Gazette Newspaper, Business Edition
by MARIAN MCMAHON
PAINESVILLE - People who love their pets consider them
part of the family, so many will go out of their way with
time and/or money to ensure the best care possible for
their companions. Also, busy schedules and special needs
pets can make in-home services a bonus, if not a must.
One new business, which offers to bring in-home pet care,
is KD Pet Services, owned by Kris Dakis of Painesville.
After being laid off from her full-time job, she decided
to make her experience as a pet owner/breeder into a full-time
business. “I have veterinarian assistant certification
out of Scranton, Pa. and a bachelor of science degree
from Lake Erie College,” she said. “I am now
working on my master’s degree in companion animal
behavioral counseling and board certification.”
Asked what behavioral counseling was, Dakis said it involved
going into a pet’s home to check out the environment
of an animal with behavioral issues like inappropriate
elimination. This would be done after a veterinarian has
ruled out any physical causes for the problems.
Dakis said she has more than 25 years’ experience
working with, and caring for animals, including dogs,
cats, exotics, small animals and birds. She has worked
at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo as a docent, or one who
educates the public about exotic animals and how to care
for them. She has also volunteered for the Humane Society.
She has more than 10 years’ experience in grooming
pets for shows too, her personal favorites being Persian
cats, which she also breeds. She currently has 11 Persians
and two shorthairs herself, and has had numerous grand
champions through the years.
 Besides
grooming her own cats, she said people who purchased kittens
from her have come back and asked her to groom their cats
when they were dissatisfied with their groomers.
KD is offering clients a number of other services for
their pets, including pet sitting, dog walking, doggie
clean-up, nail trims, administration of medication, small
dog bathing and pet transportation. Home maintenance services
are also available and include changing and disinfecting
litter boxes and other services like bringing in mail
or newspapers, taking out garbage, watering plants and
other similar duties.
One special service she provides is her new puppy/kitten
program. “I have information packets for new pet
owners and I help do set-ups for new cats and dogs,”
Dakis said. “I will point out what’s not safe
(like plants) and where’s a good place for the litter
box. I can also advise on things like how to know when
the dog wants out by placing a bell at the door. Most
dogs just go and stand by the door.”
Asked why some people like to hire a person to come in
and watch their pets, she said having someone come into
the home could help alleviate a lot of stress for the
animal. When she sits, she plays with the animal too.
Some people even call to have her come in when they are
gone for the day. “If you take an animal and leave
it at the vet’s or a kennel, it can pick up fleas
or get kennel cough,” Dakis said. “Our goal
is to provide our customers with a positive service experience
and to help alleviate your, and your companion animal’s
stress during times of your absence.”
Pet owners who have the need to pamper their pets with
specialty foods and toys can also call KD Pet Services.
It is the exclusive area distributor for Dog Lovers Gold
Food Premium Pet Food and also carries supplies and products
from Our Pets in Fairport Harbor. Dakis will even deliver.
“We carry a lot of Our Pets products,” she
said. “A lot are behaviorally based and a lot are
environmentally based. A lot of (the pet) things
have a purpose.”
One item she brought out was an interactive treat toy.
It was a hard rubber, knobbed piece with a hole in it.
A treat could be placed in the toy and a dog would have
to play with the toy and flip it around for the treat
to fall out. She said this was a good toy since dogs get
bored.
Another item she showed was a water bottle with a drinking
bowl attached so both the owner and the dog could have
a drink during walks. For owners who like to give their
dogs treats to train them or just for rewards, there is
a clip-on treat dispenser, which can be used onehanded.
A plastic clip-on bone dispenses plastic bags to be used
to pick up doggie doo. Dakis said she can advise on the
proper combs to purchase for grooming different breeds.
She also has products for different animal ailments, anti-stress
formula foods and harnesses to help dogs that have hip
problems get up the stairs.
Besides services and products, KD Pet Services also sells
pet memorials, markers and boxes for remains.
“(We plan) to keep informed of the best possible
delivery of animal care through continuing education in
nutrition, general physical wellbeing and behavior,”
Dakis said. “We want to keep our customers informed
about products and other services that the owner and pet
can benefit from, and we want to help the owner and pet
enrich their bond.”
Dakis can be reached at (440) 796-7510 or by e-mail at
kdpetserve@yahoo.com
PHOTO CREDIT: MARIAN MCMAHON
PHOTO: Kris Dakis, owner of KD Pet Services in Painesville,
holding two of her 11 Persian cats, Grand Champion Moutsie’s
Gabriel and Grand Champion Summermajik Dreams (Son &
Father).
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