You will find more detail on our Services and Pricing page, but here's a quick note about why we do what we do, and why we think you and your pets will benefit from our services.

We offer IN HOME Pet Sitting as an alternative to kennels and pet care facilities where your pets are kept in cold, impersonal cages with lots of other animals around, and are usually left alone overnight. When you use Happy Dogs, you have the choice of leaving your pets at home, in surroundings they are comfortable with, which helps to reduce the stress of your abscence. In addition, for smaller dogs or in special cases, we can keep your pets with us, in a home setting, where they are treated as part of the family. When your pets remain at your home, you have the choice of having us stay with your pets overnight, if needed, so we offer a combination of pet sitting and house sitting.

Happy Dogs Pet Services is Insured for your protection, and we are members of the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters. We can also offer you a list of references - former and current clients who can vouch for our professionalism and our calm, caring way with all animals left in our care.

In addition, we offer DOG WALKING. Most dogs need and enjoy daily exercise, but just letting them out in the back yard on their own doesn't provide the benefits of a daily walk. A dog left alone in the back yard will find a place to lie down and just hang around bored all day. That's not a happy dog. In many cases, this unhappy, bored dog will occupy itself by tearing up your back yard, or barking all day and annoying the neighbors. I once lived behind a very bored Labrador Retriever who dismantled a deck and basically ate the downspouts right off the back of the house, because he spent every day alone in the backyard with no stimulation and no exercise. That's not a happy dog, and when his owner's came home and found the downspouts pulled off the back of the house... they weren't happy people either!

It doesn't have to be that way. A happy pet equals a happy pet owner. Dogs who get regular walks and exercise are happier, better behaved, healthier, and more relaxed. Just like all of us.

At Happy Dogs, we provide walking services personalized to your needs and the needs of your dog(s). We'll work with you to design a plan that can include anything from once or twice a day, to once or twice a week, or you can just call us when you need us for special circumstances. We're flexible!
 

YOUR PET'S SAFETY:

When you entrust your pets to me, their safety and welfare is my primary concern. I stop and take breaks if necessary and carry water, a cell phone, first aid supplies and pepper spray at all times. You never know when you might come across an aggressive dog that is off leash and poses a threat. If this happens, I will yell at the approaching dog to get back. If that does not work, I will use pepper spray to ward off the threat, because I take the safety of any dog in my care very seriously and will do everything in my power to protect them.

HAPPY DOGS STAFF:

DARIN HENDERSON - Owner / Dog Specialist    MEMBER: National Association of Professional Pet Sitters.

My passion for animals was passed down from my Grandma Marjean, who groomed dogs in her home and for various animal hospitals and veterinary offices. Grandma Marjean's grooming service included picking up the dogs in the morning and delivering them home at night. Talk about full service!! In the summer and on the weekends I would ride along on these trips in her big station wagon with dog crates in the back.  Marjean loved grooming dogs, and she also couldn't resist an animal in need. She originally had 4 poodles and 1 cat, but after she started bringing home animals in need of foster care, she ended up with everything from Chihuahuas to Doberman Pinschers.

Growing up, my brother and I had many pets: A black Lab named Ben, and another named Buddy. A Saint Bernard named Samson, and an Irish Setter named Queen. Several cats (though these mostly belonged to my Mom), turtles, white mice, hamsters and fish. These days, it's a pair of Yorkie sisters named Ellie and Rylie who have captured my heart.

Recently, I worked as a volunteer for Lakeside Nature Center, and served a term as Vice President of Friends of Lakeside - the volunteer group that supports the Nature Center. Through my work with the Nature Center, I learned about the care and rehabilitation of native Missouri wildlife.

I admire the "Dog Whisperer" Cesar Millan, and have read all his books on dog behavior and psychology. I appreciate his methods of achieving balance between people and dogs, and one thing Cesar will tell you is dogs NEED to be walked every day. Just letting them out in the backyard to roam free does not provide the mental and physical stimulation they require.

I can't walk past an animal without visiting - whether they are in their backyard peering through the fence, or sitting in a car, patiently waiting for their owner to come out of the store, I'll usually stop by for a quick Hello. My sincere and earnest affection for animals is communicated in all my actions. I try to be cheerful and patient with all creatures, and my love of animals even led me to become a Vegetarian a few years ago.

I am equally comfortable with large or small dogs, and I believe kindness and warmth are felt by animals almost instantly, so it's important to establish that kind of relationship right up front, while never forgetting to convey a calm and assertive presence that commands respect. I have passed a background check and am registered through Sittercity.com

I offer Pet Services in Independence MO, Blue Springs MO, Grain Valley MO, Oak Grove MO, Lee's Summit MO, Liberty MO, Raytown MO and Grandview MO. My associate, Julie, offers Pet Services, Pet Sitting and Dog Walking in  Leawood, Olathe, Overland Park, Lenexa and Kansas City Kansas, and the Kansas City MO area. My associate Lesly, offers Pet Services in Kansas City Missouri and Overland Park, Lenexa, Mission, Shawnee and Prairie Village Kansas.

JULIE SHAFFER - Pet Sitter / Dog Walker