Full Text:

(Business page) feature on Safe At Home LLC

(with phots)

BY KAAREN VALENTA

Leaving on a business trip or a vacation can be difficult if you own a dog or

a cat. Add a couple of rabbits, a parrot, a horse and some llamas, and you

might as well stay home.

That's not the case, however, for clients of Safe At Home LLC, an in-home pet

care business that was established in Newtown by Adria L. Henderson and

recently expanded to include a new partner, Lisa N. Peterson.

Safe At Home regularly cares for all domestic animals including dogs, cats,

exotic birds, rabbits and horses (and has on occasion cared for gerbils,

llamas, lizards, chickens, and goats). Their services include not only daily

walking and feeding, but also administering medications, delivery of pet food

supplies and, if needed, transportation to a groomer, veterinarian, or

boarding facility. Pet sitting includes free mail pick-up, plant care and

security checks, and an 800 number for owners to call to check on their pets.

"We have 72 clients and get new ones every week," Ms Henderson said.

Together the two women have more than 50 years of experience caring for,

training, breeding and showing animals. "Lisa and I have similar backgrounds

with dog care and training," Adria Henderson said. "She brings (into the

business) specialized knowledge about dogs and horses. As a former journalist

and private investigator, she also comes with impeccable security references."

The two women met in 1986 during the "woodchipper murder" investigation and

trial of Richard Crafts, who was convicted in the death of his wife, airline

flight attendant Helle Crafts. Adria Henderson was involved with the case as a

private investigator; Lisa Peterson was at that time the crime reporter for

The Bee.

"I own an investigative agency and legal support service, New World Services,"

Ms Henderson said. "I hired Lisa in 1988. It's not your average investigative

service. Most of our clients are attorneys. We do a lot of trial simulations

and focus groups."

The business is a high-stress enterprise, however, so Adria Henderson turned

to animals to relieve the stress. As a trainer, she specialized in correcting

animal behavior problems.

"I previously owned and operated boarding and training facilities in Norwalk

and Newtown," she explained. "In Norwalk the kennel had 56 dog runs and space

for 36 cats. I've worked with hundreds of dogs over the past 25 years."

A resident of Newtown for 21 years, she quietly started a small pet sitting

business a few years ago. When she started to run a classified ad in The Bee ,

"the business just blossomed," she said.

Teaming up with Lisa Peterson enabled the service to expand to include horses.

A horse owner and former professional trainer, teacher and groom, Ms Peterson

also is no stranger to the dog world. She is an active breeder and exhibitor

of Norwegian Elkhound show dogs in conformation and obedience, and a member of

the Newtown Kennel Club.

The women are bonded and insured and members of the professional organization,

Pet Sitters International.

They know how to administer medications to animals, do first aid, and are

trained to recognize problems that would require the services of a

veterinarian. They also offer a special reduced-priced program for senior

citizens, the homebound, and for owners of rescued dogs.

"There are two facets to what we do," said Ms Henderson. "We do daily dog

walking from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm for people who work and can't get home during

the middle of the day. The other part of the business is pet sitting -- visits

to the home in the morning, noon, late afternoon, and evening. It's a 5:30 am

to 11:30 pm business, seven days a week."

"The daily dog walking service is popular with couples who both work and don't

want to leave the dog in the house all day long," Lisa Peterson said."We can

also work with a pet in such areas as basic obedience, behavior modification,

housebreaking, and pet outings."

"Staying at home, instead of a kennel, is good for pets because it reduces

their stress levels to stay in a familiar environment when their owners are

away. They get personalized attention -- a visit just for them."

The two women said that because security is the focus of their other business,

they do not call attention to themselves when they visit clients' homes.

"We do not wear Safe At Home tee shirts or jackets, and we don't drive a van

that says Safe At Home," Ms Henderson said. "We don't advertise the fact that

the homeowner is away."

Because their business is growing so quickly -- pet owners in surrounding

towns have begun to request their services -- the two women are already

planning to increase their staff.

"We are looking for others who might be interested in joining our staff of pet

sitters and daily dog walkers," Lisa Peterson said. "The market is there. The

pet-care industry is at $20 billion a year and growing, and $23 million of

that is pet sitting."

For more information about Safe At Home call 426-5784 or 426-4682.