Part 3: Elevating Care for Pets and People
After covering strategy and resilience, Part 3 of our PSI recap series brings the focus back to the heart of our work: the pets (and people!) we serve every day. These sessions dug into the art and science of providing excellent care—from understanding tricky feline behaviors to training teams and elevating client communication. It’s all about ensuring the day-to-day experience matches the high standards we hold for our profession.
Walking Without the Worry: Jessica Davis on Stress-Free Dog Walks
Walks are supposed to be the fun part of our job, right? Fresh air, wagging tails, and quality time outside. But as every pet sitter and dog walker knows, not every walk is relaxing. From leash pulling to reactivity, scavenging, or overstimulation, a “simple walk” can turn stressful fast.
That’s why Jessica Davis’s session on stress-free walking strategies was one of the most practical and encouraging sessions at PSI’s 2025 World Educational Conference in San Antonio. Jessica, CPDT-KA, Certified Behavior Consultant & Trainer, and Owner Arfordable Dog Training, brings a unique mix of professional certifications, shelter volunteer experience, and business ownership. She’s not just a trainer, she’s been in the trenches as a walker and small business owner, and she understands what pet sitters and walkers really face.
And she didn’t just tell us about better walking techniques—she showed us with live demonstrations and personal stories, making her session both relatable and immediately useful.
🐾 Why Dogs Pull (It’s Not Just “Bad Behavior”)
One of Jessica’s key points: pulling is normal. Dogs pull for lots of reasons—scent, arousal, excitement, even natural breed tendencies. Huskies are bred to pull. Labs are bred to retrieve. Terriers are bred to chase. If they’re pulling, it’s not because they’re “being bad”, it’s because they’re being dogs.
But that doesn’t mean we can’t teach them better leash manners. Jessica reframed walks as an opportunity for communication and partnership: helping dogs learn how to walk politely while still meeting their needs for sniffing, exploring, and exercise.
“Dogs are complex, but they’re also optimistic. Our job is to help them succeed, not punish them for being themselves.”
🦮 Equipment That Works (and When to Use It)
Jessica gave an honest breakdown of the gear many of us already use—and a few we might not have considered:
- Freedom Harnesses: her everyday go-to, especially for strong pullers.
- Perfect Fit Harnesses: great for deep-chested breeds like Greyhounds, Dobermans, or Weimaraners.
- Martingale Collars: a safety backup to prevent escape, especially for dogs with narrow heads.
- Head Halters: helpful for large or reactive dogs, but only if introduced slowly and positively.
- Basket Muzzles: not a punishment, but a safe management tool (for scavengers or dogs who eat dangerous objects).
Her philosophy: tools don’t train dogs—people do. The right gear makes walks safer and more manageable, but it always has to be paired with positive reinforcement and consistent communication.
🐕🦺 Training Techniques You Can Start Using Today
Jessica broke down several core techniques and demonstrated them with her own dog, Toby, who (thankfully) is far from perfect. That made the session refreshingly real.
Here are some of the takeaways attendees could put into practice immediately:
- Loose Leash Walking: Rewarding calm steps next to you instead of waiting until the dog pulls.
- “Touch” Cue: Teaching the dog to target your hand helps redirect focus in distracting situations.
- Treat & Retreat: Tossing treats behind and then back toward you to lower stress and encourage engagement.
- Emergency U-Turns: Essential for managing reactive dogs before things escalate.
- Reinforce Eye Contact: If your dog is looking at you, they’re not pulling. Reward that attention.
Jessica reminded everyone that progress looks messy. A successful walk doesn’t mean perfect heel position—it means calmer, safer, and less stressful than yesterday.
🐕 Real-Life Dogs, Real-Life Stories
Jessica illustrated her points with real dogs she’s worked with:
- A husky who pulled until he choked himself, highlighting the importance of front-clip harnesses.
- A ball-obsessed lab who reinforced his own compulsive fetching to the point of over-arousal, showing how easily we can accidentally encourage unhealthy behavior.
