PSW26 At-A-Glance
When: Friday, Nov. 6 - Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026
Where: The Clyde Hotel in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Who: Approx. 175 professional pet-sitting and dog-walking business owners, speakers and sponsors from across the U.S. and abroad will join the PSI team to attend PSW26.
What: Hosted by Pet Sitters International (PSI), the world’s leading educational organization for professional pet sitters and dog walkers, PSI’s 2026 Pet Sitter World Educational Conference (PSW26) will feature general sessions, networking activities, and exhibitor tables. Beginning in 2026, the conference will debut a bold, refreshed format. Each day of the three day event will spotlight a powerful focus—People, Pets, or Profits— with targeted sessions designed to help professional pet sitters strengthen leadership and interpersonal skills, elevate pet-care practices, and maximize business success. By focusing deeply on these three pillars, the conference not only empowers attendees to grow their own businesses but also advances the professionalism and impact of the petsitting industry as a whole.
Why: When you attend the industry’s #1 conference, you’ll connect and network with fellow pet-care pros and industry experts who can help you elevate your business. As an attendee, you’ll participate in engaging sessions that focus on people, pets, and profits—and discover new tools and business strategies to take your services to the next level. Plus, this is your chance to recharge and reignite your passion for pet care in beautiful Albuquerque, NM!
Are you a CPPS-Certified Professional Pet Sitter®? Don’t miss your chance to earn 24 CEUs in one fun-filled, action-packed weekend.
PSW26 Schedule
DAY 1: Friday, November 6
8:00 am – 11:00 am Optional Pet First Aid*
10:00 am – 11:00 am Attendee Check-In
11:30 am – 12:30 pm PSW26 Opening & Awards
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm Networking Lunch
1:30 pm – 2:15 pm Panel Discussion
2:30 pm – 3:00 pm Safety Q&A
3:15 pm – 4:15 pm General Session
4:30 pm – 5:15 pm General Session
DAY 2: Saturday, November 7
8:45 am – 9:15 am Optional Workshop**
9:30 am – 10:30 am General Session
10:45 am – 11:30 am General Session
11:30 am – 12:00 pm General Session
12:30 pm – 1:00 pm Lunch and Learn
2:15 pm – 3:15 pm General Session
3:15 pm – 4:15 pm General Session
4:30 pm – 5:15 pm General Session
EXHIBITOR HOURS
Friday, November 6 10:00 am – 11:30 am Saturday, November 7 8:30 am – 9:30 am 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Sunday, November 8 8:30 am – 9:30 am 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
The speakers were excellent, and I learned so many practical things that I will be able to immediately put into practice in my business! However, I feel like I learned just as much from other sitters/business owners during the sharing times, breaks, and social time! I feel invigorated and refreshed to continue my business!
-Janie Phillips, Buckaroo Buddies Pet Care
*Hybrid session, hands-on portion at conference **For solo sitters; free, but pre-registration required.
DAY 3: Sunday, November 8
8:30 am – 9:15 am Optional Workshop*
9:30 am – 10:30 am General Session
10:45 am – 11:30 am General Session
12:30 pm – 1:45 pm Lunch and Learn
2:00 pm – 2:45 pm General Session
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm General Session
4:00 pm – 4:15 pm Closing & PSW27 Announcement
*For attendees with teams; free, but pre-registration required.
PSW26 Sponsor Highlight
Where pet care runs smoothly. PetPocketbook is an easy-to-use software platform that helps streamline your pet care business. Whether you’re a solo sitter or leading a growing dog walking team, we make it easier to stay organized, get paid faster, and keep pet parents in the loop without the admin headaches.
Our all-in-one platform brings together scheduling, invoicing, visit updates, client communication, and more. If you’re managing a team, you can assign visits, track compensation, and set permissions so everyone stays on the same page, and nothing falls through the cracks.
What really sets us apart is our people. We’re not a giant tech company; we’re a small, passionate team that treats your business like our own. We offer responsive, friendly support and are continuously improving our product based on feedback from pet care businesses like yours.
It’s easy to get started with a 30-day free trial, and it’s just $25 a month for your whole team. We also help you keep more of what you earn. PetPocketbook charges a small service fee to pet parents when they check out through us, so you won’t lose money to processing fees.
Thousands of pet care professionals across the U.S., Canada, and Australia run on PetPocketbook today, and we’d love for you to join our pack. Wherever you are in your business journey, we’ve got your back.
Learn more at petpocketbook.com
Stay tuned for more PSW26 sponsor announcements coming soon!
Sylvia Melendez, Wagging Tails & Loving Paws LLC, shares how PSW helps her connect, learn, and explore.
