Pet Lover & Entrepreneur Team Up to Bring Snaggle Foot to Central New Jersey

June 30, 2010--A brand new Snaggle Foot Dog Walks & Pet Care franchise opened its doors in the Princeton area, but the owners will surely be familiar faces to area pet lovers -- not to mention the dogs, cats and other critters of the Princeton area.

Franchisees Patricio Olguin and Sabine Hohgrawe are longtime and much-beloved pet aficionados known for both for their professionalism and personal touch. What better owners for Central New Jersey's new Snaggle Foot franchise? Whether it's dog walking, pet sitting or in home pet care, Snaggle Foot Dog Walks & Pet Care brings personalized pet care service to animal lovers when work or vacations beckon them from home.

Patricio Olguin brings his seasoned business savvy to this new Snaggle Foot Dog Walks & Pet Care operation. (In the interests of full disclosure, we should also mention Olguin’s silent partner, his fearless feline sidekick Buster.) Originally hailing from Chile, Olguin emigrated to the United States in 1989, where he parlayed his engineering background to develop a very successful contracting company. Olguin now applies his more than 20 years of business experience to animals and pet care. "I tell you, it's a lot more fun than squinting at blueprints all day," Olguin says. "Better yet, since I love animals so much, this doesn't even feel like work."

In fact, all Snaggle Foot owners and employees work very hard to be the best in the business. All are certified in pet CPR and first aid. Snaggle Foot employees also undergo a rigorous screening process and background to ensure that your pets are always in loving, responsible hands. And being loving and responsible is a vital part of Sabine Hohgrawe’s success in the pet care business.

"Snaggle Foot's focus on personalized service fits perfectly with my own approach to pet care," says Hohgrawe, a native of Germany and former physical education teacher. Better yet, Hohgrawe brings some of her own unique skills to Snaggle Foot. As a professional holistic health therapist, Hohgrawe has a deep appreciation for the total well-being of animals. In other words, it takes more than a daily trot around the block and a fresh water bowl to keep Fido in fine fettle. "Sure, our pet companions need food and exercise," says Hohgrawe. "But just as important as those is a strong, loving human connection -- and that's the connection I emphasize in my work as a pet care professional."

It's a philosophy that has served Hohgawe -- and Central New Jersey's critters -- excellently ever since she moved here in 2000 and began her own holistic health business. Of course, Hohgawe's personal touch comes from personal experience; she has multiple critters herself. Just don't ask her which one she loves the most -- but can you blame her for not being able to decide?

"I can't imagine a better pairing of minds," says Snaggle Foot founder Karen Cockrill. "With Patricio's business sense and Sabine's passion for pets, this Snaggle Foot franchise will offer the best of worlds to Central New Jersey’s pet owners, whether they need our 'Welcome Home' service for vacationing pet owners or just some puppy socialization to get things started off on the right foot." Now that's something to wag your tail about.

About Snaggle Foot Dog Walks & Pet Care: With locations from Texas to New Hampshire, Snaggle Foot Dog Walks & Pet Care offers professional pet care by the most qualified people: pet-lovers. Employees of the fully insured and bonded company are certified in pet CPR and first aid, and undergo a full background check and drug screening. Boasting an array of services, from dog walking to pet sitting, and convenient features such as online account management, Snaggle Foot is taking pet care out of the kennels and into the modern age. For more information, visit www.snagglefoot.com.

Snaggle Foot Gives Port Washington Something to Bark About

JUNE 17, 2010--Port Washington pet owners have a new friend on the block worth barking about: Snaggle Foot Dog Walks & Pet Care. The national company run by pet lovers for pet lovers recently opened the doors of its latest pet franchise in Port Washington, Wisconsin, welcoming the fuzzy, the winged and the four-legged alike. From dog walking to pet sitting to in-home pet care, Snaggle Foot brings personalized pet service to animal lovers who want the peace of mind that comes with leaving their furry loved ones in loving hands when work or vacations require absences from home.

"I'm ecstatic to be part of the Snaggle Foot team, and bring its widely acclaimed services to the Port Washington area," says franchise owner Cindy Dancer. "I'm particularly excited to bring some of my own unique expertise to this Snaggle Foot franchise. It just goes to show that Snaggle Foot offers a level of excellence that's head and shoulders above typical pet-care services."

Like all Snaggle Foot employees and franchise owners, Cindy is certified in pet CPR and first aid. But what sets her apart is that she's also extensively trained in canine hydrotherapy, and holds a certificate in it from Greyfriars Rehabilitation Centre in Guildford, Surrey, England. Canine hydrotherapy isn't just a fancy term for a doggie bath. Rather, canine hydrotherapy entails a full water-massage system for dogs in order to treat chronic conditions, relieve pain and promote general fitness — or just to de-stress after a day of excitement.

