Caroline Kellam, Co-Owner

I have had pets all of my life and absolutely love animals! I currently have 3 dogs, all of them rescued. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in English Education and a Master’s Degree in Education. I taught middle school for 5 years. In April of 2008, my mom, Paula, and I decided to start PAWSitive Strides, because of our love for animals. I couldn’t ask for a better job! In addition to my own babies, I feel privileged to be able to spoil and pamper other people’s pets!

Paula Butterfield, Co-Owner

My daughter and I started PAWSitive Strides to combine our love of pets with our desire to provide quality service to others. We believe in making sure all pets are treated with the same love and attention that they would receive if their owners were home. It makes all of the difference in the world to the pet that is away from its owner. Like my daughter, I also taught for many years and have owned pets throughout my life. My current pets are two rescued dogs. They are part of the family!

 Sharon Collins, Pet Sitter

Originally from the south coast of England my love of animals started at a very young age, with my family having Cats, Dogs, Horses, Chickens, Guinea Pigs, Gerbils, Fish, Birds, Terrapins and many other assorted Creatures over the years. My day would start with letting out the dogs, feeding the Chickens heading off to school then from school heading to the Stables to check on the Horses then back home to walk the dogs and feed the caged animals. My every waking minute was surrounded with the love and care that animals require for a balanced, healthy and happy lifestyle.

In my last year of school for work experience it came as no big surprise that I wished to work at the local Dogs trust and shelter where I continued to learn as much as I could about the well being, daily needs, medical issues and behavioral traits of each breed. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the Kennels and came away with a greater understanding of man’s best friend!

After moving to America in 98 I continued my passion of animals with 3 great dogs, a Beagle/Collie mix, an Australian Shepherd and a German Shepherd. We traveled all over together and even moved to Hawaii where they were quarantined due to the Island being Rabies free. While living in Hawaii I discovered the mighty Kualoa Ranch where I spent my days riding Horses and helping out with trail rides through the many movie locations filmed there, as well as working at a Vet’s office providing care for the animals that needed to stay after hours.

Several years later, back on the mainland, I rescued 3 domestic short haired cats, a calico, a Tabby and a Russian Blue. Funny how I got 1 and then suddenly I had 3.

Now living in central Florida I volunteered at the local no kill shelter, walking, feeding and bathing the dogs and cleaning out the cats which I always found so rewarding. It was during this time that I started with my first police agency and fell in love with the K-9′s and knew I wanted to help out and learn as much as I could about these often not mentioned partners of crime. Even today, 5 years later, I stay in touch with both my old agencies and train with as often as I can, learning about bite work, apprehension, detection of narcotics and the sheer might and speed of both the German/ Belgium Shepherds and the role they play within law enforcement.

No matter where my life has taken me it has and always will involve animals of all shapes and sizes. They bring so much to our lives! I look forward to caring for your pet as if it were my own because that is the least these furry companions deserve.

Patty Hoepfl, Pet Sitter

My name is Patricia Hoepfl. I have a 14 year old black Lab named Esper and a 8 year old Red Tabby. His name is Max. Esper, I saw being born at my sister’s house. Max came to live with us after renters left him behind. I’m both a client and a sitter. I love animals, therefore, I find my job both a pleasure and rewarding.

Linda Vandersteen, Pet Sitter

I have always been an animal lover. Our family loves to rescue dogs and cats so over the years I’ve gained experience in lots of areas including horses. I have a 2 year old dog called Duke, a Collie mixed with Blonde Shepherd, who is energetic and full of love. I have a Son whom Duke adores. We also foster rescue dogs until a “forever home” is found, so Duke enjoys having a buddy when we are needed. I’m a naturalized American Citizen. I left England in 2005. We lived in Katy near Houston for 5 years and now I enjoy Orlando. I’m a retired Police Officer (Thames Valley Police, England) so have a wealth of experience in a number of areas. I love working for Pawsitive Strides! It’s so rewarding and a pleasure to take care of such adorable pets.

Sheila Enck, Pet Sitter

During my whole life, pets have been very important to me. I currently have two dogs and three cats that I love very much. They are my furry family. I also work very hard to make sure that every animal I come across on the street has a good home. I have rescued many abandoned pets and found forever families for them. Taking good care of other people’s pets when they are away at work or on vaction is a wonderful and rewarding job to me!

