PHC Implements New Training Program!

One of the big differences between Pet and Home Care and other pet sitting businesses in our service area is that we are a collection of professionals trained to give your pets the best possible care. We’re not satisfied with a simple one-and-done training for our team. Pet care is just like any other skill where best practices evolve, and it’s always important to stay on top of our craft.

That’s why we are so excited to share that Pet and Home Care joined the Pet Care Team Training network! The Pet Care Team Training course consists of interactive modules with worksheets, quizzes, and user-friendly guides to prepare our team for any pet care situation. Along with the Pet Care Team Training certification course, all of our staff are required to take First Aid & CPR Training with ProPetHero. We are empowering our staff with pet training and practical knowledge for careers at Pet and Home Care and beyond with life-saving certifications!

Courses Details

The Pet Care Team Training certification courses include modules with topics such as Dog’s Body Language, Caring for Puppies, Caring for Cats, Dog Walking 101, Administering Medication, How to Clean Litter Boxes, All About Pet Crates, Common Issues with Clients & Pets, Safety, and Security, Do’s and Don’ts in a Client’s Home, Next Level Client Service and more!

First Aid & CPR Training with ProPetHero

  • Introduction to First Aid
  • Understanding Pet Vital Signs
  • Signs of Illness
  • Responding to Cardiovascular Emergencies
  • Cat and Dog CPR
  • Treating Common Injuries
  • Common Allergic Reactions and Treatment
  • Responding to Respiratory Emergencies

Pet Care Certifications

Pet Care Team Training Plus provides unmatched training for our professional team of pet sitters, pet resort staff, and our management team. By the end of the course, all of our staff will have continued learning credits towards Animal Behavior College, IAABC– International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, NADOI– National Association of Dog Obedience Instructions, National Association of Pet Sitters, PSI-International Pet Sitters, and PACCC– Professional Animal Care!

Commitment to Excellence

When your business involves taking care of someone’s furry baby, you can never be too safe! All of our team members are our bonded and insured employees who we hold to the highest standards. We strive to exceed your expectations every day and at each visit. As Pet and Home Care progresses to grow, the team is hiring like crazy! Anyone interested in joining the PHC team can learn more and apply at the Pet and Home Care careers page.

 

Featured Potomac Lifestyle Magazine: Tiffany and Millie’s Excellent Adventure!

We have exciting news! Pet and Home Care Founder and CEO, Tiffany Lewis and her adorable Shih Tzu, Millie are featured in the August edition of Potomac Lifestyle Magazine (Pages 30-31)! Click here to check out the article and learn about Tiffany and Millie’s Excellent Adventure with The Pleasant Pet Hemp Oil!

Article by Lauri Gross

Originally published in Potomac Lifestyle

What do you get when you combine a pandemic, a hemp farmer and one nervous Shih Tzu? If you’re entrepreneur Tiffany Lewis, you get a fabulous business idea.

A pet-sitting service that Tiffany launched in high school has grown into a large, successful business 25 years later called Pet and Home Care, which offers doggy daycare, boarding, dog walking, and plenty more.

When Tiffany was about to take her own dog, Millie the Shih Tzu on a long flight, her veterinarian advised medicine to calm Millie. Instead, the medication made Millie “violently ill,” recalls Tiffany, who vowed to find a better way. Around the same time, Pet and Home Care was dealing with a huge loss of business since clients were home with their dogs during the pandemic and didn’t need daycare or boarding for their pets.

“So, I talked to my mom, the hemp farmer,” Tiffany says, referring to Dawn Furman, who owns The Fingerboard Farm in Frederick County. “She reminded me she had made hemp pet treats at one point and then we came up with an idea,” Tiffany adds. “Prior to that, mom only made hemp products for humans. Scientists on her team worked with us to come up with a hemp oil product for pets called The Pleasant Pet. It makes me so proud and happy. It’s a true mother-daughter success story.”

The Pleasant Pet, available at PetAndHomeCare.com/shop, uses a broad-spectrum hemp oil that Tiffany says provides relief for many common pet ailments including pain, anxiety, arthritis, seizures, allergies, skin conditions, digestive issues, and sundowner syndrome; a cognitive degeneration disorder in senior dogs. The product is made from just four ingredients: organic cold-pressed hemp seed oil, organic broad-spectrum hemp oil, sunflower lecithin, and a blend of terpenes. It does not contain THC.