Additionally, Cindy has a deep understanding of the importance of pet companions — and not just for frenzied games of fetch and the pleasure of daily walks. One of her dogs, Rocky, assisted Cindy as a Hearing Dog for Deaf People in the U.K., where Cindy lived for 20 years before returning to the United States. Today, Rocky happily pals around with his adopted brother, Cooper, a shepherd mix who’s picking up a few lessons as Rocky continues to assist Cindy. She also has a red Persian cat named Pippi.

"Cindy's strong and unique relationship with Rocky, as well as her inherent business sense and obvious compassion for all animals, makes her a fabulous addition to the Snaggle Foot team," says Snaggle Foot founder Karen Cockrill. "She is our only franchisee offering an expanded line of services, including a ‘Welcome Home’ service for vacationing pet owners, puppy socialization, and canine hydrotherapy. Pet owners in Port Washington should be as excited as we are that Cindy is opening a Snaggle Foot in the community — their pets are in for a real treat!”

Of course, the Port Washington Snaggle Foot also offers the classic services the pet care company is known for, such as Snaggle Foot's ever-popular vacation visit. This in-home pet care session includes walk or play time, feeding, watering as well as some light household maintenance. But whatever pet care services Port Washington residents need, they can rest assured they're in good hands with Cindy Dancer and Snaggle Foot Dog Walks & Pet Care.

About Snaggle Foot Dog Walks & Pet Care: With locations from Texas to New Hampshire, Snaggle Foot Dog Walks & Pet Care offers professional pet care by the most qualified people: pet-lovers. Employees of the fully insured and bonded company are certified in pet CPR and first aid, and undergo a full background check and drug screening. Boasting an array of services, from dog-walking to pet sitting, and convenient features such as online account management, Snaggle Foot is taking pet care out of the kennels and into the modern age.

Snaggle Foot Breckenridge Now Open!

I'm happy to announce that our new company-owned location in Breckenridge is now open for business!

For now we will focus mainly on in-home boarding, cat care, and pet taxi services but plan to expand our offerings this winter with the influx of seasonal residents and vacationers.

Call 970-744-3217 or email breck@snagglefoot.com for more information.

Karen C.

We're Moving!

Over the next few months, Barossa Franchise, the operating company for Snaggle Foot's franchises, will be relocating out west to Breckenridge, Colorado.

We have purchased property in this beautiful mountain town that will serve as our new corporate headquarters, training center, and yearly conference center for franchisees. New franchisees will be encouraged to spend a few extra days enjoying the world-class skiing, hiking, and outdoor activities that Breckenridge has to offer.

I will always have a strong affinity to Texas as it is my home state, but we are more than excited to make the move to Colorado. Press releases and further annoucements will soon follow, so stay tuned!

Karen C.

Snaggle Foot Keeps Pets Happy at Home

Eagle Point, OR, Jan. 8, 2010 – A pet’s home is his castle –and now, thanks the area’s newest and most comprehensive pet care services provider, dogs and cats can get the royal treatment, even when their masters are away.

With the highest quality pet sitting and pet care services available, Snaggle Foot Dog Walks & Pet Care offers the perfect solution for busy pet owners. Jamie Lesko of Eagle Point brings the first Snaggle Foot franchise to Oregon, and now welcomes new clients in the Medford, Grant’s Pass and Ashland area. The company is a rapidly expanding national network of franchises offering premium pet care services, including in-home pet care, dog walking, and even a pet taxi service. All Snaggle Foot providers are fully trained, insured and bonded to provide the most professional level of care available.

In-home pet sitting is one of the most popular services the franchise offers, and Lesko knows why: She has seen first-hand how stressful the kennel environment can be for both pets and pet owners who need to leave their animals behind when they travel.

Lesko said she and her husband Al think of their three canine family members, each a rescue dog, as their children, and struggled when they wanted to leave town. “We hated boarding our dogs,” she said, noting the kennel experience was too stressful on her dogs. “After boarding, it seemed like it took a week for our dogs to get back to normal.”

An easier, less stressful approach is in-home pet sitting care, which allows pets to stay in their home environment. In addition to feeding, walking and spending play time with dogs and cats while their owners are away, the Snaggle Foot team can make sure homes are secure and have a lived-in appearance. This can include watering plants, alternating lights and bringing in mail.

Dog walking is another popular service for pet owners away for long periods during the day. Snaggle Foot gives dogs much needed bathroom breaks –particularly helpful for puppies in housetraining and senior dogs that have a harder time waiting for owners to return. Outdoor walks, play time and a little ear-scratching and belly rubbing during the day helps keep pets happy and satisfied until their owners return.

