NEWPORT CITY- After starting a career as an LNA, working in a nursing home, Anna Sacco decided she wanted a change of pace. She has worked in the nursing field since age 16, including through the Covid pandemic. Sacco said she felt burned out and wanted to do something else to earn a living.
“I wanted to find something I love doing,” Sacco recalls. Her dog had passed away, and like any human being, she took the loss hard.
Sacco didn’t immediately want another dog, but still likes their company. So she put a message out on Facebook asking if anyone was seeking a dog walker. The response was encouraging.
As the business developed, Sacco started house sitting pets as well. Her schedule filled up fast, so Sacco hired Victoria White for assistance. Their primary territory is Orleans and Caledonia Counties. There is an extra charge for clients more than 20 miles from Sacco’s house.
Some of the dogs are walked once per week, and some multiple times per week, depending on the client’s needs. White said a lot of the clientele are professionals with long work days. They also serve visitors to the area who want their dog walked, or checked on during the day.
Sometimes they will walk multiple dogs at a time, after matching their personalities. White estimates they walk 20 dogs per week.
One of Sacco’s clients has chickens. She was asked to house sit their dog, and then agreed to feed the chickens and collect the eggs. From there, Green Mountain Paws started caring for other animals like goats and horses. Eventually they added more exotic animals including rats, reptiles, birds, guinea pigs, fish, and turtles.
“We love them; we’ll take on a challenging animal,” White said.
There are reasons why some people choose to hire a dog sitter rather than choosing a kennel. Boarding kennel stress can occur when a dog encounters a state of mental or emotional strain and tension during a kennel stay. The dogsaurus.com website states that stress can manifest in a number of ways, including aggression, fear, anxiety, shaking, whining, or other noticeable changes in behavior.
Sacco also serves out-of-state customers, especially around the holidays. Visitors to the Burke Mountain Ski Area have contacted Green Mountain Paws for her services.
White said the clients are amazing. Sometimes they leave meals to eat, and with one customer, they get to use a hot tub. Whatever keeps the pets happy.
“At Green Mountain Paws, I provide personalized and professional pet care services in Orleans and Caledonia Counties,” Sacco states on her Facebook page. “Whether it’s dog walking, overnight pet care, drop-in visits, or stall clearings, I offer a range of services to keep your pets happy and healthy.”
