Cindy ValushPlainsboro TownshipOwner, A-Door-A-Pet
By Katie Wagner
Staff Writer
How did you get this job?
I kind of fell into this. I used to work at Princeton Medical Group and heard about A-Door-A-Pet from a nurse that had done some pet sitting for the company. My dog had just died and the nurse suggested I call the owner. About two months after my dog died, I started working for A-Door-A-Pet to get back to being around dogs and I loved it right away. I worked for the business for six years, under the A-Door-A-Pet’s former owner, managed it for the last two years and purchased it in July.
What kind of education and training did you need?
There’s no formal training. You just have to have a huge love for animals. My success in this career kind of came naturally, because pets have always been part of my family. I don’t have a business degree, but managing the company’s money has not been difficult.
Describe a typical day in your job.
My day starts around 8:30 or 9 a.m. and ends at night. I usually make between 10 and 15 stops to visit pets. In between pet visits, I check my messages. I am most frequently asked to give cat insulin shots, walk dogs for 30 minutes, oversee 45-minute pet “play dates” and pet sit. On nights when a dog’s owner is away, I’ll sleep over, so the dog is not alone. It’s pretty much my policy, as the company’s owner, that dogs can’t be left alone at night. I’m OK with leaving cats alone at night, however, since they are generally more independent animals.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I love dogs, I just can’t live without them. I enjoy getting kisses every day from the dogs. I enjoy the exercise and I enjoy the company the pets provide. I’m so happy I fell into this.
What do you enjoy least?
I don’t really know if there’s anything about it I don’t like. It’s just the hours that are tough. I do work seven days a week — pretty much from morning until night. It makes it difficult to do things with my family and it makes it tough to have a social life.
What is the key to success in your job?
My employees and I are always there for our customers when they need us. There’s always someone available. The people that work for us are really quite amazing. Whenever I get a call from a potential client, one of my employees will take the job, no matter how little notice she’s given. We’re here for emergencies. We’re here for your vacation. I just can’t think of any instance in which were unable to satisfy a caller’s request.

