Professional pet services provider
Dave Pearson, a former journalist and political consultant, started his Arvada home-based business about two years ago.
"Dogs are a higher breed (than politicians), " Pearson joked in his cluttered basement office dominated by life-size cut outs of
John Wayne brandishing a rifle and actor
Verne Troyer dressed as Mini-Me from the
Austin Powers film series.
Pearson, who grew up with Basque shepherds on a sheep ranch in Idaho, has always felt he had a special connection with animals.
"You don't move 50,000 sheep without dogs, " Pearson said.
Pearson's business, Pearson's Professional Pet Services, offers a variety of services for the health, safety and well being of your dog, as well as "your cats, rats and elephants."
Services include dog walking, group exercise, in-home visits and overnight sitting, bathing, a pet taxi and a "sooper, dooper pooper-scooper yard service." Pearson estimates he has half a dozen people or so working for him providing services on any given day.
Despite the myriad of services offered by the company, Pearson's singular passion is dog obedience training.
Pearson received a training certificate from the Animal Behavior College in 2007 and offers a free consultation with the owner and pet to determine what goals the owner would like to achieve.
After the consultation, Pearson outlines a personal training program for the dog and the owner.
"Most people don't want a circus animal, they just want a dog that comes," Pearson said.
Pearson has an affinity for the training style of
Caesar Milan, a.k.a. The Dog Whisperer.
"I've read all of (Cesar) Milan's books ... he knows dogs. I agree with most of what he says" Pearson said. "You know that old saying 'a tired dog is a good dog', well, It's true."
What's his least favorite part of the job? "The management of the business itself, Pearson said. " I'd rather just interact with dogs."
Pearson also teaches pet first aid for the Red Cross and volunteers at the Table Mountain Animal Center walking Pit Bulls. " The bully breeds, that's what I call them ... they get a bad rap," Pearson said.
Pearson has two dogs of his own, an Elkhound, Louie, and a recently rescued Greyhound, Taco, who came to Arvada via a Florida racetrack.
To lean more about Dave Pearson and the services he provides, visit
www.pearsonpetservices.com.