ABOUT US
Established in 2000, Hot Diggity! Dog Walking and Pet Sitting Services is a locally, independently, owned and operated business. We have been featured in multiple newspapers including The Oregonian, and numerous periodicals and small business programs. With over 9 years of experience in the Pet Sitting Industry, Hot Diggity! has worked with hundreds 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 throughout the Portland Metro Area. Most important, though, is that we love our job and thrive in it. Read on for our bios.
LICENSED
BONDED
INSURED
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April Sunrise April is the founder and operating manager of Hot Diggity! Dog Walking and Pet Sitting Services. Born and raised in Southeast 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. |
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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. |
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Clare Feeley Although Office Manager is her official title, Clare Feeley is our resident office superhero. Clare handles schedule requests, emails, new client partnerships, administration duties, and anything related to making sure our clients are thrilled with our services and our pet sitters are all set to do the best job possible! When Clare is not busy saving the universe from scheduling errors, she enjoys singing for weddings (or late-night karaoke), running, cooking, and Public Speaking… yes, you read that correctly. Clare was ranked #7 in the country during her four years as a competitor on the Kansas State University Speech Team. “Obsessed with rhetoric,” Clare hopes to obtain her Masters’ in Organizational Communication. In the meantime, her jack-of-all-trades approach to life has allowed her to enjoy work ranging from dance choreographer to NASCAR intern. Hailing from Leawood, Kansas, Clare is a proud K-State wildcat and is constantly in awe of Oregon’s mountains and beautiful landscape. When not holding down the fort for Hot Diggity! Clare can be found pining over her five-year old Guinea Pig named Large. |
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Meaghan Lopez A native Oregonian, Meaghan was born and raised in Portland, Oregon. Growing up she was always surrounded by a variety of different pets which ranged from dogs and cats to an occasional rabbit or gerbil. From these experiences she gained compassion and respect towards 4-legged critters, and believes that the connection between animals and people is beneficial to leading a happy and healthy life. She is the proud mom of Bella, an 8 year old plump and spoiled kitty, and Molly and Murphy–two ridiculously cute Maltese puppies. Meaghan enjoys spending most her time outdoors, and feels fortunate to live in Portland where there is an abundance of green spaces to explore. She also loves how dog friendly the culture is and enjoys going to events such as the annual pug crawl and the Doggie Dash. When not working with the Hot Diggity! pack, Meaghan can be found traveling the world. She recently spent time in SE Asia and is currently learning to speak Spanish, in hopes of traveling to Central and South America in the not too distant future. Go Meaghan! |
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Cary Riker Cary has spent her life surrounded by animals. She learned how to ride horses at a young age, and her Horse Bullwinkle was a great companion. Originally from the East Coast, Cary has had many diverse jobs over the years, but can’t stand having to sit in a chair all day! This multi-talented lady graduated from the Brooks Institute with a degree in Video Production, and also holds a B.S. from Portland State. Currently, Cary is mentoring with Behave Canine Solutions and Wonder Puppy to become a Certified Pet Trainer. In addition to working with dogs and their people, she wants to be active in the community by writing and speaking about the importance of the humane treatment of animals and the use of positive methods of training. When not training pups, and hanging with Hot Diggity! clients, Cary can be found enjoying a sweet from Cupcake Jones with her 2 Basset Hounds and her charming Hubby. |
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Jennifer Holt Jennifer has lived in the beautiful Pacific Northwest for almost 5 years. Originally from Colorado where I acquired my love of the outdoors and animals. I have a BA in Art History and am always looking to further my education in anything that interests me. I have a three legged cat Michigan, who is amazingly sweet and agile. I also have two Cairn Terriers, Molly and Miko who are my babies and the loves of my life. I am definitely the person on the bus showing you pictures of their “children”. Working at Hot Diggity is fantastic and joyful way to spend your time. It is such a positive thing to give someone the peace of mind that their animals are loved, cared for and exercised even when they cannot be there. |
