Web site: www.petsitters.org
Certification Advisory Board
Mary Cotter
House Rabbit Society
Jeffrey Lauterbach
Critters Sitters Atlanta
Arden Moore
Pet Life Radio Host
Dr. Holly Nash
Drs. Fosters & Smith
David Pearsall
Business Insurers of the Carolinas
The NAPPS Network • 2

Membership
Every NAPPS member in good standing is a
member of the 2009 Membership Committee.
Membership is the cornerstone to any organization.
It is the life blood and will pave the
future successes we will all share. And it is the
individual, not the group or the committee, that
makes a difference.
Every Member Get A Member! That’s the
2009 Membership Committee theme and we
are strongly encouraging each NAPPS member
to take an active role and promote the only
national nonprofit pet sitting organization. Since
NAPPS is a nonprofit organization, each member’s
dues go directly into supporting the
organization. This equates to more member
benefits for you.
If each NAPPS member would conduct just one
event in their local area that promotes NAPPS
and its mission what would happen?
• New members would join NAPPS
• The individual would gain valuable networking
resources
• There will be increased public awareness
of who we are and what we do
• Potential new clients for your business
The NAPPS Campaign Contact is an established
program that should be utilized by every member.
This program affords the individual the
opportunity to promote NAPPS at the local level
and often in a small-group setting. You can find
the official event request application, event
review and reimbursement voucher, and event
attendance information on our Web site. Simply
go to the Member Center section, click on
“Networking” and then “Hold an Event.” Plan
ahead because you will need to allow time for
approval.
How many local or regional pet sitting organizations
or networks do you belong to? Offer to
be the guest speaker during one of the meetings
and promote NAPPS by telling your own
success story and explaining the benefits of
becoming a member. If you attended the conference
on the Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA,
now is the time to reach out to local groups
and let them know what they missed.
The Membership Committee is charged with
the responsibility of:
• attracting new members
• retaining existing members
• welcoming and contacting new members
For a small committee of seven these responsibilities
seem overwhelming. But, for a group of
individuals these responsibilities are well in
hand. Every Member Get A Member!
For more info contact Sherry L. Suhosky at
skispeak@gmail.com ■
Tips of the Trade
How Using Your Business Telephone Will Help You Get the Most Out of Your Advertising Efforts
By John D’Ariano
Whenever possible have a live person answer your business phone.
When someone is searching the Internet or the phone book and they
get an answering machine they will, more often than not, move on to
the next listing, and the next, until they get a live person.
Always answer your business phone in a professional manner, i.e.
ABC Pet Sitting Company! In many cases the initial phone contact is
what forms the first impression of your business—use this opportunity
wisely.
If possible, have a phone number dedicated solely to your business.
This can be as simple as paying a small fee for a distinctive ring
added to your current home phone. That way you can be consistent
in how your business phone is answered and during what hours.
If you have no choice but to use a voicemail system, do check your
messages often and return calls to perspective clients as soon as
possible. The first company that connects a human being to a
prospective client will have the best chance at getting the meet and
greet and booking the job. Have you ever heard, “Thanks for calling
back but I have already contacted another provider?” That is a direct
result of not picking up or returning a call fast enough. Ever wonder
for each client that tells you this, how many there actually are that
went to your competitor and just didn’t let you know?
If you or your staff can’t be in the office to pick up the phone every
time it rings, then forward your calls to a cell phone where a human
can answer the call. If you must use a voicemail message, never say
something like, “Thank you for calling the Smith residence.” Use a
business format. For example: “Thank you for calling ABC Pet Sitting
Company.” Also incorporate a short message that will point out why
your service is better than the competition. Give the caller a reason to
wait for you to return their call.
Think of receiving telephone calls as having someone say “I want to
buy what you have to sell, now go ahead and give me your best sales
pitch while you have my full attention!” Have an outline of the points
you want to make to prospective clients handy and stick as close to
the script as possible. Take control of the conversation.
Do you have some favorite things you do in the field that could make
pet sitting easier and safer for your colleagues? Send tips to
jdriscoll@ahint.com ■
The NAPPS Network • 3

Deedra Thompson
As the moderator for the NAPPS mentoring
teleconference, I was asked to share a bit
about myself. Well since you asked, here goes.
I couldn’t tell my story without starting with my
Dad. Alvin Cox was a zookeeper and owner of a
small private zoo called Coxville, just north of
the city limits in Austin, TX. He also made television
appearances on the “Uncle Jay” show to
share information about the uniqueness of animals.
We were all introduced to an assortment
of animals at a very early age. There wasn’t
much choice and I loved every minute of it.
My Mom, Doris, raised the girls, kept the
books, and endured it all with Dad bringing
home many of the animals for us to play with. I
was put on the back of a horse before I could
sit up and had a wonderful time playing with
baby lion cubs, a beautiful Bengal tiger named
Taboo, and our snakes and other creatures. We
learned early on what it was like to care for our
animals and had to often stay behind to care
for them while friends went on nice vacations.
Although I was a little envious back then, I
wouldn’t change a thing for those experiences I
had. As a teen the city began to close in around
us. Complaints were registered from neighbors
who seemed to be bothered by our lions roaring
in the night. Like all good things, our zoo
came to an end. Perhaps the greatest gift my
Dad gave me was his compassion for animals.
See old photos and articles at
http://fryr.tripod.com/cfhistorycox_zoo.html.
Since that time I’ve had positions in banking,
social services, and as a tour representative in
Jamaica. I relocated to Florida where I met my
wonderful husband and we now live in West
Palm Beach. I currently work as a full-time
Executive Assistant to a CEO of a company that
provides health care services. I am very fortunate
that the CEO I work for is also a pet lover.
I began Pet At Home Sitting services as a parttime
business five years ago and continue to
do so today. My husband, Russ, helps me out
considerably. We do morning, evening, and late
night visits, and an occasional overnight too.
The pet sitting business chose me. It’s what
brings me back to earth and the things that
matter most—people and their pets.
Deedra Thompson, moderator for the NAPPS mentoring teleconferences,
with (left) Rocky, and on the right, 1 year-old Ziggy.
The most demanding thing about my business
is trying to juggle my schedule and take care of
all that extra paperwork that comes along with
running a business. Encouraging clients to
understand and consider healthier food choices
for their pets can also be a challenge, but when
the reward is having more time with your pet,
many see the benefit. They also recognize the
value they have found in using a professional
pet sitter.
I joined NAPPS a couple of years ago and still
remain a member of other organizations as
well. I have found NAPPS to be very beneficial,
especially with the Web site and library that
provide so much good information for free to
their members. NAPPS has great innovative
ideas and you have the opportunity to learn
from other’s experiences, both good and bad.
NAPPS even helped me with a press release for
my business. What I have learned about pets is
there is always something new or a better way
to handle or care for them. The conferences
I’ve attended through NAPPS have included
specialists such as a behaviorist and nutritionist.
I have also taken advantage of the chance
to refresh my pet CPR and first-aid skills.
I enjoyed and learned so much from the teleconferences
that when the call was made for a
volunteer to host them, I didn’t have to think
twice. It’s a joy for me to lead the mentoring
teleconferences. It’s often difficult for me to
commit to some of the worthwhile projects that
NAPPS undertakes with my work schedule. I
also help with charity fundraisers for both pets
and people, but wanted to do more. This allows
me to give something back to NAPPS and the
schedule is just the right fit.
I feel so honored to belong to NAPPS and I have
met some wonderful and dedicated professional
pet sitters though my association. The most
rewarding thing about being a pet sitter is all
the love and kisses you get from those in your
care. It is also quite nice to hear from the
owner that their pets seem to miss you too
once they return home.
Happy sitting! ■
The NAPPS Network • 4

