Local pet care you can trust, from people who truly love what they do.
Serving Littleton pets since 1995. Our bonded, insured, and background-checked team is trained in Pet CPR & First Aid, dog body language, and cat behavior.
Compassionate, dependable care. 365 days a year.
*Select team members are trained and experienced in administering medications, including pills, insulin, injections, and subcutaneous fluids.
Meet your new favorite pet care professionals
Dawn O.
Owner
At Distinctive Pet Care, everything we do is built around one simple belief: your pets deserve to feel safe, comfortable, and loved, even when you’re not home. That belief started with our owner, Dawn Olson. Click to read more.
Dawn moved to Colorado in 1987 from Juneau, Alaska, to attend Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology. After earning her Associate of Applied Science degree and becoming a Certified Veterinary Technician, she began her career working in veterinary medicine. But it was her own experiences as a pet owner that shaped what would come next.
After several negative experiences with traditional boarding, Dawn realized there had to be a better way, one that kept pets in the comfort of their own home, reduced stress, and provided truly personalized care.
In 1995, she founded Distinctive Pet Care.
Within nine months, the business became her full-time focus, and within a year, she hired her first pet sitter. Since then, Distinctive Pet Care has grown into a trusted, professional team serving the Littleton community with the same core mission: to treat your pets like our own.
In 2005, Dawn expanded her impact in the local pet community by purchasing Ken Caryl Laund-Ur-Mutt, which was later rebranded as Ken Caryl Pet Spa in 2013.
After 20 years serving the community through both businesses, Dawn transitioned ownership of Ken Caryl Pet Spa and is now dedicated fully to Distinctive Pet Care.
Today, she continues to focus on providing exceptional in-home pet care while spending time between Colorado, Alaska, and Virginia, where she enjoys life on a friend’s hobby farm.
Her passion has always been rooted in education and empowerment. Dawn is dedicated to helping pet owners understand how to care for their pets in practical, meaningful ways, whether that’s through proper nutrition, safety, or everyday care.
Over the years, she has continued her education and earned multiple certifications in pet first aid, safety, behavior, and nutrition.
Certifications & Education
Certified American Red Cross Pet First Aid Instructor, 2011
Canine Colors Facilitator, 2012
PetTech Certified Instructor, 2012
Master PetTech Instructor, 2013
100-hour Canine Nutrition Course, 2015
Dogs Naturally University Pet Nutrition Course, 2019
The Science Dog Nutrition Course, 2022
Katie W.
Team Training Lead & Associate Pet Sitter
Katie is a Colorado native who grew up on a ranch outside of Golden, where her love for animals began early. She has hands-on experience caring for a wide variety of animals, including pigs, horses, chickens, goats, dogs, and cats, – Click to read more.
…which gives her a well-rounded and intuitive approach to pet care.
She graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in Business Marketing. She later combined her passion for animals with leadership experience while managing a nonprofit horse therapy facility, overseeing both animal care and staff. She also volunteered over 1000 hours at the facility.
She has a special place in her heart for rescue animals and has welcomed many dogs into her home over the years, always focused on giving them a safe, happy, and loving life. Katie takes pride in providing attentive, reliable care and treating each pet as if they were her own.
At home, Katie is also a proud mom of two daughters, one attending Columbine High School and the other at the University of Arizona. Katie enjoys life with her two French Bulldogs, Cinnamon and Sugar, who keep her smiling and active.
Katie understands how important it is to have someone dependable caring for the things you love most.
In addition to caring for DPC pets, Katie helps welcome and train new members of our pet sitting team, sharing DPC’s standards for dependable, professional, and compassionate care
Additional Training: Katie became Pet First Aid & CPR Certified in April 2026.
Kathy
Associate Pet Sitter
Kathy started with Distinctive Pet Care in August 2016. Before joining Distinctive Pet Care, Kathy worked as a geophysical analyst in the oil and gas industry. Click to read more.
When she left her oil and gas industry position, she knew it was time for a change.
Since she grew up with cats and dogs and enjoyed pet sitting for neighbors, she decided it was time to focus on what she enjoys – taking care of furry family members.
Kathy supports Warrior Canine Connection, Morris Animal Foundation, and Canine Companions for Independence. She lives in Littleton and is pictured here with her 12-year-old fur kid, Cody. Kathy enjoys hiking, golfing, kayaking, and mountain biking in Grand Lake in her free time.
