New Team Member FAQs

Click on the question below to find the answer!

How do I complete my team member onboarding?

First off, if you’ve made it here that means you’ve completed your orientation with Hands N Paw – congratulations! To complete your onboarding forms to finalize your employment, please click on and complete the following ducoments:

1. Independent Contractor Agreement
2. Tell Us About You Questionnaire
3. W-9 Form
4. Direct Deposit Form

Once you’ve completed these, please notify Benny via direct message in Slack.

Can you review the main points discussed during my orientation?

Sure, here’s a review of the main points discussed during your orientation:

1. History of Hands N Paws and Our Mission
2. Your Responsibilities as a Team Member
3. Team Scheduling
4. Demo of Slack
5. Demo of Precise Petcare
6. Miscellaneous (service checklist, taxes, team support center, etc.)

History & Mission

Hands N Paws was founded in 2018 with the primary goal of making pets happy, which in turn makes their parents happy. We understand that pet parents lead busy lives, and it’s crucial for them to have a trusted team to care for their pets in their absence. We offer in-home pet sitting and dog walking services, ensuring that pets’ needs are met, providing peace of mind to their parents.

Click here to view our current service area (cities in which we provide in-home services).

Team Members: Morale & Responsibilities

Our team of pet care technicians is vital in our efforts to make a different in the Columbus pet community. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to impact as many lives as we have, both pet and human! Our current team exhibits all the ideal qualities one would look for in a pet sitter and dog walker, from the perspective of the company and clients.

Recognizing the importance of our team, our team leaders have focused on mastering their leadership skills to be the best and most supportive we can be. We also offer many resources and tools to help team members succeed, including a robust team support center, blog, and an active team chatroom hosted by Slack.

Hands N Paws ensures that the leadership is refined and effective. Our team leaders possess amazing qualities, being very active and involved in the well-being of the team, providing a sense of connection, appreciation, and guidance. Think of team leaders as your mentors, helping to bring out the best version of you as you grow in your role as pet care technician with Hands N Paws.

Team leaders contribute by:

• Posting frequent tips in #tips-n-reminders regarding pet care and tips for success.
• Hosting frequent challenges in #contests-n-challenges for our Monthly Points Contest.
• Posting weekly links to new company blog entries in #blogs, mostly catered to improving pet sitters’ and dog walkers’ knowledge.
• Providing frequent individualized feedback on team journal reports submitted to clients.
• Giving frequent team praise in #shout-outs.

Team members’ responsibilities:

• Providing top-quality services to pets.
• Communicating well with pet parents regarding any questions/concerns and in post-service updates.
• Being team players, supporting one another internally.
• Being open to and receptive of feedback and growth opportunities.
• Contributing to the mission and vision of Hands N Paws.

Team Scheduling

Before explaining how our scheduling works, it’s important to understand how clients book services with us. On the client side of Precise Petcare, they can submit “service requests.” Once a request is submitted, all team members are notified. These requests are then available on a first-come, first-served basis, allowing team members to add them to their individual schedules.

[More info coming soon]

Demo of Slack

During orientation, you learned about Slack, its purpose, and features. For a recap on Slack, click here.

Demo of Precise Petcare

During orientation, you learned about Precise Petcare, its features, and a deep dive into the tabs in your pet sitter account. To revisit this information, click on the following links correlated with the main-menu tab names in Precise Petcare:

• General Support
• My Schedule
• My Availability
• Client Profiles
• Pet Profiles (support article pending)
• Resources

What’s your best advice for new team members to approach scheduling with ease?

We recommend a few key strategies for scheduling yourself for pet services. The My Schedule page can feel overwhelming at first; this is why it’s essential to understand what it means and how it functions. Once you get a grasp on its purpose and functionality, check out these tips for how to effectively accept available services to your personal work schedule. Remember, it’s important to be both strategic and intentional with each visit you accept.

Also, please note that we use a combination of assigning visits to you and allowing you to schedule yourself. When we schedule you, it’s done thoughtfully and with strategy. As you become familiar with how we plan your visits, you’ll be able to apply those same methods when scheduling yourself.

What should I have prepared for my first official pet visit?

Congratulations on your first pet visit with Hands N Paws—how exciting! To ensure you’re fully prepared, we recommend having three key things with you:

1. Quick access to the client and pet notes in the Precise Petcare app: It’s a good idea to review these notes beforehand so you’re familiar with the details.
2. Our service checklist: This will help you stay on track with the standards we uphold for services. You can use it as a true checklist, marking off tasks as you complete them to ensure nothing is missed.
3. A learner’s attitude: A team leader will be with you on your first assignment (arranged via Slack), ready to provide any guidance or answer any questions you may have. They’ll also share their best tips and practices to help set you up for success now and in the future.

