Meet Our Team
Chief Dog Officer
Ralphie Bensen takes his job seriously.
Drew Bensen
Owner/President/CEO
He started Close To Home in 2008. The reason for choosing this Company has remained the same. Treat the animals with respect and love. Empower the team. Support the clients in order for them to be fully away, mind and body. Do the best job we can each day and be willing to pursue our own personal dreams.
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Better Business Bureau Accredited 2019 to present
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Certified Professional Pet Sitter 2020-23 & COVID-19 Certified 2020
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Transgender Human and 100% owner of CTH Company
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Member of the ACLU & NGLCC Certified
Dana
Chief Operations Officer
Dana started Chicago Pet Sitters in 2005 and sold the company in 2022 to her general manager. Drew originally met Dana when they both worked as a software coaches for Pet Sitter Plus, the scheduling software CTH used before Time to Pet. Drew was running Close to Home and Dana was running Chicago Pet Sitters and they soon went from colleagues to friends, sharing best practices and business ideas. Most recently Dana has been working with CTH for talent acquisition and on the backend to create systems and efficiencies to help CTH run even more smoothly.
Ben
Cat Team Manager / New Client Onboarding
Ben was born and raised in Seattle and has been covered in cat hair most of his life. As a kid he earned his first dollar caring for cats of friends and neighbors. Since then he has understood the uneasy feeling of leaving your pets behind while you go out into the world. Both Ben and his wife love to travel and face the anxiety of leaving their pets behind regularly, so working for Close To Home feels like he’s really providing a useful service. Ben believes peace of mind while traveling is as important as the journey itself.
‘Visiting neighborhood kitties to make sure their needs are covered is my absolute pleasure’, Ben
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Certified in COVID -19 Pet care safety PSI
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Certified Pet First Aid & CPCR for Pet-Care Professionals- PSI
Kate
Dog Team Leader
Dog Training
Staff Training
"Kate is an experienced trainer of humans, dogs and other animals. She has lived in West Seattle since 2010 and still misses the second hand furniture store on Fauntleroy. A passionate advocate for positive training methods, Kate thrives on problem solving owner/dog pain points. She takes time to create individualized solutions that can be successfully implemented. When not out walking, Kate can be found studying the latest research, or hanging out with her kids, two cats and one very funny goldendoodle."
Our Dog Walking Team
Jenn
Dog Walker Lead/Trainer
Jenn is a born and raised West Seattle-ite and no matter how many times she leaves, she always settles back in West Seattle. Close to Home Pet Services gives her the opportunity to hang out with some sweet pups as well as keep her outside where she’s happiest. Her and her family have four dogs, three of which are rescues. All of their sweet boys are flat-faced lumps with many different needs...
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Pet Sitters International Certified Pet First Aid & CPCR for Pet-Care Professionals- PSI
Dave
Dog Walking Team
Dave is a native of Seattle and loves living in West Seattle. When he’s not walking dogs he loves playing guitar and traveling.
‘Dave’s calm and loving energy is welcomed by the animals he meets.’ -Drew (owner of CTH)
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Pet Sitters International Certified Pet First Aid & CPCR for Pet-Care Professionals- PSI
Sherri
Dog Walking Team
“I have a special place in my heart for the littles!” After having adopted several senior littles over the years, Sherri’s current love is her rescue pup, Bentley. She also enjoys adventures with her partner Dave, which include watching football and snow skiing, plus sleepovers with her little granddaughter.
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Pet Sitters International Certified Pet First Aid & CPCR for Pet-Care Professionals- PSI
Adrian
Dog Walking / Cat Sitting Team
Adrian is a native Washingtonian with a deep love and respect for all animals. She grew up riding and training horses and has almost always had a cat around. Currently she and her husband have two gorgeous rescue kitties that they adore. Some day Adrian is determined to have a dog again (glares at husband) to take on hikes and other adventures. She’s an aspiring writer and artist recovering from a super stressful design job and now she wants to walk all the puppies!
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Pet Sitters International Certified Pet First Aid & CPCR for Pet-Care Professionals- PSI
Teri
Dog Walking / Cat Sitting Team
Teri is a native Seattleite who's a Husky (UW) that loves Coug's (WSU). Teri has a lifetime experience caring for and loving all animals. Her super powers are with cats. She founded Furry Faces Foundation in 2006 and in that time has tamed over 300 feral cats. Teri is excited to join both our Cat Sitting / Small animals team as well as our Dog Walking Team.
Gillian
Dog Walking Team
Gillian grew up in Illinois but has called West Seattle home for 4 years now. Growing up her family always had dogs and she spent as much time as possible with horses. Now she spends as much of her free time as possible with her cat, Nimbus, (pictured) and working on her crochet projects. As a true lover of all animals large and small Gillian is excited to meet your dogs and get outside!
