For your peace of mind; all members of the VPS team are DBS checked, fully insured and have canine first aid qualifications
Claire - Founder and Partner / Cat and small animals
Verulam Pet Services was set up by me in 2013 when I took early retirement from the Ambulance Service. After 28 years of serving my community as a Paramedic I felt it was time find another profession I love that didn’t involve night shifts and heavy lifting!
In 2017 Sarah joined me as my business partner and has been influential in building the business to where it is now. Although I still walk some of our adorable dogs, cats have always been my true love so I now run the cat side of the business.
I have grown up loving a menagerie of animals and have brought up my children with the same love of animals in our household. We currently have two gorgeous cats and two very lovable dogs, as well as two chickens.
Outside of the business my main passion is football. Both my girls played and I helped run my youngest daughter’s St Albans City Youth team for many years. I also enjoy swimming and try to swim at last 3 times a week.
Sarah - Partner and Dog walker
I started work in sales many years ago, however I realised that life in an office just wasn’t for me. I have always been surrounded by animals, owning dogs, horses and cats my entire life and therefore I decided to follow my passion and became a self employed horse groom. I absolutely loved the job; being able to be outside all day and working with the animals, such a (literal!) breath of fresh air compared to office life. However being a groom took away from the pleasure of my own horses. Which is how I came to dog walking.
I went into working with dogs in 2014 and it was the best move I ever made. Dogs’ ability to just be in the moment and enjoy life no matter what life has thrown at them, enhanced my own life exponentially. I feel so grateful to be in their presence all day every day. I honed my skills as a professional dog walker and when I met Claire we decided to go into partnership together, both believing that, by being our own bosses, we could provide an exceptional pet sitting and dog walking service that was more aligned with our own values. I now run the dog side of the business.
In my spare time you’ll find me out walking my four dogs, mucking out my two lovely horses, hanging out with my two rescue cats or finding an unlucky animal to help. I am passionate about rescue animals and believe all animals deserve a loving a home. I am so proud of Verulam Pet Services.
Amy - Dog walker
I have always been passionate about animals and as a child my dream was to be a vet. My family have a farm in Ireland so my childhood holidays were spent rounding up the cattle and sheep with the collies. I grew up always being outdoors playing any sport under the sun (mainly hockey) and horse riding.
I studied Physical Education and Kinesiology at University in America and went on to coach collegiate hockey where in my down time I got involved volunteering in dog rescue centres. I lived in the states for nearly 6 years, during which time I adopted my lovely dog Tally.
Since being back in the UK I worked as a PE teacher and hockey coach, however I soon realised the hours and commitment were not sustainable for my well being. Knowing how much I loved volunteering with dogs I decided to see if I could make this my career instead. I started in the dog walking and day care industry in 2014 and haven’t looked back since. Prior to VPS I have worked in many different dog environments with all different breeds, sizes and personalities, trying to learn as much as I could along the way. I am currently studying a level 5 diploma in Canine Behaviour.
In my spare time you will still find me on a hockey pitch often coaching and playing, walking my two dogs Tally and Molly, listening to podcasts and writing a mental illness advocacy blog.
Emily - Dog Walker
I used to work in the fitness industry as a manager of a gym and personal trainer, but the long hours and working at weekends really took its toll on me. So I decided to change everything that I knew to follow my childhood dream to work with animals. (I wanted to study Zoology at University but my football career got in the way.)
Being a keen sports person I have always loved being outside, rain or shine, and I grew up around many of my relatives dogs. I got my first dog Jess, a beautiful bearded collie, when I was six years old and that love of dogs has never left me. I wouldn’t change working for VPS for anything as I get to do what I love everyday and it never feels like a job.
Outside of VPS I set up my own business as a self employed Personal Trainer and Sports Massage Therapist and work with my clients in the evenings. In my spare time I love playing hockey, going to the gym, walking my two dogs and exploring the English countryside.
Sophie - Dog Walker
Since being young it has always been my dream to work with animals. Throughout my life I have kept many animals including a dog, cats, fish, a bearded dragon and a leopard gecko. After leaving school, I decided to further my interest by completing a Level 3 Diploma in Animal Management, which I finished in 2021. I started my career with animals by working part time with fish and reptiles, which I very much enjoyed. However, I saw myself in the future working with dogs, which is why I chose to work for Verulam Pet Services. I am lucky to of been given to opportunity to start and progress my future with them as well as work with dogs everyday.
Laura - Cat and Small Animals
I started accompanying my mum when she did cat visits about 5 years ago as I adore cats. After I learned to drive I started helping out with visits at busy times and now do regular cat visits for clients. I also accompany my mum on some dog walks to help her out.
Our house has always been full of animals and I’ve been brought up with a true understanding of their care and the love and compassion they can show us as humans.
I am currently in my second year at Hertfordshire University studying for a Business and Marketing degree. I also work part time in retail, having done so for the past 4 years. I’m also a keen blogger and enjoy going to the gym.
Gary - Dog walker
Hi my name is Gary, really excited to be on board with the VPS team!
I love dogs so much and as you can see from my picture they seem to love me back! I am father to a six year old pug who is very spoilt, sleeps on my head, and is very partial to watching Cash in the Attic.
I have always looked after friends dogs over the years and love the outdoors. I have achieved merit in courses on dog walking, dog first aid and dog behaviour.
They say that ‘if you do a job you love you never work a day in your life’, which is why because of my love for animals and the outdoors combined, I knew that dog walking would be perfect for me.
Sean - Dog Walker
I have a passion for dogs and cats. I have a rescue dog 'Annie' and a Rescue cat 'Felix'. As a pet owner I know how important your pet is to you and your family. I have been living in St Albans for 7 years and went to school here so I'm very familiar with the roads and parks. I feel very lucky to be doing a job I love and will take care to understand your dogs specific needs as I understand that every dog is different and needs special attention.
Molly - Dog Walker
Hello! My name is Molly and I’m so excited to be apart of the VPS team! I have a huge love for animals and have had pets all my life. I currently have a Bichon Frise x Shih Tzu called Dolly and she’s been my little buddy for the last 8 years. Outside of work I have a 1 year old called Arthur who takes up a lot of my time! We love going for walks with Dolly who he has taken a shine too, he loves to crawl around after her! Ever since I was little I’ve always wanted to work with animals, I volunteered at the National Animal Welfare Trust working with the dogs, giving them the love and attention they deserve. It was such a rewarding feeling and I can’t wait to get that rewarding feeling again working with VPS.