- A fearful senior dog who refused to walk, where the solution wasn’t more miles but instead slow, sniffy enrichment in the yard.
And then there was Toby. Toby was originally a client’s dog but became part of Jessica’s pack when his owner passed away. He’s enthusiastic, impulsive, and a little chaotic—the perfect demo dog. Watching Jessica manage his excitement live was proof that training is about relationship and patience, not perfection.
“If I brought a perfectly trained dog up here, what would that teach you? You need to see what progress really looks like.”
🛑 Safety First: Walking with Confidence
Handling dogs safely was a recurring theme. Jessica emphasized that safety isn’t just about the dog—it’s about protecting the walker too.
Her top safety recommendations included:
- Always use two points of contact (e.g., harness + collar).
- Learn a leash lock and cross-body hold for better control.
- Carry deterrants like Pet Corrector or citronella spray for loose dog encounters.
- Practice situational awareness—scan ahead for triggers before your dog sees them.
For multi-dog walks, she advised grouping compatible dogs, using waist belts or hands-free leashes for stability, and never walking more than you can safely manage.
❤️ The Bigger Picture: Communication and Compassion
One of the most empowering parts of Jessica’s session wasn’t about dogs at all—it was about how we communicate with clients. She encouraged sitters to use “we statements” when giving feedback (“We’re working on calmer greetings” instead of “Your dog jumps too much”) to keep owners engaged and collaborative rather than defensive.
She also urged sitters to rethink what counts as a “successful” walk. Sometimes a sniffy yard session does more to decompress and enrich a dog than forcing them to log miles on the sidewalk.
Her bottom line: every walk is training, every walk is enrichment, and every walk is a chance to build trust.
🌟 Key Takeaway
Stress-free walks aren’t about controlling dogs—they’re about guiding them. With the right tools, training strategies, and mindset, dog walkers and sitters can transform challenging outings into calm, confidence-building experiences.
Jessica’s session reminded us that progress is about consistency, compassion, and communication—not perfection.
Calmer Cats, Happier Clients: Laura Cassiday’s Practical Guide to Fearful & Feisty Felines
Cats have a reputation for being mysterious—and for pet sitters, they can sometimes be the trickiest clients to care for. At the 2025 PSI World Conference, feline behavior consultant Laura Cassiday, Owner of Pawsitive Vibes Cat Behavior & Training delivered a session that was both eye-opening and refreshingly practical. With years of experience helping families navigate feline quirks, she offered tools that any sitter can use to better support cats—especially the ones that hiss, hide, or swipe when stressed.
Beyond Labels: How We Talk About Cats Matters
One of Laura’s strongest points was about the power of language. Too often, sitters and even pet parents use shorthand labels like “aggressive,” “mean,” or “shy.” While convenient, those labels can stick, shaping how future sitters or family members approach the cat.
Instead, Laura encouraged everyone to get descriptive. Rather than saying “the cat is aggressive,” note what actually happened:
- “Swatted at my hand when I reached for the food dish.”
- “Hid under the bed and did not come out during visit.
- “Stared, tail twitching, while blocking the hallway.”
This approach avoids judgment, helps future sitters prepare, and gives owners more useful information about their pet’s behavior. It also reinforces the sitter’s professionalism—showing you’re observing with care, not passing blame.
The Four F’s: Understanding Stress Responses
Many pet sitters are familiar with the “fight or flight” response, but Laura explained that cats actually have four primary ways of coping with stress:
- Flight – running away, hiding, or sneaking around corners.
- Fight – hissing, scratching, or biting—usually only when other options fail.
- Freeze – going still, crouching low, or “disappearing” under furniture.
- Fidget – pacing, sniffing, yawning, or following the sitter anxiously.
Recognizing these states helps sitters make better choices in the moment. If a cat freezes, forcing contact will only escalate stress. If a cat is fidgeting, it may be an opportunity to redirect them with enrichment before things tip toward aggression.
