House Sitter in Santa Monica, California

I’m available for House/Pet Sitting on West Coast😀 Hi! Dr Catalina here and I’m a recovering academic and Clinical Psychologist who helps couples reclaim intimacy. I’ve enjoyed living in amazing cities all over the world (NYC, Sydney, DC, Chicago, now Santa Monica) and I’ve loved every minute of it…except rent. In preparation for buying my next property, I want to live more simply while sharing my dog training skills and travel. I’m available from November 2022 on for longer-stay housesits out West (California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Utah). Here’s a little more about me: My petsitting experience: I have taken care of several family and friends dog’s, cats, and fish the past two decades. I have a 2 year old English Springer Spaniel, Joplin, who I have trained in agility and as a therapy dog. I have integrated my skills as a psychologist and professor towards training Joplin and teaching her to assist with emotional regulation in others via acupressure & touch therapy. I rely primarily on positive reinforcement and somatic training strategies. Joplin will be joining me on any housesits. She’s super smart, obedient and friendly. She’s a great playmate to all dogs. If you have concerns that your pet might not get along with Joplin, it likely will be just the opposite. Joplin’s gentle submissive temper has been used with 4 other dogs to co-regulate and socialized with them. I apply systematic desensitization paired with reward to train tentative/anxious dogs to be more grounded. I’m happy to work with your dog during my stay. I have also had many dog sitters sit for me, who can attest to not only how I trained Joplin, but also how I maintain my home and expect house sitters to do the same. Happy to provide references. My Housesitting experience: I own a condo in Chicago and have had house sitters and AirBnB’s in my properties, therefore I have high standards of cleanliness and care. I like to welcome people into a safe warm space, therefore treat other’s spaces with respect as well. How I work: I have a thriving private practice as a psychologist seeing all clients remotely. I create my schedules, seeing clients only Tuesday through Thursday. I can work from anywhere with solid internet. I start and end each day with walks and exercise with Joplin and any dogs I’m taking care of. On breaks, I also play frisbee to get both our heartbeats up- even if it’s only a short play session. My work allows me a lot of flexibility, which is why I’m ready to not request housesitters, but actually be one. I appreciate when my dog sitter gives regular updates and happy to do the same as your sitter. Please feel free to check out more about me at www.....com or DM me with any questions or to explore sitting opportunities. Cheers!