Makenzy has been working with animals for close to a decade. She has experience caring for a wide range of creatures to include cats, dogs, rabbits, reptiles, and farm animals. Her passion and purpose working with animals professionally was catalyzed after a vulnerable health challenge that began in 2020. After being limited on the kind of work she could do because of her condition, she started professionally pet sitting through Rover to bring some extra joy into her life as she was uncertain about what her future would look like.
Little did she know, being in the presence of animals would be one of the significant factors that would aid in her condition being healed. After achieving a significant amount of 5 star reviews, dealing with her own struggles finding reliable pet care, and making progress healing from her condition – Makenzy recognized the need for more skilled, compassionate, reliable pet sitters and founded Zippy Pets.
Makenzy is currently studying Canine Behavior and Ethology through BHARCS Academy and plans to further her education around pet health, nutrition, and healing. Makenzy graduated with honors, Magna Cum Laude, in 2019 from Frostburg State University in Maryland with her degree in Biology. She achieved the Dean’s list during her last semester while working full-time and volunteering with Americorps. She and her husband moved to Asheville shortly after her graduation in 2019.
In her free time, she enjoys playing with her one-eyed kitty Ganymede, learning more about animal behavior/health, seeing live music, and strength training. She also just recently welcomed a baby into the world! Makenzy looks forward to expanding the mission of Zippy Pets and being an integral part of the pet community here in WNC.
With a lifelong passion for animals, Joe's journey began in a household surrounded by various pets, nurturing his deep connection with animals from a young age. This early exposure not only shaped his personal life but also paved the way for his professional career. Joe's academic pursuit in biology, coupled with his close relationships with wildlife enthusiasts, has aided in his understanding of animal behavior and biology. His blend of hands-on experience and academic knowledge grants him a unique perspective on both domestic and wild animals.
At the core of Joe's philosophy is the belief that pets are special members of the family. He approaches each pet with patience, treating them with the utmost care and attention they deserve. What sets Joe apart in his pet sitting endeavors is the bond he forms with each animal. He finds that the longer he works with a pet, the stronger the connection, making every pet sitting experience uniquely fulfilling and heartwarming.
Outside of his devotion to animals, Joe is a self-proclaimed nerd and a serial entrepreneur, always on the lookout for new ventures and ideas. His role at Zippy Pets embodies his entrepreneurial spirit and his dedication to offering exceptional pet care services. For those in need of a trustworthy and compassionate caretaker for their pets, whether for short trips or regular care, Joe is committed to ensuring that every pet is not only looked after but also cherished and loved.
Kate is a NY native who recently moved to the area. She has dedicated her life to helping animals. Ever since she was young, she has gravitated towards animals and in return they gravitated towards her. There aren’t many of her childhood pictures where you don’t see an animal on her lap or nearby.
Kate spends a lot of her free time outdoors with her Australian cattle dog mix, Blaze. She loves to hike and find trails to explore. You’ll catch her scavenging for cool rocks, trees, plants, mushrooms or anything that really catches her eye. She loves to be present and admire the beauty around her.
Kate acquired her Veterinary Technology degree at the State University of New York at Delhi. After that, she spent 7 years working as a veterinary technician for birds, exotic pets, wildlife, cats and dogs. She quickly became close with clients and their pets and would receive many requests from owners to care for their pets while they were away. It wasn’t long before Kate was working as a full time Vet tech as well as pet sitter and pet care provider.
Because of her experience as a veterinary technician, she is able to provide specialized care. This includes injectable and oral medication administration, nail trims, senior pet care and more! Her goal is to help animals by providing care in the comfort of their home. Kate is looking forward to helping out pet owners and their pets in any way that she can.
Meet Carson, one of our pet sitters who specializes in overnight care, pet hikes, & pet taxis! Carson was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, but fell in love with North Carolina over a span of 10 years while going to Camp Illahee in Brevard. It was at camp that she developed her love for caring for others, adopting a gentle and kind attitude towards all creatures, big & small! As fate would have it, she has returned to NC to reconnect with her roots, explore nature, spread love & mental health awareness, and finish her studies in school.
Personally, Carson has struggled with the loss of both her parents at a young age due to mental health problems, and it is her wish to bring love, light, & joy into the lives of those around her, to remind people that no matter what you’re going through, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.
Creating art is her deepest passion in life, and her fiercest daydream is to become an Art Therapist, to help others struggling with depression, PTSD, anxiety, disease, trauma, and anything that falls under the mental health umbrella.
Carson has a huge heart & a deep love for all animals, and tends to them dearly! She lives with her precious black kitty, Grimm, named after her love for fairytales while growing up through some pretty difficult situations!
Nathan’s passion for animals started at a young age. Growing up in Minnesota, he became enthused with the sport of sled dog racing. In elementary school, his family adopted a Siberian Husky, and he learned from the community of mushers how to care for and train sled dogs physically and mentally. These lessons have grown and carried through life as a constant reminder to give respect and compassion to every being he encounters.
After spending time in Eastern Canada earning a bachelor's degree in Psychology, Nathan made the move to Asheville, NC, in 2011. Working with young men in Wilderness Therapy was an integral part of his early time in Asheville, and it was while doing this work that he met his wife, Erin. They have been together for 12 years and are raising their son Silas, surrounded by nature and a love of animals.
Nathan is a licensed Realtor and enjoys helping people work through the housing market in the greater Asheville area. In his free time, he loves spending time in nature with the family, jamming along with music, watching movies, and reading books. In his dream world, he would live on a large property surrounded by hundreds of adopted animals! But for now Frankie the German Shepard mix and Valerie the Corgi pup keep everyone busy and full of joy.
Being a part of the Zippy Pets team is exciting for Nathan because it offers the chance to work with an amazing group of humans and to meet such a wide range of unique animals and people who care for them. The community in WNC is very important to Nathan, and he is thrilled to continue meeting other animal lovers in the area!