Laura’s mantra summed it up well: “They’re not giving you a hard time—they’re having a hard time.”
Enrichment: More Than Just Extra Playtime
A major part of Laura’s talk focused on enrichment, or the activities that help cats express natural behaviors like hunting, scratching, and exploring. She compared indoor cats to zoo animals, pointing out that tigers often get more structured enrichment than the cats in our living rooms.
Sitters, she argued, are in a unique position to bring variety and stimulation into a cat’s day. And it doesn’t have to cost a dime. Laura shared a long list of simple ideas:
- Ice cubes on a tray: something new to bat around, melt, and investigate.
- Paper bags or boxes: instant hiding spots and textures to explore.
- Bottle caps in a shallow dish of water: puzzling fun that combines foraging and play.
- Nature sounds or “cat TV”: birds and squirrels on screen can keep a cat engaged long after you leave.
- Scent enrichment: catnip, valerian, or even safe herbs placed on towels or toys.
Even small changes, she explained, can lower stress, distract from loneliness, and build a positive association between sitter and cat.
Real-Life Case Study: Maple the Fearful Cat
Perhaps the most moving story Laura shared was about Maple, a cat who had spent years hiding under the bed whenever sitters visited. Traditional 30-minute visits weren’t enough to build trust.
So Laura and her team tried something new: extended five-hour visits. By simply being present—working on a laptop, reading, or watching TV—sitters gave Maple time to decide when she felt safe enough to emerge. Within a week, she went from a ghost under the bed to greeting sitters at the door.
This experiment, Laura said, proved that patience and consistency can make a world of difference. For cats like Maple, what they need most is time and choice.
Safety First: Handling Aggression and Meds
Of course, not every interaction with cats is gentle. Some cats lunge, swipe, or even block a sitter’s path. Laura shared strategies for these high-stress moments:
- Stand still and “be boring.” Avoid eye contact and give the cat a chance to retreat.
- Toss treats or toys to redirect attention away from yourself.
- Carry a towel or blanket to use as a shield, or to gently block and guide the cat if needed.
- If it’s unsafe, step out and try again later. Safety is always the priority.
She also spoke about medication challenges. For cats who resist pilling, sitters should work closely with owners to explore alternatives—pill pockets, liquid forms, or vet-administered doses. And importantly, she reminded attendees that it’s okay to say no: “Sometimes the safest and kindest thing you can do is admit that you can’t medicate this cat on your own.”
Final Thoughts: Meeting Cats Where They Are
Laura closed with a reminder that success isn’t about “fixing” cats—it’s about respecting who they are and giving them tools to feel safe. When sitters shift from judgment to observation, from forcing to offering choices, the result is calmer cats, happier clients, and safer visits.
Her advice was clear, practical, and deeply empathetic—a reminder that the heart of pet sitting is patience, creativity, and compassion.
Caring for the Caregivers: Beth Stultz-Hairston on Burnout, Compassion Fatigue, and Self-Care
Pet care professionals are givers at heart. We put pets and clients first—often at the expense of our own well-being. That’s why PSI President, Beth Stultz-Hairston’s session on burnout, compassion fatigue, and self-care hit home for so many at PSI’s 2025 World Educational Conference in San Antonio.
Beth reminded us of something simple but powerful: you can’t pour from an empty cup. And while we may know that in theory, it’s easy to forget when we’re juggling visits, holidays, last-minute requests, and the emotional weight of caring for pets who don’t live forever.
🔑 Burnout vs. Compassion Fatigue: What’s the Difference?
Beth started by clarifying two terms that often get blurred together:
- Burnout is tied to your work environment. Long hours, unfair pay, lack of time off, or disorganized scheduling can all cause burnout. The good news? Burnout is preventable when we improve boundaries, pay structures, and time off.