PSW26 Exhibitor Highlight
Stephanie Barger, CSAT and Certified Canine Behavior Consultant, specializes in helping dogs and their guardians find calm, confidence, and connection through compassionate, sciencebased training. She works primarily with separation anxiety and behavior modification cases, supporting fearful, anxious, and reactive dogs through methods rooted in partnership rather than pressure.
As a fully virtual practitioner, Stephanie partners with families across the United States, offering individualized guidance that fits their routines, needs, and environments. Her approach blends behavior science with a whole-dog perspective that considers stress, emotional well-being, lifestyle, and nutrition as integral components of behavioral health. This holistic focus helps guardians understand not only what their dog is doing, but why those behaviors surface—and how to support steady, sustainable change.
Each training plan includes weekly coaching calls, video review, and customized exercises designed to build trust, reduce overwhelm, and create practical paths forward. Whether addressing reactivity, fear of strangers, difficulty settling, or distress when left alone, Stephanie’s work centers on clear communication, empathy, and mindful practice.
Stephanie believes that when guardians understand their dog’s needs, challenges, and communication signals, they can create homes that feel safe and supportive for everyone. Her goal is to help families build relationships grounded in patience and understanding while making everyday life more peaceful and manageable for dogs struggling with stress or uncertainty.
Through her work, Stephanie continues to champion positive reinforcement, behavioral wellness, and the belief that every dog—and every guardian—deserves the opportunity to experience a calmer, more harmonious life together.
Stephanie is just one of the exhibitors you can connect with at PSW26. Stay tuned for the full exhibitor lineup!
New for PSW26!
As we kick off PSW26 with PSI’s Opening and Awards Ceremony, we will be celebrating YOU—PSI’s “people”—in more ways than ever before! In addition to recognizing our PSW26 Scholarship Recipient and PSI’s 2026 Pet Sitter of the Year, PSI will also present the following awards at this year’s conference.
PSI BEST WEBSITE AWARD
PSI COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD
PSI SOCIAL MEDIA STANDOUT AWARD
PSI RISING STAR AWARD
PSI EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION AWARD
PSI SPIRIT OF SELF-CARE AWARD
These awards are open to PSW26 registrants only and application details will be provided in March 2026. Winners will be announced live at the PSW26 Awards Ceremony.
Elevate Your Business in the Land of Enchantment
Let your inspiration soar in Albuquerque—where mountain peaks meet painted skies. New Mexico’s Land of Enchantment invites you to expand your horizons, both personally and professionally. As you gather with fellow pet-care pros for PSW26, you’ll find a setting as vibrant and dynamic as the conversations and connections you’ll make.
From hot-air balloons rising against the backdrop of the Sandia Mountains to art-filled streets and flavorful Southwestern cuisine, Albuquerque offers the perfect mix of beauty, culture, and energy to elevate your business—and your spirit.
Scan for PSW26 Hotel and Travel Information
I would absolutely recommend attending this conference! No matter where you are in your business journey, this will take you to the next level. Such an amazing job of hitting topics that apply to a variety of businesses and milestones within the business while not singling a business in a different season out.
- Amanda
Waring, Hooman for Hire LLC
SESSION SNEAK PEEK
Check out these confirmed PSW26 sessions & stay tuned for more session announcements coming soon!
From Scratches to Safety: OSHA Tools for Pet Sitters & Dog Walkers
In this innovative session, Beth Pasek—experienced pet-care business owner, Certified Cat Trainer and former Environmental Health & Safety manager— draws from her unique professional background to share how professional pet-sitting and dog-walking businesses can apply OSHA principles (e.g., recordable vs. reportable, hazard recognition, stopwork authority) to common sitter risks such as cat bites, falls, and chemical exposures. Attendees will be equipped with a practical safety toolkit—including checklists, SDS start list, and incident log template— that reduces risk, downtime, and liability.
Culture Over Chaos: How We Transformed
Our Team from Transactional to Transformational
In an industry plagued by high turnover and scheduling chaos, most pet sitting and dog walking business owners focus on profit margins and client acquisition—while their team members quietly burn out and disappear. But what if your greatest competitive advantage isn’t your pricing strategy or your marketing budget? What if it's the people who show up every single day to care for your clients' pets?
In this candid, action-packed optional workshop, you'll discover how Jessica Milam, founder & oo-owner of Fur Services Fur Pets, completely transformed their business model to put their team first—and why it's been the single most profitable decision they’ve ever made. She’ll pull back the curtain on the systems, policies, and mindset shifts that turned scattered, overworked solo sitters into a cohesive, engaged team that genuinely advocates for the business. This isn't about pizza parties and "thank you" emails. This is about structural change that creates real work/life balance, predictable schedules, and a culture where team members actually support each other—even though they work independently.
