Meet the Owner
Drew Bensen
Owner/President
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 2019/20
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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
Meet our Administrators
Jennifer Thompson
Manager / HR / Dog Walker Lead
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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COVID-19 Certified June 2020
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Pet Sitters International Certified Pet First Aid & CPCR for Pet-Care Professionals- PSI
Katie Stam
Scheduler / Operations
Katie grew up in San Diego, CA and moved to Seattle in 2013. She has always had pets in her life including dogs, rats, guinea pigs, bunnies and fish. She is currently mom to a senior chihuahua mutt. She is passionate about Close To Home because she understands the internal dilemma of wanting to travel but not wanting to leave her pets, often choosing shorter vacations plans so she wouldn’t be away from them for too long. She hopes she can provide each pet parent with peace of mind that their furry family members will be well cared for while they are away.
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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
Meet our Dog Walking Team
Sherri H.
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
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
Kersti
Dog Walking Team
(Keeer-steee) is a native West Seattleite, who brings over a decade of pet care experience with her.
She is a conservation scientist, community naturalist, science educator, wildlife photographer, herbalist and lover of all things wild; particularly birds.
She is an urban wildlife first responder and volunteer rehabber.
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!
Bernadette
Dog Walking
Bernadette (“B”) grew up in Upstate New York and shortly after college packed a trunk, flew to Seattle and never looked back. After a stint living and traveling overseas she is happy to be back in West Seattle her favorite place to live. Having her beloved nineteen-year-old senior dog, Rufus James Brown, Understands the need for the “stop and enjoy the smells walks.” She is thrilled to work at Close to Home and meet more of her neighbors and their “little” ones taking both those high energy walks and those senior leisurely ones.
While not medically trained Bernadette has several years experience in customer service and management positions at various Veterinary Hospitals and a nonprofit feline shelter. She has also volunteered for Partners and Animal Therapy non-profit organization located in Bellevue, Washington.
Meet our Cat Sitting Team
Michele
Cat Sitting Team Trainer / Lead
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.
Diane Z.
Cat Sitting Lead / Trainer
‘Diane is on leave but will always have a place to land at Close To Home’, Drew.
Diane is a lover of all animals. She has lived with many in her life: cats, dogs, bunnies, hamsters, mice, rats, even snakes and lizards. Her animals are part of her family. She believes that animals bring love and commitment to our lives. They help us through the hard times and are there to celebrate with us during the good. Diane is a native West Seattleite and looks forward to watching your furry loved one.
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
Abby H.
Cat Sitting Team
Abby is a full time music teacher who moved to West Seattle in summer 2018. She grew up in Pittsburgh, PA and loves all animals, but is definitely a cat person! She and her cat, Phoebe, are the very best of friends. In her spare time, she enjoys making music, volunteering in her school and community, going to arts festivals, and drinking coffee. Lots of coffee.
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Pet Sitters International Certified Pet First Aid & CPCR for Pet-Care Professionals- PSI
Ben L.
Cat Sitting Team
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
Jaimie
Cat Sitting Team
“I grew up in West Seattle and joined Close To Home when I moved back after graduating college. I love all animals, but I’m a cat person through and through. Outside of work I spend my time sewing, making pottery, and playing with my cat, Marigold!”
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."