The Pleasant Pet is packaged with a dropper and the label recommends dosage according to the size of the dog.

“They can mix it on the dog’s food or put it on a treat,” Tiffany says. “It’s so safe, you don’t have to worry about an overdose and you can adjust the dosage when you see how it works for your dog,” she adds. It helps Millie handle the stress of fireworks, airplane rides and more.

At Tiffany’s Pet and Home Care pet resort in Clarksburg, clients come from across Montgomery and Frederick Counties.

Tiffany says, “Our approach is a free-range open plan. Dogs interact together so we are cautious and have tough restrictions on the dogs who come. We do have optional crates available. We are out in the in country and surrounded by tall trees and open land, with about a half-acre fenced in.” The boutique facility can handle up to about 40 dogs at once.

In addition to doggie daycare, boarding, bathing and walking, the company’s services include in-home pet visits and service for clients who are away from home, including bringing in the mail, checking for plumbing leaks, watering plants etc.

Earlier this year, Tiffany was accepted into a competitive Goldman Sachs program called 10,000 Small Businesses, that helps entrepreneurs create jobs and economic opportunity.

Tiffany says, “I graduated from the four-month program in April with tons of new ideas and a business plan for The Pleasant Pet to ensure Pet and Home Care stays nimble and profitable in today’s economy, still recovering from the pandemic.”

Currently seeing a surge of new and old clients, Tiffany says. “We are excited for what the year is going to bring.”

Back to School: Tips for Helping Pets Cope

It’s that time of year again: back to school! While you and your kids may be looking forward to a new fall routine, your pet might be flustered by sudden changes to their schedule. This year’s back-to-school changes might be even more drastic as we come out of our pandemic bubbles.

When a family’s schedule changes and familiar faces suddenly disappear for hours, it can cause a great deal of distress in your pet. Here are some simple tips to help your pet ease into the new routine.

Plan Ahead and Practice the New Routine

Just like people, pets thrive on routine. By helping your furry companion anticipate the schedule throughout the day, you can eliminate unwanted stress and anxiety. Practice your new routine so your pet can get used to the changes when school actually starts. Feed your pet at the same time each day. Take your furry pal on a walk each morning or evening, and incorporate some playtime. Plan your new schedule before school begins and reserve your pet’s care in advance with our user-friendly online access, Care Central. If your dog will be attending Doggy Daycare at the Pet Resort, make sure you make arrangements ahead of time to ensure availability.

Exercise, and play!

A tired pet is a happy pet, and the way to accomplish that is exercise! Before you leave for the day, play a game of fetch with your pup or take her for a walk. Cats enjoy playtime, too, especially with a laser pointer. At Pet and Home Care, we provide a variety of services including in-home pet visits to ensure your furry pals are taken care of and get the exercise they need.

Set It and Forget It!

With your new schedule, you’ll want to make sure your pet’s care is covered well in advance. Our user-friendly Care Central helps you easily schedule your services, update instructions, and manage your billing. You can set up recurring services without the hassle of requesting daily just by contacting our office. This is a great feature for those who have the same schedule each week! It is the fastest and most reliable way to guarantee all of your Pet and Home Care needs. Visit us online or give us a call at (301) PET-CARE to learn more about our pawsome pet care services! For busy pet parents, we also offer walks and in-home visits as early as 7 am and as late as 9 pm, daily!

Stay Calm and Use Natural Aid

It can be unsettling leaving a pet behind when you are ready to head out for the day. This is especially true if your pet just joined your family over the pandemic. Talk to your family about the importance of remaining calm as they leave for the day; after all, your pet is likely to feel the same way and will be more likely to accept the change in routine. PHC’s Pleasant Pet hemp oil is the perfect natural remedy to help your pets feel their best during stressful changes and features just four ingredients—organic cold-pressed hemp seed oil, organic broad-spectrum hemp oil, sunflower lecithin, and a blend of terpenes. The Pleasant Pet is formulated and produced by Fingerboard Farm—one of Maryland’s first woman-owned hemp farms. We recommend using The Pleasant Pet hemp oil at least 30 minutes before a disruptive event occurs.

