My Story
Greetings! My name is Megan Hawthorne. I am the sole owner/operator and pet care professional of Trusty Companion Pet Sitting and Dog Walking based in Asheville, NC. This business was born from my passion for making animals happy. My love for and connection with dogs drives my devotion to my work. I recognize what a significant thing it is to trust a stranger with one’s most cherished possession, and I don’t take that lightly. Your pet’s welfare and happiness are my number one priority when it is in my care. I always strive to provide optimal care, love, and friendship for any animal that I’m working with and treat them as my own.
I have had the pleasure of providing professional pet sitting and dog walking services in Asheville since 2016. I got my start on Rover.com but have now been operating independently for several years. Since then I have cared for over 100 pets. Previously I worked for a pet sitting company, Pet Sitters of Charlotte, for over a year in 2014. As a teenager, I was always the one to call amongst family friends to care for their pets. But really I have a lifetime of experience loving and caring for animals. Dogs were important members of the family ever since I was a baby, so they have been an integral part of my life and upbringing. I think that is why I find their companionship so fulfilling and why they seem to be drawn to me and connect with me easily. From a very young age, my parents taught me to love and care for a pet as a member of the family, as more than just a pet, and I carry that with me to this day. Growing up, I also cared for a few generations of hamsters, baby ducks, and was involved in horseback riding in my teens.
I have experience caring for animals in all shapes and sizes including dogs, cats, hamsters, rabbits, turtles, fish, birds, chickens, and horses. I am comfortable working with both large and small, the old and young, and the not so nice ones. I don’t want to call myself a pet whisperer, but I do have a way with animals. They seem to be attracted to me, and I’m usually able to earn their trust quickly, even the shy ones. I have some knowledge of basic gentle positive reinforcement training and always make sure to utilize any training commands you’re working on with your pup. I am a NAPPS certified pet sitter, pet first aid/CPR certified and fully bonded and insured.
When I am not playing with dogs, I enjoy cooking, reading, art, photography, even more hiking, and traveling.
It has been an incredible experience turning my favorite pastime, hiking with dogs and snuggling up with furry ones, into a full time career. It has also been a pleasure over the years developing wonderful working relationships with the human clients as well. I can’t wait to be your pet’s trusted companion and friend while you’re away!