Get to Know Your Board
John F. D’Ariano,
President-Elect
John F. D’Ariano and his wife Toni launched A
Pet Sitter Plus one year before John’s retirement
from the Palm Beach County School
District Police Department, where he was a
district commander. He headed the K-9 unit—
which he organized and launched—made up
of 30 officers and 15 canines.
Initially a part-time endeavor, the D’Arianos
made the business full-time when John retired
from public service in 2003. Using the slogan,
“Caring for Your Pets is our Labor of Love,” the
company provides clients with a wide range of
pet sitting services. John joined NAPPS that
year and serves on the organization’s Benefits
Committee and chaired the e-zine newsletter
subcommittee.
Originally from New York City, John has been
CEO or sole proprietor of several businesses,
responsible for planning, management, and
operations. When he moved to Florida, he was
certified as a police officer, firefighter, fire
inspector, and crime prevention practitioner. He
spent 32 years in public service.
John was a founding charter member and
board member, Vice President, of the Palm
Beach County Crime Prevention Officers
Association (CPOA). One of the first of its kind
in the nation, CPOA has been a model for other
organizations for 20 years. He has held memberships
in more than 10 professional organizations.
■
Youth Education Program
NAPPS is proud to announce the launch of the Youth Education Program in 2009!
The Youth Education Program is designed to teach children from grade school to high school the
basics of pet care, and represents NAPPS’ mission to advocate for the welfare of animals. The program
will provide a series of lesson plans pet sitters can present to a variety of youth groups within
their communities.
NAPPS anticipates a launch of the Youth Education Program this summer. Presenters will have lessons
with visual aids, outlines, and teaching hints. The first lesson to be released will be for second
through fifth grade students (7 to 11 years old). There are plenty of summer possibilities for teaching:
local day care, camps, church youth groups, boy scouts, girl scouts and more. NAPPS urges you
to volunteer to teach these lesson plans in your community. Time commitment is approximately two
to three hours per lesson. Each lesson for the second through fifth grade is about 30 minutes teaching
time. Most materials, outside of photocopying of worksheets, are absolutely free and will be
downloadable from the NAPPS Web site.
No teaching experience is necessary! The lessons are written with tips for those who do not have
any teaching or presenting experience, preparing you to be a fun guest speaker in any venue. As a
NAPPS Youth Education Presenter, you will have the opportunity to be the first pet sitter in your community
to develop relationships with teachers, leaders, and groups addressing children’s needs. In
“class” you will use books, videos, displays, and worksheets to engage kids and involve them in fun,
memorable activities.
If you enjoy educating clients about proper pet care and animal welfare, then you will love this new
way to spread the word about humane and responsible pet ownership. Developing new relationships
as a NAPPS Youth Education Presenter will raise visibility in the locales your business covers, and
may help bring new clients!
After the presentation, children will take their new knowledge home to help their families and friends
learn proper pet care, helping to ensure that the message of humane pet ownership reaches all generations.
Now, that deserves an “A+!”
Watch the NAPPS Web site (www.petsitters.org) and the e-mail blasts for more information regarding
the official launch date of this invaluable program. ■
The NAPPS Network • 5

Risk Management:
Workers’ Compensation Insurance
By: David Pearsall, CIC, CWCA
As a business owner you are likely aware
that you must carry insurance to protect your
clients from damages caused by your negligence.
Most pet sitters have taken out a general
liability policy to cover them for the
unforeseen accident, such as a pet injured in
your care, or a dog running away from you
and injuring someone else while on a walk or
in a park. But what happens when you, your
employees, or independent contractors (ICs)
get injured? The answer is “workers’ compensation
insurance.”
Workers’ compensation insurance is the compensation
to an employee for injury or occupational
disease suffered in connection or
arising out of, or in the course of, employment
in which there is an employee/employer
relationship. To put it more simply, if your
employee gets hurt on the job, workers’ compensation
insurance will pay their medical
bills and lost wages while they are out of
work. It is the exclusive remedy to cover you,
the employer, against employee injuries. It
compensates you for the following exposures:
on the job injuries that occur in the course of
employment (such as a dog bite), occupational
diseases that result from employment
(such as rabies or other diseases contracted
from a client’s pet), and employers’ liability
that is excluded from employment (such as if
your employee’s family sues, claiming your
negligence caused the loss and therefore
they have suffered a loss as well).
Over the years I’ve come across many pet
sitters who believe if they use independent
contractors instead of employees, they don’t
need workers’ compensation. Others have
indicated that since they only employ one or
two people part-time they simply do not need
the coverage. This is not always the case.
The truth is it really depends on the individual
state where you live. Each state has its own
statute and it is highly recommended that you
know and follow the law in your particular
state. Failure to insure penalties could add to
the nightmare of an uninsured claim. By and
large most states require coverage with even
one employee, although several states
exempt employers with less than a specified
amount (usually three or five).
“What happens when
you, your employees, or
independent contractors
(ICs) get injured? The
answer is ‘workers’
compensation
insurance’.
The NAPPS Network • 6

Some state statutes address the IC issue and
whether coverage applies, while others leave it
to the attorneys and preceding cases in the
state to interpret. Typically it depends on
whether the IC has the ability to control the
work, the ability to determine how the work
shall be performed, the freedom to hire and fire
employees, freedom to offer services to others,
and the ability to realize a profit or suffer a
loss. Usually all of the criteria put forth by the
individual state must be met to be exempt from
coverage, so again, make sure you are familiar
with your state’s workers’ compensation laws
and how they pertain to ICs (if you are using
them in your business).
In most states, workers’ compensation insurance
will also cover injuries to you, the employer,
so long as you elect coverage. As I stated
earlier, most health insurance companies now
exclude on-the-job injuries, so this is something
to take into consideration if you are performing
the work yourself and not using independent
contractors or employees. Especially if
this is your sole source of income, as if you end
up unable to perform your daily visits for an
extended period of time due to your injuries,
you will not only have medical bills to pay, but
no income.
Since we began writing general liability insurance
back in 1994 for the NAPPS membership,
we have had a number of members contact our
office with workers’ compensation claims.
Unfortunately, each time we have had to inform
them that their general liability policy specifically
excludes employee/IC injuries. Here is a
list of the types of claims that have been
reported over the years.
• The dog bite is the most obvious and the
most frequent, and has occurred in a
number of different circumstances. Most
often we see this when the sitter gets
between two dogs that are fighting, but
we have also had just random accidents
where the dog that supposedly never bit
before, got startled and snapped at the
sitter.
• Another type of claim that we see frequently
is the dragging claim. This is
when a large dog on a leash drags the sitter
or yanks the sitter off their feet.
Sometimes when the dog is attempting to
chase another dog or pet during a walk.
This type of claim has resulted in broken
arms/wrists, broken/sprained ankles, and
scraped/cut knees and hands.
• We have also had injuries that resulted
when dogs jumped on a sitter and
knocked them over when trying to get
outside or into another area of the house
or in or out of a car.
• Others include falling down stairs and
slipping on ice.
So, as you can see, these claims can and do
occur. Please be sure you are aware of the
risks and determine whether you should be
maintaining workers’ compensation coverage
for your business.
After years of telling sitters that we could not
assist them with workers’ compensation, I am
happy to announce that effective immediately
we can now offer workers’ compensation
insurance to the NAPPS membership through
Travelers Insurance Company. Whether you currently
carry workers’ compensation or are just
researching the coverage for the first time,
please contact us and we will be happy to
assist you with the laws of your individual
state, coverage questions/concerns and/or premium
quotes based on your individual business
need. We can be reached at (800) 962-4611 or
NAPPS@Business-Insurers.com ■
UPCOMING EVENTS:
July 23-26, 2009
PetQuest
Fort Mitchell (Cincinnati), KY
September 15-17, 2009
SuperZoo West 2009
Mandalay Bay Convention Center • Las Vegas, NV
October 2-4, 2009
Pet Industry Christmas Trade Show
Rosemont (Chicago), IL
October 14-18, 2009
Wild West Veterinary Conference
Reno, NV
The NAPPS Network • 7

By: Felicia Lembesis
Pet sitters traveled to Long Beach, CA, for the
2009 Annual Conference and Small Business
Forum in January to learn how to sail past the
competition. As it does every year, the NAPPS
Annual Conference provided opportunities to
learn and grow, and network and share ideas
with fellow pet sitters.
In the words of Erin Barnes, who attended the
conference, “the program was well thought out,
and the range of topics covered was pertinent. I
did appreciate the balance of topics between
the nuts and bolts of running a business and
improving our skills, not only as business owners,
but as people.”
On Friday, Jan. 16, the first day of the conference,
the focus was on small business issues:
• David Pearsall of the Business Insurers of
the Carolinas discussed all types of insurance
to help pet sitters determine the coverage
needed to protect their businesses.
• NAPPS President Monica Leighton educated
members on emergency preparedness
and ways disaster preparedness can help
pet sitters market themselves and gain
community awareness, educate clients,
and train employees.
• Candance Labane-Godfrey presented the
ever-popular Pet Sitting 101. New and
seasoned pet sitters learned skills to grow
their businesses.
• Attendees learned how to advertise and
promote their businesses on a shoestring
from Tartan Media CEO Lee Van Kirk.
• Profitability by setting pricing above all
business costs was the topic presented by
Jeffrey Lauterbach, President of Critter
Sitters Inc., Atlanta, GA, and a financial
advisor.
• Image consultant Diana Jennings provided
her expertise on projecting a professional
image through appearance, business protocol,
and personal branding.
Following the day’s educational program, members
had a chance to network with fellow pet
sitters at the welcome reception and one of the
favorite events of the conference, NAPPS Chat
Jeffrey Lauterbach, financial advisor, explains the fundamentals of "Pricing Theory."
Past President Candance Labane-Godfrey addresses "Pet Sitting 101."
Author and radio show host Arden Moore and Callie explain how "It's Cool to be Catty.”
The NAPPS Network • 8

