Meet Our Sitters

Michelle Pietras - Owner

Bio:

Prior to taking over the company in 2008, Michelle worked full time as a Veterinary Technician at Louisville Family Animal Hospital. Michelle graduated from Colby Community College in Colby, Kansas in May of 2006 with an Associate's degree in Applied Science for Veterinary Technology. She passed her national and state board tests to become a Certified Veterinary Technician. Michelle is also a member of Pet Sitters International (PSI) and has completed the PSI Certified Professional Pet Sitter course and keeps up with continuing education to remain a Certified Professional Pet Sitter.

Pet Parent:

Michelle and her husband, Tony, enjoy their two daughters and two pups, Colby and Bella. They also have a cute kitty named Snickers.

LeeAnn Gasparri

Bio:

LeeAnn was raised in Wyoming around both large and small animals. She graduated from Laramie County Community College in 1995 with an AAS in Equine Studies then went on to attend Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology and graduated in 1997 with AAS in Veterinary Technology. After passing the national exam and becoming a Certified Veterinary Technician, LeeAnn worked at Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital as the surgery/anesthesia supervisor for 7 years before moving to Oregon to assist with starting Southern Oregon Veterinary Specialty Center in 2004. At SOVSC, she worked with Board Certified Surgeons, Internal Medicine Specialists, and Critical Care/Emergency Specialists and became the Technician Supervisor and Training Supervisor.

Pet Parent:

She lives with her husband, amazing son, three cats (Baby, Kit and Kat), a crazy yellow lab named Chance and heir son's service dog, Bingo. In her free time she love spending time with her family, hiking, and volunteering with special needs kids using animal assisted therapy.

Emily Ward - Evening and Weekend Sitter

Bio:

Emily has experience caring for a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, fish, guinea pigs, and birds. She has also been a pet sitter for family and friends for many years. She spent several months taking care of her own pet through a cancer diagnosis, and is comfortable with administering medication of all kinds. Emily is currently a practicing school psychologist at the elementary school level, and in her spare time she enjoys hiking, paddle boarding, and checking out food and events that Colorado has to offer!

Pet Parent:

Cattle dog mix, “Tobin," Golden retriever, “Temple”

Temple and Emily are a working facilities dog team at Emily’s elementary school!

Robbie Cave

Bio:

She was a "foster parent" at the Humane Society of Boulder County for eight years, fostering over 400 cats and kittens during that time. Fostering was so much fun and very rewarding, but a little dangerous for her, as she had trouble taking the "special" animals back and ended up adopting them herself. Robbie has worked for Creature Connections for over 13 years after she retired from Colorado University. When she is not working, she enjoys traveling the world.

Pet Parent:

She has had the privileged of being a real mom to twelve cats and one collie over her lifetime and has loved every minute of it.

Tori Bennett - Midday Walker/Vacation, Overnight Sitter

Bio:

Tori grew up around animals and has pet sat for friends and family. Some of client pets had chronic health conditions so she helped administer medications, including injections. Tori is a degreed accountant and master nutrition therapist. She's worked as an accountant for 20 years and most recently in the farm finance department of an organic dairy.

Pet Parent:

Tori is a proud owner of an Italian Greyhound, “Bruce Wayne,” and past owner of a Pomeranian, Pug, Siamese/Tabby mix, DLH black cat, Parakeets, fish, chickens, a dairy cow, and various family pets.

Cindy Schreiber Huxley - Virtual Assistant and Occasional Vacation Pet Sitter

Bio:

Cindy has owned two local pet sitting companies in the past, worked as a veterinary office manager and assistant, volunteered for a wildlife sanctuary rehabilitating injured and orphaned raccoons and squirrels, and is a retired Registered Nurse and Electrical Engineer. She currently owns her own Virtual Assisting business.

Pet Parent:

Pomeranian "Gabby," Calico cat "Ava," and Ragdoll cat "Prince"

Sheri Hoffman - Weekday Midday Pet Sitter

Bio:

Sheri had been pet sitting professionally for over 13 years and is educated in dog massage, Reiki - 2nd degree. She has owned cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, rats, and quail. Sheri is also a Broomfield Wildlife Master, Good Chow Pet Food Baker, and previously worked with UPS for 18 years.

Pet Parent:

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, “Pepper” & “Ginger”

Susan Ramirez - Weekday Pet Sitter

Bio:

Susan has been pet sitting professionally for over 8 years. She fosters cats and kittens, some of which need medical attention, for Maxfund animal shelter. She has experience in administering medications, including injections. Susan also volunteers for The Mustang Center, Rocky Mountain Riding Therapy, and Almost Home Cat Adoption Center.

