As current home owners and former pet owners, we understand the importance of choosing a trustworthy house sitter. Because of our combined experience as professional property manager & developer, veterinary assistant, home owners & builders, and house sitters, we possess the expertise to respond efficiently and effectively to any event or emergency that may arise during our assignments.  We treat every home and pet as if it were our own and with the utmost respect. You can rest assured we will keep everything safe, secure and well cared for during your absence.  

Our Experience

Lifetime of Experience Caring for Homes & Property
  • Professional residential & commercial property manager/developer preceding career as an airline pilot (Kai).
  • Homeowners of a duplex for over 15 years and counting. Rehabilitated the home from the ground up and do all the maintenance ourselves - everything from re-pointing the limestone foundation to insulating the attic. 
  • Rental managers of the aforementioned duplex. Wealth of experience working with tenants, property inspectors, and contractors. A handy-couple, knowledgeable about everything from plumbing to electrical.
  • Experience caring for multiple types of properties (condos, single family homes, cooperative housing, commercial) in both rural and urban settings.
  • Willing and able to manage and direct domestic staff or contractors (gardeners, housekeepers, tradespeople, inspectors, etc.); to ensure homeowner funds are delivered to utility companies in a timely manner; to collect mail and take receipt of deliveries.
  • Willing and able to maintain pools, hot tubs, saunas and steam rooms.  Familiarity with private electronic security systems, electrical panels, water storage systems, solar electric & hot water systems, central heating & air systems, wood & propane stoves, hot water tanks, propane tanks, and generators.
  • Together, designed and built a second home from the ground up. Know how to manage construction projects, how to stick to a budget and how to handle both hand & power tools.

Lifetime of Experience Caring for Pets
  • Worked as a Veterinary Assistant (Kai).  Willing and able to transport pets to animal clinics for routine check ups and to administer medications.
  • Pet owners since childhood and have cared for a variety of pets and animals over the years, including cats, dogs, hamsters, birds, turtles, sheep, deer, cows, goats, and fish.
  • Have rescued several stray and/or injured animals, adopting some and finding others forever homes.

Landscaping & Plant Care
  • Avid gardeners, 17+ years of cultivating and maintaining perennial beds and vegetable gardens. 
  • Proficient landscapers with professional & DIY experience in planting, pruning & harvesting soft/hardwood trees, mowing & trimming yards, constructing stone patios & walkways, chipping, mulching & composting.
  • Operational experience with diesel tractors, gas and electric powered push and riding lawn mowers, string and hedge trimmers, snow blowers, wood splitters and various hand and human-powered tools.
  • Fluent in the cultivation and care of decorative plants & shrubs, both indoor & out.

Flexible & Reliable
  • Extremely flexible schedules & available to house sit for extended periods of time
  • Willing to arrive early to review responsibilities and learn details of the home (also referred to as a 'handover')
  • Adapt easily to cultural norms & expectations.
  • As a couple we offer full-time, reliable care (even if one of us is called away for an emergency, the other will be able to complete the sitting assignment)

Additional Skills & Certifications of Interest
  • Permanent Residents of Mexico
  • Each of us holds a valid U.S. Driver's License and we have decades of accident-free driving experience.  Able to operate, maintain and troubleshoot gas & diesel powered vehicles having standard or automatic transmissions.
  • Languages Spoken = Fluent English, Some Spanish, Some Russian. We like to learn as we travel & take language classes whenever possible.
  • Kai is EMP (Essential Maintenance Practices) Certified through the Vermont Lead Paint Program and is an EPA "Certified Renovator" under the RRP (Renovation, Repair & Painting) Lead Paint Program.
  • Sheila is TESOL (Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages) certified.  In addition, she has received specialized training to assess and teach language skills to young learners.
  • Sheila has taken courses in 'Understanding How to Deal with Conflict', 'Dealing With People Effectively' and principals of 'Nonviolent Communication'.
 
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Experienced Lawn Care
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Treat & Training Time
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Handy & Knowledgable
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Pet Lovers


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Other Professional & Educational Experience

Sheila
  • Freelance website designer. Extensive experience providing hardware and software support as an IT Support Specialist and Network Administrator. CompTIA certified in A+ Core Hardware, A+ Operating Software & A+ Network. Trained in Internet & Web Architecture, as well as in Web Site Development & Management.
  • Founder of Rising By Design, a business dedicated to providing affordable technical support and website design services to individuals, grassroots movements and non-profits around the world.
  • Previous jobs include = Assistant Director of an advocacy organization providing services for people with developmental disabilities; IT Support for an organization that reduced the economic, social, and environmental costs of energy consumption through energy efficiency; Network Administrator for a community land trust that ensures access to affordable homes, as well as for an organization providing emergency shelter and services for people who are homeless.  
  • Bachelor of Arts Degree, Fine Arts and Art History.  Artist specializing in printmaking, mixed media, and sculptural ceramics. 
Kai
  • Airline Pilot (First Officer & Captain) and FAA Part 141 Flight & Ground Instructor.  Graduate of Professional Pilot Program at Comair Aviation Academy and Airline Bridge Program at Delta Connection Academy.  Certified United States FAA Airline Transport Pilot (Airplane Multiengine Land, Embraer 145). Certified United States FAA commercial Pilot (Airplane Single Engine Land). Certified Unites States FAA Flight Instructor Airplane Single & Multiengine (Instrument Airplane). Holder of United States FCC Restricted Radiotelephone Operator license. 
  • Previous jobs include = Property Manager & Developer of Residential & Commercial Real Estate; Carpenter Apprentice; Veterinary Assistant; and Sourdough Bread Baker.
  • Bachelor of Arts Degree, Individually Designed Major, Gender & Ethnics Studies in the U.S.

Get to know us better by reading about how we became sitters and learning more about our travel & sitting style.