ABOUT US

Hot Diggity! Dog Walking and Pet Sitting Services is a locally, independently, owned and operated business, and was established in 2000. We have been featured in The Oregonian, among other newspapers, periodicals and small business programs. With over 8 years of experience in the Pet Sitting Industry, Hot Diggity! has worked with numerous families, meeting the needs of everyone from dog and cat owners to horse racers and small farms. We are Licensed, Bonded, and Insured, and members of Pet Sitters International. Every member of our team has experience in Pet First-Aid and we have positive relationships with many trainers, groomers, veterinarians and pet hospitals throughout the Portland Metro Area. Most important, though, is that we love our job and thrive in it. Read on for our bios.

THE TEAM:

April Sunrise – April is the founder of Hot Diggity! Dog Walking and Pet Sitting Services. After five years in the ‘driver’s seat’ she took a leave in order to return to school and complete her Master of Fine Arts in Writing. She’s currently back with Hot Diggity! running all the day-to-day operations and spending time with pets once again. April has a wide range of experiences with pets from farm animals to household friends. She is associated with Amigos de Animales, the Humane Society, and ASPCA among other groups working to help the animal kingdom. April has been called, by many, a true ‘dog whisperer.

Gabrielle Brie – Gabrielle has been working with animals all her life. From childhood she found wounded birds, squirrels, and strays and brought home, fixed up and found homes for them. She has been volunteering for the Humane Society and the Audubon Society since the 1970’s. Gabrielle is a member of the ASPCA, and currently works with Amigos de Animales in San Miguel de Allende helping to reduce the number of street dogs and feral cats in Mexico. Gabrielle has extensive experience caring for a variety of pets. Currently she has a rabbit and a Shih Tzu of her own (both who were either found or adopted).

Bernice Vaughns Animals have been a part of Bernice’s life for as long as she can remember.  Her family owned and operated a grooming/boarding facility for fifteen years and her father Al Vaughns was a professional dog handler and AKC judge.  She spent her childhood traveling the NW with him to shows, expos, and other events.  They raised many champion Bichon Frise’s as well as fabulous house pets. Bernice has spent the majority of her life working with all types of pets and feels that her growing up with them has led her to appreciate the innocence of animals and the everlasting love they provide.

Heather McClelland – Heather has loved dogs since childhood when she and her pup Woody would roam the forest behind her house in Erie, Pennsylvania. Since then, her love of animals has developed to include everything on four legs. Horses, especially, are her newfound passion, at one time having owned a pony herself. Heather has volunteered at the Humane Society and other shelters as a dog walker, and is a member of The Sierra Club. She prefers the company of pets to people, April thinks, and her dog, Joe, agrees.

Sean Buchner Sean grew up in Saratoga Springs New York where he completed his B.S. in Business Administration and has recently received his Life Coaching Certification from Baraka institute in Portland. Sean loves being in the Northwest and spends nearly all his free time hiking with his dog Sisco on the Oregon coast and in the Cascades. He has been a dog owner his entire life and deeply appreciates the companionship and loyalty of four-legged friends. If you want your dog to be able to take an energetic romp in the park, Sean’s the guy for you.

Matt Jernstedt
Matt is a Portland native who had a special affinity with animals as a child.  He had pets ranging from cats and dogs to lizards, crabs, hamsters and fish and spent the summers of his youth at a Central Oregon ranch with horses and wild deer.  A University of Oregon grad majoring in Environmental Studies, Biology and Geology, Matt says: “I'm basically a ‘natural sciences’ guy, but really like people as well.”  Matt’s philosophy about animals—dogs and cats in particular—is that they are akin to people, having specific needs and personalities and need to be treated as such.  However, Matt also believes that it is the responsibility of the owner and caretaker to be good, confident leaders—and he’s up the task.