Monica Leighton, 2009 NAPPS President
provides insight into emergency planning.
Pet detective Kat Albrecht educates
attendees on finding a lost pet.
Attendees learn about the latest in pet products.
NAPPS conference exhibitor, Help 4 Pets, Inc., explains the benefit of the company's product.
Live. NAPPS Chat Live is moderated by Linda
Norton, past board member. Linda always leads
a lively discussion about pet sitter issues and
business tips. Attendees have the opportunity
to meet their fellow pet sitters and usually
leave the session inspired.
Saturday morning activities kicked off with
breakfast and the awards ceremony. The
awards honor member volunteers, outgoing
board members, and the NAPPS Business of
the Year winner. Outgoing board members Jerry
Wentz and Linda Norton were honored for their
commitment to board service. Both Jerry and
Linda served two three-year terms on the
NAPPS Board of Directors.
Each year NAPPS conducts a “Business of the
Year” contest. The business selected to win the
award demonstrates outstanding business
practices and vision in maintaining and growing
their company. The 2009 Business of the
Year winner is Terrapin Pets owned by Christi
Fries in Beltsville, MD. Christi has also been
selected to win the 2009 Members in Action
Award. The award recognizes members for outstanding
service to NAPPS and its members. As
the new chair of the Certification Committee,
Christi has been able to continue to see the
new online Certification Course through to
fruition.
The 2009 Members in Action honorees included
Kathie Luxton, Deedra Thompson, and Debra
Farrington. Kathie Luxton is the force behind
the new NAPPS certification program. Kathie
led her certification team of volunteers through
a four-year journey to develop a complete indepth
certification course for pet sitters that
builds both business and pet care skills.
When the Presents 4 Pets Committee chair
unexpectedly stepped down from her position
just prior to the Spring roll out of the Presents
4 Pets program Debra Farrington immediately
stepped in. She quickly assembled an efficient
committee that quickly organized and was
responsible for the successful launch of the
2008 program.
Deedra Thompson is the NAPPS mentoring
teleconference moderator. She has a full time
job and a pet sitting business. Each month
without fail, prior to the mentoring teleconference,
Deedra confirms with the staff office the
background information for the teleconference
presenter and the logistics for the call.
Following the awards ceremony, conference
attendees gained insight about a wide variety
of topics:
• Author and pet sitter Debra Farrington
provided an inspirational session exploring
all the ways in which pet sitters are
invaluable to their clients. In addition to
her presentation, Debra signed copies of
her book “All God’s Creatures: The
Blessing of Animal Companions.”
• During “Take This Job and Love It,” Lee
Silber of Creative Lee Speaking addressed
“How to Hire, Fire and Keep Your Staff
Happy.” In addition to the enlightening
session, Lee, author of 13 books, was
available for a book signing.
• Shannon Keith, an animal rights attorney
whose practice is located in Los Angeles,
addressed animal rights issues.
• In “Speaking with Confidence: How to
Manage the Butterflies,” Mimi Donaldson
taught participants how to address large
groups with confidence and control.
• Dr. Signe Beebe is a veterinarian in integrative
medicine practice. Her session
explored alternative options for care in
The NAPPS Network • 9

Thank You to Our Sponsors
Thanks for partnering
with NAPPS
Certification Committee Chair Christi Fries broadcasts live.
• 1-800-Help-4-Pets
• Animal Behavior College
• Bluewave Professional Pet Sitter
• Business Insurers of the Carolinas
• Comfort Zone
• Critter Concepts
• Fetch Dog
• Habitat Haven
• HandicappedPets.com
• Multivet
• Paws-itive Press
• ScoopFree
• The Honest Kitchen
• VPI Pet Insurance
• Worldwide Insurance
place of traditional Western medicine,
including acupuncture and Chinese herbal
medicine.
Following the day’s educational session, attendees
were treated to a Saturday evening
medieval tournament and feast at Medieval
Times.
The final day of the conference concluded with
more educational sessions important to pet sitters:
• President-elect John D’Ariano and a representative
of the Long Beach Police
Department held a session, “Personal
Safety and Security,” that educated participants
on tips and tools for staying safe
and secure on the job.
• In her presentation, “Pet Loss and Grief:
Implications for Providing Compassionate
Care,” Betty Carmack, RN, EdD, CT,
Professor Emerita, provided practical
examples for the professional pet sitter to
support clients compassionately through
the challenging time of losing a loved animal
companion. Following her presentation,
Ms. Carmack was available to sign
copies of her book, “Grieving the Death of
a Pet.”
• Pet Edu-Tainer Arden Moore’s session,
“It’s Cool to Be Catty,” delivered insights
into the feline mystique. Joined by her
feline companion, Callie, Arden addressed
practical tips and creative ways to connect
with cats and provided attendees
with an opportunity to obtain signed
copies of her latest books.
• Kat Albrecht’s workshop, “What to do if an
Animal Escapes Your Care” provided tips
on locating a lost pet while salvaging the
relationship with the client.
In addition to the educational seminars, attendees
learned about the latest in pet products
and services. Exhibitors included:
• Amber Alert for Pets,
www.amberalertforpets.com
• BettaWalka LLC,
www.bettawalka.com
• Bluewave Inc.,
www.professionalpetsitter.com
• Business Insurers of the Carolinas,
www.petsitterinsurance.com/napps
• Comfort Zone, www.petcomfortzone.com
• Critter Concepts,www.critterconcepts.com
• Fetch Dog, www.fetchdog.com
• FRESH-In Odor Neutralizing Crystals
• Handicapped Pets,
www.handicappedpets.com
• Help4Pets, www.help4pets.com/napps
• The Honest Kitchen,
www.thehonestkitchen.com/napps.shtml
• Veterinary Pet Insurance,
www.petinsurance.com/affiliates/
Napps.aspx?ec=PM0001
Many of the exhibitors offered conference specials,
gifts, and raffle prizes.
Attendees came away renewed, armed with
new knowledge and a new support network.
Erin Barnes summarized, “I found all of the
board members and pet sitters at the conference
to be so helpful and encouraging. Thank
you for all of the hard work and planning that
went into coordinating this conference!”
NAPPS thanks all of the speakers, exhibitors,
attendees and sponsors, Paws-itive Press and
World Wide Insurance, for a successful 2009
Annual Conference.
2010 Conference Dates:
January 22-24
Regal Sun Resort
Orlando, FL ■
The NAPPS Network • 10

