Meet Vincent - a San Francisco Dog Walker Spotlight Story

Hey everyone! We're back with another Pet Caregiver Spotlight story, to spotlight top, pawsome Pet Caregivers around the nation who provide pet care on the Wag! platform! This time, we're featuring Vincent — who hails from the Bay Area and has been walking with Wag! for about a year. Vincent's record as a dog walker consists of completion of 326 dog walks with Wag!, has walked over 200 miles with Wag!, taken services for 25 zip codes, has excellent report cards—and is known to go above and beyond to all his doggy clients.

Here's several fun questions we asked Vincent to get to know him better.

Vincent: I was a chef in San Francisco for several years, but the place that I had worked (the Cliffhouse) closed at the beginning of the pandemic. I was out of work and had lots of time on my hands and a friend mentioned Wag! which I’d never heard of before. As soon as I looked into it, I knew I had found something I could excel at.

Vincent: I was born here in San Francisco.

Vincent: I have been unable to have dogs in the apartments that I've lived in recent years, so I don’t have a dog currently, however, I grew up with a Black Lab named Rudy!

Vincent: I always look at the notes from pet parents so I know what kind of temperament and specific needs their pet might have. Also I look for instructions and make sure I’m familiar with the location so that I can be sure to arrive on time! I always have treats, doggy bags and water with me before I go.

Vincent: There are so many amazing dogs in this city, and so it’s like a dream come true to be able to spend time with a variety of breeds and personalities. I’ve learned so much about dogs in a short period of time.

Vincent: There are situations that can be difficult, usually involving a pet with serious separation anxiety or aggression/behavioral problems. It’s also a big responsibility to care for someone’s beloved family members so there can be a level of stress that I put on myself to ensure that they are comfortable. These are a small price to put for being able to have so much fun doing what I love!

Vincent: Make sure you pay attention to the body language and mannerisms of each pet so you can use that knowledge in the future! There are lots of personalities but there’s always a good chance of running into something that you’ve dealt with in the past, so it’s important to really engage and try to get to know each animal in your care. Before long you will have a good idea of how to approach many different situations.

Vincent: I was born and raised in the bay area in a large, close-knit family. My parents will tell you that I’ve always had a love and bond with animals. I grew up in the North Bay and we had various pets growing up. I went to college in the Midwest and went into the restaurant business, where I’d worked for almost 10 years before the pandemic started.

Vincent: I live to play music. I play lots of instruments but mostly the guitar and drums. I have various projects that I’m involved with on the side. Music has always been my other passion.

Vincent: I am a very empathetic and compassionate person, you might even say I’m sensitive. I think this is why I have such an affinity for animals that are in need of care. I’m also a pretty good cook, after spending so many years in a professional kitchen. Also, I have 20 nieces and nephews that I love dearly. The oldest is 11!

A big thank you to Vincent for letting us spotlight him! We're blessed to have dependable Pet Caregivers like Vincent who provide 5-star pawtastic care to our furry friends on our Wag! platform. If you're in San Francisco and thinking of traveling for the holidays, book a sitting service with Vincent!

Not a resident of San Francisco? Find an on-demand dog sitter near you! Happy holidays!