Elizabeth Chaney  
Owner
Perfect Pet Resort
Lothian, Maryland

How long have you been working in your current career? What did you do before? 
Perfect Pet Resort (Boarding, Training, Grooming, etc)– 2 years, The Perfect Canine  (Training) – 3 years

Why did you decide to pursue this career?
Passion for pet care

What traits would you say make your job “humane”? 
Provide comprehensive perfect pet care services using innovative practices through a caring, professional staff resulting in greater pleasure and harmony for pets and their owners.

What kind of education and training did you get before you started your first professional job? 
Bachelor’s Degree in Biology. I worked with experienced, knowledgeable dog trainers and pet care professionals for several years prior to starting my first business.

How did you find your first job in your profession?
In college – worked for a veterinarian hospital that also provided boarding and grooming

What are your duties in your current position?
Manage all pet resort operations and growth - Overnight Accommodations (Boarding), Grooming, Day Care, Obedience Training, Acupuncture & Massage. I manage each department’s operations and all business aspects including marketing, advertising, accounting, etc.

What do you like most about your job? 
Working relationships – interaction and relationship building with our pet guests (all of the dogs and cats that stay with us or visit for any service).

Developing relationships with pet owners and providing services to them that make their life easier, more pleasurable, and create more harmony between them and their pet.

What do you like least about your job? 
Nothing - I love it.  It’s not “a job” to me.   In fact, when you find what you love to do, you will never “work” another day. 

What’s a typical workday like for you? 
Everyday is different – I love this part also.  Variety. Office – administrative work; staff development- manager’s meetings, etc;
setting up marketing booths at pet walks and other events to promote our services; checking in and out our guests with interaction with the cats and dogs and their owners; making sure every guest is happy, healthy, and having lots of fun. And much more!

What types of training or experiences do you need to keep up-to-date in your field? 
Attend industry conferences and trade shows.  Conferences offer valuable seminars.  Trade organizations also offer educational and certification programs. 

What keeps you motivated to keep doing your work? 
Progress. Seeing guests improve socialization skills and confidence
Watching guest testimonials --  pulling their owners back in our door because they want to stay at the pet resort. Seeing our caring, professional staff address every detail of each guest’s stay
Owners leaving the pet resort after checking in their pet relaxed knowing that their family member is having a vacation too!
Working with local veterinarians, rescue organizations and other pet care business to provide a supportive network of quality pet services to our community.

What personal traits do you think someone needs to be successful in your field?  
Passion for pets. Natural feeling for animals. Open mind and creativity, allowing someone to recognize total care of the animal and then customize the care for that individual pet. Hunger for knowledge and desire to continuously learn. Hard working.

What advice would you give to a college student or other young person considering entering your field?  What advice would you give to someone who’s changing fields and is interested in a career in your profession? 
For both, seek knowledge and professional experience (and be well-rounded and open minded).

Anything else you’d like to add about your work or about careers helping animals? 
All aspects of pet care can be rewarding.  Stay focused but balanced and never stop learning.  There is so much to learn and pet care is evolving everyday.

May 2005