Stephanie
Dog Walking Team
Stephanie has been a dog person her whole life. She grew up with schnauzers and adopted her best buddy, a terrier mix named Vinnie, 9 years ago. Vinnie’s eccentricities gave Stephanie a whole new respect and empathy for unique dog behavior, and she is passionate about helping dogs feel comfortable and confident.
When she isn't out and about with her puppy pals, Stephanie enjoys watching basketball, playing video games, and cooking and baking new recipes.
Ann
Dog Walking Team
Ann is a native Washingtonian and has lived in Seattle for the last 25 years. They love meeting new animal friends and being outside, whether that means dog walking, gardening, or fly fishing. Ann is also a local boxing coach and is working on a memoir about their experiences learning to box.
Margo
Dog Walking Team
Margo recently retired from teaching special education and is looking forward to spending time walking dogs and enjoying the West Seattle neighborhoods. Margo has been a resident of West Seattle for over 25 years and has walked her dogs in many locations around the “island”.
When Margo is not dog walking, she is busy doing house projects, working in her yard, working out and spending time with her wife.
Amanda
Dog Walking Team
Amanda was born in Idaho and moved to Seattle after graduating in psychology and art. She genuinely enjoys caring for life, including furry friends. Much of her time is spent caring for her small shi tzu and tabi cat who are playful little ones with much love and curiosity for the world around them. Amanda has experience of volunteering at animal shelters throughout her youth and found deep fulfillment in helping those in need of care. She is looking forward to supporting you and your pet care services!
Dyl
Dog Walking Team
Dylan Thomas Elwood (Turtle Mountain Chippewa) has been a member of Red Eagle Soaring Native Youth Theatre, located in Seattle, Washington, for eighteen years. He has acted in and co-written over forty productions and engaged with the Seattle Native community, culminating in the premiere of his original play "Killer Whale and the Black Rush" at ACT Theatre in August 2019.
As a lifelong animal caretaker, Dylan has cared for many breeds of cats and dogs from twelve pounds to two hundred. His experience runs the gamut from canine, feline, equine, and reptilian.
Jonah
Dog Walking Team
Born in Bellingham and raised in Seattle, Jonah has been around dogs and cats his whole life. With experiences as a cat sitter, dog walker, and pack manager at a doggie daycare company in New York City, Jonah is excited to be a part of the Close to Home Team now that he’s back in Seattle. When not hanging out with his dog Murray, Jonah enjoys long boarding along Alki, playing guitar, and spending time with friends.
Lindsey
Dog Walking Team
Hi! I’m Lindsey, born and raised Washingtonian living in West Seattle for the past 10 years. I’ve grown up with cats and dogs and always finding the occasional stray cat to add to the bunch. I miss having a dog to go on walks with so I thought what better way to get a chance to love on some while getting fresh air! It’s the best of both worlds!!!
Dog Walking Team
Dog Walker
Dog Walking Team
Dog walking is good for you and soul.
Our Cat Sitting Team
Ben
Cat Team Lead / New Client Onboarding
Ben was born and raised in Seattle and has been covered in cat hair most of his life. As a kid he earned his first dollar caring for cats of friends and neighbors. Since then he has understood the uneasy feeling of leaving your pets behind while you go out into the world. Both Ben and his wife love to travel and face the anxiety of leaving their pets behind regularly, so working for Close To Home feels like he’s really providing a useful service. Ben believes peace of mind while traveling is as important as the journey itself.
‘Visiting neighborhood kitties to make sure their needs are covered is my absolute pleasure’, Ben
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Pet Sitters International Certified Pet First Aid & CPCR for Pet-Care Professionals- PSI
Michele
Cat Sitting Team
Michele was raised in Eastern Washington but spent most of her adult life in San Francisco. After retiring from corporate life in IT, she spent 15 years in Spokane and recently moved to West Seattle to be nearer to her son and the two tabbies they share.
Michele loves to travel and cook, and spends as much time as she can reading. Her friends and family call her a cat lady and she is happy to accept the title! Michele looks forward to making West Seattle her home and getting to know and care for your kitties and other family pets.
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Pet Sitters International Certified Pet First Aid & CPCR for Pet-Care Professionals- PSI
Lydia
Cat Sitting Team
“I grew up all over the country but settled down in the beautiful, wet, leafy, Pacific Northwest. One of the things I love most about west Seattle is our proximity to not only the ocean but so many greenbelt forests! I love walking and playing with dogs, but the truth is I’ve been a cat lover and owner my whole life — with two sweet fur babies at home with me right now. When I’m not with them I’m out camping or teaching yoga!”
