Some of Deena's past clients
Sit.
By Jennifer Carson
Stay! Play.
- THE PET SITTER -
D
eena Hazlett has spent the last 25 years taking care of animals. She’s worked in doggy daycare, for the Humane Society of Huron Valley, for private kennels and hobby farms, and she owns nine dogs, herself. So, what do you do with a big love for animals, a helping heart, and all the skills learned over the years? For Hazlett, the decision to open Deena’s Pet Service was a no-brainer. A typical day for Hazlett includes multiple stops at up to 15 different homes to take care of pets whose owners are at work, on vacation, or those who just need an extra hand. Hazlett will feed, medicate, and give the animals attention and a much-needed outdoor break – whether that’s a walk around the neighborhood or just a romp in the yard. With Hazlett’s services, pet owners won’t need to worry about their pets while they are gone. She’ll make sure litter is clean for cats and caged pets, that everyone has adequate water and food, and give them a little scratch between the ears. She doesn’t just take care of pets though – she prides herself on keeping a sharp eye on clients’ property as well, and lets them know if anything is amiss. Hazlett will even send them photos of her visit with their pets and reassure them that everything is a-okay for a worry-free day. Because of Hazlett’s training and work experience, she’s usually the first to know if there is a health issue with a pet she’s visiting and has often accompanied a pet to the vet for services. Her pet care options even include nail trimming. For $15 a pet, she will come to a client’s home and they won’t have to wrestle with Fido or Fluffy. Hazlett is often in demand by local breeders as an extra hand for puppy whelping and has helped take care of litters as they grow and get a little rowdy. She often assists with transporting animals to grooming appointments, vet appointments, new homes or to the airport, accompanying
puppies until they are loaded, or meeting owners to deliver their new family member. She’s also happy to help people who are moving. Hazlett has delivered pets to such faraway states as Florida. Deena’s Pet Services is a family business that is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Two of her three daughters help when the client list gets long during busy vacation months, and her husband will get roped in to delivering hay to hobby farms, too. Because of her reputation, Hazlett has become a well-known resource in the community. Farms will call her in for an extra helping hand, or when they are away and need someone to take care of the animals and homestead. Local people give her a call when they need assistance with rehoming a pet after a loved one has passed, or if an animal is found with no tags. She works with several rescue organizations to foster abandoned animals, takes in donations (like crates that aren’t being used anymore, or a harness that a dog has outgrown), and helps pet parents who are in a bind – whether that bind is financial or time availability. During the pandemic she cared for many pets of medical sector employees working mandatory 1618 hour shifts. Many other families during this time were struggling to feed their animals because of income loss and Hazlett helped spread the word about the Humane Society’s Pet Food Bank and other free or low-cost services in the area. Hazlett believes in keeping a pet in its loving home and will help in any way she can to support the ideal situation. Hazlett’s services book up quickly, especially for overnight stays. To get on her books she requires a meet and greet with clients and their pets. She will come to meet a family and learn about their desires for care, their pet’s needs, and daily routines. Then she might even take the dog for a walk, if that’s something owners normally do, in order to get to know him or her. She won’t push an anxious dog to interact with her though – she is patient and will wait for the pet to warm up. n
Although Hazlett lives between Tecumseh and Adrian, Deena’s Pet Service serves all of southeastern Michigan including Howell, Lansing, Ann Arbor, and Canton, as well as northern Ohio.
Deena’s Pet Service 734-776-1909 deenapetservice.com follow her on Facebook @deenapetservices.biz
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