Paw Pals has a stellar and diverse team of professional pet sitters from a wide range of ages, backgrounds and pet specialties. Not only do our sitters have years worth of personal pet experience, they’re also all required to earn their official pet CPR and first aid certifications, and have undergone one-on-one Paw Pals training to prepare them for work out in the field. Rest assured, our sitters are committed to loving on your paw pals and providing the best care for you best friend. And to help put you at ease and make sure you still feel connected with your pets while you’re away, our sitters will always send you personalized visit reports (including photos of your furry friends) after every individual service is completed!

Alyssa Miconi
Paw Pals Team Member

Hi! I’m Alyssa, I just moved to NoVa this year from Connecticut and I’m loving it! While putting down my roots here and trying to find a fun way to spend some downtime, I thought about how I’m instantly happy when I see animals. I’m not quite ready to get my own yet, so why not help out my community with theirs? I had quite a few pets growing up that I adored, especially my tabby cat Zoe who recently passed away just shy of age 18 in January 2021. I look forward to taking care of your furry loved ones as if they are my own, in Zoe’s memory!

Anisa Kayoumy
Paw Pals Team Member

Hello everyone! My name is Anisa. I’m a college student who is dedicated, motivated, and compassionate in my daily school and work related activities. I aim to do my best, and leave all of our clients satisfied with the care I provide for their loved fur babies, as I would my own. No matter how big or small, cat or dog, your pets will always receive the love and attention they deserve! 🐱❤️🐶

Audrey Bolton
Paw Pals Team Member (Seasonal)
Hi! My name is Audrey and I love animals! I’ve had 3 previous dogs and I currently have 2 puppies. I’ve been pet sitting for the past 6 years and caring for animals is something I’m super passionate about. I treat every animal I care for like they’re my own and I love making a connection with them. I’m super excited to be a part of the Paw Pals family and I’m looking forward to meeting your furry friends!

Ben Pezzullo
Paw Pals Team Member (Seasonal)

Hi! My name is Ben Pezzullo and I am 17 years old. I have had 3 dogs throughout my life and my sister has a cat. I have been pet sitting for the last few years and I love taking care of animals. I enjoy being around all types of pets and tend to get attached fast. I am super excited to be a part of the Paw Pals family and I’m looking forward to meeting your pets!

Cate Lee
Paw Pals Team Member
Hello! My name is Cate and I’m a senior in high school. My whole life, I have had a love for pets, but my all-time favorite pets are dogs! From playing fetch, to slobbery kisses and how they cuddle, it’s true for me that a dog is a man’s best friend! Even though dogs are my favorite, I love cats and other animals too! Sadly, my dog Stella just recently passed away and though that leaves a hole in my heart, it has opened a spot for all of the pets at Paw Pals! I am so excited to be working for Paw Pals and cannot wait to meet your furry friend!

Charlie Katzen
Paw Pals Team Member (Seasonal)
Hi, my name is Charlie and I love dogs of all sizes. I currently have 2 dogs – a big one and little one! I’m a student at UVA studying biology. I work for Paw Pals during my school vacations and I always look forward to meeting and taking care of your furry friends!

Crisa Young
Paw Pals Team Member

My name is Crisa but I go by Criss. I am 26 and have always been an animal lover, in college I was promoted from volunteer to employee at an animal shelter and took my work home with me when I adopted my first cat. I am a failed foster mom – I adopted that cat too. And my old neighbor’s cat had kittens and I took one of them! I am an aspiring dog mom. I studied art in college and I am a writer, and I am brainstorming a children’s book about my cats and all our pet friends! Currently I am volunteering at an animal shelter, hoping to gain experience to start a nonprofit for animals in need someday. I love caring for any animals as if they are my own, I find it so fulfilling to make a deep bond with all of them and help them live the best life they possibly can!