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Marlena Clark Marlena is a Midwestern girl who came all the way from Iowa to live in the beautiful Northwest six years ago. As a child, she spent a lot of time on her Aunt and Uncle’s farm and had a puppy named Sally. While on the farm, she learned how to ride horses and care for all kinds of animals, big and small! She loves being outside every day, and when she is not busy walking dogs, she likes to camp, hike, and go fishing. She has also spent time traveling and holds a degree in International Studies from Portland State, where she is currently pursuing her Master’s degree. |
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Naomi Dickerson Naomi was born and raised in central Missouri. An only child, she grew up in the company of her family’s many dogs, cats, lizards, and even one parrot. She moved to Portland to study Russian at Reed College and fulfill her dreams of exploring Eastern Europe, and in 2007 was able to travel the entirety of the Trans-Siberian railroad (5,700 mi!) by herself. Naomi is also incredibly interested in organic and sustainable farming methods and has spent considerable time working with livestock. She particularly loves goats and alpacas. She loves her job with Hot Diggity! and is especially glad to spend her days outdoors with some of the best dogs around! When not walking dogs, cuddling with kitties, and traveling around the world, Naomi can be found working on short stories or illustrations at one of Portland’s exceptional coffee houses. |
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Rebecca Rose Rebecca was born and raised in Northern California, where she grew up surrounded by pets. During her childhood she had a cat, rabbits, a turtle, birds, hamsters, and eventually her first dog—and love of her life—a German Shepherd named Maggie. Though her love of photography tempted her toward an art degree, Rebecca eventually realized that studies in Sociology were a better long-tem fit and moved to Oregon to claim her degree at U of O. While in Eugene, Rebecca discovered bicycle racing and in her first year won the Category 4 Women’s State Championships. Rebecca’s interests are diverse and include: exploring the outdoors, traveling, Gravenstein apples, books, collecting cameras, and baking. She is currently learning how to braze so she can begin building her own bicycle. Rebecca has traveled to Vietnam, bike-toured from central Oregon to Northern California (twice), and she currently has plans in the works to cycle the entire United States. |
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Tessa Vergari Tessa was born and raised in Eastern Oregon where she had the opportunity to be raised around many animals including dogs, cats, birds, rats and horses. Tessa has a great passion for horses and has been riding since a very young age. When asked what her favorite part of riding is, she replies with a smile: “It is my greatest stress reliever.” Tessa moved to Portland in 2003 to study at the Art Institute and graduated with her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design. Tessa is a volunteer at the Oregon Humane Society, a dedicated skier/snowboarder, and a distance runner. When not working for Hot Diggity! or riding her horse, Tessa can be found rearranging the furniture in our office and sketching remodeling plans for some of our client’s homes. |
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Melissa Sher After graduating from the University of Kansas with a degree in Theater and Film Design, Melissa decided to take the plunge and move from Kansas to Portland without so much as a visit. With hobbies that include Trail Running, Biking, Camping, Climbing, and White Water Rafting, Melissa found herself in heaven in the Pacific Northwest and plans to make it her home for a long while. Growing up, Melissa always had dogs and cats around the house and was accustomed to a sharing her life with her fuzzy companions. After her move to Portland she realized how much she missed those interactions, so sought out jobs that would all her to be around pets. When not dog running and hanging with kitties, Melissa can be found rafting the Grand Canyon or writing short stories in a coffee shop somewhere. |
