MEET THE TEAM ...
Pet lover Gemma James founded Offaly Pet Sitting Limited in 2016, re-branding to Pet Friends in 2021, and is the only provider that offers clients a fully insured professional dog walking service and specialised cat sitting "in-your-own-home" service in Tullamore, Co. Offaly, Ireland.
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All our pet services go above and beyond just caring for your pets. We treat your pets as if they were our own and personalise each service for each clients specific needs. We understand that when entrusting your pets with a pet sitter, your main concerns are for their safety, well-being, as well as your homes safety too. So we strive to deliver the best hassle-free service for you, your home and your pet, giving you complete peace of mind.
We believe in on-going education and training for pet sitters, pets and owners alike. Despite Gemma's background and experience with animals, she stays up-to date with hands on pet first aid courses, pet behavioural studies and modern dog training techniques, to ensure all our team members receive the best training so we can deliver the highest standards of care to your pets.
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Click "read more" to learn more about Gemma and her background, experience and training qualifications.
Gemma James
Business Owner - Pet Sitter, Dog Walker & Dog Trainer
Gemma has over 15 years experience working with companion animals and marine mammals worldwide, through different companies and organisations all over the world. Her experience varies from volunteering at catteries and kennels, to companion animal clinical behavioural consultations and training in pet behaviour, to expertise in marine mammal communication and mitigation legislation worldwide.
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Holds up-to-date training certifications:-
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Pet First Aid & Canine CPR - 2019-2021
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Practical Dog Training
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Feline Psychology and Behaviour
Clare Lawlor
Dog Walker & Pet Sitter
Clare is an invaluable member of our team and has been with us since the beginning of 2019. She is our main dog walker and loves to take dogs out on exciting walks to get their daily exercise. Clares' knowledge and experience working with cats and dogs has gone from strength to strength, not only from minding her own pets, but also continues on-going training with Offaly Pet Sitting in pet care and behaviour.
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Holds up-to-date training certifications:-
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​Pet First Aid & Canine CPR - 2020-2022, 2022-2024
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Canine Behaviour Training & Communication
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Team Pet Care Training
Leila Dwyer
Dog Walker & Pet Sitter
Leila is our newest member since the beginning of 2022 and has become such an asset to our team. Leila has extensive knowledge of exotic pets as well as building on her knowledge of welfare and behaviour of cats and dogs, not only from her own pet experiences, but also through in-house training with Offaly Pet Sitting.
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Holds up-to-date training certifications:-
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​Pet First Aid & Canine CPR - 2022-2024
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Team Pet Care Training
Stephen White
Experienced 'Force Free' Dog Trainer
Stephen has been working with dogs professionally, dog training and city dog walking for over 10 years. The dog training profession is always evolving, and so as a dog trainer Stephen is continuously learning and educating himself so to continue providing ethical and science based 'force free' training techniques! With his multiple own rescue dogs, Stephen is an avid dog lover and believes any dog can be a good dog if given the chance.