Danielle Ivey
Paw Pals Team Member

Hello, my name’s Danny! I grew up in Matoaca, VA (south of Richmond) and moved up here to NoVA in 2019, settling in Oakton. Growing up our house was a beacon to strays and we tended to grow too attached to them. So you name it, we had it. As of now, though, with my boyfriend, I have two kitties named Black Label and Faygo (pictured with me very begrudgingly), and they are our entire world! I love working with Paw Pals because I get to meet so many new people and furry friends – I treat all my furry clients like one of my own, and I can’t wait to add yours to the mix!

Deb Furey
Paw Pals Team Member

Hello!! My name is Deb! I am a new pet sitter with Paw Pals and a LIFETIME Animal Lover! I grew up locally in Vienna, Virginia with a house full of animals – cats, dogs, snakes, birds, ferrets and even pet rats! I now live in Chantilly with my 2 cats – Homer and Ziggy – and of course my best friend, my husband Al. I am a recent retiree and am so excited to be able to commit time to working with Paw Pals, spending time with your pets and giving them the best care possible when you are away. I am so looking forward to meeting and taking care of your paw pals!

Eli Powell
Paw Pals Team Member

Hi, My name is Eli Powell. I am 22 years old. I was born and raised in Silver Spring, MD, and now live in northern VA. I recently started working for Paw Pals a few months ago, and It’s already my favorite job I’ve ever had. It is a very rewarding feeling to know I’m helping people and their pets. I’ve always had multiple pets at a time growing up, and love all types of animals. Currently, I have a tortoiseshell cat named Tori, and two hamsters named DJ and Smokey. I chose this job because I think it’s very important to give our pets the best care possible.

Frances Kirkpatrick
Paw Pals Team Member

Hi, I’m Frances and I love animals! I was born and raised in Baltimore. Sadly strays were common in the city but I did my best to provide them with food, water, and kindness when I could.
Throughout my life I’ve had many different pets and at one point was taking care of 4 cats, a dog, 2 bunnies, and raised a Canadian goose from birth! I have so much compassion, warmth, and affection to give to animals and would love to take care of yours

Hazel Hunter
Paw Pals Team Member

My name is Hazel Hunter and I just love dogs! I am originally from Va. Beach and have been living in Fairfax County since 1989. I have had cats and dogs my entire live and currently have a Chinese Shar Pei. I also keep a friend’s yellow Labrador for extended visits when her family is traveling. He has really become a part of our family. Now that my 3 kids are older and I have more free time, I am able to help Mary out with her clients. I love taking walks and playing with all of our clients’ pets. They all have such different personalities and bring a lot of joy to my life. I look forward to meeting more new friends soon!

Ines Nedelcovic
Paw Pals Team Member

Hi, my name is Ines, I’ve taken care of cats and dogs since I was 10 yrs old! I’m retired now and, in addition to pet sitting, I am a volunteer for the Virginia Master Naturalist program and a Humane Policy District Leader for the Humane Society of the US (HSUS). I love all animals and have loved all my pets as family members. So I know how important it is to care for other people’s pets. Right now I have an elderly cat (22 years old) at home, but I also take care of my boyfriend’s 3 cats when he goes on business trips. I’ve pet sat for my friend’s dog on a couple of occasions, and cared for my neighbors’ 2 cats numerous times.

Jasmine Harris
Paw Pals Team Member
Hii everyone! My name is Jasmine! I’m a college student at NVCC. It’s my 2nd year:) – I’m studying Communication. I’ve grown up with animals my whole life: dogs, birds, cats, and even reptiles! Animals make me feel whole on the inside. Their lives are just as important as mine:)

Jennifer Andras
Operations Manager
Dog mama & wife- 2 of my favorite titles. I am that person who wants to stay home with their dogs! I have had 6 giant breed dogs at one time and would absolutely do it again! I am so fortunate to spend my days working out (major fitness junkie) or exploring NOVA with my pups. I love getting to meet clients and their fur babies!
“Once you have had a wonderful dog, a life without one is a life diminished.”
~ Dean Koontz

Jordan Yang
Paw Pals Team Member (Seasonal)

Hello! My name is Jordan and I grew up in Fairfax, Virginia! I am an animal lover and have grown up being surrounded by them. I believe all animals deserve love and want to be my friend, and will treat them as my own! Currently, I have a Pitbull mix who is 13 years old and a loveable cat who lives his best life eating and sleeping. I am so excited I get to care for your amazing and beautiful animals!

