At Camp Pet Nanny, dogs play hide-and-seek and do crafts with camp director Wendy Strain, owner of The Pet's Nanny of Parker. Wendy opened her business two years ago after 20 years of working in the animal industry. “I love animals!” she exclaims. “I wasn’t happy working in any job if it didn’t involve animals. It’s just my heart and my passion.”
Her love for animals began at age 7 when her friend’s cat had kittens. “I held one of those kittens, and that was the moment I was hooked,” she shares.
Wendy has combined her experience and love for her four-legged clients to create a unique and successful business. The Pet's Nanny offers a variety of services, including transportation, dog walking, field trips, limited boarding, referral services and drop-in pet sitting, where art and games come alive. Dogs play hide-and-seek with hidden treats, and the craft activities include painting and licking. “The act of licking releases happy hormones!” she explains. Her ‘sniffrichment’ services are popular. “I let the dogs lead and sniff what is safe. They are in charge.” A short sniff session provides the same enrichment as an hour-long walk.
Wendy emphasizes the importance of mental enrichment and comes prepared with toys, treats, emergency medical supplies, cooling mats and more, all stored in her car. “We do fun things. I’m incredibly passionate and educated about animal behavior, and I bring that into what I do!” Wendy says.
She also offers owner-approved field trips that she calls Enrichment Adventures. Sometimes she takes a dog to a garden center, a new park, a pet supply store and even for a ‘pup cup’ at a coffee shop. Dogs benefit from new sights, sounds and smells, both behaviorally and emotionally.
“I may visit six or seven families in a day, but the pet that I am in front of at that visit is the center of my world, and I love them like they are my own!”
Wendy’s tips for building bonds with your pup:
1. Learn how to understand what they are saying. She emphasizes, “They are constantly communicating with us. Paying attention to their body language is key.”
2. Always use positive reinforcement with your pup. Negative reinforcement, such as yelling or shaming, will harm the bond between the dog and its owner.
3. Dogs detect our love. Wendy says, “They recognize the subtle shift in scent from oxytocin that relates to our emotions.” Humans release oxytocin when they experience positive emotions, and dogs, in turn, release oxytocin that makes them happy.
4. Dogs need exposure to a wide range of experiences when they are puppies to be well-adjusted and avoid developing fears.
Wendy’s tips for warm weather care:
1. When the heat rises, put your hand on the sidewalk for 7 seconds. If it is hot for you, it is for your pup, too.
2. Walk your dog in the morning or evening on sweltering days.
3. If they overheat, never put water on their back. This traps heat in their fur and can make things worse. Instead, wet their underbellies and paws to cool them down.
4. Always have water in their bowls, inside and out.
5. Make ice cubes out of dog-specific broth to cool them down.
“Every single day to me is endearing with these pets. I love what I do. It’s the best thing ever!” she says as her face lights up.
Visit thepetsnannyco.com for more information on all the services Wendy offers, including referrals for other experts.
“Dogs are communicating with us constantly.You just have to learn to listen. Paying attention to their body language is key.”
“I'm incredibly passionate and educated about animal behavior, and I bring that into what I do."