The NAPPS Network • 11

Nutrition and Genes
By: Arden Moore
In the near future, cat owners may be shopping
with a greater purpose: selecting commercial
foods that nutritionally harmonize with their
pets' genetic makeup—maximizing their
health—and longevity.
The reason: an emerging field of science called
nutrigenomics.
A glimpse into such a future came recently at
an international conference in London, where
leading geneticists, nutritionists, veterinarians,
and scientists presented their findings about
the benefits of nutrigenomics for companion
animals.
Certain Foods Activate Genes
This new science demonstrates how some
foods can aid in treating or preventing certain
conditions in humans and pets. Specifically,
nutrigenomics explores how the interaction of
nutrients with specific genomes can affect the
action of genes.
It provides a molecular understanding as to
how common dietary substances influence the
health of a cat, or person’s, genetic makeup. In
essence, this nutrient-gene interplay can “turn
on” good genes and “turn off” harmful ones.
“The science of nutrigenomics gives us great
insight into understanding how and why certain
breeds are predisposed to particular conditions,”
says John Innes, BVSc, PhD, professor
of small animal surgery at the University of
Liverpool, England. “This gives us one more
tool in our ongoing quest to treat and prevent
illness.”
Rebecca Remillard, DVM, a board-certified veterinary
nutritionist at Angell Animal Medical
Center in Boston, concurs.
“I've not been directly involved in nutrigenomics
research, but I can say that it holds out
a hope for some diseases that nutrition, at
best, manages and often, manages poorly,” Dr.
Remillard says. “The first time I saw reports
about nutrition and gene expression was in
1993. I suspect that we will come up with better
answers to treat a host of diseases due to
continued research into gene expression.”
Jerold Bell, DVM, clinical associate professor in
the Department of Clinical Sciences at
Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at
Tufts University, embraces what nutrigenomics
can provide to the health of companion animals.
“Nutritionists and geneticists have been working
together, especially at pet food companies,
on the relationship between nutrition and
genes,” says Dr. Bell, a geneticist who serves
as director of the Canine and Feline Breeding
and Genetics Conference recently hosted by
Tufts.
Both Dr. Remillard and Dr. Bell envision the day
that geneticists and nutritionists can identify
genes that cause certain breeds to be prone to
such health conditions as kidney stones,
epilepsy, and diabetes. Once identified, these
genes could essentially be “turned off” through
providing specific nutrients in the diet.
Utilizing the theory of nutrigenomics with clinical
studies, Hill’s Pet Nutrition recently unveiled
Prescription Diet Canine j/d for dogs with
arthritis and joint problems. Researchers spent
more than a decade and conducted clinical trials
with more than 50 practicing veterinarians
involving more than 500 dogs.
Their finding led them to include a specific
omega-3 fatty acid called eicosapentaenoic
acid (EPA) in the new j/d product. EPA’s high
concentrations of fish oil have been shown to
“turn off” a degenerative enzyme that causes
cartilage degradation. Studies indicated that
about one in five adult dogs suffer from arthritis,
making it the seventh most common ailment
reported to veterinarians worldwide.
Of the tested dogs, 82 percent were able to
walk without limping and demonstrated
increased range of motion after one month of
being put on the j/d diet. Of those dogs who
needed non-steroidal medications, dosages
were able to be decreased by 25 percent,
reports Debra Nichol, PhD, vice president of
product development for Hill’s Pet Nutrition.
Although j/d is the first gene-linked diet and
requires a veterinary prescription—experts in
the nutrigenomics field and veterinary nutrition
predict many more such DNA-influenced pet
foods will be showing tip on store shelves for
dogs as well as cats. Genetic engineering is
only in its infancy on the impact it can make on
the health of dogs, cats, and people.
Canine Research
Leads The Way
Canine research in this area is about 10 years
ahead of feline research, due to the formation
of the Canine Health Foundation established by
the American Kennel Club, Dr. Bell notes. He
said this foundation funds millions of dollars for
genetic research annually.
“The cat fancy people and feline researchers
started later than the dog world, but the quantity
of research in this field will certainly help
them catch up,” Dr. Bell says.
This “gene silencing” or “gene speaking” form
of science is being actively pursued by
researchers to benefit people. One recent study
published in the journal Nature Chemical
Biology, described how scientists were able to
efficiently shut down the expression of genes
by turning them on or off at the DNA level. This
study shows that chromosomal DNA is accessible
to and can be controlled by synthetic and
natural molecules.
Learning to Turn On, Off Genes
“With this information, one could easily turn on
or off gene expression, as well as think about
ways to correct genetic disease by changing
mutant gene sequences back to normal,” says
David Corey, PhD, professor of pharmacology
and biochemistry and one of the study’s
authors. “Virtually every disease starts at the
level of malfunctioning gene expression, or viral
or bacterial gene expression. This is an
approach that could theoretically produce a
drug for the treatment or cure of almost any
disease.”
In summary, experts predict a very healthy
future for people and pets.
“We are only beginning to learn how certain
foods can manipulate the genes we are born
with,” says Robert Pickard, PhD, director of the
British Nutrition Foundation. “We know the
‘addresses’ of genes. Now, we need to learn
their ‘occupations’ and what influence certain
foods have on modifying these genes.”
This article appeared in Catnip and was
reprinted with permission. ■
The NAPPS Network • 12

An Open Love Letter
Some say it's the eyes; the smile; the tail. For me it's the
scent. It puts me at ease instantly, but this time a new
emotion surfaced: conflict. All my life I have been obedient,
loyal, and loving with my owner, Michelle. However,
now a new hand of kindness had been extended to me
and I don't know how to react.
Michelle has often left me at the house to go on trips. As
soon as she left, the silence of not hearing her calming
voice and the absence of her warm gentle touch would
envelope me. Outside, noises would amplify as the wind
whooshed, twigs broke, and rain splashed on the fallen
leaves. To my indignation, those taunting squirrels
roamed freely, teasing me as they chirped on about my
hairy butt being full of Kibbles. Often they hurled acorns
at the window when I pressed my damp snout against
the pane.
Then came the sound of Goodyear Eagle F1 GS EMT tires
slowly edging up the driveway to the front door. The car
door opened and then it hit me: that scent. My nostrils
immediately flared, my paws spread, and my tail hadn't
stood as erect since the first time my owner put my muzzle
into her hands and rubbed my nose. Lisa, oh sweet
Lisa...
The conflict: I had fallen in love with another human and
I couldn't get enough of her. With Lisa, it became mini
whirlwind romances of pure canine passion lasting 30 to
45 minutes. Snuggles, tummy scratches, high calorie
treats, romantic walks down by the river, long distance
ball throwing, and that constant intoxicating smell of
love, care, and
kindness. I even
developed that
destructive
human emotion of
jealousy. She was
seeing other dogs;
touching, caressing,
and de-burring
them too.
How could I lick
and drool on
Michelle again
Lisa Gurney and pet “Sampson”
after what Lisa and I had sinfully done? My owner
returned the next day and opened the kitchen door...my
eyes were drooped, my nose was dry and my tail curled
under my hind legs...but I slowly looked up high and saw
that familiar huge smile. I felt this enormous heart
pounding on my fur as she pulled me deep into her arms.
Michelle whispered gently in my ear and said she never
had been happier to know how well taken and loved I
was in the care of Lisa. She didn't have to worry anymore
leaving me alone with strangers and that she trusted
Lisa implicitly. She taught me that love is huge and
can be shared between all species.
I love you Lisa,
Yours,
Sampson
The NAPPS Network • 13

Pet Sitter Safety: Self Protection
By: Marcia Breithaupt, NAPPS Disaster Preparedness Committee Chair
Pet sitters need to be not only aware of their
immediate surroundings but also know how to
react should something go terribly wrong. We
should all become aware of growing safety
concerns in the pet sitting business. Do not be
a victim while dog walking or when entering
empty homes. There are several key points and
solutions below. You can choose which you feel
is most appropriate.
Use Your Head
There are a few simple things you just do not
do. They sound obvious but we have all done
them at some point. The outcome can be very
bad should something go wrong and you are
not prepared.
• Try not to walk dogs after dark. Try to
work out a compromise with owners to
avoid these times, but if not possible use
all precautions, and be prepared to react if
jumped by someone.
• Always carry a fanny pack with pepper
spray. Have it dangling from the side of
the bag at all times, not buried in the bottom.
• Never enter a home that has no lights on
inside. If you must enter the home, open
the door with one hand, and in the other,
hold a can of pepper spray.
• Carry a flashlight, even in the daytime,
since many homes may be dark inside.
• Always carry a cell phone. Do not have it
buried in your fanny pack but on some
kind of holster or your belt to make a
quick 911 call if needed.
Create Awareness
Entering an Empty Home
• Always be aware of your surroundings.
• Take a mental inventory of the items in
and around home so when you come back
you remember what you saw on your last
visit.
• Check door knobs and jams before inserting
your key. If it is unlocked and you
know you locked it before then you should
quickly asses the situation. Did the family
come home? Is someone else there the
family forgot to tell you about? Is there
someone there that should not be there?
• Check windows for any outward signs of
break-in.
• Always have a cell phone and flashlight in
hand and ready to use at moment’s
notice.
The NAPPS Network • 14

