ABOUT US
Hot Diggity! Dog Walking and Pet Sitting Services was founded in 2000 in Portland, Oregon as a locally, independently, owned and operated business. Since then, we have decided to take the plunge and expand into the Austin, Texas, area using one of our founding members as a full-time territory manager in Austin. We are dedicated to supporting the local communities we serve and are integrately involved in non-profit activism and education as well as animal rescue projects in every city we work in. Hot Diggity! Dog Walking and Pet Sitting has been featured in multiple newspapers, periodicals and small business programs. With over 12 years of experience in the Pet Sitting Industry, Hot Diggity! has worked with thousands of families, meeting the needs of everyone from dog and cat owners to horse racers and small farms. We are Licensed, Bonded, and Insured, and members of Pet Sitters International. Every member of our team has experience in Pet First-Aid and we have positive relationships with many trainers, groomers, veterinarians and pet hospitals. Most important, though, is that we love our job and thrive in it. Please read on for our bios.
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April Sunrise April is the Founder and Operations Director of Hot Diggity! Dog Walking + Pet Sitting Services. Born and raised i Portland, April has enjoyed being part of the ever-changing landscape of her favorite city. She has a wide range of experiences with pets from farm animals to household friends and is associated with Amigos de Animales, the Humane Society, and ASPCA among other groups working to help the animal kingdom. With a BA in English and Business Management and an MFA in Writing, she enjoys all aspects of running a thriving business and would like to say “Thank you” to the many clients and friends who have helped make it all possible. In addition to growing the Hot Diggity! Empire, April also works as the Senior Strategist for a thriving Business Development Coaching and Consulting Firm. |
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Bernice Vaughns Animals have been a part of Bernice’s life for as long as she can remember. Her family owned and operated a grooming/boarding facility for fifteen years and her father Al Vaughns was a professional dog handler and AKC judge. She spent her childhood traveling the NW with him to shows, expos, and other events. Though Bernice spent time away from the NW while obtaining her BA in Advertising, she has found her way back to her favorite city. Bernice has spent the majority of her life working with all types of pets and feels that growing up with them has led her to appreciate the innocence of animals and the everlasting love they provide. Bernice now serves as Austin’s Operations Manager. |
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Lauren C.Lauren, a Waco, Texas native, found her way to Austin after attending college at A&M. She is an outdoor enthusiast who loves exploring hill country outside the big city. She is a dog lover through & through & appreciates all of the buddies she has made while working with Hot Diggity! When Lauren isn’t chasing pups through Tarrytown, you may find her on a boutique shopping adventure, lounging at Lake Travis or exploring Austin’s thriving music scene. |
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Lalanya M.Lalanya has been pet sitting for over ten years and moved to Austin in 2008 to complete a dog training internship with Karma Dog. Since that time. she has spent the past two years teaching basic obedience training and studying dog nutrition. Lalanya loves walking dogs for Hot Diggity! as it allows her to pursue her passion by spending time outdoors roaming with the dogs while allowing her time to make positive dog training available to every dog in Austin through Buddhaful Paws Co-evolution Center. When she is not doing doggy-things she spends her time bicycling, doing yoga, hooping and exploring Austin with her family of five and canine children Milla, Cacao, and Dr. Gonzo. |
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Mena S.
Mena is a native Texan whose earliest memories are of caring for her grandfather’s bird dogs after a long day in the woods. Since childhood, Mena has had animals in her life: from a 6 foot python to a pet hedgehog. In her 20′s, she lived and worked on an organic goat farm where everyone brought their dogs to work with them–on a given day they had over 15-20 dogs running around the farm. She learned much from observing how the dogs socialized in a pack. Mena recently finished her degree in Special Education and is looking forward to pursing a Master’s degree in Autism Studies with a goal of melding her two passions (working with children and animals) in hopes of one day incorporating dogs into the therapy she will be doing with special-needs children. When Mena isn’t walking a Hot Diggity! Dog or saving the world one child at a time, you can find her kayaking, reading, or exploring Austin and the hill country with her son and their big red dog. |
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Faith R.We’re lucky that Faith decided to settle in Austin, since she departed Nebraska & spent a month road-tripping our great country before making her way to Texas. Since landing this Texas oasis, she has reclaimed her inner explorer and spends endless time biking around the city discovering all of Austin’s hidden gems. Since getting her first dog in middle school, Faith has been a kindred spirit to puppies everywhere & couldn’t be happier than spending her days adventuring with our client’s pets. When not dancing the jig with the O’Riley’s Irish Wolfhound, Faith can be found on a patio enjoying a microbrew with her dog Waylon. |
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Ryan N.Moving from Davenport, Iowa to Austin was a no-brainer for this skilled musician. Ryan is an accomplished drummer whose affinity toward the music culture in Austin gets him out & about often. When not pounding the drums, he is pounding the pavement with pups from all over Austin. Ryan says that spending time with dogs is a perfect way to balance his life & that he loves their companionship & playfulness. When not running through the park or wiping off happy dog kisses, he performs with multiple musical groups (including a marching band!) & it is likely you’ve seen him anywhere from the W Hotel to the Spider House Pub. |
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Jill D.Jill moved to Austin on a most auspicious day, Valentine’s Day, and has been in love with the city ever since. Originally from Wisconsin, Jill adores Austin’s weather, outdoor activities, and relaxed, fun, social scene. Some of her favorite activities are hiking and rock-climbing, where she often has a canine companion at her side. She digs Hot Diggity!, because it is adds more activity & affection to her life. When not rocking the dog walking, you may see Jill dining in one of the city’s fine establishments, catching a Lacrosse Match, or flying past your eyes on a flight to South America. |
