We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Paloma Longton. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Paloma below.
Hi Paloma, thanks for joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
Since I was a little girl I’ve loved animals and have felt a deep connection with them; I rescued hundreds of dogs, birds, cats, and even snakes! Most of the adults around me never understood the level of sympathy that I had for animals, except my aunt Peru, who was just like me. She encouraged me to always take care of animals in need, as they cannot talk or ask for help and, by the end of the day, they are the most noble and grateful living beings. She let me help her tend to her 8 dogs, 6 cats, and 3 birds, and taught me tend to each animal the best way possible and understand their behavior. I never considered this as a career option in Chile, so I ended up working a 9 to 5 in an office for years. I was miserable.
In 2019 I came to live in the US with my family, and when we arrived to where we live in, I realized that here I could leave everything behind, pursue my passion as a profession, and live the American Dream. I started talking to people at dog parks and on the streets, and they all had the same issue: they didn’t trust or felt ok with the dog sitting and walking options that were available. After some time, I decided to take matters into hands and start offering my services as a dog caregiver and make my dream come true.
I started taking care of one dog, and after the people saw how the dogs reacted to me and behaved after they stayed, they were so impressed that they started recommending me to their family, friends and neighbors. Today I take care regularly of more than 20 dogs and helped rehab a heavily traumatized dog.
My passion became my mission: to provide a service that makes dogs feel loved and comfortable while their parents are away, just like a home outside of their own.
I’m more than just your average crazy dog lady.
Paloma, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I’m originally from Chile, where I worked as a translator in an office, a regular and boring 9 to 5 job. I always felt a deep connection with nature, but down there there was no possibility for me to work on something related to animals that made me feel complete. when I came to the US, I realized it was the perfect opportunity to find a way to work with animals and fulfill my dream of making a living out of that connection; this is how Paloma Dog Care started. I provide dog walking, sitting, and boarding services, as well as visiting homes of dogs that need special care. What sets my business apart from others is that I have a close relationship with the dogs I take care of, bonding as the alpha and setting the rules without making them feel uneasy and out of place; I personally tend to them as if they were my own. I empathize with my clients as I know that their dogs are family to them, so I try to simplify the process, keep open communication with them, and reassure that their dogs are having the best time as well as a personalized service according to each’s needs.
For me, Paloma Dog Care is not just a business but it is the way I want to live my life, as the say: choose to work in something you love and you won’t be working a day for the rest of your life!
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
The most effective strategy for growing my clientele is always doing the best job possible and taking the time to understand the dogs that arrive; I love taking care of dogs and helping them have a better life, so when they go back they instantly become my best promoters, as the bond we create shows whenever I ran into their dog parents and they can see how happy the dogs get when they recognize me. The best publicity you can get is a happy client, as this builds loyalty and trust from their owners and they feel relieved knowing that I’m taking care of them.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
I think that what helped me build a reputation in my market is the personalized treatment I give to each of the dogs that I take care of. It doesn’t matter if it is just a walk or boarding for 3 weeks, I always take the time to understand them, watch them, and help them feel more comfortable and get rid of negative behaviors that they might have. People started calling me a dog whisperer and, even thought I don’t like the term as it represents the trademark of another dog expert, I truly believe that I can get to communicate with the dogs by setting the rules of a pack and becoming the alpha; they learn to follow my lead without getting scared and they end up understanding how to behave with humans and with other dogs that interact with them.
I believe that when you love something it permeates into everything you do, and I feel that the reputation I’ve built is the result of my commitment to make the dogs have the best time and feel loved and understood when they are with me.
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Image Credits
Photos by Julian Oyanedel