Kate Dunham
Paw Pals Team Member (Seasonal)

Hi! I’m Kate and I love animals! I’ve had 3 dogs and currently have 2. I’ve also fostered 3 in the past. I have a cat as well! I’ve also had hamsters, guinea pigs, and fish, so I have a lot of experience with pets! I’m so excited to be working for Paw Pals and can’t wait to treat your pets as if they were my own!

Kayla Washburn
Paw Pals Team Member (Seasonal)
Hello! My name is Kayla, and I am 18 years old. I have lived here in Virginia for most of my life. I started working with Paw Pals a couple of months ago, and it’s hands down my favorite job! I enjoy meeting each of your fur babies and treating them as I would my own. I have a corgi named Kase that I love more than anything! I promise to do my best to satisfy your needs and give your fur babies lots of love and attention!

Kiana Cross
Paw Pals Team Member (Seasonal)
Hello! My name is Kiana Cross and I’m beyond thrilled to be part of the Paw Pals team. I currently have a puppy named Debo but I’ve grown up with countless other furry friends 🙂 Caring for animals is something I love and I can promise you that I will look after your animals with the utmost care and respect💗

Kris Falcone
Paw Pals Team Member
Hi, I’m Kris, a lifelong NOVA resident currently residing in Clifton. Recently retired, I enjoy walking dogs as a form of exercise and fresh air. I have a soft spot for little dogs, having previously owned a chihuahua, a Jack Russell and a lab.

Laura Poston
Paw Pals Team Member

My name is Laura Poston. I live in Centreville with my family and our lab Hank. I retired from the Army in September 2019. Working for Paw Pals has given me the opportunity to exercise and avoid a long commute outside of Centreville. My furry clients are happy to see me and I enjoy taking them on a good walk or playing with them during my visit.

Omar Salehi
Paw Pals Team Member
Hi, I’m Omar! I’m 20 years old and I’m currently working towards a degree in IT at George Mason University. I’ve always wanted to have a job where I could work with animals, so this is the best job I could ask for! I have 3 cats named Leo, Luna, and Frodo. I’ll make sure your pets are happy and well cared for!

Samantha Pezzullo
Paw Pals Team Member (Seasonal)
Hi!!! My name is Sam and I am so excited to be a part of the Paw Pals team. I currently have a labradoodle named Hailey and have grown up with lots of different pets:) I’m a student at JMU studying Media Arts and Design. I love animals so much and I can’t wait to meet and look after your animals💗

Shannon Hamer
Paw Pals Team Member (Seasonal)

Hi! My name is Shannon Hamer and I couldn’t be more thrilled to work for Paw Pals! Throughout my life, I’ve had three dogs, two hamsters, one cat, and tons of fish, and I’ve had the joy of taking care of countless other animals in the area in the past 7 years of my pet sitting journey. For as long as I can remember, I’ve had a strong connection to and passionate love of animals. I care deeply about each and every animal in my care, and I can’t wait to meet many more during my time as a part of the Paw Pals family 🙂

Trevor Telesz
Operations Assistant
Hi, I’m Trevor! As the owner’s son, I’m so proud of what my mom has built and couldn’t be more thrilled to be supporting her now! I grew up around all the pets – both our family dogs and all the paw pals my mom has cared for before even I was old enough to be a pet sitter! Now I live in Scotland with my sweet Border Collie puppy, Kieran, and help run the business from afar. (However, I’m always looking forward to trips home when I’m able to jump back in and walk, play and just spend time with some of my favorite paw pals!)

Tyler Yang
Paw Pals Team Member (Seasonal)
My name is Tyler and I am a student at CNU, home for the summer. I have 2 dogs and a cat, and have grown up with animals my entire life! I love animals and am excited to spend time with yours!