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By JANINE ECKLAND ethbridge Herald Kerry VanderGriendt has had a number of different careers but the best one of all is being a professional pet sitter. VanderGriendt is the owner/manager of a local branch of Pet City Canada. She provides pet sitting services including walk ing pets, playtime and general care. The service also provides for trans porting pets and delivery pet sup plies. “It's my passion,” says Vander Griendt who is also a partner with her son at The Whirlin’ Dervish Pizzeria. “I know one day I'll end up being called the cat lady or the dog lady. I get a lot of thank you cards with pictures of dogs and cats.” The most unique animal she’s watched is a dragon bearded lizard. Animals aren't only a professional focus. Van der Griendt is a volunteer with the Lethbridge Humane Society, walking dogs and working at the office. She also brings her own dog to the Lethbridge Regional Hospital as a volunteer with the pet therapy program. “I have always worked in the hospitality business,” she says. She began at the age of 12 working at a pizza place and decided to become a chef. She worked as a chef for 15 years before moving into sales and marketing for a hotel chain. “But all the time, I've just always loved animals. I wanted to do something for me and so, as an entrepreneur, I started with Pet City Canada. This is something I just love.” In larger centres, pet sitting is much more common but Vander Griendt says she's seen her business grow from about a dozen clients just over a year ago to more than 70. Originally from Calgary, she moved to Lethbridge in 1993. “This is my home,” she says of the city. “It's the perfect size city, people are friendly — it’s just the charm of the city, it has so much.” Van der Griendt is the vice president and president-elect of the local branch of Executive Women International and will represent the chapter at the annual convention in Denver, Colorado next September. “It's business women and we network,” she says. “It’s professional development, personal development. We represent our firms and we can go anywhere from 24 to 32 firms in a year.” The organization does one fundraising event each year and supports scholarships at the university and college. In the past, it has regularly supported the YWCA's Harbour House Women’s Shelter through clothing drives and fundraising. Any questions? Contact the writer at janine.ecklund@lethbridgeherald.com
Newspaper Details
Lethbridge Herald
Lethbridge, Alberta, CA
Mon, Aug 11, 2003
Page 4
Full Page
Clipped by
Cs G.
USA 02 Sep 2026
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