In 2010, my mom surprised me for my birthday with an ice cream cake and a tiny cream Pomeranian named Pascal. I was fresh out of college and working long hours in the city, so adopting a dog was not part of my plan, but my mom had rescued him from a situation where he was not getting the care he needed and she had a feeling he belonged with me. She was right. Pascal changed my life and deepened a love for animals that has only grown with time.

Brian came into my life just days before Pascal did. We met while performing in an off off Broadway show at Theater for the New City in the East Village and we have been together ever since. We married in Iceland in 2019, one of our favorite places, and we try to spend as much time as we can outside, exploring, walking, and soaking up nature.

In 2021, just three weeks after moving to Jersey City, my mom passed away. It was heartbreaking, and I worried grief would shape how I experienced our new home. Instead, Jersey City brought me community, light, and healing in ways I never expected.

Around that time, my family was navigating a big transition. My younger sister lives with disabilities and needs full time care, and my older sister stepped in as her guardian. I wanted to help however I could, including financially. That is when I began offering dog walking and pet sitting.

Those early walks became a turning point. Caring for neighborhood dogs gave me routine, joy, and connection during an incredibly difficult season. The pets I cared for felt like little angels on earth, and I will always be grateful for the way they carried me forward.

Not long after, I fell in love with caring for plants too. With encouragement from the wonderful team at PLNTD, my plant collection grew right alongside my pet care business. I realized I’m a nurturer at heart, and caring for pets and plants is truly what I’m meant to do.

With Brian’s encouragement, I took the leap into full time pet care in 2023. What started as a side hustle became a career I’m deeply passionate about. Today, While You Wander exists so you can step out the door with peace of mind knowing your pets, plants, and home are cared for with safety, compassion, and a whole lot of heart.

We are so grateful for the clients who have been with us from the beginning, and we would love to support you and your crew next.

Fun fact: Outside of While You Wander, I’m also the founder of We Are Women Owned, a community that uplifts women-owned small businesses, and Brian works as a software engineer. But our favorite title will always be Pascal’s parents and caretakers of our neighborhood fur friends.