For Cristina Kumka, owner of Bow Wow Babysitters, each day brings a new adventure.
Whether taking dogs on walks and hikes, teaching them to swim, or caring for people’s homes while they’re away, Kumka is fully devoted to the animals she’s entrusted with.
“I’m the happiest I’ve ever been,” she said in the front seat of her dog-van. “Twenty years ago, when I moved to Vermont, I came with the idea of Bow Wow Babysitters from the Snoop Dogg song I used to listen to when I was growing up. … When I left teaching in June of this year, I decided that now was the time.”
After only a few months of business, she’s already booked months in advance and has developed trusting relationships with her clients.
Bill Ackerman, who hired Kumka to care for his golden retriever Charlie and his two Maine coon cats, Oliver and Higgins, while on vacation in August, noted Kumka’s care when watching after his pets.
“(She’s) very energetic,” he continued, adding that Charlie was also signed up for Kumka’s Adventure Daycare service during that time. “She’ll never get too tired to take your dog out and to get him exercise and have fun with other dogs.”
Kumka’s said her love of dogs dates back to her aunt, who was a dog groomer for 40 years, but had only discovered her talent six years ago when she began training her beloved Hozzy, a Belgian Malinois. Hozzy has since won awards in conformation and dock diving, and well as has been obedience-trained around those with special needs.
“We clicked immediately,” said client Lyn Wolk, who’s mini Bern doodle, Teddy, won first place at a dock-diving competition with Kumka. “She’s super nice and accommodating, and she’ll listen to what you’re looking for or make recommendations based on what she sees with the dog. She really works with the owner as well as the dog.”
Wolk has also entered Bow Wow’s “Fall into Fur” collaboration with the Brandon Recreation Department, a hiking and dog-training series throughout October. She said she appreciates it not only for Teddy, but as an opportunity to hike and meet new people herself.
Two other factors that set Kumka’s business apart from the rest are her prioritization of safety and communication. She is fully insured for dog transport and home care, and has three vets on call in case of emergency.
“All dogs have to be safe and kenneled while traveling. I keep the margin of error slim,” she said, explaining that she also put bells in the van to keep them calm while going over bumps.
She also keeps an open line of communication with pet-owners throughout the day, sending them tons of cute photos and updates.
Her love of animals has bled into her pursuit of a master’s degree in education from Plymouth State College, in which she is currently writing a thesis on pets and their power to heal people with stressful careers.
“Happy pets make for happy owners,” she said.
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