- Compassion Fatigue, on the other hand, is tied to the nature of the work itself. Even with healthy boundaries and a strong business model, pet sitters and walkers inevitably face repeated exposure to sick pets, pet loss, or even difficult client decisions. It’s often called “the cost of caring” or even “caregiver’s PTSD.”
Both share similar symptoms—exhaustion, irritability, loss of humor, even physical illness—but the causes differ. Recognizing which you’re facing helps you know what changes to make.
📝 A Practical Tool: Stress Vulnerability Assessment
Instead of just theory, Beth guided attendees through a self-assessment designed to measure how vulnerable each of us is to stress. Twenty simple questions—about sleep, nutrition, caffeine, exercise, and habits—helped pet sitters identify areas they could improve.
- A score below 10? You’re showing strong resilience to stress.
- A score above 30? It’s time to pay attention to your vulnerabilities.
- A score above 50? That’s a red flag—you need a clear self-care plan.
The key? Focus on the items you scored highest on and build your personalized self-care plan around them. Not everything at once. Just two or three small changes to start building momentum.
🌙 Building a Self-Care Plan That Sticks
Beth shared practical examples that resonated deeply with the audience:
- Sleep struggles: If late-night admin work or overnights are stealing your rest, restructure your schedule, outsource where possible, and implement a nighttime routine (yes, even a brain dump journal counts). And don’t be afraid to eliminate or adjust overnight services if they’re compromising your health.
- Boundaries with clients: It’s not your client’s job to respect your boundaries—it’s your job to enforce them. That might mean firm cancellation policies, phone hours, or limits on last-minute requests. Having policies in place actually gives you more freedom—because then you can choose when to waive them.
- Honoring pet loss: One of the biggest contributors to compassion fatigue in pet care is grief. Beth encouraged providers to create rituals—whether a scrapbook for solo sitters or a team gathering to share stories—to process the loss of pets we care for.
- Ongoing education: When caring for terminally ill pets, don’t let yourself be caught off-guard. Learn about conditions ahead of time so you can prepare emotionally and avoid the shock of sudden decline.
🚫 The Myth of “No Vacations”
Beth called out something too many in this industry wear as a badge of honor: never taking a vacation. She was clear:
“Sacrificing yourself is not a badge of honor in this industry. Taking care of yourself—that’s the real badge of honor.”
Time off doesn’t always mean a week in the Caribbean. It might mean setting aside quiet time daily or weekly, scheduling short breaks throughout the year, or slowly working toward bigger vacations as your business grows. What matters is consistency.
💛 A Closing Reminder: The Power Is in Your Hands
Beth wrapped her session with both realism and encouragement. Burnout and compassion fatigue are real risks in pet care, but they don’t have to define your career. With awareness, small shifts, and clear boundaries, you can stay fulfilled in the work you love.
“This is your business. This is your life. The power is in your hands to make the changes you need. And you have a whole network of support here to help you.”
Key Takeaway
Self-care isn’t selfish. It’s the foundation that allows pet sitters, walkers, and business owners to keep caring for others—without losing themselves in the process. Beth gave us both the tools and the permission to start taking that responsibility seriously.
Business growth doesn’t happen by accident—it’s the result of clear decisions, financial awareness, and a willingness to lean on the pet care community. As these speakers showed, when we combine smart strategy with heart-driven leadership, we can build businesses that support not just our clients and pets, but our own goals and values as well.
As this year’s PSI Conference reminded us, success in pet care is about more than showing up for the pets—it’s about building businesses that support the people who run them, the teams that power them, and the communities that surround them.
From making smarter financial decisions, to preparing for challenges, to strengthening the way we care for pets and clients, the sessions covered in this three-part series underscore one central truth: you don’t have to do this work alone.
PetPocketbook is honored to have sponsored this year’s conference! PSI and its members are here to support each other, raise industry standards, and share hard-won lessons so every pet sitter can thrive. Together, we’re not just keeping tails wagging—we’re shaping a stronger, more resilient pet care industry for the future.