Dogs living with older individuals or those with medical conditions are prime candidates for the company’s dog walking service as well. These individuals can have difficulties giving their canine companions adequate exercise. And without enough exercise, dogs can be come stressed, anxious and just plain bored.
“A good walk can do wonders to improve a dog’s behavior and temperament, making life more enjoyable for both pet and owner,” Lesko said. “It really makes a huge difference.”

Lesko’s team can even drop in to dispense medication for special needs animals, provide transportation to and from vet and grooming appointments, or stay in the home overnight with animals that cannot be left alone.

“Whatever the pet needs, we are happy to provide,” Lesko said. “All of our clients are VIPS – Very Important Pets – and we treat each one as such.”

For Lesko, with a background working in a vet clinic, opening the franchise was a natural extension of her love of and compassion for companion animals. Al is a talented dog trainer, she said, so his involvement offers a great complement to the team’s offerings.

“We know how much pets enrich our lives,” she said. “It’s very gratifying to be able to help pet owners by offering the peace of mind that their pets are well cared for.”
That peace of mind for pet owners includes trusting their pets and their homes to the company’s team. “We’re licensed and bonded,” Lesko said. “We don’t just hire anyone off the street. Employees are put through a background check and drug screening to make sure they meet Snaggle Foot’s high standards.” Additionally, all franchisees and employees are trained in pet First Aid and CPR.

Even those with animals that don’t fare well with strangers can rest easy when using Snaggle Foot’s services. All new clients and their animals have an initial interview with the care provider. “This complimentary consultation provides another level of service by ensuring pets and care providers are comfortable with each other before services begin,” Lesko said. “It’s one more way we can make sure clients have complete confidence and peace of mind that their animals are in the very best hands.”
For more information or to schedule a complimentary consultation to discuss how Snaggle Foot’s services, call (541) 690-8817, visit http://roguevalley.snagglefoot.com online, or email jamie@snagglefoot.com.

Pet's Care is the Heart of Snaggle Foot Round Lake

From Lake County News-Sun, Dec. 8, 2009
By Kendrick Marshall

Just two months ago, Laurie Brzostowski was looking for something to do after being let go from her job at a medical device company.

With the love of animals and a little free time on her side, Brzostowski opened Snaggle Foot Dog Walks and Pet Care service in September from her Round Lake home.

Offering everything from pet sitting to bringing in homeowners' mail, the upstart business goal has been to make the lives of pets and their owners a little more easier.

"No matter what is going on, people still need to take care of their pets," Brzostowski said.

That is why Snaggle Foot will be providing a 5 percent discount on all of its pet services if clients book appointments two weeks before Christmas or for New Year's Day visits.

In just a few short months, Brzostowski and her part-time staff of two assistants have already gathered a solid pool of clients who are using most of the provided services.

Those services include a pet-care option where a member of the staff will spend the day or a few hours caring for the pet, performing all the normal tasks owners would.

Snaggle Foot also offers puppy and senior pet care. It includes housebreaking and giving medication to older pets at the request of the owners.

A pet taxi service where the animal is taken to vet or grooming appointments will be fulfilled by the staff.

"Senior citizens need care, children need care and pets need care as well," she said.

Meet Jamie Lesko, Snaggle Foot's Newest Franchisee

Snaggle Foot franchise owner Jamie Lesko, a native of upstate New York, has long been involved with animal rescue organizations and is the proud adoptive parent of three abandoned rescue dogs: two Bassett Hounds named Jasper and Rascal, and a Chesapeake Bay Retriever named Molly.

Nine years ago, Jamie and her husband Al made the trek from the east coast to Oregon’s Rogue Valley to enjoy the numerous outdoor activities and take advantage of the beautiful surroundings of Southern Oregon.

Jamie worked many years as an office receptionist before deciding to work in a veterinary office: a job that would allow her to be surrounded by the animals that she cares so much for. During her time working at the veterinary office, Jamie realized that she was gaining valuable experience in animal caretaking, and decided she wanted to take her love for animals and experience to the next level. So when she and her husband Al discovered Snaggle Foot’s Pet Sitting franchise, she knew that running her own pet care business would be a perfect career choice for her.

Jamie views all of her clients’ pets as an extension of her family unit and are treated as such. In working in coordination with local animal shelters, she supports each one when it comes to finding permanent and loving homes for rescued animals.

In her spare time, Jamie enjoys fly fishing, boating, and taking in the abundance of outdoor activities near their home. Both her and Al are avid New York Yankees fans.