Nia

About me:

Hello! My name is Naia. I am a 24 year old outdoor education student currently living in Christchurch CBD, just a stone's throw away from Hagley Park.

I was born and raised on a small subsistence-type farm in rural Australia with lots of dogs, cats, chooks, cows, horses, alpaccas, sheep and guinea pigs (you name it - we have had a lot of pets over the years!). 

I am quite the intrepid traveler. I went on my first solo backpacking adventure to Indonesia when I was just 18 years old, and recently finished an 18-month solo backpacking adventure through Asia and Europe. 

I have lived and studied abroad in Norway, and have just moved to New Zealand to complete my Graduate Diploma in Sustainability and Outdoor Education (I also have a Bachelors in Communications and a Diploma in Teaching English as a Foreign Language). 

What is my motivation to be a pet sitter?

I'm a very active person and an animal lover, so thought that signing up to do some dog walking was a great way to make some extra money and also bring more enjoyment to my walks. I walk / run / exercise everyday, and I think a four-legged friend makes a walk that much better. I'm also new to Christchurch, so pet sitting gives me an opportunity to discover new parts of the city. 

When am I usually available?

As a student, my availability ebs and flows a little bit, however my time-off is usually in the mornings and evenings. I also often have multiple days without class, so can happily pet / housesit for multiple days in a row (helping to water plants, bring in the mail etc. also). 

About my dog walking:

I am a keen walker, so would happily walk dogs up to 10km or take them on a 5-10km run. I would often take them through / around Hagley Park, or along the Avon River trail. I also have a car so could take the dog to the beach or for a walk through the red zone. 

About my pet / house sitting:

I would potentially be able to pet / housesit for up to one week, depending on my university schedule. I am a qualified English teacher and teach online so could work from home during this time. I would seek to keep the house alive and 'lived-in' by being around a lot, keeping plants alive, bringing in the mail etc., therefore increasing the secuirty of the home as it would not appear desolate or empty during the time you are away. 

More about my services:  

As a born and raised farm girl, I am pretty comfortable with all things animal-related. I am happy to administer medication or to teach dogs new skills and tricks. I am an animal lover, so would enjoy the company of your pet as much as they hopefully would enjoy mine. I previously wanted to be a vet and have volunteered at some animal shelters and completed some work experience in vetinary clinics. 

I look forward to hopefully meeting you and your pet(s) sometime soon!