Today we’d like to introduce you to Casey Wilkinson.
Hi Casey, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved animals. I grew up surrounded by them! Dogs, cats, reptiles, farm animals…you name it! I was always the kid rescuing strays or bringing home injured animals, much to my moms’ surprise. Caring for animals just came naturally to me.
For years, I thought I’d become a veterinarian. It seemed like the obvious path for someone who loved animals as much as I do. But when I interned at a vet’s office, I quickly realized it wasn’t the right fit for me. I found myself feeling sad and emotionally drained. Then I thought I might become a K9 officer, but even after graduating college at the top of my class, that path didn’t work out either.
So I found myself working a mix of regular jobs just to get by, and on the side, I was always taking care of friends’ and family members’ pets whenever they traveled. It was during those moments when I was was walking dogs, feeding cats, and just being around animals all the time, that I felt genuinely happy. It reminded me of my childhood summers on the ranch and my time working at places like Monkey Jungle, Snakes, conservation programs, animal rescues, fostering cats, and training service dogs.
By 2017, I hit a breaking point. I quit everything and decided to go all in on what I loved most, caring for animals. I started walking dogs full-time, just me and a handful of loyal clients. It wasn’t glamorous by any mean’s, but it felt right.
Four years later, the business had grown beyond what I could handle alone. That’s when I decided to build a team of people who shared the same passion and care that started this whole thing. And that’s how DogWalkerPro was born. It’s been built from the ground up with heart, hard work, and a genuine love for what we do.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. When I started out, I had absolutely no idea how to run a business on my own. I just knew I loved animals and wanted to spend my days doing something meaningful with them. Looking back, I wouldn’t say we’ve had “struggles” in the traditional sense, it’s just been a nonstop journey of learning, growing, and figuring things out as we go.
I’ve always been a hard worker, but nothing truly prepares you for the emotional rollercoaster of entrepreneurship. There are days you feel on top of the world, and days where you question everything. For me, the hardest part has always been the financial side, things like asking for payments or raising prices never come naturally, even when I know it’s what the business needs.
This kind of work also requires a true 24/7 mindset. When you’re responsible for someone’s beloved pet, there’s no real “off switch.” You’re always thinking about them, always making sure they’re safe, happy, and cared for. That constant accountability can be overwhelming at times, but it also keeps me deeply connected to why I started this in the first place.
The easy part has always been the animals, the joy they bring, the unconditional love, the little personalities you get to know so well. The harder part has been stepping into that leadership role, learning the admin and business side, figuring out how to balance it all without losing the heart of what we do, and the absolute hardest is saying goodbye to our pack members.
The world is always changing, and this business keeps us on our toes. But every challenge has pushed us to grow in ways we never expected. At the end of the day, it’s all worth it when we see a happy pup wagging its tail or a client’s relief knowing their pet is in good hands. That’s what keeps us going.
As you know, we’re big fans of Dog Walker Pro. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
At DogWalkerPro, we specialize in dog walking, pet sitting, and dog boarding, but that’s really just the start. We also offer a wide range of other services like pet transport, pet errands, and even wedding day attendant services, where we help include pets in one of the most special days of their owner’s life.
Our experience runs deep. We’ve worked with everything from reactive dogs, professional K9s, to livestock and we’re trained in areas like medication administration, diabetic shots, and even IV fluid treatments. Basically, if it’s the right thing for the animal, we’ll find a way to make it happen.
What truly sets us apart is the heart behind what we do. We’re a small, family-style organization that values quality over quantity. Every client and every pet we care for becomes part of our extended family. We know how much trust it takes to let someone else care for your animals, so we always go the extra mile, treating every pet as if they were our own.
Reliability is another huge part of who we are. We’ve built strong systems to make sure our clients are covered, even when life throws curveballs. We’re available, flexible, and able to pivot at a moment’s notice because pets’ needs don’t always follow a 9-to-5 schedule.
One of our proudest moments as a company was helping two of our client’s cats relocate overseas to Spain. It was such a complex and emotional process, but it showed just how far we’ll go to support the animals and families who trust us.
At the end of the day, DogWalkerPro isn’t just a business, it’s a passion-driven team of people who care deeply about the animals we serve. Every walk, every visit, every tail wag means something to us. Our goal has always been simple: to make life easier for pet parents while giving their animals the same love, attention, and care they’d get at home.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Honestly, if your heart and mind are fully in it, go for it. Just do it. You’ll never feel completely ready, and that’s okay. The truth is, no one ever really does. But when something truly matters to you and you match your grit and determination to it, amazing things can happen. Dreams really can come true.
Be open to change, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Growth comes from staying humble enough to keep learning. Celebrate the little wins, they may seem small at the time, but they add up and remind you how far you’ve come.
Most importantly, give yourself grace. There will be hard days, and moments when you doubt yourself, but those are the times that shape you the most. Remember why you started, your purpose is what will keep you grounded and disciplined when things get tough.
Entrepreneurship isn’t easy, but if you lead with passion, integrity, and heart, you’ll build something meaningful, something that reflects who you are.
Pricing:
- Dog Walking starts at $20/walk (1) Dog (M-F)
- Pet Sitting starts at $25/visit (1) Pet
- Boarding starts at $75/day (1) Pet
Contact Info:
- Email: DogWalkerProDWP@gmail.com
- Instagram: @dogwalker.pro
- Phone: (305) 905-6972
Image Credits
Bay Estrada
