Jill Ochs
The Mutt Nanny LLC
Chanhassen, MN
Years as a Professional Pet Sitter: Two
PSI Member Since 2005
Likes: All animals – large and small
Dislikes: People who neglect their animals and chain up dogs all day long
Favorite Color: All shades of green
Favorite Foods: Steak, lobster and Alaskan king crab legs
Favorite Movie: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
Favorite Song: Say You Love Me by Fleetwood Mac
“Tricks of the Trade:” Do not deviate from any special instruction from the client. If possible, schedule your visits so that each one is a short drive from the last one. Stick to your schedule. Keep extra leashes, dog treats and poop bags in your car at all times.
Favorite Dog Name: Jasper
Favorite Cat Name: Barney
Favorite “Alternative” Pet: Horse
Favorite “Downtime” Activity: Playing Texas Hold’em
Best Pet-Sitting Experience: When my repeat clients can leave for a trip and know that their pets are in good hands and when the pets show excitement when they see me walk through the door.
What accomplishment are you most proud of: I am most proud of building a successful pet-sitting business without doing any advertising other than posting flyers and business cards. I am proud of the rapport that I have built with my clients and of my two employees, who do a wonderful job and take their duties seriously. I am also proud of the fact that I get new clients by word of mouth, and I am proud of all of these things despite my husband’s skepticism.
What kind of car would you drive if money were not an object? In the summer, I would drive a completely loaded Mercedes Convertible. In the winter, a completely loaded Subaru Tribeca, AWD.
What is your “Dream Vacation?” Two weeks on any tropical island with all of my girlfriends.
What does your PSI Membership mean to you? I believe it was instrumental in helping me build my business as quickly as I did. It gives me the security of knowing that I have someone to turn to for help and guidance if I need it. Also knowing that I have many other pet-sitting colleagues to seek advice from when I need it.
Finish this sentence: “If I hadn’t become a pet sitter, I never would have…experienced the joy I feel when I go to a client’s home and their pet is so excited to see me. It has fulfilled my dream of loving and caring for animals and running my own business. It makes me proud and happy when I tell people what I do for a living – I love to go to work every day.
Favorite Quotes:
“If you can’t decide between a shepherd, a setter or a poodle, get them all…Adopt a Mutt!”
- ASPCA
“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.”
- Anatole France