Distractions Can Work Wonders

If you are gone most of each school day, you may want to consider doggy daycare at the Pet Resort. This will give your pup a chance to socialize and play! Another great option is having one of our dedicated pet sitters stop by to take your pet on a long walk during the afternoons. Summer days are usually filled with activity and noise, and sudden quiet can leave your furry friend feeling anxious. Turning on some music or talk radio while you are gone can make your kitty or pup feel not so alone.

Critter Sitter Is Now Part Of The Pet and Home Care Family!

Pet and Home Care, is proud to announce that Frederick County’s top pet sitting service Critter Sitter is now part of the PHC family! The acquisition, which was completed in June 2021, expands access to a wider range of services for pet owners in Frederick, New Market, Linganore Ijamsville, Urbana, and surrounding areas.

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Pandemic Pet Adoption Surge: Pandemic Pooches Are Here to Stay!

Pandemic pets are here to stay! Pet adoptions soared over the coronavirus pandemic to new heights. People turned to furry friends to give them companionship during the difficult times of lockdown. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, one in five households, approximately 23 million, adopted a dog or cat during the pandemic

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Is Your Pet Drinking Enough Water?

July is National Pet Hydration Month. Keeping pets cool during warmer weather becomes a challenge, especially with thermometers reaching peak temperatures around the world! Pet Hydration is extremely important and should be taken very seriously. At Pet and Home Care we got you covered no matter what the temperature is! Remember to reserve your pet’s care in advance to ensure your pets are in the best care during the hottest days of summer.

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Could Hemp Oil Keep An Anxious Pet Calm During Fireworks?

Summer is around the corner! What does that mean for pets? Many people enjoy the booming sounds and flashing lights of fireworks, but they can be terrifying and overwhelming for pets⁠ — and cause a great deal of distress. There are lots of simple things you can do to help your pet deal with fireworks. By preparing in advance before fireworks start your pet will be better able to cope with the noises.

The Pleasant Pet Hemp Oil

Have no fear, Pet and Home Care is here to help your fur babies feel at ease with helpful tips and an incredible hemp oil product, The Pleasant Pet! We already know many people use hemp for a variety of reasons — to reduce pain, anxiety and digestive issues. Did you know hemp oil can also be used to treat similar conditions in pets? The Pleasant Pet is a safer, natural solution to keeping your pet relaxed without the sedative effects of anxiety medications. We recommend using The Pleasant Pet hemp oil, 30 minutes before the stressful event occurs. The Pleasant Pet features just four central ingredients — organic cold-pressed hemp seed oil, organic broad-spectrum hemp oil, sunflower lecithin, and a blend of terpenes. Now available for purchase.

Keep your pet safely away from fireworks

Pets are naturally more sensitive to flashing lights, loud noises and strong smells. During the summer season when people are likely to set off fireworks, it is best to leave your pets safely indoors. It can be helpful to turn up the stereo or television and keep your windows closed during the fireworks. Something that can provide background noise, like a fan or air conditioner can help as well.Not sure how to keep your pets comfortable and safe? Boarding with Pet and Home Care is a great option to avoid unnecessary stress and potential danger for your pooch. Book now!

Exercise Your Pet Before the Fireworks Start

Make time in your schedule to give your pet an extra long workout before the fireworks begin. Tired pets are calmer and easier to keep quiet. They will also sleep more deeply, and will be less likely to be disturbed by the noise outside. At Pet and Home Care we understand the importance of exercise and provide dog walking services and doggy day care to ensure your pets will get through the fireworks season with support.

More Helpful tips:

  • Use The Pleasant Pet hemp oil 30 minutes before a stressful event.
  • Book your pet care services with Pet and Home Care in advance for peace of mind.
  • Make sure your pet’s collar has up to date information.
  • If your pup is microchipped, make sure it is registered and your contact info is up to date.
  • Play TV in the background, light distractions are helpful to decrease anxiety.
  • Use a thunder vest.
  • Stay home with your pet.

Change of plans?

Going back to work soon? No problem! We have your tail covered. Try sending your canine to doggy daycare. Not only will they make new friends and get all-day attention from loving caretakers, daycare is a great way to get your pup outside and running around all day. Give us a call at (301) PET-CARE to hear more about our pawsome daycare and pet care services. For the busy pet parent we also offer walk and in-home visits!

