Sara Gifford @ PAWS Area: Hertfordshire, East Anglia Contact Details | Interview | Recommendations Interview with... Sara Gifford @ PAWS
What services do you offer?	experienced dog walking, mainly country walks collect and return, cat feeding, puppy visits/socialisation, pet transport. Fully insured and great references available on request or on this website.
If you do pet sitting in your house, is your garden secure?	Service not offered.
If you do dog walking or dog sitting, how long are your walks with the dogs normally?	All walks are in excess of 1hr 15minutes, walks take place at specially chosen sites which are safe and dog friendly to encourage all dogs to have the most exercise and fun possible.
How many dogs do you take into your house or on your walks?	Groups tend to vary but not in excess of five.
Do you offer any activities for the pets in your care? For example Kong toys, search exercises, etc	I don't take toys or treats out on walks but do include fun/training on all walks. Simple every day skills are regularly used such as heal work, send & receive, scent but in a fun way which I find brings out the best in the dogs I walk. It is also great for new puppies who join the groups which gives them a head start to puppy training with their owners.
How many pets do you have yourself and what are they?	Charlie my wonderful border collie who is 10 and Regal my long haired moggy who is five.
What are your hobbies?	Scuba Diving (Qualified Padi Rescue Diver), Netball, Horses and Point to Pointing, and walking charlie at the weekends on new walks hopefully ending up in a pub (highly recommend "pub walks in hertfordshire by alan charles"). which we are currently working our way through.
Is there anything that you would always recommend others to try?	It is important to remain calm and patient with any animals as they are able to sense any stress or tension. It is also important to look upon your pet as a pleasure and something to enjoy. Any training is always difficult in the beginning for both parties but the rewards are well worth the effort, so keep at it.
Do you have dreams for the future?	Currently I am very busy and am looking to expand the business and would also like to move to a property that would allow me to stable horses.

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Sara Gifford @ PAWS

7 October 2007

I would like to say just how flexible and reliable Sara is. My circumstances have changed which has meant I need to spend a number of days away from my home and I know that I can rely on Sara to look after my cats while I am away. I also know that I can always give her a call just to check they're all okay. I would highly recommend PAWS to anyone who wants their dog or cat really well cared for. Mr V Cooke - Ware

1 February 2007

I love to to Sara she always makes me happy and my tail wag.  She is always on time and i really enjoy my long walks wth her. I enjoy getting in her van and meeting all my other doggy friends on a weekly basis whilst my owners are at work.  Very reliable!!  Otis Bell

28 February 2006

I would like to give Sara a great big thank you for taking such good care of me when my mum goes on her hols. Sara has been coming to look after me for a couple of years now. She feeds me twice a day and is happy to spend time with me and give me cuddles. I especially enjoy our chats. My mum is also very grateful, as without Sara she would not be able to go away so often. Sara is very friendly, reliable and really loves animals. I would highly recommend her. Olivia the cat

10 October 2005

Sara come to walk me when my owner is at work and I love going out with her. We go for miles in the countryside, there are always other dogs to play with and I usually get dirty and wet which makes me a very happy dog!! My owner is happy too because she knows that I am well looked after and Sara has never let us down. Sara is very flexible and reliable and most of all she really loves dogs - what more could we ask for. Elaine

10 October 2005

I give Sara a call maybe a couple of times a month on days when I know that I may have to leave Judy for more than 5 hours. To know that she'll be spending a couple of hours with Sara being treated the way I treat her means I can go on my way and not worry; Its a lovely feeling to know that she's getting a really good walk with other likeminded dogs (she seems to plan the walks so all the dogs can make the most out of each other). I have total confidence and trust when she takes Judy out and she takes the dogs on amazing walks. I love her enthusiasm and the fact that she encourages the dogs to simply have a brilliant time when they're out. Don't know what I'd do without her. Paula Cox

1 October 2005

When my owners decided that I needed a dog walker they arranged for me to interview several. As soon as I met Sarah I took to her straight away and I knew she was the right one for me. I can’t wait for Sarah to arrive each day and get very excited as soon as I hear her van turn into the road. Whatever the weather she always take me for lovely long walks where I can run around with the other dogs, towels me down when she brings me home if I get wet (which I do whenever I can) and doesn’t even mind when I catch things like pheasants and rabbits. I can highly recommend Sarah as she is a true dog lover and really cares for all of the dogs she walks and looks after. My owners are also very pleased, as Sarah is very reliable and flexible when needed, and even allow me to go out with Sarah if they have a day off as they know how much I look forward to going out with Sarah and my friends. Keith Kendall

22 September 2005

We highly recommend Sara. She has helped us with feeding & walking our dogs Max & Jessie when we need to be away from home for a long day. If we meet Sara whilst out for our walks Max will be desperate to join her rather than be with his owner! Jerry Howlett

18 September 2005

We choose to leave our cat at home when we're away and ask Sara to feed him - a much more convenient solution than a cattery and better for our cat. Sara has known our cat Archie since he was a kitten and has always shown a lot of affection towards him. I know that I can rely on her to look after him well when we're away and even spend time playing with him. Sara is extremely reliable and conscientious, and I'd recommend her highly. Janine Barlow

2 September 2005

We started using Sara in May 2005 as I need to go into London 1 day a week. We were a bit worried at first as Dyson is a rescue dog but he loves it and looks forward to playing with his doggie friends each week. Sara is professional and approachable and I have found her to be incredibly helpful and flexible when needed. Seeing the dogs looking out of the PAWS van is great fun and Dyson is always shattered after running about all afternoon. A superb service. Lee and Anne Richardson

1 September 2005

We can't recommend Sara highly enough. Thomas, our collie, is always so happy to see her arrive and has even sneaked out the back way to get to her quickly! They go for lovely, long walks in woodland and farmland areas where the dogs can run free. We don't know what we'd do without her now. Margaret, Ray and Luke

31 August 2005

Benji and I can't recommend Sara highly enough. Benji really looks forward to his walks with Sara is a very easy going person and you can tell she definitely loves animals. I'm so glad that I was given Sara's number its the best thing that has happen to me and also especially to Benji. He always gives Sara such a lovely welcome. Janet Gould

29 August 2005

Can't recommend Sara highly enough - she gives Aggie long walks every day, is reliable, good natured and always a pleasure to see! Aggie certainly jumps for joy when she sees Sara's van and is sad to see it go after she's been dropped off - I don't think you can get a recommendation better than that! Tom & Libby (and Aggie!)

28 August 2005

Our family has just come back from our summer hols and, for the first time, Sara Gifford came and took our dalmatian for walks. Although my mother and father in law were staying, they were not able to give her long walks off the lead and when I was recommended Sara I did not hesitate. She has had wonderful long walks with her and made some new friends as well! I cannot thank Sara enough - I know that when we're away in the future our dog will have a wonderful time! Catherine Lunn

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