Sitter Spotlight: Top Dog Holly S.

Posted by Michelle

If you’re looking for a host who is extremely attentive, passionate about pooches, and specializes in dogs with special needs, then Holly S. is your gal. Since she came out of the womb, dogs have played a huge role in her life by being not just a playmate, but a companion. From a young age, Holly helped her mother show and raise dogs and other animals such as geese, chickens, and ducks. A true animal lover, Holly’s passion lies in communicating and building trust with canine clients. Her proximity to parks makes her puppy pad the ideal location for the vacationing pooch. Have a dog with special needs? Holly’s flexible schedule allows her to provide your dog with extra attention and play time. Your furry friend will look forward to visiting the Holly Hotel whenever you go out of town! [To book with this sitter, click here]

What services do you provide on DogVacay.com?

Boarding, walking, day care, and grooming.

Holly as a youngster playing in the dog house

What is your experience caring for dogs?

From infancy on, I have been communicating with dogs. Growing up, the doghouse was my playhouse! My mother was a well-known dog breeder for 40 years so we showed dogs all over the country and raised many litters of puppies. Now, I work with all breeds of dogs and many seniors who need special care. One of my clients can’t walk and needs injections, pills and lots of attention. Another one is blind and incontinent. I also enjoy working with shy dogs that need socializing. [To book with this sitter, click here]

How did you get started in pet care?

Our family had a hobby farm where we raised dogs, ducks, geese, chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs. A 4-H member for nine years, I showed my animals at the fair. It was just our way of life. Animals have a calming effect on me, so after years of working in advertising, publishing and the entertainment industry, I decided to go back to my roots! I still use my communication skills but with animals instead.

Holly as a youngster showing a dog

What is your involvement in showing dogs?

Throughout my childhood, I helped raise, train and show our basset hounds for dog shows. I trained my guinea pigs too and even a tiny quail who lost its mother! I’ve always had a knack for earning the trust of an animal and knowing inherently what they need. [To book with this sitter, click here]

What drew you to helping dogs with special needs?

I think it really started with Ruby, my mom’s daschund who was paralyzed from the waist down and dragged herself around. I was just really drawn to helping her and giving her love. With older dogs, you have to have a certain amount of patience. A lot of people don’t want to take care of older dogs, and that’s where I come in. They need me to do it, and I love doing it because it challenges me.

What is the most special moment you’ve had with a dog?

When I was about 8 years old, I was laying on the couch with one of the family basset hounds. We were laying face to face looking at each other and I playfully pretended to bite his nose. He did the same, and then I did it again, and then he did it again. We just kept going back and forth and it was just such a magical moment. They say dogs originated from wolves, but what’s different is that wolves don’t hold eye contact. Dogs, on the other hand, do, and it can be a very powerful connection. Sometimes I just look into the eyes of my clients for the longest time and although no words are spoken, I can tell they are saying so much with their eyes.

Holly with the diaper-wearing dog, Toby

What kind of dogs do you/have you worked with that required special attention?

One of my clients, Toby, is 16 years old and is nearly blind. I put him on a diaper because he would just pee everywhere.

Another one of my clients is Jimmy, a 14-year-old dog who has severe neurological conditions. The vet says it’s the worst; his legs just lay out and he has no control. He can’t walk or stand and is quite a handful. [To book with this sitter, click here]

How do you deal with a dog who has separation anxiety, especially while home dog boarding?

Sometimes it just takes a day or two. A lot of them won’t eat, so I cook for them to establish trust quickly. It takes a lot of tolerance. The dogs get so excited when they come over. After just one visit, they can’t wait to come back. My clients often say to me, “I don’t know what it is about you, but my dog acts so different around you.” I think I just really have a connection with dogs, and it’s been that way since I was a little girl. I’ll be at the dog park where dogs are playing frisbee with their owners, and they’ll just throw the frisbee to me and start playing with me.

What can clients expect after leaving their dog with you?

24/7 conversation, cuddling, walking, sleeping and playing! I take them wherever I’m going.

Are you close to any dog parks/trails?

I live near a dog park and the biggest cemetery in Chicago where there’s no traffic or noise. I also drive my dogs to the dog park on Lake Michigan where they can frolic in the sand and water. During the summer, I’ll take them to street festivals and art fairs if they enjoy the attention.

Why is home dog boarding a good option?

For many dogs, it’s too traumatic to stay in a kennel. It’s loud and confusing, and not a good option for dogs who are blind, skittish, elderly or small. For dogs that suffer from separation anxiety, it just compounds their anxiety. And for dogs who are coddled by their owners, home boarding is the only option! [To book with this sitter, click here]

What kind of dogs do you accept?

I will care for small to large breeds. If the dog is huge or really prefers its own environment, I’ll stay at the clients house. Four at one time is my limit and those are generally small to medium size dogs. I don’t have any dogs of my own because I get attached to regular clients!

DogVacay hand-picks only the most reliable, trusted hosts to watch your dog. After being pre-screened and interviewed, host profiles are approved and ready for service. Host Spotlight is our way of featuring hosts and showing off the great services they offer through DogVacay. If you would like to be featured on our Host Spotlight, please contact us.