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Liz Depaolo Liz is a Portland Native whose adventurous, fun-loving spirit is impossible to miss. An impassioned animal lover, Liz is seldom found without a pooch by her side. Liz is a journeyman electrician, an avid sports-fan and an outdoor adventurer who spends her weekend hours on camping trips, playing softball, or working out at the gym. When asked to talk about her love for animals, she smiles wide and calmly replies: “The dogs in my life have brought me so much joy..and all of my favorite memories.” When not running dogs for Hot Diggity! Liz can often be found long boarding through Northeast Portland with her Staffordshire Terrier, Ceade. |
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Sonya Thayer Sonya is an explorer: inquisitive, sensitive, intellectual and adventurous. She has a BA in Theology, an MA in Religion, and is currently in an MFA program for Writing. Whew! Recently back in the US from 4 years teaching in Thailand, Sonya has settled in Portland and joined the Hot Diggity! team. Her love of animals is apparent in all she does (she is a devout vegan), as is her genuine playfulness and love of life. When not working for Hot Diggity!, Sonya spends her time engaged in writing, intellectual conversation and outdoor activities. Sonya is a die-hard cat lover and is very and fond of their coy ways. |
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Kimber Wahl Born and raised in Central Oregon, Kimber is a quintessential outdoors woman whose hobbies include riding and jumping horses, wake boarding, water skiing, and just about anything she can do to savor the sun. After a multi-college tour, Kimber settled at UNLV and graduated with a BA in Psychology. Kimber is an extremely focused, motivated, and talented young woman who plans to return to school in pursuit of becoming a Registered Nurse (RN). A huge animal lover, Kimber was thrilled to join the ranks at Hot Diggity! and we’re just as happy to have her. When not running dogs in the Pearl District, Kimber can be found sipping wine and people watching with Niko her English Bulldog puppy. |
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Deanna Gold Deanna grew up in San Francisco with a family that always included at least one cat and for many years a beloved Boxer named Audrey. In San Francisco she volunteered for Pets Are Wonderful Support and has sought out and enjoyed many opportunities to care for and bond with animals throughout her life. She has a B.A. in English and an M.A. in psychology, and when not spending quality time with her non-human friends, has been involved in social services and social science research. A recent Portland transplant, she loves the blend of urban and outdoor possibilities that Portland has to offer as well as the amazing variety of dogs and cats she has met while working for Hot Diggity! |
| Gabrielle Brie Gabrielle has been working with animals all her life. From childhood she found wounded birds, squirrels, and strays and brought them home, fixed them up and found homes for them. She has been volunteering for the Humane Society and the Audubon Society since the 1970’s, is a member of the ASPCA, and currently works with Amigos de Animales in San Miguel de Allende helping to reduce the number of street dogs and feral cats in Mexico. With her BFA in Visual Art from Marylhurst University, Gabrielle enjoys doing oil pastel drawings of favorite dog breeds, having recently put the finishing touches on portraits of an English Bulldog and a Black Lab. Gabrielle has extensive experience caring for a variety of pets and currently has a rabbit, Shih Tzu, and Lhasa Apsa she calls her own (all who were adopted). | |
| Alissa Arsenault Alissa got an early start in the pet sitting industry… her mother has allergies, so when she was a child she would offer to watch her neighbor’s pets while they were away just so she could play with them! Ever since then, Ali has surrounded herself with dogs and cats, and went on to focus on Animal Behaviorism at Portland State University, working for a time at the Oregon Zoo. In her spare time, Ali loves to listen to NPR, watch cheesy movies, and knit funky hats. This people person can talk to anyone, and enjoys exploring new restaurants and other undiscovered parts of the Northwest. | |
| Kelly King Kelly was born and raised in a small town in Alaska. Growing up, she was surrounded by a veritable circus of golden retrievers, cats, guinea pigs, gerbils, and fish, and she’s always loved cuddling up with a good book and a furry friend. Blessed with fearless explorers for parents, she traveled all over Central America and Australia as a kid, an experience which inspired her to study abroad in Bosnia, Serbia, and Croatia during her first year of college. She is currently pursuing a BS in Political Science at Portland State, and when she’s not playing fetch or rubbing bellies for Hot Diggity!, she enjoys cooking, working in her garden, learning to quilt, building terrariums, and dancing to Talking Heads. |
