Meet the Founder
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 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
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
Ben Larsen
Cat Team Supervisor / 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
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/ Pet Sitting 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.
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'Walks and Wags/Metro dog' pet first aid and CPR certified
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Bird Specialist
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.
Patrick
Dog Walking Team
Goldsmith jeweler/dog walking teamPatrick grew up on a farm in southern Idaho, engaging in 4-H. He rode horses, raised cattle, and spent time with many dogs. He lives with his husband, Martin, and their dog, Bentley, in the West Seattle Junction. Patrick loves sports, both playing and watching. He works out and is a runner. Patrick is also a professional goldsmith jeweler with a full-service design, repair shop, and online store.
Genevieve
Dog Walking Team
Growing up on the shores of the Pacific Northwest, my fondest memories are of long summer days walking the dunes and playing in the surf and tide pools with my dog. Today, I still comb the tidal beaches with my dog, Shadow. I have a great love for nature and to enhance it, I have joined the “Close to Home Pet Care” family. This allows me to meet my West Seattle neighbors, work with an amazing team of people and make new pup friends. When I’m not walking with a pup, I’m on the beach or in my studio handcrafting beach glass jewelry.
Jade
Dog Walking Team
Jade is from NYC originally and residing in West Seattle. She’s had and loved cats for as long as she can remember. In her spare time, Jade enjoys traveling, drawing, painting and photography projects. She also enjoys the company of other animals such as birds, dogs and even reptiles.
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.
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.
Ben
Cat Sitting Team Supervisor / Scheduling
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
Brooklyn
Cat Sitting Team
Hi my name is Brooklyn! I just moved out to the West Seattle area from sunny Arizona. I am currently taking a gap year from my Masters in Microbiology. I have owned doggos and kitties my whole life and love caring for all fur babies! I currently own two spaztastic kitties so I’m sure I’ll be the right fit for yours-whatever their speed is. I enjoy adventuring the PNW with my partner and exploring all the gorgeous wonders this knit community provides. So excited to meet all your kiddos!
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
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
Teri
Cat Sitting Team / Dog Walking 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.
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Trained on Administering meds including fluids
Jennifer
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.
Lydia
Cat Sitting Team / Dog Walking 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!”
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.'
Cat
Cat Sitting Team
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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?
Healthy Dog Crew
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."