Pet Parent:

Cats “Sabrina” and “Sophie”, Cares for 3 feral cats: “Sam, Tammy, and Houdini”

Laura Allison - Weekday Pet Sitter

Bio:

Laura grew up with Persians, Cocker Spaniels, a Golden Retriever, snakes, Parakeets, Finches, and bunnies. She has also bred and trained Goldens. She has experienced in administering medications. She also works as an office manager for Grounded Inc.

Pet Parent:

Cat “Sadie”, English Mastiff "Jax", Basset Bernard mix “Milo

Heidi Thomas - Overnight & Weekday Pet Sitter

Bio:

Heidi has extensive experience with geriatric and large dog breeds and is also great with a wide range of animals, from hamsters to horses! She is able to administer injections and oral medications. She is also the previous owner of Fur Get Me Not Pet Sitting since 2004.

Pet Parent:

2 Terrier Mixes, "Maui" and "Kai"

Kathleen Billings - Weekday Pet Sitter

Bio:

Kathleen had a Husky/Chow mix and an Airedale mix in past. Before joining our team, she has experience pet sitting on a regular basis for friends and neighbors and is experienced at giving medications. She is retired from her career and had jobs as an Employee Relations Specialist, Senior HR Business Partner, and various HR positions which included work doing records management, onboarding and testing.

Pet Parent:

Bichon mix, "Patch", Chihuahua, "Daisy", and cat, "Norbert"

Cassie Frankum - Weekday & Weekend Pet Sitter

Bio:

Cassie is a mom of 2 kids and many pets! She loves animals and is a natural caretaker. She began pet sitting in an effort to help cope with the loss of her best doggie friend and never stopped! Cassie has worked in vet clinics and worked at Camp Bow Wow through college. Taking care of pets allows her to enjoy animals while working a full time career. She absolutely loves pet sitting!

Pet Parent:

Cassie has 2 dogs (KC and Poppy), 2 cats (Steven and Olive), a rabbit (Camillo), tortoise cat (Itsy Bitsy) , and fish and says she "can’t get enough!"

Jenna White - Overnight Pet Sitter

Bio:

Jenna as pet sat for friends, family, neighbors, and colleagues and has also worked as a dog washer. Her previous personal pets were a Boston Terrier and Golden Retriever mix. Jenna has experience giving medications. In her previous careers, Jenna was a Sales Associate at Ace Hardware, a Pet Nutritionist at Bentley's Pet Stuff, and a Wash Attendant at Wag N' Wash. Currently, she also works as a Secondary Paraprofessional at Stargate.

Pet Parent:

2 Siamese mixes "Tomo" and "Treeko", and Tabby cat, "Nala"

Jennifer Burgess - Midday and Weekend Pet Sitter

Bio:

Jennifer has experience caring for a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, horses, guinea pigs, birds of all sorts, and rabbits. She has also been a pet sitter for family and friends. One of her current pets has a chronic issue and so she has experience giving oral meds. Jennifer was previously a research professional for 20 years. In her spare time she enjoys riding her horse, hiking, scuba and travel.

Pet Parent:

Boxer/Pit mix "Lily", Cat "Hansel", Rabbit "Milo" and Horse "Shoppin Spree".

Amela Purgic - Weekend Pet Sitter

Bio:

Amela as pet sat for friends and other private clients. She grew up with pets such as a Chihuahua, German Shepherd, Border Collie, and a Cattle Dog. She is experienced with medication administration. In her past, Amela has been a care provider at Dogtopia doggie daycare, a Cashier, a Hostess, Line Cook, Server, Shift Lead, and a Shipping Administrator.

Pet Parent:

Border Collies "Sandor" and "Boone", Cattle Dog Mix "Malek".

Kay Alber - Overnight Pet Sitter

Bio:

Kay has owned small dogs, cats, and reptiles. Her pet experience includes pet sitting for neighbors and friends and dog walking at an animal shelter. She is experienced in medication administration. In her past, she rescued big dogs while in Europe, fostering them until they were well & adoptable, and then found forever homes for them. She also brought back 1 rescue dog and 4 rescue cats of her own when she moved back to the US in 2006. While in Europe, she was a teacher for 24 years. She retired in 2006.

Pet Parent:

Border Collie mix, "Luna"

Vanessa Graeff - Midday, Morning and Evening, and Vacation Sitter

Bio:

Vanessa loves animals of all kinds and is excited to provide your pet with the quality care they deserve. She feels that, after owning her own own dogs and cats, they are not just our pets, but our family members and we want our family members to have the best care possible! Vanessa has worked in Human Resources and is a native to Kentucky. Vanessa pet sat for friends and family before moving out to Colorado.

