Several months ago, I wrote about how we grow alongside the families we serve and have the privilege of sharing in many of life’s special moments. This month, I want to share an example of how caring for pets sometimes means caring for people as well.
We have a longtime client whose two dogs we walk three times each week. Like many of our clients, we’ve gotten to know them over the years and built a relationship that goes far beyond simply showing up to walk their dogs.
Several months ago, one of our pet care professionals arrived for a scheduled visit and immediately realized something was wrong. Our client was home alone while his wife was in the hospital. He was experiencing a medical issue and was unable to stand up or get out of his chair.
After learning what was happening, our pet care professional quickly called an ambulance. More importantly, she stayed with him while they waited, helping keep him calm and providing reassurance during a frightening situation. (Check, Call, Care: 3 Emergency Actions Steps to Take to Save Lives)
Later that day, we returned to the home to care for the dogs and make sure everything else was in order. We checked their food supplies, took out the garbage, straightened up a few things around the house, and made sure the pets were comfortable and cared for. We also added additional visits to our schedule so the dogs would continue receiving the attention they needed while their owners were in the hospital.
I visited our client at the hospital to check on him and see if there was anything we could do to help. He was incredibly appreciative knowing that someone was looking after his dogs and keeping an eye on things at home.
A few days later, his wife was released from the hospital, but she was experiencing mobility issues of her own. What started as a simple pet care arrangement quickly became something much more. We helped with grocery shopping, checked on the dogs, and stopped by several times each day to make sure she was doing okay.
What we expected would be a few days of extra assistance turned into several weeks. Our client was transferred to a rehabilitation unit, and throughout his recovery I stayed in touch with him, calling every few days to check on his progress and ask if there was anything else we could do. We continued helping with groceries, caring for the dogs, and providing support wherever it was needed.
Thankfully, our client made a full recovery and is now back home doing well. We still walk his dogs regularly and check in from time to time to see how both he and his wife are doing.
At Legends Pet Care Services, we are in the business of caring for pets. But over the years, we’ve learned that caring for pets often means caring for the people who love them as well.
Sometimes that means adjusting schedules, making an extra visit, picking up groceries, or simply being there when someone needs help. None of those things appear on a service menu, but they are the right things to do.
We are grateful for the trust our clients place in us every day. While we may begin as pet care providers, many of our clients become friends, and when friends need help, you help.
That’s what caring is all about.
For more information about Legends Pet Cares Services, check out our FAQ page!
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