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.
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!
Amy is originally from Northern Virginia. She grew up caring for family pets and has maintained a loving and respectful relationship with animals throughout her adult life. After earning a B.S. in Health Information Management from York College in Pennsylvania, Amy worked in the VA/MD/DC Metropolitan area’s hospitals, eventually rising to the position of Director of HIM.
Amy has an adventurous spirit. Her 30s brought a decade of exploration, beginning with a solo month-long drive across the country, visiting many interesting places along the way. She ultimately chose Scottsdale, Arizona as her home for a few years, where she experienced the hot desert, scorpions, and javelinas. A consulting job then offered her a unique opportunity to spend an extended period in Fairbanks, Alaska during the dark months. While there, Amy immersed herself in the local culture, viewing ice carvings, witnessing the Northern Lights, and even dog mushing—driving the sled as well as riding in it...what a thrill!
A return to Virginia was inevitable, as family is very important to Amy. This time, she lived in the beautiful Northern Neck of the Chesapeake Bay, enjoying fishing, kayaking, and time on the water for a few years. Next, she moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, where after three years, Amy welcomed boy/girl twins and returned to Virginia for six years to raise them close to family. Asheville had always been a favorite weekend getaway spot while living in Charlotte, and in 2018, it became her next destination.
Over the years, family and friends have trusted Amy to care for their pets—dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, fish, and reptiles, to name a few. While her work hasn’t always allowed her to have her own pets, one constant in her life has been the pure joy she gets from caring for others' pets. Amy is excited to bring her passion and joy in caring for pets of all kinds to the Zippy Pets team!
