A Walk in the Park

A Walk in the park prides itself in providing the best and most flexible/customized pet care and petsitting services available in Santa Cruz County. Our goal is to provide your pets with the love, care and attention they deserve while you are away so they are happy and you can rest or work assured they are being well cared for and loved.We are proud to customize our services to meet the specific needs of your pets.

History

A Walk in the Park In-Home Pet Care grew out of my life long love of animals and nature. I was working at home as a graphic designer handling overflow for other design firms and caring for several friends' pets on a regular basis when the dot com crash came along. Work became scarce and a friend suggested I start a pet sitting business. I thought about it that evening
and the next day went and filed with the county.

Another pet sitter, Hope Teasdale, was instrumental in helping me get started. She shared her forms and systems with me and when she was very busy would have me help her with some of her clients. 

Initially I only did walking and overnight stays at other people's homes. It soon became clear to me that there was a real need for doggy day care and what has now grown into camp canine in the Santa Cruz area and so I began offering those pet care and pet sitting  services as well.

Nickie Zavinsky, Founder, A Walk in the Park In-Home Pet Care

I was raised with pets, have had them all my life, and have always considered them to be part of my family. I love the great outdoors and as a naturalist, I am a docent at Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve and Ano Nuevo State Preserve. In addition, I travel several times a year to the east and gulf coasts to work as an Endangered Species Observer helping to protect Sea Turtles, Northern Right Whales, Manatees and Sturgeon.

Robin Balowitz, Partner, A Walk in the Park In-Home Pet Care

I joined A Walk in the Park about six months after it opened. Another life long pet owner and lover of animals, I too consider my pets to be part of my family. I am an avid sports enthusiast and enjoy running trails, the beach and biking. I often take one of our canine campers with me for a bike ride or trail run in one of our beautiful natural areas here in Santa Cruz. In 2005, I completed my first marathon with Team in Training
which benefits individuals with cancer.