“Scratch a dog and you’ll find a permanent job.” – Franklin P. Jones, humorist.
Missy Berkel has a new leash on life. This January, Missy started All Good Dogs dog-walking service. After spending 17 years working in the medical field, Missy has reinvented her professional life and now spends her days in the company of canines.
“Working as a nurse practitioner is a hard job,” explains Missy. “I want the best for my patients and I worry about them. That probably makes me good at my job, but it’s hard not to bring heavy emotions home with me. It is mentally draining.”
Missy is an energetic animal enthusiast. She has been actively involved with local animal rescue groups and has welcomed a few companion animals into her Salt Lake City home. To keep tabs on them while she needed to be away at work, Missy installed a pet-cam. She found that she was checking in with her pets on the camera frequently during the day.
“Then I realized that really,” Missy admits, “I just wanted to be in the mountains with my dogs.”
Early last December, Missy officially put the long hours on her feet and the emotional strain of the nursing profession behind her. Less than a month later, she started walking dogs professionally. Now she is relaxed and happy. While walking her pack of dogs, Missy feels alive.
Missy admits that it was a little scary starting up her own business, but she has already learned a lot about the process. For her, the start-up challenges have been exciting. Missy has worked hard to present her services to the community. She has been making relationships with veterinary clinics and animal-service providers. She frequently shares pictures and stories of her adventures on social media. All of her hard work is paying off. The growing momentum has been driving her forward and she has been steadily acquiring new clients, adding their dogs to her walking pack.
“It’s worth it. I love dogs!” she exclaims.
After only a few weeks, Missy already holds a deep appreciation for her new profession. She spends a handful of hours a day wrangling dogs and stays on top of her paperwork at home. Then, because she knows that her dogs have already had their own exercise and fun out on the trail, Missy feels free to do the same herself. Missy is also an athlete and an ultra- runner. The time she takes for herself and her training is now guilt free as she knows her dogs are happy, tired, and snoozing back home.
“I love the energy of the dogs. I get to move, I get to be outside.”
All Good Dogs
@allgooddogsslc
Dog walking and hiking service
Duration varies • $15-$40
30 minute walk starts at $15; 1 hour group hike $25; 2 hour group hike $40
Discounts for multiple pets in one family
hmberkel@gmail.com
(801)673-9856
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