Staying Safe on the Job: Law Enforcement Insights for Pet-Care Professionals
Working in clients’ homes, walking dogs in unfamiliar neighborhoods, and working solo means that personal safety must be a top priority for every pet sitter and dog walker. In this fastpaced Q&A session, you’ll hear directly from a seasoned law-enforcement professional, Robert Hairston.
Gain practical, real-world safety tips to protect yourself and your team, learn when and how to involve law enforcement, and discover best practices for interacting confidently and appropriately with officers in the field. This empowering session is designed to help you elevate your personal safety awareness—and your peace of mind—so you can focus on what you do best: caring for pets and serving clients with professionalism and confidence.
Honoring the Bond: Self-Care and Healing After a Client’s Pet Passes
As professional pet sitters and dog walkers, the bonds you form with clients’ pets run deep—but when those pets pass away, your grief often goes unseen.
This thoughtful session explores the unique experience of pet-care professionals navigating pet loss and offers compassionate, practical strategies for self-care and team support. The session concludes with a brief pet memorial, providing space to honor the beloved pets you’ve cared for and model a simple, heartfelt service you can offer within your own business.
This session will help you elevate your empathy, resilience, and emotional well-being as you continue to serve clients and their pets with care and professionalism.
Build, Grow, Scale and Let Go: Preparing Your Business for Sale
Every pet-sitting or dog-walking business has a life cycle—from startup passion project to thriving company. But what happens when it’s time to move on? In this session, Nicole Packin, seasoned entrepreneur and canine wellness expert who has built and sold multiple successful pet-care businesses, will walk attendees through the often-overlooked process of preparing a pet-care business for sale. Attendees will learn how to:
• Build: Lay strong foundations in systems, branding, and client experience.
• Grow: Expand services, refine operations, and strengthen financial health.
• Scale: Develop leadership, delegate effectively, and create a business that runs without being tied to the owner.
• Let Go: Understand valuation, prepare for sale, and transition with confidence and legacy in mind.
Whether you are years away from selling or want to run a more efficient and profitable business now, this
Optional Pet First Aid, CPR & CPCR Hybrid Workshop
This combination of online training and in-person, hands-on skills practice can prepare you to confidently help a sick or injured pet in your care. Instructor and author Denise Fleck teaches the most up-to-date methods (conventional and more homeopathic) to help you help the dogs and cats in your care before you reach the veterinarian or animal emergency center. Participants will complete an approximately 6-hour online training covering a wealth of pet first aid topics prior to the conference. Then, during the 3-hour in-person, handson session at the conference, instructor Denise Fleck will work with you to practice multiple hands-on skills to help you become more comfortable with the techniques shared in the online course, including muzzling, restraint and safe approach of a sick or injured pet; bandaging and splinting techniques; checking vitals; choking maneuvers; and rescue breathing and CPCR. Attendees will receive Fleck’s latest Pet First Aid and CPR Quick Reference for Dog & Cat Parents and Pet Professionals, a certificate, and wallet card.
information-packed session will provide you with clarity and tools to elevate your business and create long-term value.
Creating Canine Zen: How to help anxious pets find comfort when their family goes away
A 2020 Frontiers in Veterinary Science article estimated 22.3-55% of dogs, to some degree, are uncomfortable when their guardians leave them at home. As a pet-care professional, you’ll likely encounter these dogs who may be howling all day, destroying their home, or worse—so it’s important you understand separation anxiety and how to mitigate these separation-related behaviors. In this information-packed session, Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer Stephanie Barger will help you recognize mild to more serious cases of separation anxiety and share her protocols that have proven effective in hundreds of dogs. You’ll leave this session equipped with strategies you can share with your clients and implement in your pet-sitting visits, as well as tips for working with local trainers for training reinforcement.
SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT
Check out these speakers joining us in Albuquerque for PSW26 and stay tuned for more speaker announcements coming soon!
STEPHANIE BARGER
Stephanie Barger is the heart of Canine Zen, a virtual dog-training practice dedicated to helping anxious, fearful, and reactive dogs — and the people who love them — find calm and connection. A former educator turned Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer (CSAT) and Certified Behavior Consultant for Canines (CBCC-KA), she combines teaching expertise with over a decade of canine-behavior experience to guide guardians through science-based, compassion-driven training programs. Beyond her client work, Stephanie volunteers in shelter behavior programs, offers free public office hours, and serves as leader of Alignable’s Pet Industry Group which supports collaboration among pet professionals. Her mission is simple yet profound: to help dogs and their humans learn, communicate, and thrive together — one calm, connected home at a time.
