Saratoga Dog Lovers business spotlight interview with Karissa Desofi from Sunshine Pack Walking!
Describe your businesses services?
Sunshine Pack Walking offers comprehensive pet care, including pack walking, training, and in-home boarding, exclusively for established pack members.
What made you get into this business?
I started this business 12 years ago out of my love for animals and the realization that busy pet owners need reliable, everyday care while they’re at work or on vacation. I also recognized that many people need help with training their dogs, and my services provide the perfect solution, seamlessly integrating training to create a meaningful, lasting impact for both dogs and their owners.
What is unique about your business?
What sets my business apart is the unique benefits of Pack Walking. It provides dogs with a much-needed midday outlet to walk, train, socialize, and embark on adventures with their friends, and returning home happy, tired, and well-balanced.
My in-home boarding service is equally special, as it is exclusively available to my established clients. This ensures that all dogs are already familiar and compatible with one another. You’ll never have to worry about your dog being around unfamiliar dogs or handlers, as every pup in my care has built a trusted bond with me through Pack Walking.
I take great pride in offer trustworthy, consistent, and reliable services to my clients. Every dog in my care receives nothing but the best and are treated like family.
What is one piece of advice you would give a pet owner looking to hire a pack walker?
I often hear, ‘My dog could never do that!’ while out on walks with my pack. My advice to anyone considering a pack walker is to trust the process, especially if you think your dog might struggle with it. With structure, patience, and consistency, every dog has the potential to exceed your expectations.
What is your favorite place to take a client’s dog(s)?
My favorite place to take my client’s dogs is in any of their neighborhoods. It is great to change up the environment so they have more of an opportunity to see and smell different places.
Do you own dogs? If yes how many and what breeds?
Yes, I have one dog, Raya ‘Sunshine.’ She was the inspiration behind the name of my business, Sunshine Pack Walking. I adopted her from Lucky Puppy Rescue in 2020, and she’s a Pit/Aussie mix with the perfect blend of a loving, gentle demeanor and remarkable intelligence. She thrives on training and loves to work. Most importantly, she loves her Pack Walks and being part of a pack.
What do you love most about your job?
What I love most about my job is working with dogs, especially those who need a little extra support and training. Seeing a dog that initially struggles transform and thrive within the pack is incredibly rewarding. Plus, getting to spend my days outdoors, surrounded by fresh air and nature, is truly a blessing.
What is the secret to your business’s success?
The secret to my business success is never giving up on what means the most to me, and that’s my clients! Being an entrepreneur involves dedication, persistence, and ability to grow. Success stems from building strong, trusting relationships with both dogs and their owners. I focus on creating a stable, stress-free environment for all the dogs in my care. By offering pack walking and in-home boarding to my established pack walking clients, I ensure every dog is familiar with me and the group dynamic. However, my work doesn’t end with just that pack walks and in-home boarding. I also dedicate time helping clients understand their dog’s behavior better, and ensure families and myself are on the same page on what their goals are for their dog’s achievements, which is the foundation of my business.
What do you love most about the Saratoga/Upstate NY area
What I love most about Saratoga/Upstate, NY is the beauty our small town has to offer and so many people have pets. I love that there are four seasons and how beautiful it is during the Fall months.
Is there anything else you would like to share about your business?
Sunshine Pack Walking is a woman-owned and operated business. As a Saratoga Springs native, I truly love what I do and take great pride in caring for my clients and their dogs. The relationships I build, with both the dogs and their owners, feel like family. I am deeply grateful for my clients, and I always make an effort to express my appreciation, because thanks to them, I get to live my dream.
Sunshine Pack Walking
sunshinepackwalking.com