WATERTOWN, NY – It's rare that people grow up to know exactly what they want to do, what they are passionate about, even more rare that they actually find a way to do it. Most of us get stuck into jobs we take to get by, pay the bills, take care of our families. Lindsay Paranzino, however, is one of the exceptions to this particularity.

Mrs. Paranzino, a native of Rhode Island, moved to the North Country with her husband, who is an enlisted in the Army, in August of 2008. Her passion: pets. An employee of Petco of Watertown, it only takes a few minutes on the subject to understand that she has a love for animals and passion about pet care that would seldom be rivaled. It is this unwavering conviction that prompted her to start Paranzino's Pet Sitting, a home-based business that caters to pet owners' specific needs.

Lindsay Paranzino's business isn't as simple as popping in and checking on an animal or dropping some food in a dish a few times a day; she simply won't accept a job sitting a pet until she's 100% committed to the animal, and that commitment comes only after encountering the animal and building trust. Mrs. Paranzino prefers to meet an animal for the first time with its owners, excuse me, pet parents, present, and after getting to know the animal she likes to take it for a short walk, if pertinent. Dogs, for example, “are social animals... taking it for a walk is a socializing experience,” says Lindsay. When she has been asked to watch an animal for a family, she goes even further. She researches that particular animal, and its breed, to make sure that she understands what behavior to expect and more effectively anticipate the needs of the pet. Her commitment is full and thorough, and you can be sure that she's going to want to know what the pet's typical day is made up of, what activities it is used to and when it is used to doing them. These are all important to the stability of a pet's behavior, according to Paranzino, who has always been passionate about working with animals.

When she was young her family had several pets who became aggressive and were put to sleep. This helped forge her long-term goal, which is to open a center to help rehabilitate aggressive or maligned dogs. She hopes to realize this dream after completing her dog training classes, which commence in June. “Long term stays in a facility will help a dog remember how to be a dog,” says Paranzino, who used to take care of pets as a favor to friends back in Rhode Island. “Most pet parents do not want to hear that what is going on with their animal is their fault,” she says, “about 90% of dog misbehavior is usually a result of not getting proper exercise or giving the dog attention in relation to the animal's core behavior.” Furthermore, she is concerned about those who sell or give away pets without considering the potential owner's capability to care for the animal, financially as well as temporally. These conditions, as well as many others, contribute to the well being of a pet, and the well being of a pet directly affects its behavior and obedience.

Mrs. Paranzino tailors what she does to each owners' individual needs, allowing her to be flexible with her rates. On average, she charges $10 a visit, each visit being about thirty minutes which would include feeding the animal, cleaning up after it (litter boxes, for example), and providing it attention, such as walking for a dog. Of course, multiple animals may or may not incur additional charges depending on whether or not they require more time or additional work. Lindsay aims to establish a regular clientele, and offers a first time discount as well as a discount to military personnel. “I understand the situation,” says the wife of an enlisted husband, who also claims that these costs can be customized and are very flexible, even gas expenditure is negotiable. “Most people charge extra if they have to go more than ten miles or so, but if I go twelve miles instead of ten I'm not going to charge extra... and little things like cleaning the litter box should be included.”

Lindsay Paranzino, something more than a pet sitter, undoubtedly shows that her concern is far more focused on the well being of the animals, and that they receive the love and care they deserve, than being focused on profits. If you are interested in pet sitting, contact Lindsey Paranzino at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call her at 1-401-855-2505.