Patti Smedley – Pet Sitter

I have loved pets ever since I was a kid. Ive always had cats until we adopted a lab. As you can see, she lets me dress her up for treats! I also like walking dogs because it not only let’s them get outside, it helps me after a long day sitting at a desk job. I treat all the pets I visit with the same care as my own. It’s nice to visit so they are not so lonely while their owners are away.

 Molly Hare, Pet Sitter

As a child, I would beg my father, a veterinarian, to please, please bring me a gorilla, or an elephant or a flying squirrel. While none of these fantasy pets ever came to fruition, I found enjoyment assisting my father with the care of the family dogs. As an adult, I have found plenty of happiness with my two dogs and two cats and I often bring home strays to rehabilitate and re-home. I have also, in previous years, owned rabbits, hamsters, snakes, fish and turtles. I’ve worked on several farms caring for horses and dream of the day that I can have one of my own. I enjoy my work with Pawsitive Strides: caring for the furry family members of others. I know how difficult it can be to travel and leave your beloved pets behind. After all, they aren’t really pets; they are family!

 Sue Daniels, Pet Sitter

I owned a small real estate company in Banner Elk, NC and decided to leave after 20 years when the real estate market slowed and I was looking for another adventure. I first moved to the Charleston, SC area and ended up working the summer in Edisto Beach, SC where I volunteered for the local animal rescue group, ALOE (Animal Lovers of Edisto). I helped care for a friend of mine’s ailing mother there until her passing in November, then moved to Winter Garden. I currently work in the home health care field and manage a friend of mine’s home while she travels for the movie industry. She’s a dog trainer and is currently working on Beverly Hills Chihuahua Three. My companion is a black and white Cocker Spaniel named Sam and I care for two Boston Terriers, one Chihuahua, a stray dog and Pete, the Horse.

 Jessie Chase, Pet Sitter

I am currently an Aviculturist (bird trainer and caretaker) at Discovery Cove Orlando. As a profession I train large birds, mainly macaws, as well as work with over 300 birds in a free flight aviary. I also have three years of wildlife rehabilitation experience as well as experience as a trainer for Aquatica/SeaWorld’s Commerson Dolphins. I graduated from the University of Central Florida, Cum Laude, in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. I absolutely love animals, and have had pets all of my life. I currently have one pet, a gold-capped conure (which is a type of small parrot), named Guinness.

 Laura Roach, Pet Sitter

I am originally from Pennsylvania and moved to Florida in 2005 when I was offered a job at SeaWorld with the Education Department. I am currently in the Aviculture department at Discovery Cove, where I work as a bird trainer with over a hundred different species of birds. I graduated from Millersville University, in Lancaster Pennsylvania, with a degree in Marine Biology & Ecology and minors in both Chemistry & Psychology. I have an extensive background in animal care with a large variety of animals. I have worked with horses for over 20 years, plus cattle, reptiles, fish, penguins, cats, dogs, arachnids, birds, and small mammals. My best friend in the world is my 8-year-old Husky/German Shepard mix named “Rowdy” that loves to curl up in my lap for a good cuddle session. Some of my former pets have included parakeets, a guinea pig, rats, a cat, and a shih-tzu named “Sophie.” Outside of work I enjoy photography, running, SCUBA diving, kayaking, and experiencing the wonders of the great outdoors. I look forward to meeting both you and your pets soon.

Jessica Freidenberger, Pet Sitter

I am a Dolphin Trainer at Discovery Cove in Orlando, FL. I am a graduate from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology with a minor in Business Entrepreneurship. I have always had a love for animals. Growing up in Tennessee, we were always rescuing and fostering animals at home. I have had many pets over the years, both dogs and cats. My childhood dog is still going strong at 14 years old! (That’s 98 in doggie years!) Her name is Sandi and she is a sweetheart! We rescued her when she was just over a year old. My dog here in Orlando is a two year old German Shepard named “Liebe”, pronounced Leeba. It means LOVE in German. I figured with a last name like Freidenberger, we had to go all out! She is so much fun and LOVES to play with her toys. She is definitely a Mama’s girl!

In my spare time, I enjoy going to the movies, bowling, relaxing on the beach, shopping and hanging with Liebe of course!