References/Testimonials | theanimalkeeper

References

& Testimonials

Career References

Dennis Barry, Sr., Owner

HALLAMORE CORPORATION

140 Bedford Street

Lakeville, MA 02347

800.242.1300

Ned Niemiec, Farm Manager

HALLAMORE CLYDESDALES

138 Bedford Street

Lakeville, MA 02347

508.946.3496

Clint Paige, Owner

BELMONT WHEELWORKS

480 Trapelo Road

Belmont, MA 02178

617.489.3577

Doug Fog, Supervisor

BUDWEISER CLYDESDALES

500 Sea World Drive

San Diego, CA 92109

619.895.6764

Cirby Simerson, Manager / Mammal Department

SAN DIEGO ZOO

San Diego, CA

619.685.3273

Jen Reid, Manager / Horse Department

BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SOCIETY

Kanb, UT

435.644.2001

Local References - Geneva, Aurora, Naperville, etc and the North Shore

Scott Lazar / Parrots, Guinea Pigs, Rabbits / 312.498.9555

TESTIMONIAL:

"Steve, We appreciate all that you’ve done for our family over the years!"

“Whenever our family leaves town, we call Steve. Steve has provided great care to our Guinea pigs, rabbits and parrots for years. He even helps water our garden when we’re on vacation. But most of all, Steve provides us piece of mind. He always shows up. He keeps an eye on our place when we’re gone. He brings in the mail and packages. He locks up tight when he’s done, and finally, he’ll send a text to let us know how our pets and home are doing.

With Steve on the job, vacations are even more relaxing!”

Hope Black / Dogs / 224.610.9935

Frank & Linda Spitz / Parrots, Rabbits / 630.220.0300

TESTIMONIAL:

To whom it may concern,

For those looking for a pet sitter, one can not do better than utilize the expertise, care, efficiency and dedication to task than with Steve Hanssen.

Mr. Hanssen has a breath of experience to which others can only dream about or which to achieve. His spectrum of experience reads like the 'Whos Who of Animal Care'. Mr. Hanssen has perfected his enormous skill set at prestigious facilities among which include, but not limited to, San Diego Zoo, Sea World, Santa Barbara Zoo, and Six Flags Animal Kingdom

As to animals, Mr. Hanssen has worked with elephants, large felines, wolves, raptors, reptiles, tapirs, cats, and rabbits, plus rare farm animals to name a few. Duties ran the gamut from care and socialization of multitudes of rabbits, care and maintenance of horses (including Hallamore Clydesdales), assisting in various veterinary procedures (neonatal processing), animal moves, construction and maintenance of enclosures, and assisting in educational programs.

We have entrusted our rabbits and parrots to Mr. Steve Hanssen for years when we were out of town. We received daily reports so we knew our pets were being well-cared for and in good hands. One would be hard pressed to find an animal caretaker with such credentials and dedication to the pets entrusted unto him.

Frank J. Spitz M.Sc.

Holly Rueter / Dogs / 630.229.3458

Maureen Reed / Cats / 630.770.4652

TESTIMONIAL:

We asked Steve to care for our two senior cats for a week while we were away at our daughter's wedding. Needless to say, it was a stressful time for us. We had so many details to manage and to top it off, we had a minor emergency at the house while we were away.

Steve really came through for us, above and beyond expectations. He ably handled the special diet and medicine for the cats, while unexpectedly stepping in to handle the minor emergency.

His communications were a valued lifeline to what was going on back home. Without Steve, my daughter's wedding experience would have been quite different.

We can't thank him enough and highly recommend his excellent service.

John & Laura Beasley / 630.701.5333

Nina Perkins / 630.248.1817

TESTIMONIAL:

When I first learned about The Animal Keeper Pet Sitter, I was very happy because of the location. While speaking to Steve, I quickly saw that he is a very kind man, passionate about animals, and provides many years of professional animal care for a variety of animals. That made me feel very comfortable and reassured me that he knows what he's doing.

Steve is also very fair about the cost of his services. So, when I asked Steve to take care of my beloved Siberian Husky Scarlett, I knew she was in good hands, would be safe, and well-taken care of. Steve provided to me regular updates on Scarlett's status and pictures of her activity. Scarlett loves Steve, and I will always entrust Steve's pet sitting services for my baby.

Nina Perkins

Aurora, IL

Robert & Kate Parlier / 630.788.1882

Pat Sieber / 630.747.1054

Geri Moritz (Birds, Chickens) / 331.223.3518

Jacque Maxeiner / 630.772.2678

Eileen Voiland / 630.248.0744

(just to name a few...)

Profession Animal Care History

SIX FLAGS ANIMAL KINGDOM - Vallejo, CA

Elephant Keeper

Responsible for care and showing of 3 Asian and 3 African female elephants.

BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SOCIETY – Kanab, UT

Caregiver at Bunny House

Responsible for care and socialization of 150 rabbits, building and enclosure maintenance, conducted public tours, and assisted with the adoption process.

Volunteer Coordinator / Animal Caregiver – Equine Department

Responsible for daily organization, education, and safety of a wide range of school groups, interns, and public volunteers at the Sanctuary.
Daily horse care and management.
Assisted large animal veterinarian with various procedures, including wound medication, hoof care, etc.

FEJERVARY CHILDREN’S ZOO – Davenport, IA

Assistant Curator

Large cat, wolf, raptor and reptile care.
Assisted regularly with public relations, fundraising and educational programs.

SANTA BARBARA ZOO – Santa Barbara, CA

Keeper / Elephants

Care of 2 female Asian elephants.

HALLAMORE CORPORATION – Lakeville, MA

Horseman

Accountable for the care and showing of the Hallamore Clydesdales during their annual tour of the New England Fair and show circuit.
Extensive public relations work with an international audience.

BUTTONWOOD PARK ZOO – New Bedford, MA

Keeper / Domestics Department

Full care of a large New England barn, including a number of rare New England farm animal species.
Public relations and presentations.

SAN DIEGO ZOO – San Diego, CA

Keeper / Mammal Department

Daily participation in veterinarian procedures and knock-downs, neonatal processing, animal moves, enclosure construction and maintenance, public relations, as well as other activities as needed.
Responsible for care of extensive hoofstock collection, including Bongos, Tapirs, Szechwan Takins, Muntjac, etc.

ANHEUSER-BUSCH CORPORATION (Sea World in San Diego, CA)

Horseman