I have always wanted to make caring for animals a part of my life’s work. However, I have yet to decide what direction to take that desire. Do I want to be a veterinarian? A zoologist? Though I have not been able to pin-point my career goals, I know that I want to be able to share quality time, love, and affection with our furry friends. I’ve always wished that I could fulfill the needs of every pet lacking that kind of interaction. As unrealistic as I know that is for one person to do, I also know there are ways I can make a difference.

I decided to seek out volunteer opportunities as a means to contribute something positive to our community’s pet population. After finding out that it was an option available to the public, I decided to offer some spare time when I could to walking dogs at the Anchorage Animal Care and Control Center. It is very rewarding to be able to be a bright spot in the day of an animal who might otherwise see nothing but the walls of his or her kennel all day long. I feel more at peace knowing that these dogs are experiencing some joy even during their time spent as “shelter dogs”.

When I had the opportunity to join the Alyeska PAWS team, it was just one more way that I could incorporate my desire of working with animals into my everyday life. It is especially meaningful after having to struggle making arrangements for the care of my own pets during vacations and other times when I was away from home. Again, I feel more at peace when I can witness the minimal stress placed on pets who are being cared for in their own home. Hopefully more pet owners will learn about this option and will also be able to feel better about the times when they cannot be at home to care for their pets!

I’ve never not had pets in my life. My family had cats, dogs, guinea pigs, hamsters, and even chinchillas while I was growing up. As soon as I was out on my own, I adopted my own cats and eventually dogs, too. My dream is to live on a large piece of property where I can have a happy “pack” of dogs, some sweet kitties, and maybe even a horse or two! For the time being, though, it is with great pleasure that I am able to help care for your pets and expect that it will be a positive experience for everyone!

Cassie Schimmel
Pet Sitter
Alyeska PAWS, Inc.

I was raised on a farm in Oregon until I was 7 years old. After raising hogs, horses, rabbits, cats, goats and sheep, I knew I wanted to work with animals. When my family moved to Alaska, we settled in the Anchorage area. During those years we had two cats. Garfield, a partly orange cat who loved people, food and would fight dogs 6 times his size. And Riley, a Himalayan mix with a grumpy disposition, but a master and accomplished hunter of dragon flies, shrews, and birds. Both cats lived into their 20s, passing away while I was in college.

I have been a resident of Anchorage for 24 years. I attended college in Minnesota and still chose to return to Alaska even after my family sought a warmer climate in the lower 48. In college I studied pre-veterinary medicine but changed my major after two years to Business and Justice.

Growing up with all those animals around, I still wanted a dog. My family decided we had enough animals, so I had to wait until I was finished with college to adopt my baby. For a few years I owned a chinchilla named Merlin the Magician. He was a master escape artist. I had to put a padlock on his cage—he figured out how to open his cage! I had him until his early death due to illness.

Now have the dog I always wanted. Buster is my best friend and constant companion. He is a German Shepherd, Husky, and Golden Retriever mix I rescued from Anchorage Animal Control. He has the energy of a Husky, the goofy personality of a Golden Retriever and the intelligence of a German Sheppard. He loves to play opossum. He will act like he is asleep then wait until I leave the room to get on the couch or hunt for a treat in the kitchen. We enjoy walks, swimming in Campbell Creek, trips to the dog park and what dog can resist peanut butter?

I enjoy spending time with animals, and I will take care of your furry family members as if they were mine.

Katie Paaki
Pet Sitter
Alyeska PAWS, Inc.

Growing up, animals have always intrigued me. I loved their unique and individual personalities. I was fortunate enough to live on a small farm where I developed a true and lasting passion for caring for all animals. I loved to feed, clean up after, play and even doctor them. My parents definitely had their hands full with me. When they would return home from work it was not unusual for a stray dog, cat or even an injured chicken to be accompanying me around the house. I always knew I wanted to work with or around animals. I actively volunteered at the local veterinary clinic and also showed my horses competitively.

Fortunately for me my husband is also an animal lover and we currently have a golden retriever named Turk, 4 cats (Onyx, Orias, Jordan, and Squirty) and 2 horses (Cherokee and Tucker). My husband and I adopted Turk from a rescue group when he was 2½. We couldn’t ask for a better dog; he is certainly our baby. Onyx is the oldest of the bunch. I have had him since my college years. Orias was hand-raised by us. Her momma didn’t want anything to do with her after she was born, so I brought her home to bottle-feed her. She is as human as they come. Jordan was thrown into my yard from a moving vehicle. Appalled, I captured her to make sure she was not injured and you guessed it, we kept her. Squirty was given to me by my aunt. We had no intention of keeping her but after we got home we figured, what’s one more? Cherokee is my feisty, hard-headed, stubborn mare. I have had her since she was a yearling, and let me tell you, she is a bear to work with. Nonetheless, she is a great horse and maybe someday she will realize I am in control. Tucker is the horse everyone would love to have—easy to work with, loves to please and beautiful to look at. We moved all of our “kids” to Alaska from Illinois in June 2007. It was definitely an adventure I will never forget.

I am so excited to be a part of Alyeska PAWS. I have worked with animals in the past by working for a boarding facility and also a veterinary clinic. When I heard about Alyeska PAWS, I knew I wanted to be a part of it. I think it is awesome that loved ones can stay home yet still receive the care and love they deserve. I promise to treat your pet as if it were my own.

Kim Lamb
Pet Sitter
Alyeska PAWS, Inc.