• Make sure someone knows where you are
and your pet sitting schedule.
• Always think rationally—if you are in fear
call 911.
Physical Self Defense
Physical self defense classes are good and
often taught by local police departments. If you
are physically inclined, this is great and you
should learn any martial arts or defense
maneuvers possible. Physical self defense can
start by "diplomatically" talking to the attacker.
Unfortunately, we are often pushed into a
strategic defense position with maybe 10 seconds
to think. Worse yet is the total surprise
situation where you must simply decide how to
strike the attacker. Unless fully trained, this is a
very difficult proposition. Below are several
sites to read about such defense training
options.
• Good site on discussion of self defense:
http://www.nononsenseselfdefense.com/
self-defensetraining.htm
• Guidelines for choosing a self-defense
course:
http://www.magicstream.org/selfdef2.htm
• Training on DVD's:
http://www.targetfocustraining.com/ and
http://www.tactselfdefense.com/
• Good overall site on personal safety:
http://www.ou.edu/oupd/welcome.htm
Stun Guns And Pepper Spray
Pepper spray and stun guns are very appealing
on first thought. They are simple, should be
effective, and are easy to carry. Limited training
is needed so these should be a natural solution
to people working in uncomfortable surroundings.
But do they really make sense if you are
face to face with an aggressive attacker? Is a
handgun a better, or worse, option?
Stun guns seem attractive but they are useless
until the attacker is within arms length. You
must touch the person with the machine for it
to work unless you have a TASER device that
flings the electrical prongs into the person. But
what if they have a heavy coat on—will it
work? What if the batteries are dead? What if
you miss with your one shot? Do you really
want that person to come within arms length of
you to use the stun gun? Pepper spray also
sounds appealing but a drugged up mugger
often is unaffected by this spray—they just
keep coming. Pepper spray on a group just
antagonizes them—one person gets the spray
while the others circle around you.
Firearms Safety and Training
For many people, firearms are viewed as a reasonable
last defense but personal firearms
remain a sensitive subject since it may be a
moral issue. Some may think the threat to kill
or maim the other person is too great, thus
falling back to stun guns and mace. Over 300
people have died from TASER and stun gun use
in just the last eight years and many have been
blinded by pepper spray. These are not the zero
harm solutions many people think.
It is interesting to note that many police officers
support educated personal firearm usage.
The simple sight and sound of a firearm with
proper handling tactics are often the best
deterrent of all and no one gets hurt with many
citing a 99% prevention rate without any other
defensive action. In a dark environment, the
sound of racking in a bullet is remarkably
effective, and an integrated laser sight lighting
a red dot on the attacker further increases prevention
rates without firing a round. Even the
most aggressive persons understand you are
serious and you will not be a victim.
Firearms are still our best defense but you
must commit to proper training and use.
Although firearms can be the ultimate deterrent
in a life or death situation, things can also turn
very bad for yourself should you not have proper
training on when not to use or brandish a
weapon. Do not be afraid of simply stopping by
your local gun shop and discussing firearms for
protection. Most shop owners are very knowledgeable
on pointing you to proper training and
hardware and they are sensitive to properly
outfitting the customer.
Firearm laws vary state by state and you must
be very aware of these. Not only is the ownership
regulated but the class of gun, accessories,
and right to carry can vary considerably.
For more information go to
http://www.handgunlaw.us/.
Finally, no matter your personal views on
firearms, a ride and drive with your local police
department is highly recommended. They will
gladly expose you to the real life in your city or
county, sometimes showing things you never
thought were going on in your area and how to
respond to them.
Most importantly, use your head, and think
ahead, at all times. ■
Legislative Update
Bill to Ban
Wild Animals
as Pets
Due to the recent chimpanzee attack in
Connecticut many feel the need to prohibit possession
of wild animals such as primates.
U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer introduced H.R. 80,
the Captive Primate Safety Act, which would
ban the interstate commerce in apes, monkeys,
lemurs, marmosets, and other primates for the
pet trade. It would complement state laws on
the possession of dangerous exotic animals,
since many of these animals are purchased
over the Internet and through other interstate
instruments. Blumenauer’s bill passed the U.S.
House overwhelmingly by a vote of 323-95, and
is now pending in the U.S. Senate.
“The owners of these animals are playing
roulette with people's lives,” says Nicole G.
Paquette, senior vice president and general
counsel for Born Free USA. “For the safety of
people and animals, the legislature must act
now to prohibit dangerous wild and exotic animals
from being kept in private hands.”
For more information on this topic go to:
http://www.hsus.org/press_and_publications/pr
ess_releases/senate_introduces_captive_primate_safety_act_022509.html.
The NAPPS Network • 15

The New NAPPS Certification
By: Christi Fries
The year 2009 brings pet sitters a series of
unfamiliar challenges. How will we market in
this new economy? How can we increase profits
and maximize value from operational
expenses? Many answers can be found by utilizing
existing NAPPS member benefits, including
the benefit of professional certification.
Gain the Edge
Certification will let you gain the edge and
draw more pet-parent attention to your business.
Clients will choose a certified professional
first when researching a service provider. In
our unregulated industry, obtaining your NAPPS
certification will give you recognition as a serious
professional who has obtained a high level
of expertise through personal study. With the
“NAPPS Certified” banner, you gain a competitive
advantage in the areas you service.
Now Available: The New
Certification Program
In 2005, the Member Benefits Committee started
work on creating an improved certification
course. As the scope of the project grew, a new
Certification Committee was formed; 10 member
volunteers donated thousands of hours performing
research, writing articles and questions,
data entry, proofreading, and systems
testing.
Through the efforts of NAPPS members, the
design and implementation of the new NAPPS
Certification Course was launched in January
2009. This new program was designed by pet
sitters for pet sitters; an Advisory Board comprised
of pet industry leaders reviewed and
contributed material to this unrivaled educational
tool.
Now is the time to become a leader and obtain
your NAPPS Certification. By taking your pet
sitting career to the next level, you can reap
the benefits of increased revenues and market
share, and for less than $6 per month. The
course is online, portable, and designed to
allow you to study on your schedule.
The Benefits of Certification
The American Certification Institute states that
certified professionals earn “…salaries that are
25 percent to 40 percent higher than those
who are not certified.” In obtaining certification,
the $10,000 you made in 2008 could be
$14,000 in 2009. If your revenues last year
were $30,000, becoming certified could take
you to $42,000 this year. Many NAPPS members
who have already earned their certification
gross more than $200,000 per year!
Other benefits of certification include:
• being perceived as a business that maintains
a higher code of ethics
• knowledge and skills at a higher level of
safety and effectiveness, without close
supervision
• the ability to charge higher rates
• an increase of your value in your market,
with instant credibility
• being perceived as having a greater level
of human resources through certified
supervision of staff
• recognition of your higher level of knowledge
and accomplishments
• an awareness of your dedication to continuous
improvement and education
• a discount on insurance renewal with
Business Insurers of the Carolinas
• a possible IRS tax deduction under “Self
Employment Education”
• more opportunities for volunteering and
networking in the pet care field
If you believe in your professional identity, you
can easily sell your higher level of competence!
Getting Started
The new NAPPS Certification Course is the
equivalent of a college semester in time: 16
weeks. When broken down into 60 to 90
minute sessions, three to four times a week,
you can easily complete the course in the six
months allowed.
The course of study includes pet nutrition,
health, and behavior of rabbits, cats, dogs,
birds, and exotics. An extensive section on
business development and management will
give you the education you need to start, maintain,
and grow your pet sitting business at a
professional level. The pet first aid section
expands beyond the variety of American Red
Cross (ARC) courses offered in many areas; if
you’ve completed the ARC program it will be of
value in completing this section of NAPPS certification
and earning recertification.
Getting started is easy; you can begin the
course the minute you purchase it at the
NAPPS store. Pet first aid materials will be
mailed to you while you begin on the pet or
business sections of the course; you choose
where to start. The program is designed so you
can easily focus and the exam questions are in
a logical order with no random scrambling.
Course material can be printed, but it is not
necessary, as it will remain updated in the
NAPPS Virtual Library. You’ll save your work as
you complete the exam, learning at your own
pace.
Instant Results =
Instant Recognition
When you submit your complete exam online,
your final score will appear almost instantaneously!
No waiting for weeks or months for
the results to arrive in the mail. A score of 75
percent is required to pass, and your certification
is valid for three years.
In addition, you will immediately have access to
a downloadable certificate to print and a certified
logo for display and use in your marketing
materials. You can instantly add it to your own
Web site, and a new “NAPPS Certified” banner
will be added to your NAPPS locator listing.
Continuing Education
and Recertification
The new NAPPS certification course is a sustainable
investment; the Certification
Committee will continue to update and expand
information as the industry, and pet-care practices,
change. During the three-year period you
hold certification, you will have many opportunities
to earn Continuing Education Units (CEU).
Most are low or no cost.
CEU activities are assigned a point value, with
30 points needed over the three-year period to
become recertified. Members will track and
submit evaluation requests, available in the
member center.
The NAPPS Network • 16

