Crystal's Pet Care — Dog Boarding & Housesitting, Walnut Creek

01

Trailhead — who’s watching your dog

A licensed therapist, at home, and genuinely glad you’re here.

Hello! I’m Crystal — a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. Since 2010 I’ve also been a dedicated house- and pet-sitter for local families, many of whom I’ve worked with in varying capacities since my graduate school days at Saint Mary’s. My work as a therapist means I bring a calm, structured presence into every stay: the same steadiness I offer my clients, offered to your dog. With Alma Park just outside, daily walks and neighborhood strolls are simply part of how we spend the day.

Aerial view of Alma Park and the neighborhood

The neighborhood, from above.

02

Stop two — the depth behind the care

200+ dogs and cats — and quite a bit more than that.

My care isn’t limited to dogs and cats. I’ve also looked after 200+ chickens and fish, tended aquaponics setups and gardens, maintained chicken coops, and cared for caged animals like bunnies, guinea pigs, and turtles. One standout role involved independently managing a goldendoodle’s full care for more than half of a year — supplies, training, grooming, vet care, and air travel — while tracking and invoicing every related expense along the way.

Beyond routine boarding and housesitting, my pet care work has included assisting three breeders with puppy and kitten litters; post-operative recovery care following veterinary surgeries; support through acupuncture and hydrotherapy appointments; and comfort care during pet hospice, euthanasia, and cremation — the harder moments that call for a steady, experienced hand.

This sits alongside years of related trust-based work: nannying and childcare (including: up to two-week continuous care during family travel, event childcare, destination childcare) as well as family assistance (including: home organization, holiday decorating, Christmas shopping for an entire family, staging for appraisals and real estate shoots, coordination and oversight of service appointments, confidential tasks involving sensitive legal and financial information). If you have an unconventional pet or an unconventional request, I’m glad to talk through what a special arrangement could look like. NDAs welcome, if that’s something you’d prefer to have in place.

Communication

96% response rate to initial inquiries
Usually responds to initial inquiries in under an hour
Scheduling confirmations
Detailed daily narrative updates
100% bookings with thoughtfully composed photo updates

Skills

16 years of pet care experience
Senior & special needs dog and cat experience
Oral & injected medication administration
First aid & CPR
Can provide daily exercise
Can provide training reinforcement

03

Stop three — rates & what’s included

Boarding and housesitting, priced plainly.

Flat rates, whatever the season.

Boarding

From

$275 / night

For one dog

Stay at my home
One dog at a time, unless from the same family
My bed & furniture are theirs
Daily park visits & walks
Daily photoshoot & evening write-up

Housesitting

From

$325 / night

For one dog or cat

I stay at your home
Mail, plants, and whatever arises
All specified security protocols followed
Daily photoshoot & evening write-up
Home left exactly as you left it

Housesitting service area Walnut Creek, Alamo, Danville, Blackhawk, Diablo, Lafayette, Orinda, Moraga, and surrounding areas.

Add-ons & fees Additional dog, same family: $100 per extra dog per night, for both boarding and housesitting.
Additional cat: $50 per extra cat per night, for housesitting.
Drop-off & pick-up transport: $150 per round trip.

Booking & cancellations Because I care for one household’s pets at a time, holding your dates means turning other families away. A card on file secures your reservation — you’re not charged to book, and the stay itself is paid by cash/check, as always. The card is only stored in case of a late cancellation:
7+ days out: no charge.
Within 7 days: full rate. In fairness to all families, the fee applies regardless of the reason for canceling.

04

Stop four — safety & trust

Handled carefully, every time.

I never take the trust placed in me lightly.
A few specifics:

Meet & greetPreferred before booking, to make sure it’s a good fit for everyone. A phone or video intro can substitute if you’re not local.

One dog at a timeWhile boarding, I only accept one dog at a time (unless from the same family) to keep things safe and fun for everyone.

Written care instructionsPrinted instructions preferred over texts or shared docs — medications, allergies, habits, and any quirks worth knowing.

Leashed, alwaysEven if it’s not your usual practice at home, leashes stay on in unfenced outdoor areas. Recall belongs to you.

Crate-trained, onlyComfortable crating dogs that are completely crate-trained, in their own crates. I don’t keep crates here, and a dog who isn’t already at ease in one won’t be put in one.

