When it comes time to travel, a big question usually arises: What to do with the pets?
That is where Darcies Dancing Dogs comes into play. Darcie Pelley, who is based in Rochester but also serves the Yelm area, can drop into homes and ensure pets are well cared for while owners are away.
“Darcies Dancing Dogs came to me in moments of thinking of what to call it,” Pelley said. “My best friend, Kerry Combs, suggested I start my own business, so I did.”
Pelley’s background working with animals started when she was a child when she would take horseback-riding lessons and train family dogs.
“When I was a senior in high school, I did work-based learning and worked part time as a veterinary assistant/office staff person and helped with surgery prep, surgeries and routine care, X-rays, all cleanups and emergencies,” she said.
Pelley said one of her favorite things to do was work with the teaser mare, groom her and ride her to and from her stall to pasture.
“I was always connecting with the animals,” Pelley said. “At that time, I found Bunny Roberts at R-Place Stables. She found my first horse and taught me how to train, handle problem horses and discipline safely. She was like my second mom.”
Spanaway Vet hired Pelley, and a groomer hired her as an assistant. There, she teamed up with a former show groomer who trained her to ensure her work was “thorough and great.”
“The neighbors would call me the dog whisperer,” Pelley said. “It was often I would walk amid handlers and help the neighbors with their dogs, and quickly my reputation grew.”
Pelley then met Diana Crimi with Second Chance Dogg Rescue and started her career at Animal Behavioral College. While training rescue dogs, she completed her externship at Scattercreek Kennels and Training Services, and it was there that she learned advanced dog training skills and worked with German Shepherds trained for police work.
“I learned from Jim Elder, owner of West Coast Police Canine and Scattercreek Kennels, former [U.S. Schutzhund Club] president and working judge,” Pelley said. “I’m still learning from him. I was the kennel manager for eight years. Now, I manage the police dogs and continue to train my dogs to compete in Schutzhund in between pet sitting. I really enjoy the animals and feel complete with them in my life.”
Darcies Dancing Dogs offers drop-ins where Pelley goes to clients’ houses after a meet and greet and takes care of animals. She averages 20-30 minutes each visit, including bathroom breaks, feedings, bowl washing, bringing in packages and mail and moving drapes.
“My most enjoyable time is when the animals look forward to me being in their presence,” Pelley said.
Pelley added that the surrounding community has been open and curious about her services.
“I love that the community loves their animals and cares about their well-being,” Pelley said. “My services do just that, and the pets appreciate staying home out of the stressful, noisy kennels. They learn my car real quick.”
Those interested in Pelley’s services can contact her at 360-789-5730 or by emailing DarciesDancingDogs@gmail.com.
For more information, visit her website at https://darciesdancingdogsllcpetsittin.godaddysites.com/.