Kathy used our services when Cody was a puppy and was interested in joining our team when she left her previous career. Cody has crossed over the Rainbow Bridge, and she now has a new Labrador named Coal, and added another Labrador, Chip. (I feel a theme here!)
Additional Training: Kathy completed her Pet Tech First Aid and CPR training in August 2016 and renewed it in 2019.
Cathy T (aka Cat)
Associate Pet Sitter
She has worn many hats since moving to Colorado from Nebraska in 1996, but most recently was a graphic designer and proofreader for 15 years. Cathy has a BS degree in Psychology with a minor in Gerontology, and an AAS degree in Multimedia and Graphic Design.
She is a lifelong fan of animals big and small and grew up with a dog, a bird, and several tanks full of fish. In her 20s, she started adopting rabbits, then added cats, chinchillas, and guinea pigs to the mix. At one point, there were 17 critters living under her roof! Cathy began pet sitting for friends and family approximately 10 years ago and worked at two doggie daycares in the metro area.
She is very excited to devote her time to caring for animals regularly, and can’t wait to meet your furry (or feathery, or scaly) family!
Additional Training: Cathy completed her Pet Tech Pet First Aid & CPR training in October 2016 and is trained and experienced in administering injectable medications and subcutaneous (SQ) fluids.
Teri B.
Associate Pet Sitter
She started pet-sitting for friends and family when she moved back to Colorado after attending college in Nebraska, and began adopting and helping stray animals as soon as she had her own apartment.
Over the years, many of her pets needed medications at one point or another, and she learned to stay relaxed, focused, and calm when administering all types – from pills to injections, to sub-q fluids. She (and her family) knew from a very early age that she had an enormous love for all living creatures, as she would bring everything from a hurt toad to an injured baby raccoon back home to nurse it back to health.
Needless to say, limits had to be set when her mom came home to find Teri caring for an injured bat in the garage.
More recently in Teri’s journey with animals, she has done volunteer work at the Humane Society of the South Platte Valley and completed a dog training certification course in 2018. Teri has always been drawn to working with animals in some capacity, so she is very excited to have the opportunity to do this through Distinctive Pet Care. When she has free time, she enjoys camping and hiking, or just relaxing with a good book or Netflix. She is married and currently has two cats – Chuck and Scarlet.
Teri joined Distinctive Pet Care in September 2019.
Additional Training: Teri became Pet First Aid and CPR certified in September 2019 and is trained and experienced in administering injectable medications and subcutaneous (SQ) fluids.
Chloe F.
Associate Pet Sitter
I am a Colorado native and have spent my whole life in Colorado, but I have traveled to almost all of the 50 states except four, which are on my list to visit.
I’ve always had an interest in animals since I was young, when I wanted to be a Vet growing up and I have had many kinds of animals from reptiles (lizards and snakes) to dogs and cats. Growing up, I spent my time riding horses with Westernaires and learning how to care for them.
I’m currently enrolled at Red Rocks Community College, where I’m pursuing a degree in Zoology and Environmental Science. My goal is to become a Zookeeper and/or travel around the world helping animals. I attend online classes, which gives me the perfect schedule to be a pet caregiver!
My animal family includes my rottweiler named Cassidy, whom I have had since she was 6 weeks old. She is now ten and still thinks she’s a puppy, with her favorite things being to sit in your lap and play in the sprinklers. My dog is an important member of my life, and I look forward to loving yours and making sure they are cared for as if they are my own.
I enjoy learning and meeting new people, and look forward to meeting you and your furry family!
Additional Training: Chloe became Pet First Aid & CPR certified in May 2024.
Sukey A.
Associate Pet Sitter
Sukey has been an animal lover for as long as he can remember. Growing up in Southern California with dogs, rabbits, fish, mice, a rat named Maytag, and even a snake, he always had animals as an important part of his life. Click to read more.
At one point during elementary school, his mouse family grew to more than 40!
Raised by free-spirited “hippy parents” and famously born in a VW bus, Sukey brings a fun personality, caring nature, and unique life experiences to the Distinctive Pet Care team. As a teenager, he spent many years pet-sitting for neighborhood dogs and helping care for family pets.
Sukey moved to Colorado nearly 30 years ago to attend the University of Colorado Boulder, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music. He later completed a Master’s Degree in International Studies from the University of Denver and spent two years serving in the Peace Corps in El Salvador. He currently works in government service.