Pet Parent:

Vanessa currently has 1 dog named Sailor and 2 cats, Slick and Dobby (a Sphynx)

Kathy Greb - Midday and Weekend Pet Sitter

Bio:

Kathy says: "Hi! I retired a couple years ago after 35 wonderful years working in the public schools. My passion is helping children with special needs. Currently, I enjoy spending time with my dog and I am involved with an Optimist Club. I believe that our pets are a part of our family. It would be my pleasure to spend time with your pet."

Pet Parent:

Kathy has a poodle mix named Ivy

Katie Sanchez - Overnight Pet Sitter

Bio:

Katie has been a foster parent for pets that are awaiting adoption and has helped care for healthcare client's pets. Katie grew up with a Black Lab and a Golden Retriever. She is skilled at medication administration, including injections. She also works as an Occupational Therapist, both home-based and in Skilled Nursing Facilities.

Pet Parent:

4 cats; “Tulo", "Dharma", "Steve" and "AJ”

Kristen Anderson - Evening and weekend Pet Sitter

Bio:

Kristen has lived in Colorado for the past 11 years, and has been an elementary teacher for the past 7 years. Growing up, she lived all over the United States and world, and can say she always has had a furry friend as part of the family. She has had some amazing dogs and cats over the years as cherished family members. Kristen says "I am so excited to part of this amazing team."

Pet Parent:

Kristen currently has three kitties: Rainey, Rosie, and Mochi and says that "they are my pride and joy!

Bob Bovensiep - Midday Walker and Vacation Pet Sitter

Bio:

Bob joined Creature Connections because he has had a love for animals his entire life. He recently retired from the Natural Food industry. He said "I am not the kind of person that likes to sit around, I like to be doing something all the time. Dogs are a passion in our family so I decided to look into helping people take care of their pets (especially dogs). I found a couple of pet services that sounded interesting so I made two
appointments for interviews. Michelle was the first and I immediately knew this
was the company with which I would be proud to work. I was 100% right! I have been working with Creature Connections and I have loved every minute. My approach is simple, I respect and care for each animal as if they were my own and seek to exceed all expectations. It would be my pleasure to meet you and your animals."

Pet Parent:

Bob's granddogs are Gus and Buddy. They are both labs.

Bebhinn (Bev) Nagle - Vacation Pet Sitter

Bio:

Bebhinn (Bev for short) has been a certified veterinary technician for over 10 years, working in general practices, emergency, and specialty hospitals, as well as for animals in medical research. She's a life-long pet-lover, dancer, and science nerd who finds joy in bonding with all kinds of creatures, especially her personal cat.

Pet Parent:

Cat "Julian" and a white-capped Pionus bird.

Felix Levy - Midday Walker

Bio:

I've cared for and trained my own Texas heeler for four years, and I take every opportunity to play, train, and reward good behavior.

I love interacting with every animal I meet, and would love to meet your friend too!

I'm willing to feed, play with, and walk your friend. I can crate them, give medication, and enforce training as requested.

Open to hearing what your buddy needs!

Pam Spring - Midday Walker and Vacation Pet Sitter

Bio:

Pam moved to Colorado when she was 5 years old and has lived here ever since. She always dreamed of being a Veterinarian but she wasn't strong in the sciences, much better with people, so she worked in Human Resources for more than 40 years, mostly in municipalities; her last 15 years as a Director. She retired in July 2021.

Pam loves both dogs and cats, so she decided to apply with Creature Connections so that she could do more of that kind of work. Best decision ever! Owner Michelle is a great listener, supportive, knowledgeable about animals and creates a great team environment with her staff. Pam lives in Broomfield with her husband Scott and they have owned several large breed dogs, 3 cats and 2 birds. Pam is very familiar with their special needs/personalities.

Pet Parent:

7 year old chihuahua/papillon mix "Juan."

Alexandra Fernau - Midday Walker and Vacation Pet Sitter

Bio:

I've been in the helping industry for over 10 years and have had the pleasure of meeting many animals along the way! I also come from a family that includes everything from mini horses, goats, ducks, chickens, dogs, cats, birds, snakes, bearded dragons, turtles, and beyond!

Just as our creature companions bring so much joy to their human counterparts, I love giving that same joy back to them! I can't wait to meet you and your pets and promise to always treat them with care and compassion.

Pet Parent:

Mama to two 85 lb. fur babies who think they weigh 10 lbs. :)

Valeria Enriquez - Overnight Sitter

Bio:

Hi, I’m Valeria! I am a second year student at Regis University studying pre-med biology. I grew up around all sorts of animals from horses to dogs and have always loved caring for them. My hobbies include playing volleyball (which I also a coach), hiking, lifting, and any form of drawing and painting.