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Pet Sitters International Certified Pet First Aid & CPCR for Pet-Care Professionals- PSI
Steph
Cat Sitting Team
Hi! My name is Steph and as long as I can remember my life has revolved around animals. I think all animals are amazing. I believe pets make a house a home and that anyone should experience the love of a pet. I understand life can be busy and it’s hard to give our furry (and scaled!) family members the care they need while trying to work/travel, but I am more than happy to help pet parents out there with any chores: from dog walks, cat sitting, feeding, crate/enclosure cleaning to picking up poop in the yard! Anything to give a pet parent peace of mind to know their family members are being well taken care of. My ideal day is spending quality time (inside or outside) with animals and the people who love them.
Rachel
Cat Sitting Team
Originally from Tennessee, Rachel has been a Seattlite for almost longer than a Tennessean. She's lived the majority of that time in West Seattle with her husband and her two mischievous cats (Caz and Remy). A recovering tech worker, Rachel spends her days doing things that make her happy like reading, crafting, and snuggling cats. She's an avid volunteer at a local cat shelter and probably enjoys talking about cats a little too much. She's looking forward to getting to know and care for your kitties.
Lisa
Cat Sitting Team
Lisa is a retired watchmaker and long time cat lover. She also enjoys cooking, traveling and making jewelry. A client of Close to Home and now member of the cat team.
Jennifer G
Cat Sitting Team
Jen has been a Washingtonian for most of her life and a lover of cats for as long as she can remember. When not cuddling with kitties she loves to read, cook, travel, and play music with her husband. Working at Close to Home is a great fit for Jen, as it allows her the opportunity to give fellow pet parents the peace of mind of knowing their furry friends are well cared for while they are away.
Jonah
Cat Sitting Team
Born in Bellingham and raised in Seattle, Jonah has been around dogs and cats his whole life. With experiences as a cat sitter, dog walker, and pack manager at a doggie daycare company in New York City, Jonah is excited to be a part of the Close to Home Team now that he’s back in Seattle. When not hanging out with his dog Murray, Jonah enjoys long boarding along Alki, playing guitar, and spending time with friends.
Jen K
Cat Sitting Team
Jen K managed a veterinary clinic for 17 years and has an active license as a veterinary technician. While no longer working with cats and dogs; her love for them remains. While pet less at the moment and not yet ready to fill the cat-void, she is ready to spend time with your four legged family friend.
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Vet Tech Trained
Evelyn
Cat Sitting Team
Evelyn was born and raised in Seattle and has always lived with a house full of animals like dogs and cats. Currently working on earning her Associates degree in theater and costume design at Seattle Central College, she often goes to her adorable chocolate lab Gus and two cats Slinky and Millie for emotional support.
Shannon
Cat Sitting and Reptile Team
My first connection with CTH was as a client. Going out of town and leaving my older cat had always been a bit stressful, until we met Ben. Knowing he would be there to check on our girl, give her some love, and even send a message with pictures was extremely reassuring. I wanted to share this feeling with others, so I joined the team! Now, as part of the cat, reptile, and small mammal team; it's an honor for me to reassure pets and pet parents when they are traveling. I have a deep love for all animals. I find them to be therapeutic to be around. It's been a lot of fun to meet and spend time with your animals. Spread the love!
Cat
Cat Sitting Team
Cat has been a Seattlite for almost a decade and spent the last 2 years in West Seattle. They grew up in the Midwest and have lived with at least one cat most of their life. In their downtime they enjoy spending time with their own cat, Mr. Kitty, while doing crafts and watching sitcoms.
Whitley
Cat Sitting Team
From Iowa to Washington, my love for animals has always gone the distance. As the go-to pet sitter for friends and family, I'm excited to bring that same care and attention to your pet. When I'm not trying to pet the nearest cat, I can be found behind multiple screens as the owner of a photography and social media management business, walking the farmers market, or enjoying a local show. I strive to give you peace of mind while you're away, knowing your pet is in the hands of someone who truly cares and wants the best for them.
NAPPS
Member
The only national, non-profit, professional pet sitting association dedicated to raising and abiding by industry standards. NAPPS supports members with education, certification and the resources to operate successful businesses.
PSI
Member
Pet Sitters International (PSI) is now the world’s largest educational association for professional pet sitters and dog walkers. PSI is dedicated to educating professional pet sitters and promoting, supporting, and recognizing excellence in pet sitting.
Interested in joining our team?
Getting outside with dogs and/or spending time with cat and small animals inside? Walking more and feeling your mind body and soul reacting positively to the changes. Doing feel good work?
Join the Close To Home team!
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What a Former Employee Says
"I used to work for Close To Home and can attest to how much these people care about the animals and work they do. Attention to detail, love and professionalism are three things that come to mind when I think of them. You will be very happy with the care they give to your loved ones and home."