Special needs & higher-touch careComfortable with complex daily routines: tear-stain wiping, fold and wrinkle cleaning, coat upkeep for high-maintenance breeds, paw and tick checks after walks.

Emergency-readyCertified in first aid for dogs and cats, with a reference app on hand for quick guidance if minutes count.

CPR, chest-shape differentiatedCertified in CPR as well, trained to adjust technique by chest shape and weight, which vary widely by breed.

Medication administrationComfortable with oral, topical, transdermal and injected medications, including eye drops, ear drops and subcutaneous fluids.

Vet access on filePlease have vet info and payment on file at your vet’s office, plus pet insurance if applicable, for access to care if ever needed.

Constant careIf abnormally intensive care is needed, additional compensation will be required and determined by the specifics of the situation. For twice the original nightly rate, I will be able to provide constant care without stepping away.

Daily updatesOne proper photograph, rather than many taken quickly, plus a nightly written account of how our day went. Photoshoots typically follow walks, once your dog is happy to settle and pose for the camera.

05

Stop five — a look at the gallery

Moments worth framing.

Neighborhood walks and recent stays.

A hillside view, tall grass and sunshine

06

Stop six — in their words

What clients are saying.

From families who keep coming back,
six of sixty-plus five-star reviews.

“Crystal is hands down the best dog sitter we’ve ever had! From the moment we dropped off our two Pomeranians, we could tell they were in the most loving and capable hands. She went above and beyond to make sure they were happy, comfortable, and cared for like her own. Every single day, she sent us long, thoughtful updates along with adorable photos, giving us a glimpse into their day. She shared details about their walks, playtime, meals, and even their little quirks and moods. It was so reassuring to see how much love and attention she poured into their care. I could tell my dogs felt completely at home with her, they were always relaxed, happy, and clearly adored her energy! On top of that, Crystal is such a kind and warm person. Her apartment is in a perfect location, right next to beautiful Alma Park in Walnut Creek, where she took them on frequent walks. I’ve honestly never seen my dogs so happy while we were away. It meant the world to us knowing they were not just being looked after but truly loved. If you’re looking for a sitter who will treat your pets like family, Crystal is the one. We are beyond grateful for her and wouldn’t hesitate to book with her again!”

— Maite R., Boarding

“Crystal was an AMAZING dog sitter for our pup! We had scheduled travel during the summer and had originally planned to board our dog. But surprise, he hurt his leg and needed surgery. We needed a dogsitter who could be attentive and meet the unique needs of a post-surgerical dog. Crystal was exactly the right person. She loved and cared for our dog; asked lots of questions to make sure she completely understood the specific things our dog would need; then provided thorough daily updates and pictures during his stay. She really went above and beyond to make sure he was well taken care of. I knew he was in good hands and would recommend her to anyone!”

— Megan R., Boarding

“Crystal was wonderful! We (both human and pup) were very anxious, and Crystal was so patient and understanding. She gave our very nervous dog so much love and attention; he became more comfortable with her than I ever thought he would. She sent videos and detailed updates throughout our dog's stay, which greatly put us at ease. She even gave us great training tips. I would highly recommend Crystal to anyone.”

— Nicole K., Boarding

“Crystal was amazing! She took great care of our cat with tons of updates and pictures, which was so special to get while being away. She also took thorough care of our home and was truly wonderful throughout the process. We really appreciated everything she did and attention to every detail with our home and pet.”

— Edward C., Housesitting

“Crystal has been ‘in my dogs’ family’ for years now. We book her months in advance because we don’t want anyone but her. While we are away we still feel connected to our babies because Crystal is very communicative with paragraphs of detail accompanied by professional level photos of our pups. Crystal is the best!”

— Kellie H., Housesitting

“Crystal did an amazing job looking after our Frenchie! I would have zero hesitation in recommending her services and will certainly use her again. Crystal is courteous, professional, sincere and was flexible when our plans changed in a pinch. Our dog has some specific health issues that require careful care and Crystal was very patient, empathetic and took all necessary precautions to ensure our guy had a safe and comfortable stay. Thank you Crystal!”

— Andy W., Boarding

07

Stop seven — planning ahead

Availability at a glance

A quick look at whether your dates line up.

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AvailableUnavailable

Updated periodically — confirm dates in your inquiry.

A second home for your dog, right on the park.