Participation in, and education received from, events such
as volunteering on a NAPPS committee, a local shelter or
animal-welfare cause, attending the NAPPS annual conference,
and taking the American Red Cross pet first aid
course are shown in the CEU chart. Many more will be
added, and we welcome the voice of all NAPPS members
in supplying new activities and events for consideration
and inclusion.
Certification Course Investment
NAPPS members may purchase the full certification course
for $200. In addition, your staff may obtain a limited certification
for $125, which excludes the business section.
The value received in the per-year 10 percent insurance
renewal discount may in itself offset the cost of your
investment! The non-member certification fee is $300.
What other affordable, high value, sustainable education
tools will you have access to in the next three years?
Certification can help you reap the benefits of increased
revenues and market share, at a cost of just $1.28 per
week.
More information can be found at the NAPPS home page,
www.petsitters.org. Click on “About Certification.”
Make the Commitment
Obtaining your NAPPS Certification demonstrates your
dedication to our profession and industry, as well as to
your clients and their pets. NAPPS Certification is one of
the invaluable member benefits that will allow you to gain
the edge, become a leader, and reap the benefits!
Christi Fries is the owner of Terrapin Pets LLC, in
Beltsville, MD, chair of the NAPPS Certification Committee,
and winner of the NAPPS 2009 Business of the Year and a
Member in Action awards. ■
Book Notes
By: Debra Farrington
Pawprints of Katrina: Pets
Saved and Lessons Learned,
Cathy Scott, Howell Book House, 2008
None of us who care about the welfare of animals
will forget the wrenching scenes of animals
abandoned during hurricanes Katrina and
Rita. Cathy Scott, now a writer for Best Friends
Animal Sanctuary, went to Louisiana to document
the disaster for Best Friends, and helped
with animal rescue along the way. This book is
a collection of stories about those animals, the
extraordinary efforts made by Best Friends, as
well as other rescue organizations, to rescue
and care for them, and efforts to reunite as
many as possible with their people. Keep your
tissues handy as you read; there will be tears
of both sadness and joy. But as pet sitters, perhaps
the most important reason to read this
book is to educate ourselves on what we—and
our clients—can do to be prepared for emergencies
and disasters, as well as arm ourselves
with the stories that give us the will and desire
to make the necessary preparations.
The Merck/Merial Manual
for Pet Health: Home Edition,
Cynthia M. Kahn, Editor,
Merck & Co. Inc., 2007
If you’re going to have only one medical reference
in your library, this is probably the one to
have. Authored by more than 200 veterinary
experts, and written in terms lay persons will
understand, the manual covers basic care and
the most common medical disorders for cats,
dogs, horses, birds, reptiles, fish, and commonly
kept exotics. A concluding section includes
Continuing Education Units
COURSE OR ACTIVITY
NAPPS board participation*
NAPPS EC participation*
NAPPS annual meeting
attendance/participation*
NAPPS mentoring teleconferences*
POINTS/VALUE
10/year
12/year
10
One each (five
points maximum)
NAPPS committee chair* 10
NAPPS committee meetings*
NAPPS committee active participation*
NAPPS disaster preparedness
certification (coming soon)
NAPPS Presents 4 Pets participation*
NAPPS Youth Education program
American Red Cross pet first aid course*
Community service, i.e. local shelter volunteer,
Emergency search and rescue efforts*
Courses provided by non-NAPPS
providers subject to approval by NAPPS.
One half each (three
points maximum)
Five (five points
maximum per year)
Seven
Three
One per lesson plan
(three points maximum
per year)
Three
Five hours = one point
(two points maximum
per year)
One point
per hour of course
* Requests must be submitted to NAPPS headquarters.
NAPPS thanks VPI for
providing free copies of the
Merck Manual at the 2009
annual conference.
chapters on special subjects such as traveling
with pets, poisoning, drugs and vaccines,
zoonotic diseases (ones that spread from animals
to humans), and more. A glossary of medical
terms and a detailed index are also helpful.
This excellent resource will assist any pet sitter
in learning what he or she needs to know to
help clients understand their animals’ illness,
as well as provide proper care. ■
The NAPPS Network • 17

Collecting Presents 4 Pets
By: Debra Farrington
“I’ve never really liked pets,” the woman said
to me. It was an unusual way for a phone call
to a pet sitter to start, but then the conversation
changed. “But my granddaughter got this
little dog recently, and I’ve fallen in love with
him. When I was at the vet’s office with him
today I saw your signs about Presents 4 Pets
(P4P). Do you mind if I take up a collection at
my office in honor of my granddaughter’s
dog?” Mind? I was thrilled. Candance
Labane-Godfrey, immediate past president of
NAPPS and owner of Precious Pets in
Sacramento, CA, had a similar call from a
client, except that her client wanted to send
the flyer out to a thousand people, just in her
department at the local university alone.
Needless to say, Candance and her crew
were busy picking up donations this fall!
If you didn’t participate in Presents 4 Pets in
the fall of 2008 you missed a good time. At
least 53 NAPPS pet sitters collected blankets,
beds, leashes, collars, grooming tools, toys,
and lots of other items for homeless pets,
and I suspect most of them have good stories
to tell. Some of them collected a few hundred
dollars worth of supplies, while others collected
thousands of dollars worth, but all of
them—big and small—made a difference in
the lives of animals in their communities who
needed help. Here are just a few of the stories.
Mandy Oram of Paws and Kisses Pet Sitting
Service LLC, in Shelton, CT, a first-year pet sitter,
wanted to get involved with P4P. “I also
wanted to involve others, not just my clients,”
she said. “So I partnered with a local independently-owned
pet store, which acted as a public
collection point for the P4P collection drive. We
also co-hosted the first annual Howl-oween
Charity Event and Dog Show in the pet store’s
large parking lot and a dozen vendors set up
booths advertising and selling their pet-related
supplies. We invited local rescue groups to set
up booths as well. We were able to get several
local celebrity radio talk show hosts and other
community leaders as judges for the dog show.
We also enlisted the support of a pet food company
(Wellness) and they donated over $400
worth of treats for us to use as prizes for the
dog show winners. The event was a great success,
with more than 300 people (with 100
dogs) in attendance. At the end of the day
(which marked the end of our local P4P collection
drive), we had collected more than $6,000
PRESENTS
worth of pet supplies for donation to local shelters
and rescue groups!”
Kristen Burton, owner of Your Best Friend Pet
Sitting in Northeaster, PA, also ran a P4P effort
for the first time. “I am a sole proprietor in a
rural area” Kristen says, “so when I heard
about Presents 4 Pets, I thought that it was
designed for the ‘big dogs,’ and not the little
companies like mine. But I was very impressed
with the tools that NAPPS provided to all companies,
of all sizes and budgets, for implementing
Presents 4 Pets. With all that support, I
decided to use the tools and get donations for
two local organizations.
“With a single press release, I got lots of publicity
for Presents 4 Pets, as well as my business!
Calls started coming in—it seemed like
lots of folks were hanging on to unused beds,
leashes, and more, and were happy to contribute
to such a worthy cause. A local community
association set out a box for donations,
and I was called to pick up items on a weekly
basis. I usually drove away with tears in my
eyes at the generosity of people I didn’t even
know!
4
P E T S
“Our local animal shelter had a fire in October
that wiped out many of their supplies. No people
or animals were harmed, thankfully, but
they were in need and I was able to provide
them with more than $500 worth of donated
goods. The looks on the volunteer’s faces as I
carried in bag after bag of donations was worth
more to me than gold. I’ll never forget it!”
Kristen found the experience so rewarding she
is now chairing the P4P Committee.
By the time you read this article the 2009 P4P
effort will probably be underway. The program
is an important way that we can all give back
to the communities that support us, and it’s not
a bad way to get some good (and free) publicity
as well. If you’re curious about the program, go
to the members section of the NAPPS Web site
and look at all the materials available to help
you with P4P. Your own program can be as
simple or as complex as you’d like to make it.
Don’t miss out on another year of P4P. It’s lots
of fun. It’ll make you feel great. And a whole lot
of animals will be helped in the process. ■
The NAPPS Network • 18