Our cancelation policy is 12-48hrs based on the service you need, so no need to worry if you need to change your plans again. We are even waiving that policy as needed. It’s better to book your care and change it later, rather than booking us at the last minute. We are here for you when you need us and want to plan for your summer, fall, and winter needs.

 

The Pleasant Pet Hemp Oil

Free of pesticides and herbicides and responsibly farmed, The Pleasant Pet uses premium quality hemp flower grown locally in Maryland and produced and formulated by Fingerboard Farm. The Pleasant Pet is available for purchase and shipping nationwide HERE via Pet and Home Care.

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Get Your Pet Moving During Pet Fitness Month!

April is Pet Fitness Month so we’re sharing some helpful tips for keeping your pets in shape! Pet obesity is an increasingly common ailment amongst cats and dogs and the best remedy (along with a vet-approved weight loss diet) is exercise! While many of us love our chubby cats and dogs, obesity can cause pain, lack of mobility, and lethargy in pets. Overweight and obese pets are also more at risk to develop cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and osteoarthritis. With this in mind, here are our top tips for getting your pet moving this month and beyond!

Make It A Game!

While many dogs love to fetch for hours on end, others are a tougher sell. Toys and other rewards like treats can motivate pets to play and exercise. Try out different toys with your cat or dog to see what they like and match games to their interest. For instance, terriers may prefer tug of war while border collies or Australian shepherds may be inclined towards frisbee fetch. Cats can be even more variable in their interests, so rewarding play with a gentle massage or a treat can be a great motivator.

Explore the Outdoors

The spring and summer months are the perfect time to take your dog (or cat!) outdoors to explore. Try out any of the numerous hiking and walking trails around the Maryland capital region with your pet. Not only will it help them stay in shape, it offers an enriching experience for their mind. Pets who spend a lot of time indoors can become bored or anxious if not provided with enough stimulation. Hiking is a great way to eliminate boredom and encourage exercise, while creating a bonding experience between you and your pet.

Dog Daycare

Going back to work soon? Try sending your canine to doggy daycare. Not only will they make new friends and get all-day attention from loving caretakers, daycare is a great way to get your pup outside and running around all day. Give us a call at (301) PET – CARE to hear more about our pawsome daycare and dog taxi service. For the busy pet parent we also offer walk and in-home visits!

 

New Puppy Guide

Over the last year, pet adoption rates have skyrocketed across Maryland, D.C., and the entire United States. Animal companionship has helped many of us get through the isolating lockdowns and quarantines brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, the number of new puppy owners has also gone up significantly! Here are our best puppy care tips and words of advice.

Start Training Early On

Reward good behavior and discourage behavior that will become troublesome as your pup grows. Don’t wait for your puppy to misbehave before giving them attention. Jumping may be cute when they’re a small puppy, but as a fully-grown dog, it can become a difficult habit to break. Similarly, teaching good leash behavior early in your puppy’s life can save you from pulling and tugging later on.

Socialize, Socialize, Socialize!

Acquainting your puppy with different people and dogs can be a major boon to you and your pup. Visiting the dog park, meeting up with friends and their pets, or sending your puppy to daycare are all great options for socialization. Be sure to introduce new experiences slowly and don’t let your puppy get overwhelmed. High-stress situations can cause dogs to lash out or become traumatized, which can make future experiences difficult. Always be mindful of your dog’s body language.

Stick To A Routine

Pets love to have a daily routine. Routines allow your puppy to know what to expect throughout the day. This can encourage good behavior and facilitate housetraining while alleviating pet anxiety that can lead to destructive or harmful behaviors. Good things to include in your daily routine are regular feeding times, walks, and playtime.

Set Realistic Expectations

With all that being said, don’t expect too much from your puppy. Teaching the basics is more than enough to prevent bad habits. There will be plenty of time to teach your dog to sit, stay, high-five, and roll over as they get a bit older. Focus on socializing your puppy and having fun with them in a safe way. Lastly, make sure to take lots of pictures of your pooch. Puppyhood goes by so fast!

For puppy training, doggy daycare, pet sitting, and walks, we’ve got you covered! Our team of pet care experts is always available to make your life (and your dog’s) easier! Give us a call at (301) PET – CARE to learn more or visit us online petandhomecare.com