Over the past five years, Sukey also helped coach and support his daughter in building her own pet-sitting and dog-walking business for family and neighbors. Now that she has graduated from high school, he is excited to have more time to dedicate to caring for pets and helping local families.
Although he does not currently have pets of his own, Sukey genuinely enjoys spending time with animals and treating them with patience, kindness, and attention. Outside of work, he enjoys hiking, exercising, reading, spending time outdoors, and being with friends and family.
Additional Training: Sukey became Pet First Aid & CPR Certified in April 2026.
Dorie G.
Associate Pet Sitter
Dorie joined Distinctive Pet Care in the spring of 2024 and has lived in the Ken Caryl area for over 35 years. Click to read more.
Since retiring from their family business in 2023, Dorie has found more free time and is drawn back to her passion for animal welfare and care. She is also available to spend more time with her grandchildren.
Her grandparents were ranchers in the Steamboat Springs area, so she has had experience with horses, cattle, and sheep. This upbringing instilled a deep appreciation for wildlife and a strong advocacy for preserving and managing our country’s wild horse population.
Our current pet family includes 2 dogs, both from rescues, with one having special needs. Over the years, being an animal lover, I have had many pets, including dogs, cats, birds, small furries, and reptiles.
Having previously worked as a vet tech with a local veterinarian, Dorie learned many skills that range from administrative duties to assisting with diagnostics, surgeries, and treatments. Dorie has volunteered as a home foster for local rescue organizations for over 10 years for different pets ranging from moms with newborn litters to senior-age pets that require specific medical care needs. She volunteers at local adoption events and has experience with administering medications & injections.
Dorie understands how important it is to trust someone else in your absence, and she looks forward to meeting you and your pet family!
Additional Training: Dorie became Pet First Aid and CPR certified in May 2024 and is trained and experienced in administering injectable medications and subcutaneous (SQ) fluids.
Melany W.
Associate Pet Sitter
Melany is a Colorado native who is grateful to once again call Colorado home after spending time living in both Virginia and Louisiana. Click to read more.
She proudly served in the United States Navy and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from the University of Colorado Denver.
She spent 25 years working for Colorado Parks & Wildlife as an office manager and has always had a deep love for animals, the outdoors, and all the beauty Colorado has to offer.
Melany has had dogs for most of her life and currently shares her home with four pups, Daisy, Sassy, Griffin, and Siggy, each with their own unique personalities. She understands how important routines, attention, and companionship are for pets when they are away from their families.
When she is not caring for pets, Melany enjoys spending time with her husband, traveling, doing puzzles, watching new shows, and being near her family, including her two grown sons, bonus daughter, and bonus son.
Additional Training: Melany became Pet First Aid & CPR Certified in April 2026.
Christy A.
Associate Pet Sitter
Christy describes herself as a kind-hearted goofball and, lifelong animal lover. Originally from Las Vegas, she has called Colorado home for 24 years… Click to read more.
…and still waves at deer, takes pictures of neighborhood squirrels, and can’t imagine life without animals and wildlife.
Christy shares her home with three beloved cats who are her world, but her love for animals certainly doesn’t stop with cats. She’s crazy about dogs and enjoys caring for everything from hamsters to birds. At a previous dog-friendly workplace, she even earned the nickname “the dog whisperer” because of her natural connection with the dogs who came to work with their owners.
Christy is excited to bring that same affection, patience, and fun personality to the pets she cares for at Distinctive Pet Care.
And spiders? Those are where she draws a VERY firm line!
Additional Training: Christy became Pet First Aid & CPR Certified in October 2026.
Jadey J.
Associate Pet Sitter
Jadey is a Colorado-based animal lover who is excited to trade some of her time with two-legged customers for more four-legged friends! Click to read more.
After 18 years working as a restaurant server, she brings plenty of patience, reliability, and people skills to her role with Distinctive Pet Care.
Having raised two dogs of her own, Jadey has experience with everything from energetic puppies to the changing needs of senior dogs. She also loves cats and has experience caring for birds. Whether it’s playtime with an active pup, a leisurely walk with a senior, or some extra attention and cuddles, Jadey enjoys getting to know each pet’s individual personality and routine.
When she’s not caring for pets, Jadey enjoys exploring Colorado trails, playing tennis, and planning her next adventure. She looks forward to giving DPC pets all the attention, exercise, and affection they deserve.
Additional Training: Jadey became Pet First Aid & CPR Certified in October 2026.