DENISE FLECK
Denise Fleck is the Pet Safety Crusader™, inspiring people of all ages to “Be the one who makes the difference in the life of an animal!”
As a proud dog mom to 13 canines, her soft spot lies with senior dogs, so she joyfully serves as the Executive Director of The Grey Muzzle
Organization. Prior to Grey Muzzle, she volunteered for 15 years as a “boots on the ground” animal rescuer. Fleck’s commitment to animal welfare led her from a career as a movie studio publicist to pouring her heart into training, researching, practicing, and then developing her own Pet First Aid & CPR curriculum which she has taught to more than 33,000 pet parents and pet professionals. She demonstrated these skills on television, including CBS–TV’s ‘The Doctors,’ Animal Planet, KTLA, and CNN, but now focuses on training the next generation of animal care instructors. She also created courses in pet disaster preparedness and first aid for birds, rabbits, and other four-legged friends.
ROBERT HAIRSTON
Robert Hairston has spent more than a decade serving his community and protecting citizens in North Carolina. His career has spanned across both the executive and judicial branches, with professional experience including positions as a detention officer, patrol deputy, major crimes detective and county magistrate. Robert currently works as the assistant director of a multi-county Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) program where he trains and motivates cadets and ensures the program adheres
to stringent curriculum requirements to prepare them for successful careers in civil service. He obtained his degree in Criminal Justice Studies and is a sworn officer, Certified General Instructor, and Compliance and Control Tactics Instructor. He has also pursued specialized training in hostage and crisis negotiation, interview and interrogation, and field training through the North Carolina Justice Academy.
JESSICA MILAM
Jessica Milam is the founder & co-owner of Fur Services Fur Pets, an award-winning pet-care company serving Far North Texas since 2013. Under her leadership, the company has earned prestigious industry recognition, including the 2022 Pet Business of the Year from the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters and the 2025 Pet Sitter of the Year from Pet Sitters International. A respected voice in the pet-services industry, Jessica serves as treasurer on the Texas Pet Sitters Association board and has co-organized the annual Texas Pet Sitters Conference for six consecutive years (2020-2025). Her expertise in animal care and business management has positioned her as a trusted authority among pet care professionals across the state. Jessica’s entrepreneurial spirit extends beyond pet services. In 2022, she and her husband launched SignGypsies Aubrey, a yard greeting franchise that recently received the 2025 SignGypsies Green Heart Award for Excellence. With nearly two decades of business management experience, Jessica has also overseen operations for her family’s HVAC business in North Texas since 2007, demonstrating her versatility and commitment to maintaining strong community ties through multiple successful ventures. Jessica’s dedication to exceptional service, business innovation, and industry leadership continues to elevate the standards of pet care and customer satisfaction throughout the region.
RESERVE YOUR SPOT at PSW26
Earliest Bird Rate (ends 12/1/25)*
$326 members | Members Only
Early Bird Rate (12/2/25 – 1/31/26)
$369 members | $529 non-members
Regular Registration Rate (2/1/26 – 5/6/26)
$409 members | $569 non-members
Late Registration Rate (5/7/26 – 9/7/26)
$449 members | $609 non-members
*Coupon required, was emailed to members.
Registration will close once PSW26 is sold out. Space is limited. Early Registration is recommended!
PSW26 Exhibitor Highlight
The Pawsitive Hiring Academy offers all of the resources you need to navigate the hiring process and go from a solo pet sitter and dog walker to a team leader! Launched in 2023 by Doug the Dog Guy, the Pawsitive Hiring Academy has supported over 200 pet businesses across the country on their hiring journey!
Doug is just one of the exhibitors you can connect with at PSW26. Stay tuned for the full exhibitor lineup!
NICOLE PACKIN
Nicole Packin is a seasoned entrepreneur and canine wellness expert who has built and sold multiple successful petcare businesses. After earning her BS in Communication from the University of Miami and beginning her career in entertainment with William Morris Endeavor and Jerry Bruckheimer Television, Nicole discovered her true passion while volunteering with The Amanda Foundation, an animal rescue in Los Angeles, which led her to the Humane Society of Greater Miami, where she contributed to operations and fundraising before founding Miami Pet Concierge in 2007. She grew the company into one of the city’s most trusted in-home pet care providers and successfully exited after more than a decade. In 2021, Nicole launched The Packin Method in Plano, Texas, a pioneering canine fitness brand focused on holistic health through treadmill training, massage therapy, and structured walks. She built it into a respected leader in the field before selling the company and relocating to Colorado. Nicole now continues her mission of elevating canine wellness as the founder of Healthy Hounds Fitness Club, a membershipbased dog walking and adventure hiking service.