New NAPPS Members
NAPPS Would Like to Welcome
the Following New Members
(from October 22, 2008 to March 12, 2009)
Alabama
Sharon R. Carroll, Sharon's PET Sitter Service, Fairhope
Margaret Mayer, Pet Sitters of the Shoals, Florence
Mrs. Brandy Legrand, Purrfectly Poochy Pet Sitting, New Market
Arizona
Tom Russo, Another Place Called Home, Chandler
Cheryl Teague, Globe Critter Sitter, Globe
Lori Kay Hein, L.K.'s Professional Pet Sitters, LLC, Litchfield Park
Barbara Kunze, Auntie B's Pet & House Sitting LLC, Chandler
Lori Love, Happy Heart Pets LLC, Surprise
Sharon Nessel, Meows and Bow Wows, Maricopa
California
Cecillia Barron, All About P.A.W.S, Santa Clarita
Alison Johnson, Fetch! Pet Care, Windsor
Kathleen Hunter, Kats K9s, Sausalito
Nancy Neal, All Your Pets Care & Services, Windsor
Victoria Owens, Schmeck Champ's Pet Sitting, Chicago Park
Joelyn Furuike, Ohana & Friends Pet Sitting, Burbank
Robyn L. Hunt, Huntstone Petsitting & Home Services, Palm Springs
Amber Merkel, San Jose
Pamela J Nabors, Pam's PetCare, Aptos (Rio del Mar)
Jennifer Scott, The Purrfect Pet Granny, Coronado
Larry Fortner, There 4 U Pet Sitters, LLC, Stanton
Larry Marshall, North County Pet Services, Carlsbad
Heidi Sue Miller, Heidi's Pet Care, Los Olivos
Tammy Murray, Barkus Dog Group, Oakland
Yvonne Difrancesco, Pet Sitting Services, Moorpark
Charlotte T. Pearce, Affinity Pet Services, LLC, Santa Rosa
Teena Michie, Wags & Whiskers, Ladera Ranch
Christine Hess, Pet Pal, Camarillo
Kristen Clay, Pampered Pooches & Puddy Tails, Pleasanton
Rona MacKay, Playful Petsitting, Los Angeles
Carrie Dunnagan, See Spot Sit, San Diego
Mrs. Mary Atleson, Holistic Pet Services, San Leandro
Heidi R. Joseph, Happy Pets and Ponies Inc, Lomita
Chantal Payette, Furry Social Club, Los Angeles
Mr. Gaston Vazquez, Pawntastc Pals, San Diego
Liz Blackman,1-800-Help-4-Pets, Los Angeles
Kathy Kent, Compassionate Pet Care Services, Fairfield
Dave Weiss, A Lucky Dog, Woodside
Allison Hazelton, Precious Pets, Newark
Mark Davis, Animal Friends Professional Pet Care, San Pedro
June Hill, Buddies Pet Services, LLC, Escondido
Nora Sexty, Nora's Ark Pet Sitting, Simi Valley
Colorado
Elizabeth Secor, Fetch! Pet Care Of Colorado Springs, West Colorado Springs
Jackie Emrick, Happier At Home Pet Sitting LLC, Greeley
Chrystal Fox, IndiGo Sitters, Aurora
Lara Maierhofer, Doolittle Pet Companion, Lakewood
Laurie Cobb, Pet Nanny, Lone Tree
Melinda S. Jarvis, Noble Beast Pet Services, Denver
Paula M. Shaffer, Furry Godmother Pet Service, Highlands Ranch
Connecticut
Nick Aysseh, Coastal Canines LLC, Fairfield
Warren Miller, Pet Care Of Westport, Westport
Sara Lavery, Paws N' Claws Petsitting and Transporting, Bristol
David C. Leckey, Clinton Pet Care, Clinton
Sharlene Anne Tessier, Manchester
Sarah Spielman, Best Friends Pet Care, Norwalk
Ana Rogers, BARK, Westport
Florida
Dr. Donna Snyder, Doghouse Pals LLC, Apollo Beach
Christien Hernandez, Doggie Nanny, Miami
Danice Brown, Warm Hearts & Cold Noses Petsitting LLC, Orlando
Mary Kyle, Mary Dog Days, West Palm Beach
Alana Rouse, Nanny Lanny Pet, Barn & Farm Sitting, Bushnell
Shaundra D. Goff, All My Babies, Cape Coral
Shelley Rodgers, Puppies on Parade, Orlando
Victoria Smith, Queen Victoria's Royalty Pet Treatment, Boynton Beach
Sharon Lee, Pet Concierge, Tampa Bay Seminole
Rodney Gruber, K-9 Companions Of Cape Coral, Cape Coral
Pamela L. Conforti, Personal Touch Pet Sitting, North Palm Beach
Caroline Kellam, PAWSitive Strides, Orlando
Nikki Roy, 'Good Dog!'" Sitter Services", Riverview
Lisa Boyle, Perfect Timing Pet Sitting, Boca Raton
Sandy Van Tine, Grandma Sandy's Pet Care, New Port Richey
Karla Reh, We Love Your Dogs, Deerfield Beach
Patricia A. Schell, Company for Pets, Vero Beach
Rosemary Johnson, Ruffin' It - Pets on Vacation, Winter Park
Bryce Olds, Bryce's Dog Walking, Orlando
Georgia
Dennis Keith Atkins, Moxie's Pet Sitters, Dallas
Damon Coberth, Happy Critter Sitters, Roswell
Kim Dionne, Dionne Dogs and Divas, Alpharetta
P Miller, Desperate Dogs, Flowery Branch
Christina Descalzo, ATL Pet Squad, LLC, Marietta
Hawaii
Jan Hesprich, Loyal Servant, Honolulu
Iowa
Tara Moore, All 'Bout Critters Pet Care, Cedar Rapids
Illinois
Debbie Skaggs, Angel Paws Pet Sitting, Champaign
Robert Prouty, Chicago Cat Sitters, Chicago
Russell Walsh, Walks With Zara, Chicago
Steven Heimdal, Go Doggies Go, Inc, Chicago
Bryan T. Purcell, Dog and Runner, Inc, Itasca
Sharday Dawson, Smoochez 4 Poochez, Chicago
Ann M. Sarich, Ann's Pet Service, LLC, Elgin
Mrs. Carol Snelten, Woof Meow Give Me My Chow Inc, Lakewood
Charles Helton, Uptown Dog Walkers & Pet Care, Chicago
Jason Bloom, Jason Loves Dogs, Bartlett
Indiana
Miss Cassandra, Oaks Cassie's Pet Sitting Service, Richmond
Bill Asher, Dog-Walker Bill LLC, Indianapolis
Brock Tassava, The Pet Butler, LLC, Indianapolis
Kansas
Karen Harrison, Joy Of Living, Overland Park
Massachusetts
Holly Branton, Cape K9 Cardio, Mashpee
Karen Nash, Doggie Daytrippers LLC, Boston
Chuck Werber, Go Woof Woof, Newton
Daniela Villarroel, Velez Lucky Tails, Revere
Joyce Strauss, Paws and Meows Pet Sitters, Newton Center
Kathleen Singleton Maynard, Snouts About Town, Hingham
Maureen Kerr, Solutions By Sophie, Somerville
Maryland
Jaime Deason, Fetch! Pet Care Of Silver Spring, Silver Spring
Jennifer Potvin, Random Tails, New Market
Mr. Johan Amaya, Caninos Pet Services LLC, Germantown
Cheryl Staab, DogCentric, Inc., Rockville
Cheryl Bingham, Luv-A-Pet Sitting Service, Libertytown
Sandy Unsworth, Animals 24/7, New Windsor
Janet Mumaw, Maw and Pawws Pet Sitting Plus, Inc, Baltimore
Kyle Zantzinger, Time Out Pets & Equine Sitting Service, Mount Airy
Jason Williams, Jason Williams, Bethesda
Sharon Jones, Caring for HIS Creatures, LLC, Gaithersburg
Bethany Zeleski, No Place Like Home Pet Sitting, Sykesville
Laura Fisher, The Dog Farm, Frederick
Virginia Kates, Dandyland Pet Care Center, Inc, Centreville
Maine
Dorothy Dee Mahoney, The Feline Forest, Waterboro
Michigan
Marla L. Breault, Tail Waggin Good LLC, Waterford
Maria Cristini, In Good Hands Pet Services, Ypsilanti
Elizabeth Bradbury, Whitehall
Missouri
Gailann Hause, I Let the Dogs Out, Branson
Leslie Gentry, Doggy Daycare At The Lake Lake, Ozark
Jeff Romans, Sit and Stay, Springfield
North Carolina
Angela Kay Nodine, Sweet Paw Pet Sitting, Cornelius
Lee Mitchell, Paws Four Life, Charlotte
Lesley Lovelace, Peak City Puppy, Apex
Jean Hickmon, Jean's Pet Sitting, Apex
Gary Craycraft, Lisa's Pet Sitting and Environmental Services, Wilson
Nebraska
Kelley McAtee, PAWfect Pet Services, Omaha
The NAPPS Network • 19

