The September 2013 Women's Edition is out! Pick up a copy and check out the article they wrote about ProCare Home and Pet Services.
ProCare Home and Pet Services
by Linda Gonzalez
Have you ever watched a gentle, unruffled person effortlessly problem-solve as they went along? Or maybe they changed a situation just a little bit so the outcome was so good that you were sure they worked some kind of magic. They were confident, yet nonchalant about their quest. That person knew it would turn out just right in the end. This seems to be Eric Savage’s style.
This style is what Eric and Jennifer Savage, owners of ProCare Home & Pet Services, reflected during our recent meeting. They say that their expertise and organized business style are a culmination of hours of study on pet care. Yet, there is a confidence and relaxed, calm air about them as well.
Eric moved to Colorado Springs in 1991 while Jennifer is a native of the area. Eric had spent 20 years doing contract work for the Department of Defense. Once he moved here, he experienced layoffs that left him unemployed for long stretches of time. The last layoff made Eric reconsider his line of work. While pondering their fate, Jennifer says she knew that they could not live like that any longer not knowing if or when Eric would have employment.
Jennifer says she told Eric at that point that deep inside, she’d harbored the thought for 10 years that she really wanted to work with animals on some level. With a Cheshire cat smile and twinkling eyes, she explains how she told her husband about it: “I’m going to be a pet sitter. We need to start a business doing this,” she told him. But she knew that it had to be a legitimate business, not something that they did just for friends and family. She also knew that they could turn their love of animals into a career. How many people can honestly say that they love what they do to make a living? Eric and Jennifer can.
And do they ever love animals. This family has their own little menagerie of pets in their home, with two dogs (they rescued one of the dogs, which they highly suggest); doves; parakeets; and sugar gliders (a tiny type of flying squirrel with coloring that resembles a chipmunk). At one time they had three dogs. They’ve also had Koi, mice, gerbils, hamsters, and rats, stating how much they enjoyed all of them. And they will take care of all of these species for their customers as well. They’ve already watched clients’ spiders and snakes, just to name a few of the pets that they have encountered through their business so far.
ProCare goes to your home to care for your animals in their own familiar setting. Eric and Jennifer comment, “The animals are happier and less stressed this way. They know their home.” They also stress that pets won’t catch kennel cough or other diseases from other animals, which can happen at a boarding kennel.
One of their customers from Fort Carson says, “I contacted Eric. We met, and I introduced him to my dog. We did the contract and liability paperwork (in case something happens, the animal is authorized to go to a vet). He has been by every work day since, and my dog loves Eric! I picked this company because they are willing to work with me even though I am outside of city limits.”
The Savages emphasize Eric’s security clearance and background checks that were required to obtain that clearance. He reiterates how this makes him a safe and reputable professional to have in your home. “We’re all about protection,” Jennifer says. They explain that just about anyone can take care of an animal, but they offer a lot more than that. They are certified by Pet Sitters International, are Red Cross-certified, and are bonded and insured.
Because of Eric’s security clearance, he is approved to be on base taking care of military families’ pets as well. He emphasizes this importance, saying that the military’s rule states that those serving can lose base housing if they allow civilians on base who are not cleared through the military.
ProCare charges by the hour, whether you have one or five pets. Other services that ProCare offers include home care. This includes taking care of your yard. They will keep your lawn, flower beds, shrubs, and trees manicured, and they will haul away the debris. They clean houses, provide valet service, and offer transportation as well. They will bring in your mail and any packages that are delivered. They encourage readers to visit their website for pricing and services. Military discounts are available.
This is another area where Eric mentions his security clearance and being in a position of trust. Clients give him their home security codes and garage door codes. It helps that their employees are family members: sons, Jonathan and David, and daughter, Rebecca. Jennifer adds that they are striving for an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. She says this will come once they meet the Bureau’s requirements of having been in business for at least seven years.
While talking with the Savages, I pictured Eric as a sort of Dr. Dolittle (children’s stories by Hugh Lofting that were later made into a movie). Like the character, he is gentle with animals. Eric concludes by telling me about a pet owner who told Eric to put her macaw in a headlock so he could insert a syringe of medicine down her throat. He accepted the job, but tweaked the procedure a bit. When the owner returned from her vacation and asked him how it went while she was gone, Eric simply showed her. The macaw calmly perched on his arm and gladly accepted the syringe of medicine. It turned out that she loved the fruity syrup! There was no need for a struggle and feathers flying everywhere. Eric had gotten to know the bird and had a special way with her. In turn, the bird trusted and liked him. They bonded and “spoke with one another” as Dr. Dolittle would say, and it turned out much better in the end.
ProCare Home & Pet Services’ owners Eric and Jennifer Savage can be reached for business at 719-233-9083. They service the entire El Paso County area. Visit the website at www.ProCareHelps.com.
procarehelps.wordpress.com 
You must be logged in to post a comment.