ABOUT
Get to Know Us
Jeanne Cairns
Owner, Manager
I have walked a couple other, more practical career paths but the satisfaction offered by each were a distant second to the fulfilling life of taking care of pets. I figure I shouldn’t be selfish about my love for animals; there are other lives to help.
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I want to help clients like you go about your life without worrying that your pet is missing contact with a caring human. And of course, I want your pet to get the same individual care and attention whether you are home or away.
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I am so thrilled to be in this business because I believe pet ownership is truly one of those pure experiences that life has bestowed upon us. The irony is that people often think that humans are here to ensure pets' survival. However, you and I both know that it is more than likely the other way around.
Warmest regards,
Jeanne Cairns
Hi! My name is Jeanne Cairns, and I am the owner and general manager of A Plus Dog Walking. I live near Madison, Wisconsin with my dogs, cats, significant other, and his dogs. We have Hotchner (Hotch) who is a Mini English Bull Terrier who was sent to not only try my patience, but show me how deep our love can run for our animals. He has a huge personality and keeps me laughing. We also have Finn, the sweetest and most mellow cat. Vante (aka Little Kitty) and Willis are two more good kitties. Jeter and Soady, both English Springer Spaniels who love a good dip in the marsh, keep everything interesting.
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As far back as I can remember, I have always had pets, whether dogs, cats, horses, fish, birds, and even snakes. Like many of you, I have many fond memories of my various pets as childhood friends.
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Of the 4 children my parents had, I was clearly the most likely to do something with and for animals. Most of my childhood pictures are with my family, but I am the one always holding or petting the family pet at the time. I often annoyed my parents by bringing home strays to take care of. They would tell me to take the animal back where I found it, and I would agree, for a few minutes, but then I would always talk them into letting me keep it.
A PLUS DOG WALKING IS MY PASSION NOW!
Jill
Reiki provider, Admin
Jill Kiesow grew up in rural Stoughton, WI with dogs, cats, horses, ponies, goats, rabbits, and chickens, and has always preferred the company of animals. Jill is a vegan and animal advocate, has worked at a shelter, and fosters for Albert’s Dog Lounge and Minnesota Wisconsin Collie Rescue, and spends a lot of time with the adoptable dogs at Desert Willow Rescue and Rehab Ranch. She also has a Reiki practice to offer healing energy treatments for animals and people, and is thrilled to offer this service to A+ clients!
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Jill has a writing degree and has published her first novel, Wet Wings. Set in rural Wisconsin, it follows the saga of a chained dog and the woman who loves him, and explores our relationships with animals and other humans. She won the Lakefly Writers Conference short story award in 2018 in Oshkosh, WI, and has short stories published in several Clarendon House anthologies, and The Matador Review, Lunch Ticket, and more. Many stories are about animals and women.
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She lives in the country with her husband and their daughter, little girl, rescued cats Cora, Jasper (RIP), AWOL, Firefly, Sunny, Bart, and Fairy, adopted dogs (all foster fails): Branwen, corgi terrier mix, Ash, tri-colored collie, Skye, sable rough collie, and Dolly, foster dog, goats Clover and Oreo, and horses Zena and Mynx. It's a house full of chaos, love, and lots of pet hair.
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Read more and find short stories at www.jillkiesow.com.
From a young age Mersadies was passionate about animals. She grew up on a dairy farm surrounded by cats, dogs, cows, horses, chickens, and more. She would spend hours up in the hay mow playing with the barn cats, riding horses, or playing with the dogs.
Throughout her life she's had her own cats and dogs, and currently has two eleven-year old cats named Voodoo and Sheba and a one-year old Pomeranian named Kuma. Mersadies has a set of paw prints of Voodoo's and Sheba's tattooed on her arm so they are always with her.
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Mersadies worked at a university for several years until she realized she felt unfulfilled. So she took a chance and started working at an animal shelter doing Canine Enrichment and Exercise. She learned so much about dog behavior and body language, and how to build trust and respect with each and every pet. After some time she moved here to Madison and began working in pet care, and it's been a true joy.
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She looks forward to working with animals each and every day. The excitement the dogs have for going for a walk, or how eager the cats are for some attention and food brightens her day. Mersadies take great pride in building trust with each of the pets, particularly those that may have trust issues with people in the past. Not much makes her prouder than hearing from a pet parent that she is their pet's best friend and how happy it makes them to be a part of their routine.
Mersadies
Walker, Pet Sitter