Professional Pet Sitter Amelia Johnson Tells Her Story

Spotlight on Professional Pet Sitter Amelia Johnson

Read in PSI member Amelia Johnson’s own words how her lifelong love of pets has led to a lifetime career.

“My first memory of truly loving pets was at the age of two when my parents placed me on a horse's back. I was surrounded by my own pets after that. My neighbors would ask me to take care of their pets despite my young age.

"Pet sitting was not recognized as a 'real job' back then so I became a dog groomer and owned my own business. I sold that business and became a 'normal person' as a court reporter, only to find my heart yearning to be back with the animals. After that stint, I became a World Champion horse trainer...until marriage domesticated me.

"In late 1994 - early 1995, I was looking for something to do as my own business. I came across a story about Pet Sitters International and their first convention for pet sitters. Wow! That's it! I can do that! I attended the first convention and listened to Patti Moran and Bill Foster talk about the profession of pet sitting.

"Since then, I have been a pet sitter. I grew the business and hired employees to give my husband and me some time to travel. I have been through the transitions all pet-sitting businesses go through. I added dog training services and holistic pet nutrition to fulfill the needs of my clients.

"As I think back over the last 16 years of pet sitting, I doubt that I will ever retire from pet sitting. It is keeping me young so that I can die at a very old age. Thank you PSI for inspiring me to become a professional pet sitter!”

–submitted by Amelia Johnson, Animal Lovers, Inc., Pinto, MD