New NAPPS Members
New Hampshire
Michael Pope, Waggin' Tailz, Weare
New Jersey
Jessica Kruszka, River Run Pet Sitters LLC, Red Bank
Laurie Pelton, Dog Walking Divas, East Brunswick
Beth Caylor, The Well-Heeled Hound, Hopewell
Mark A. Gorrell, Paws 'n All, Medford
Janice Aceto, Cooper's Pet Service, Haddon Township
Kim Tysvaer, Blairstown Pet Sitting, LLC, Blairstown
Elisa Schmidt, Creature Comforts Pet Sitting and Training, Freehold
Penny Keeny, Pennys Pet Sitting Service, Turnersville
Dawn Morrissey, Guardian Pet Care, Middletown
James Walmsley, Walmsleys Walkers & More, Ocean City
New Mexico
Bryan Moroney, Regal Pet Services, Rio Rancho
Bryan Stewart, Fetch! Pet Care Of East Albuquerque, Albuquerque
Cheryl A. Sutton, Pampered Pooches & Other Pets LLC, Albuquerque
Michelle Garza, Sittin' Stay Pet Sitting & More, Albuquerque
Nevada
Wende Crossley, Pegasus Too, Reno
New York
Adam Light, Throw Me a Bone NYC Dog Services, New York
Camille Campagna, Paw Prints, Bronx
Emma Wall, Walking on Wall, Brooklyn
Ciro Marfella, The Dog Walker, Chappaqua
Pam Dworetz, PetPal, Saint James
Joy Barbieri, A Joy To Be With, Stanfordville
Miriam Kahn, Today's Pet Service, Brooklyn
Mary A. Durosko, Lionheart Pet Care Services, Clyde
Keemya Dickerson, Four Paws & Whiskers, LLC, New York
Adrienne Caldwell, Adrienne Caldwell Dog Walking, Training and Behavior,
Maspeth
Ohio
Robin Schwartz, For Pets' Sake, Columbus
Jane F. Rodwan, A Paws for Pets LLC, Fairview Park
Karen Jodon, Karen's Pet Walking Service & More, Barberton
Gail A. Gabel, Doggie Diva Sitters, Oregon
Oklahoma
Christina Hetzler, SitLayStay At Home Pet Care, Elgin
Ontario
Kara Harris, Spaws Dog Walking, Brampton
South Carolina
Jessie West, Pooch Playtime Pet Services, LLC, Woodruff
Elizabeth Dolby, Island Pet Sitting LLC, Johns Island
Gray B. Moore, Dawg Tired & Cat Naps Too, Charleston
Tennesee
Shannon Bottoms, SouthPaw Dog Training & Pet Sitting, Nashville
Janell Gazdecki, Happy Pets, Cleveland
Melissa Ming, Eat, Sleep & Play Pet Sitting Service, Crossville
Texas
Shane Cogbill, Fur Ball Farm Pet Sitting and Boarding, Magnolia
Wendy Helms, Ark Angels Pet Services, Irving
Lisa DeLaPaz, Pack Leader Pet Services, LLC, Euless
Angelina Cook, Lone Star Pet Sitting, Arlington
Darcy Griffith, Pets At Home Petsitting, Killeen
Eris E. Loomis, Walkies Plus, Inc, Dallas
Becca Clark, Texas Dog Walker, Keller
Lynn Mallard, Sitting Ducks, Hurst
Melissa Sparks, Pet Sitter DFW, Richardson
Saundra Edwards, Happy Tails Pet Care, San Antonio
Debbie Hallbrook, Avian Attendant Services, Dallas
Becky Chevalier, The DogSpaw, Arlington
Nicole Linden, Personable Pet Care, Little Elm
Jamie Manske, Susan's TLC Pet Sitting, Dripping Springs
Jeffrey Sundseth, Fetch Pet Care Of Pearland, Pearland
Lindsey Weber, Pet Sitters for All Critters, Waco
Diane Bizier, Dallas
Virginia
David Everhart, A Cat Sitting Service, Virginia Beach
Tammy Rosen, Fur-Get Me Not Pet Care LLC, Arlington
Brandon Knott, Happy Yaps, Alexandria
Mindy Kay, All-Star Pet Team, Richmond
Washington
Jill Seward, Little Furry Things, Seattle
Angel Kohls, Seattle in Home Pet Sitting LLC, Seattle
Jo Ann Hansell, Happy Horse Feeding Service, Gig Harbor
Alex Costanzo, Precious Pets Plus, Renton
Cherelle Bertch, Fur Kids Pet Services, Renton
Skyler Lloyd, Playful Pooch, Seattle
Teresa Caldwell, K9 P.O.V., Snohomish
Wisconsin
Nicole Trapp, Country Critter Care, West Bend
Dana Dorband, From the Heart - Animal Care Services LLC, Muskego
Miss Erin M. Norton, Paws 'n Play LLC, Columbus
Michele Safcik, Little Pals, Racine ■
Oregon
John Kasianczuk, The Wet Nose, Portland
Marc Ross, Compassionate Pet Care, Portland
Victoria Robinson, Safe At Home, Ontario
Lynda Tygard, Grow Happy Furkids, Happy Valley
Pennsylvania
Gerald Mc Dermott, No Worries Pet Care Services, Eagleville
William B. Boyd III, Doggy Dog Pet Sitting Services LLC, Doylestown
Carrie Maria, Philadelphia
Ellen Paul, Fuzzy Feet, Philadelphia
Jamie Landis, Landis Family Farm Pet Services, Harleysville
Jennifer Shawe, Shawe's Paws, Philadelphia
Jamie C. Rock-Kelly, A Wet Nose Pet Sitting & Care Service, LLC, Kennett Square
Dana DiRusso-Caniz, Puppy Love Pet Service, Royersford
Cheryl Colgan, NEPA Pet Nanny, Dallas
Michael Hemphill, Little Characters Pet Sitting, Drexel Hill
Jennifer Fetter, Purely Pets, Harrisburg
Raymond W. Schoen, Pack Leader Pet Sitting, West Grove
Reba Bombalski, Reba's Dog Walking & Pet Sitting, Pittsburgh
Janice Vasko, Who Took the Dogs Out?, Pottstown
Jim Dean, My Pet Pals, Downingtown
Penny Layne, Aunt Penny's Pet Sitting, Irwin
Apryl Davies, Indiana Critter Sitters, Indiana
Puerto Rico
Lucy Gonzalez, Chateau Fellini Hato Rey, San Juan
Rhode Island
Denise Spender, Animal Home Health Care Kennel Alternative LLC, Coventry
The NAPPS Network • 20

NAPPS COMMITTEES
As a member of NAPPS, you play a part in the exciting growth of the in-home professional pet care industry, and
you have a voice in the association’s affairs and governance. You can help shape your association by becoming
more involved in the programs and activities that NAPPS offers. Your time commitment is up to you. You can be
involved as little or as much as you like. By serving on a Committee, you learn new skills and network with your
peers. Get involved today by visiting www.petsitters.org!
BENEFITS
The mission of the NAPPS Member Benefits Committee
is to enhance the value of NAPPS membership by developing
and providing access to education, resources,
tools and materials to foster the growth and success of
member businesses.
Volunteer Needs: The Benefits committee brings our members
all of the great benefits. The committee is tasked to
research and implement new benefits for our membership
and review and improve current benefits. Average committee
member time is estimated at one to two hours per week
based on the project and your availability.
GOVERNANCE
The mission of the NAPPS Governance Committee is to
formally establish an annual strategic planning system,
identify, educate and position future leaders and help the
board assess and improve its operations.
Volunteer Needs: This is a new committee that will keep
current on the association’s governance issues as well as
provide research on legislative issues relevant to our industry.
Ideal committee members are individuals with background in
governance or legislation but that is not required. Average
committee member time is estimated at one to two hours per
week based on the project and your availability.
Monthly Meeting Dates: The 2nd Wednesday of every
month at 11:00 AM Eastern Time
Chair: Monica Leighton, monicaleighton@comcast.net
Certification Subcommittee
Monthly Meeting Dates: The 2 nd Thursday of every month
at 4:30 PM Eastern Time
Chair: Christie Fries, terrapinpets@gmail.com
Monthly Meeting Dates: The 3rd Wednesday of the month
at 1:00 PM Eastern Time.
Chair: Monica Leighton, monicaleighton@comcast.net
Legislative Subcommittee
Monthly Meeting Dates: To Be Determined
Chair: To be determined
Disaster Preparedness Subcommittee
Monthly Meeting Dates: The 3 rd Wednesday of every month
at 8:00 PM Eastern Time
Chair: Marcia Breithaupt,
marcia@LHAPS.com
MARKETING
The mission of the NAPPS Marketing Committee is to
build awareness about NAPPS, NAPPS programs and the
pet sitting profession.
Volunteer Needs: The Marketing Committee is looking for
people that would like to work on the ongoing efforts in
regard to the NAPPS vision and direction. One hour a month
is a great contribution and goes a long way towards setting
goals and developing programs to benefit you and other
NAPPS members.
Chair: Anna Sias, anna@fourpawstn.com
Monthly Meeting Date: The 1st Wednesday of every month
Annual Conference Subcommittee
Monthly Meeting Dates: The 2 nd Thursday of every month
at 2:00 PM Eastern Time
Chair: Anna Sias, anna@fourpawstn.com
MEMBERSHIP
The mission of the NAPPS Membership Committee is to
serve NAPPS by developing strategies to increase membership,
retain existing membership and provide a
resource for existing members.
Volunteer Needs: Creative, innovative people are needed to
assist in planning and implementing programs to stimulate
and sustain NAPPS membership growth. We anticipate the
time commitment to be four to five hours per month.
Monthly Meeting Dates: 3rd Thursday of each month at
4:00 PM Eastern Time.
Chair: Sherry Suhosky, skispeak@gmail.com
Presents 4 Pets Subcommittee
Monthly Meeting Dates: The 2 nd Thursday of every month
at 5:00 PM Eastern Time
Chair: Kristen Burton, kristen@bestfriendpetsitting.com
Youth Education Subcommittee
Monthly Meeting Dates: The 4 th Thursday of every month
at 11:00 AM Eastern Time
Chair: Jennifer Haralson, pharalson@neb.rr.com