This month, we’re thrilled to turn the spotlight on Louisa! She’s our vibrant, outdoorsy superstar who takes care of everything in the Bay View neighborhood—from cat care to pack play, she’s got it all covered! Keep reading to discover more about the amazing person behind the leash and why we’re so lucky to have her as part of our team!
Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how long you’ve been a part of our team?
A: I have always been a big animal lover. When I look back at my childhood, one of my biggest memories is trying to convince my dad to get me a dog. I think I started asking when I was about 5 years old. Instead of a dog, we got a variety of other pets: fish, hamsters, guinea pigs, even parakeets, frogs, and turtles! With each new pet, my love of animals grew, but I finally got my very own dog at the age of 10. I loved training him, hanging out with him, and figuring out his individual quirks and personality traits.
This passion sparked my love of wildlife and the outdoors, as well. Being out in nature with dogs has always been my happy place. As such, I got my bachelor degree in environmental science and then my masters in the same discipline as well, with the goal of one day being a wildlife biologist. After working in the field for a while, I realized that although I do love wildlife, my biggest passion in life was always going to be with companion animals. Thus, I applied for a job with Off Leash MKE and have been so happy to have been with them for about 7 months now. I get plenty of time outdoors with dogs and get to explore new parks every week.
Q: Share a memorable or heartwarming moment you’ve had with a client’s pet.
A: I feel like there are too many to share! I especially love getting to overnight with client’s pets and really getting to spend some quality time getting to know them. I’ve shared many cuddles, belly rubs, and kisses with some very sweet dogs. I think my most heartwarming moments are just when really shy or unsure dogs start to wag their tail more and more whenever you visit them. It’s when you can see their face’s light up and know that you’re a fun, safe person to them that makes me feel the most accomplished.
Q: Do you have a favorite pet or client story you’d like to share?
A: This is such a hard question because there are so many little moments that have been favorites of mine that wouldn’t make for a very good story to share, haha! One that I can think of off the top of my head is slowly and gradually introducing Ernie, a 9-month-old golden retriever to bodies of water. When I first started seeing him, he was only about 6-months-old and was really nervous about water. Now, whenever I take him out, we try to go somewhere that he can dip his toes in, and I can see him starting to get a little more comfortable with it, especially if throwing a stick is involved! One day, that retriever instinct will kick in and he’ll be a total water lover, I just know it.
Q: Besides working with animals, what are your hobbies or interests?
A: I would say nature is my biggest passion. I love going camping, hiking, and canoeing (I’m hoping to get one of my own soon). I also love identifying plants, animals, and fungi! Other hobbies include baking (I was a pastry cook in my past life), cooking, and photography.
Louisa and her dog Orzo
Q: Do you have any pets of your own? If so, tell us about them.
A: Yes, I have one dog named Orzo. Yes, he’s named after the pasta. I have a plan to name every one of my future animals after food, haha. Orzo is about a year and a half old and we adopted him when he was 8-months-old. He’s about 60% Australian Cattle Dog and the rest is mostly Pomeranian! He’s absolutely full of energy, spunk, and sass. He loves other dogs, playing, hanging out with my partner and I, and the ball. He’s a little bit crazy, but that’s just the way I like him!
Q: Are there any favorite dog parks or pet-friendly spots you recommend in our area?
A: Too many to list, honestly! Milwaukee has a huge dearth of awesome dog-friendly areas. For hiking, the Nojoshing trail system is one of my favorite spots, as is the Oak Creek Parkway. I also love Seven Bridges and Lake Park. For other fun dog friendly activities Salty Paws (a doggy ice cream shop) is adorable and fun, as is Riley’s Social House.
Q: What’s your go-to tip for clients looking to provide the best care for their pet?
A: Learn to read your pet’s body language! Your pet is always trying to communicate with you, but it’s hard if you don’t know what they’re telling you. Look up basic dog or cat (or other animal) body language cues and have a bit of knowledge on it. It will make your relationship grow so much more. Other than that, let your dogs sniff (it’s great for their brains, and basically like checking a social media network for dogs) on their walks and give them lots of loving.
Q: How would you describe the teamwork and camaraderie among our pet care team?
A: I am so happy to be a part of our team. We’re basically all friends and always have each other’s back. It’s so easy to ask questions and get great answers back from several people. If we ever have trouble in the field, I know I have a great team of people to rely on to help me out.
Q: What do you appreciate most about working with our company?
A: So many things. The work itself is really fulfilling and fun for me. Getting the opportunity to learn more in depth about dogs and cats and how they think is amazing. Additionally, I love the flexible time off, the friendly co-workers, and the all-around support I get from everyone on my team!
Thank you, Louisa, for all you do for the team and the pets in our care!!
Interested in learning more about the Off Leash MKE team? Be sure to check out past posts in our Behind the Leash series as well as our post from Dog Walker Appreciation Day!
Ready for tail-wagging trail adventures? Off Leash MKE’s top tips for the trails will keep your dog safe, your fellow hikers happy, and Milwaukee’s trails beautiful - Leash up, clean up, and make every adventure a blast!