Welcome
Sometimes it's tough to know where to turn when your dog, cat, iguana, or other friend -feathered or furry- is needing a friend when you're not at home. That's why we created Special Friends Pet Sitting Service!
Special Friends has been providing professional pet sitting services throughout the Dayton area since 1997. We always offer loving, dependable care for your dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, exotic animals, horses and home while you’re away.
Every pet sitter with Special Friends is bonded, insured, and trained in pet first aid & CPR. Our staff also includes a certified dog trainer, with 25+ years experience, who will work with you one-on-one in your home to help train your new pet.
Serving Beavercreek and surrounding areas, including Kettering, Oakwood, Riverside, downtown Dayton, WPAFB, Fairborn, Eastmont, Bellbrook and Belmont.
Best Regards,
Alicia Heidorn
Special Friends Pet Sitting Service Founder
Every pet sitter is bonded, insured, and trained in pet CPR & first aid!
Our Mission
At Special Friends Pet Sitting Service our mission is to provide you with the peace of mind that you want when you are on vacation, hospital stay, business trip, extended workday or whenever you are away from home.
We are a bonded and insured pet sitting service that loves and cares for your pets in your home-where they prefer to be. As pet owners and lovers ourselves, we understand how difficult it can be to leave your beloved companions.
We give your pets our utmost attention and care to ensure that, upon your return, you are greeted by happy and healthy pets. All our pet sitters are background checked for your safety and peace of mind.
Meet Our Team
Alicia - Owner
Animals of all kinds, shapes and sizes have always been a part of my personal life. My professional background includes over 10 years as a computer engineer. I call that my ‘former life.’ I gave that all up when I started volunteering at SICSA, where I rekindled my love for animals.
I very quickly jumped into the world of homeless pets and served in many capacities at SICSA, including Junior Volunteer Coordinator, Animal Care Coordinator, Dog Obedience Trainer, Pet Facilitated Therapy and Education Coordinator where I took animals to nursing homes, hospice, girl scout troops, schools, and other venues.
I loved my job! After twenty years at SICSA it was time to move on. I then founded Special Friends Pet Sitting Service, LLC.
Throughout my life, animals have been my love and passion. I am involved in several rescue organizations and have fostered numerous dogs and a few cats.
I’ve always known that pets are an important members of the family and deserve the best care possible! So that is what Special Friends provides each client, or as we like to say “member of our Special Friends family!”
Special Friends Pet Sitting Service has grown through word of mouth from those that have entrusted their pets to our care. Thank you for trusting us with yours.
Best Regards,
Alicia Heidorn
SFPSS Founder
Megan - Office Manager, Pet Sitter
Hello! My name is Megan and I've worked for Special Friends since August 2013, starting out as a pet sitter and gradually moving to the office manager position later on.
I have always been passionate about animals and was fortunate enough to grow up in a home full of dogs, which included basset hounds in my younger years and a fun bunch of rescue mixes later on.
I currently live in Dayton with my partner, Robert, and our furry crew of dogs - Tomas, Coconut, and Freddie, and cat - Salem.
Michelle - Pet Sitter
Michelle has been with Special Friends since the fall of 2005. In addition to pet sitting, Michelle is also a part-time human caregiver and Graphic Designer.
In her spare time, Michelle enjoys spending time with her very demanding senior Pomeranian, Smokie. She also enjoys photography - chances are, if she has been your sitter, there are pictures of your pet on her phone!
Whitney - Pet Sitter
Whitney has been with Special Friends since the summer of 2016; she is a full-time teacher at Northridge Local Schools and pet sits with Special Friends part-time and over the summer and holiday breaks.
In her free time, Whitney enjoys spending time with her two cats, Judy and Belle, volunteering with dog rescues, and reading Harry Potter over and over.
Mary - Pet Sitter
Mary has been with Special Friends since March 2019.
When she is not pet sitting, Mary enjoys walking her own dogs - Ellie and Sammi, watching movies, playing cards, and hanging out with friends.
Lindsay - Pet Sitter
Lindsay joined the Special Friends team in summer of 2021. You will rarely find Lindsay without a dog by her side - along with her husband Chad, and daughters Sloan and Diem, she has three dogs of her own and countless fosters.
Lindsay enjoys spending time outside with her family in her free time. She also cannot say no to reading on the couch with a dog at her feet!
DANIELLE - Pet Sitter
Danielle has been with Special Friends since August of 2019; prior to moving to Ohio, she lived in Florida and worked at a kennel for 4 years, and did in-home pet sitting for 3 years.
In her free time, she loves watching movies, reading, playing games, and writing. She also enjoys traveling, hiking, and spending time with her two nieces.