Question 1

Vaccination & Treatment Status

Accepted Answer

Please provide your pet’s current vaccination records from your veterinarian. If a special circumstance is approved by your veterinarian, please include this documentation.

Email: VelvetBoops@outlook.com(VelvetBoops@outlook.com).)

Records should confirm immunization against core communicable diseases listed below:

Core Vaccinations
 • Rabies
 • Bordetella
 • Distemper/Parvo

Monthly Treatment 
 • GREATLY encourage regular flea/tick treatment.
 • GREATLY encourage monthly routine deworming treatment. 
 • Family members living with your pet (Pet Sitter included) can be negatively affected. Prevention is key to dealing with intestinal parasites. 
 • “broad-spectrum” anti-parasitics, particularly those that eliminate adult worms and larvae is highly recommended. 
 • Roundworms, Hookworms, Tapeworms, Whipworm, Single-Celled "Microscopic" Intestinal Parasites, etc.
 • It is important to have your pet's stool tested, as recommended by your Veterinarian.

*Disclaimer
Your animal must have a clean bill of health. If your animal is showing signs of sickness (diarrhea, vomiting, abnormal lethargy, rashes, etc.) please be transparent. Walks may be adjusted or paused depending on the nature of their condition. Avoiding contact with other animals, especially if your animal is contagious, is important for our community. Focusing on potty breaks and comfort rather than exercise. Your dog’s modified walk will be shorter, slower, and closely monitored. A gentle walk or a backyard relief visit will still be priority—provided it’s approved by you and your veterinarian. If your animal is feeling better from being sick, and is on antibiotics/medications, the same rules apply during this time of healing. Patricia will always communicate any concerns and prioritize your pet’s comfort, safety, and recovery.

Question 2

Hobby Sitter vs. Professional Sitter

Accepted Answer

The responsibility and liability of caring for sentient beings and having key access to private homes is a role that should be taken seriously.

Pet Sitters and Dog Walkers have a direct influence on your animals. Pets need to be cared for in a safe and familiar environment, minimizing stress and maintaining their regular routines.

Pet Sitters should be knowledgable on Force-free animal training uses of positive reinforcement techniques, which are scientifically supported as the most humane and effective methods for training animals. This approach focuses on rewarding desirable behaviours, thus fostering a trusting and confident relationship between the animal and caretaker.

There are wonderful hobby sitters who love to serve their community, and they most definitely serve a purpose and are appreciated. However, sometimes they may prove to be unreliable, and this can result in confusion with the kind of care a pet owner is expecting, versus the kind of care an animal will receive when a pet owner chooses a sitter who is well experienced and established in the industry.

Question 3

Dog Training Methodology

Accepted Answer

Force-free dog training uses positive reinforcement (R+) techniques, which are scientifically supported as the most humane and effective methods for training animals. This approach focuses on rewarding desirable behaviours, thus fostering a trusting and confident relationship between the animal and caretaker. It minimizes stress and promotes a positive learning environment for dogs.

Velvet Boops is committed to Karen Pryor Academy’s (KPA) (https://karenpryoracademy.com/about/)teachings of effective force-free training. The training philosophies are rooted in learning theory and operant conditioning. Patricia Denton (the owner and operator of VB) is a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA-CTP). Confirmation of this designation and her certification number can be viewed on her KPA profile.(https://karenpryoracademy.com/find-a-trainer/#!biz/id/63598e40d490bf5dcf093029)

Interacting with animals in an educated and consensual way is nourishment, to both human and animal. Every interaction is an opportunity for positive reinforcement, and for something wonderful to occur.

Animals need our understanding, compassion, and attention to thrive in the domesticated spaces we have created for them, as we all coexist.

Working with animals has been and always will be a continuous journey of self-discovery. We have so much to learn from animals and the way they connect with the world and nature.

Question 4

Environmental Impact

Accepted Answer

Velvet Boops Pet Care believes in “Leave No Trace”. Always cleaning up and using certified biodegradable poop bags to lessen the carbon foot print. Discarding collections into the proper and designated ways of disposal.

It is a privilege to roam in nature with our animal family members as a profession, and we take careful consideration of how our presence can affect our precious ecosystems.

Here are some helpful resources:
Certified Compostable Bags (https://www.calgary.ca/uep/wrs/recycling-information/residential-services/green-cart/compostable-bags-and-liners.html)

Is your pet care planet friendly? (https://davidsuzuki.org/queen-of-green/disposing-dog-poop-green-way/)