Our Staff
Shona P. - Assistant Manager and Professional Pet Sitter since 2003
Shona lives in Laurel with her husband, 2 toddlers, a Border Collie named Ajax, 5 budgies, a cockatiel, and freshwater tanks.
Education
Bachelor of Arts in History
Additional Qualifications and Interests:
Volunteered at Animal Shelters, Obedience trained dogs, participated in agility and herding activities, various certification and continuing education classes(including pet first aid/cpr), lifelong experience caring for various types of animals including dogs, cats, squirrels, birds, and various reptiles. I am trained to give hormone shots to birds and sub-q fluids to cats.
Philosphy on companion animals
If you accept an animal into your home, you are solely responsible for making sure they receive the best care possible.
Most rewarding pet care experience:
If I can get a pet to do something the owner said it wouldn't do, I feel like I've accomplished something. I remember having to give fluids to a particular cat, and the owner said we would have a tough time with the cat. She demonstrated her technique of putting the cat in a t-shirt and then putting it in a specially designed bag, before giving the fluids. Within 2 visits, Christi and I were holding the cat in our arms without any other restraint, and weren't having any trouble. The owner was so impressed that she made Christi show her our "trick".
I enjoy working with companion animals...
as animals are a part of my life and always have been. I can't imagine spending my life doing anything else.
Nicole P. - Professional Pet Sitter since 2008
Nicole lives in Laurel with her husband, and 2 long-haired brown tabby cats named Tabitha and Kahve.
Education:
Studied Psychology at Clark University, later changed major to Accounting.
Other qualifications and interests:
Travel, reading, business
Most rewarding pet care experience:
The opportunity to work at Terrapin Pets has been a joy! I've been able to work with so many different pets and learn alot at the same time. It is wonderful to be able to spend time with, and help so many different pets when their mommies and daddies are away. Pets are definitley a passion of mine.
Philosophy on companion animals:
I believe everyone should have the opportunity to own a pet. They give you unconditional love and trust you fully.
I enjoy working with companion animals...
Animals are one of my passions. It is a dream come true to be able to work with so many different pets and learn their personalities. They always put a smile on my face!
Ruth R. - Professional Pet Sitter since 2008
Ruth lives in Silver Spring with her husband and a Rat Terrier named Joey.
Education: BA in Sociology
Retired from: Treasury Department
Other qualifications and interests
Companion animal sociology training, photography, travel, canine nutrition.
Most rewarding pet care experience:
After having both my dogs (Joey and Allie) diagnosed with cancer withng a 2 month period, I decided to learn all I could about this horrible disease, which is on the rise in companion animals. I was too late to save Allie (on right in photo), but I embarked on a journey to treat Joey. So far we are winning the battle!
Philosophy on companion animals: Animals aren't my whole life, but they make my life whole.
Christi Fries - Owner, Professional Pet Sitter since 2002
Christi lives in Beltsville with her husband, 6 socialized feral cats: Butterball, Meep, Puzzle, Peekaboo, Poppy, and Babycakes.
Education:
Degree in Business Administration
Additional Qualifications and interests:
NAPPS Certified, PSI Certified, Pet Tech Pet First Aid Certified, State of Maryland Veterinary Assistant Certificate, Citizen Emergency Response Team member, volunteer with Alley Cat Rescue.
Travel, especially to National Parks; Emergency Preparedness training, caretaking of feral cat colonies, educating people on the need to spay/neuter their pets, and how to take advantage of low-cost options to do so in our area.
Most rewarding pet care experience:
Caring for an animal during illness and in the last stages of it's life touches my heart. Being their voice, understanding how much they (and their owners!) appreciate that I know just what they need to feel a little better.
Philosophy on companion animals:
Animals should never be euthanized for the convenience of the owner nor the community.
I enjoy working with companion animals...
Every animal has hopes, fears, desires, and experiences grief. It is up to us to provide for their happiness and comfort.
Being able to break the interspecies communication barrier, and to be able to make a living doing so, is the best reason I've ever found to wake up every morning.
Megan M. - Professional Pet Sitter
Megan joined the Terrapin Pets team in December 2010. Having previously worked at Lynn Animal Hospital, she knew a career in companion animal services would be more fulfilling than her then-position in real estate. Megan is amazing with all pets, especially Auggie the Greyhound, who follows her around with puppy dog eyes, in every sense!
Megan recently moved to Howard County from PG County, with her rescue kitty, Blanca. Ask Megan about the new kitten she just adopted when you meet her!
Education: Megan studied Nursing at the University of Maryland