BETH PASEK
Beth Pasek is the owner of Finicky Cat Sitting & Behavior, LLC, serving Northeast Ohio since 2010. She is the author of Understanding Cat Behavior and the writer of Field Notes for Pet Sitters, a weekly publication read by professionals worldwide. A Fear Free® Elite Certified Professional and Karen Pryor Academy–Certified Cat Trainer, Beth brings more than 15 years of professional pet-care experience with a specialty in feline behavior and stress reduction. Before founding her pet-sitting business, Beth worked as an Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) manager, where she developed and taught OSHA-compliant training, including HAZWOPER, Confined Space Entry, and Lead Paint Awareness, for teams at NASA Plum Brook Station and across multiple industries. This unique background allows her to bridge animal behavior and occupational safety, equipping pet sitters with practical, field-tested tools to elevate professionalism, protect profits, and reduce burnout.
BETH STULTZ-HAIRSTON
With more than two decades of industry experience, PSI President Beth Stultz-Hairston is a respected voice in professional pet care, known for championing business education, professional standards, and mental-wellness support for pet-care providers. Under her leadership, PSI released the first publicly available Global Standards for Professional Pet-Sitting and Dog-Walking Businesses, a milestone initiative strengthening professionalism and public trust across the industry. Beth also oversees PSI’s in-person and online educational programs, including the Pet Sitter World Educational Conference and FOCUS Summit Series. Along with the PSI team, she has worked to equip thousands of pet-care entrepreneurs with tools to build sustainable, purpose-driven businesses. She is the editor of Pet Sitter’s World magazine and curates The PSI Blog. Beth frequently speaks on the future of pet care, compassion-fatigue awareness, and building professional, resilient pet-care businesses. Beth holds a bachelor’s degree in English from UNC-Chapel Hill and certifications in Compassion Fatigue Studies. She is also currently completing her Pet Bereavement Specialist Certification training. She is passionate about helping pet-care professionals succeed, serve confidently, and lead with heart in an evolving industry.
PSW26 Exhibitor Highlight
DogCo Launch is a one-stopshop for teambased pet care companies looking to grow and scale their businesses. We offer coaching, support, and community for companies as they navigate growth challenges like pricing, marketing, hiring, and streamlining operations. The DogCo Mastermind is a year-long coaching program for pet care business owners to learn the skills needed to grow their companies and thrive as leaders. CEO and Founder, Michelle Kline, founded DogCo Launch to meet an unfulfilled need she saw in the pet care industry: real business education that prioritizes the owner’s well-being and provides tools and resources to support sustainable growth in team-based pet care models. Learn more at dogcolaunch.com
Stay tuned for the full exhibitor and sponsor lineup!
First-time attendee Ann McJenkin, McJenkin Pet Sitting, shares how she can apply what she’s learned at PSW right away to help her business.
ATTEND PSW26 ON PSI’s DOTTY SHANTZ SCHOLARSHIP
Each year one PSI member is awarded the Dotty Shantz Scholarship to help them attend PSI’s annual in-person conference.
The scholarship recipient will receive up to $1,000 to help cover the costs of travel, hotel room and conference registration to PSI’s Pet Sitter World Educational Conference.
All applicants must be active PSI members in good standing at the time of the application submission, as well as at the time of the conference.
Visit the PSI website to learn more and apply by March 31, 2026.
PSW26 Sponsor Highlight
KONG Company is known worldwide for creating durable, behavior-friendly toys that help pets play, relax, and feel their best. For more than 45 years, KONG has been dedicated to enriching the lives of dogs and cats through products designed to support natural instincts, reduce stress, and make daily care easier for pet professionals and pet parents alike.
From the iconic rubber KONG Classic to enrichment feeders, treats, puzzles, and play, every KONG product is made with safety, quality, and fun in mind. Pet sitters across the country rely on KONG to keep pets engaged, calm, and mentally stimulated—whether during drop-ins, overnights, or long-term care.
KONG is committed to supporting pet professionals—including pet sitters, trainers, shelters, and veterinarians— with resources that make enrichment practical and accessible. Through educational initiatives, training content, and partnerships across the pet-care community, KONG continues to champion positive, low-stress experiences for pets in every environment.
Stay tuned for more PSW26 sponsor announcements coming soon!