Originally from Michigan I moved to Florida for the second time in 1998 to the Sarasota/Bradenton area.  I met my husband Gregg here and we made a home in Lakewood Ranch.  We soon adopted 2 special dogs Alli and Jasmine as our furry kids.  Growing up I always had animals of one kind or another from horses, birds, dogs, snakes, cats and goldfish.  I would rescue stray cats to lost puppies and bring them home or find a new home for them. 

I started thinking about pet care after my husband and I went looking for a place for my dogs to be while we went on vacation or if I went back to work full time.  My dogs require a lot of exercise, personal attention and consistency in their day.  I realized that most kennels or boarding facilities for numerous reasons were not the answer for them and started to look around for alternatives.  There was not a lot to choose from in the Lakewood Ranch area at that time. 

At that point, I started to wonder if there were other pet owners with the same problem.  I talked with some of the members of our local dog park and others in the community and discovered that there were many pet owners with the same problem.  Some are forced to leave their pets alone during the day while they are at work or kennel them while on vacation.  Others, for physical reasons, simply are not able to keep up with their pet’s needs.  So, with all this information and demand for professional pet sitters The Paw Walker was officially created in 2007.

The Paw Walker is a top notch professional pet sitting service that is now my full time passion.  I have always had a special affection and compassion for pets and now I found a way to share my love for many pets.  I offer peace of mind and truly care about ensuring your pet gets enough attention, exercise and love while you are away.  They are treated just like one of the family.

I am an Certified Professional Pet Sitter (CPPS) that is insured, bonded and a very proud member of Pet Sitter's International.  I have attended Pet Sitters International Quest Conferences along with other local educational programs.  Background education in: Bachelor's Degree Business Management, Understanding Canine Body Language, Reactive Dogs, Disaster Planning, Caring for multiple Pets, Preventing Boredom and Anxiety in Pets, Animal Law Issues, and TTouch, The Touch That Teaches and Caring for Senior Pets.      

Christine Santora
Long Time Lakewood Ranch Resident and Dog Owner