Meet the “Top Dogs” of Walks of Nature
Patrick Haley
Lead dog, Patrick Haley, is a Member in Good Standing of Pet Sitters International and routinely participates in their educational courses, he volunteers for the Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center in Springfield, and apprenticed with Paws of Nature Family Dog Training & Behavior Consulting, specifically for dog walking and pet sitting services. Walks of Nature is also bonded and insured.
Prior to establishing Walks of Nature, Patrick was the owner and CEO of two successful multi-media companies. In addition, he has owned and raised dogs, cats, horses, and a menagerie of other animals over the past 40 years.
Betty Jo Schies
Her connection to animals began growing up on 40 acres in rural Pennsylvania. There, she assisted her father in raising 500 pheasants each summer. She also owned a horse, taking the responsibility of its’ care. The beauty of nature and animals always seemed to go hand in hand. Presently, Betty Jo has two cats and often cares for her sister’s Labrador, Maltese and Terrier. Living in the woods and on a lake in Granby also contributes to her interest in the wild animals. A chipmunk feels safe enough to eat out of her hand. Raccoons visit at night, some know her voice. Late one night, she actually stopped traffic to retrieve a raccoon that had been injured on the road.
Prior to the care of animals, Betty Jo has managed a skincare business for seven years, has helped produce an exotic cars magazine for seven years, and has assisted the manager of a popular radio station for five years. It has always come back to animals as being her first passion. She will connect with your beloved pet, and care for it as her own.
A Testimonial for Betty Jo: "A quick note to tell you how happy we were with Betty Jo's care of Rosie last weekend. She read all my notes and calmed me down about leaving Rosie for the first time. She was so thoughtful that she even called me in Boston to tell me that all was well here after her two visits. It felt so good to be able to visit our daughters and know that Rosie was being cared for. Everything worked out fine and we will feel more free to go away and leave Rosie in her care… Rosie is a member of the family and it feels good to have the freedom to know that we can leave her for part of a day and know that she will be cared for."
Mary Ann Taylor
Mary Ann Taylor grew up mostly in Danielson, Connecticut. With woods by the house, she often went for long walks bringing her little dog along. Her father being an avid hunter would also join her in walks and point out different animal tracks. After graduating high school, she moved to Florida and attended one of only two schools in the country that specifically taught zookeeping and had a small public zoo on campus. Although she attended only one of the two year program, it was an amazing experience. Between this and moving back to Connecticut, she spent about 5 years total in the travel business and also working in plant retail and wholesale nurseries. Working and learning hard in the soil, she rediscovered her passion for the earth.
In 2003 she started her own business designing and planting annuals and perennials and all the extras that go along with it. She earned her Master Gardening Certificate at Uconn in 2008. She has 3 dogs: a Maltese, Lab and a Rat Terrier whom she is presently taking to basic training and will eventually will do agility courses. She has volunteered with a rescue group in Granby and is looking into learning how to train dogs professionally.
Samantha Williams
From a very young age, Samantha was used to having animals around her. Her first pet was an adorable hamster named Skippy, which she took responsibility for his care, at the age of three. Along with the two adopted dogs she grew up with (a Rottweiler/Mastiff/Labrador Mix, and a Rottweiler), she rescued a mouse, a kitten, two birds, and two dogs – all which either became additions to the family, were nurtured back to health and released into their natural setting, or were placed with a loving family that she personally approved.
Samantha has experience with the daily and overnight care of animals. Dogs in her care have ranged from 10 lbs. – 110 lbs, with all types of temperaments. She was employed with Kessler Kennels in Granby, throughout high school, where she was responsible for the overall care of boarded pets, and the ones that came by for Doggie Daycare. Samantha also has some experience with horses. Her love for them, motivated her to clean stables in trade for riding lessons.