Spring 2009 - National Association of Professional Pet Sitters

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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
Page 3 and 4: Table of Contents ASSOCIATION NEWS
Page 5: Membership Every NAPPS member in go
Page 9 and 10: Some state statutes address the IC
Page 11 and 12: Monica Leighton, 2009 NAPPS Preside
Page 13 and 14: The NAPPS Network • 11
Page 15 and 16: An Open Love Letter Some say it's t
Page 17 and 18: • Make sure someone knows where y
Page 19 and 20: Participation in, and education rec
Page 21 and 22: New NAPPS Members NAPPS Would Like
Page 23: NAPPS COMMITTEES As a member of NAP

Spring 2009 - National Association of Professional Pet Sitters

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