Hand in Paw

This review is long overdue. I have worked from home for a few years and know of many dog walkers I have watched while waling my dog. some okay, some. borderline abusive and it boggles the mind how anyone could leave their pup with these toxic individuals.
Now, the good news. Stephanie has always stood out to me from the rest in a very positive way. She has a consistently calm energy with the dogs (and people) she works with, does NOT walk around texting on her phone while ignoring what the dogs are doing (or eating), and genuinely cares about the dogs she works with and their well being.
I cannot recommend her highly enough (neither can my pup Theo!).

Stephanie is amazing at what she does. She’s incredibly responsible, accommodating with my schedule, and is also very passionate when it comes to taking care of her clients’ pets. I met Stephanie through volunteering at the Oakland Animal Shelter and have seen firsthand how in tune she is with dogs, both big and small. I can’t think of anyone else I’d trust more than Stephanie and would definitely recommend her in a heartbeat!

Stephanie is the best! We all love her. She’s responsible, great with the animals, and super easy to work with. She dealt with fluctuations in our home schedule and accommodated our needs — always with a smile. We all love her!

I volunteer for a local rescue organization and we would be lost without Stephanie and Hand in Paw! She regularly walks many of the dogs we have in foster homes and she is fantastic with ALL of them! She’s über responsible and easy to get in touch with and schedule too! People Animals Love and Support (PALS) volunteers could not recommend her more highly!

I’m a long-​time volunteer at Oakland Animal Services and have a lot of experience with dogs. I can honestly say that Stephanie’s dog walking services are the best.
I am currently fostering a dog with special behavioral needs. He has been traumatized in the past and has issues with fear and lack of confidence. He is definitely not the kind of dog that just anyone is able to handle. One of the things he needs is slow exposure to different environments and handlers. Stephanie began taking him on long walks and hikes and the results were fantastic! I expected her to come back with a long list of problem behaviors. Instead, she was able to get him to trust her, which let him relax enough that he could simply enjoy the time outside. Also, he is a very sensitive dog and her relaxed and calm energy was very beneficial for him. His time with her is extremely beneficial and healing for him, and that is something very few people could accomplish.
Stephanie is a caring handler and has extensive knowledge of dog behavior and psychology. She also takes the time to get a sense of what your particular dog’s needs are. Stephanie also has a deep connection with dogs (and all animals), which is lacking in some dog walkers. When you hire Stephanie, you can be assured that your dog will be with a caring and compassionate handler and that his/​her needs will be fully met.

We love Stephanie, who regularly walks our puppy! Stephanie is patient, kind, and very knowledgeable. I highly recommend Stephanie for wonderful dog walks in East Bay parks!