With these essentials, you’ll be fully prepared to meet client expectations and navigate your first visit with confidence, setting a strong foundation for success on all your future pet visits with Hands N Paws.

What can I expect for my first pet visit with Hands N Paws?

For your first official pet visit, a team leader or another experienced team member will likely be present to guide you through the process. They’ll be an in-person resource to help you navigate the visit and answer any questions you might have. They’ll also share their best practices and tips for completing pet visits smoothly, ensuring that you cover all the essentials with the pets and complete the necessary tasks in your pet sitter account on our app, Precise Petcare. Additionally, they’ll make sure Slack is set up properly for you and that you have access to all the tools and resources you may need in the future.

At the end of the service, the team member can review your journal report to the client before you submit it, offering any suggestions for improvement if needed.

I just finished my orientation—what’s next?

Following your orientation, the team leader who led the meeting will send you a post-orientation email outlining the next steps. This email will include instructions on how to log in to your Precise Petcare pet sitter account, access our Slack workspace, and other important information and links. Be sure to read the email carefully and follow the instructions that are laid out.

If you haven’t received your post-orientation email within 24 hours after your session, please reach out to our office phone at (614) 636-6644.

How can I make more money working at Hands N Paws?

As you know, all team members start at a base pay of 50% commission. However, our clients are often very generous with tips, typically giving 15-20% or more on services, and team members keep 100% of the tips they receive. Additionally, we offer various higher-paying opportunities, which you can explore here!

Are there any disciplinary protocols I should be aware of?

Yes, we have an accountability system in place that works like a points system. If you receive points for significant deviations from our best practices, it will be recorded as a work infraction. While most of the guidelines we emphasize are considered best practices, serious deviations—such as very late arrivals (or no-shows) to visits, failing to communicate with clients about their pets, disrespecting/mistreating team members, clients, or pets, or cutting visits shorter than what clients have booked—will result in points being added to your record.

We have this system in place to encourage everyone to maintain the high standards we set, which we know you’re fully capable of achieving. Instead of viewing it as discipline, we refer to it as accountability, as it’s designed to help guide and redirect you back on track to the level of performance we hired you for and know you can deliver.

You can learn more about our accountability system here.

What does it mean to be an independent contractor?

Being an independent contractor means you operate as a “self-employed” individual rather than an employee of a company. As an independent contractor, you typically have more control over how, when, and where you complete your work. Here are some key characteristics:

• Flexibility and Control: You generally have the freedom to set your own schedule and decide how to complete tasks or services, as long as they meet the agreed-upon requirements.
• Payment: You’re paid per project or service provided rather than receiving a regular paycheck. You’re also responsible for tracking your income and expenses for tax purposes.
• Taxes: As an independent contractor, you’re responsible for paying your own taxes, including self-employment tax, which covers Social Security and Medicare contributions.
• No Employee Benefits: You don’t receive benefits such as health insurance, paid time off, or retirement plans, which are typically offered to employees.
• Contracts: You work based on a contract or agreement, which outlines the services you will provide, the terms of payment, and other expectations.

Essentially, being an independent contractor allows for more autonomy, but it also comes with the responsibility of managing your own business-related expenses and taxes.

Can you explain everything I need to know about taxes?

Everything you need to know about taxes as it relates to being an independent contractor at Hands N Paws can be found in this support article.

How can I be the best possible pet sitter and dog walker at Hands N Paws?

To truly excel as a pet sitter and dog walker, remember the saying “knowledge is power.” We recommend regularly refreshing your pet care knowledge by exploring articles on our blog, with new posts added weekly. You’ll find valuable insights on topics like safe dog walking in bad weather, basic cat care, must-have dog-walking equipment, and how to communicate effectively with clients. Having this knowledge will not only help you handle a variety of situations confidently but also ensure that you provide top-tier care for the pets you work with.

Preparation for visits is also essential. Make sure you have:

• Dog walking tennis shoes for comfort and longevity during walks.
• Weather-appropriate gear like raincoats, gloves, or sunscreen to keep yourself and the pets comfortable in various conditions.
• Waste bags for dog walks and proper cleanup.
• Water and a portable bowl, especially during longer walks or hot weather.
• Extra leashes and collars in case it can’t be located at a client’s home.
• Treats (ONLY if allowed by the pet parent!) to reward good behavior or provide comfort.
• Phone with all company apps to reference notes, checklists, and stay connected with the team or client as needed.

While on pet visits, be sure to follow care instructions exactly as outlined by pet parents. Care notes are often very detailed and specific, so be attentive and focused. To stay on track with service duties, you can adhere to our Service Checklist; this will ensure that each service is completed to the absolute highest standard.

More Tips:

• Be reliable and punctual for every single visit.
• Communicate clearly and consistently with clients and the team.
• Go the extra mile for pets and clients—small gestures get recognized and rewarded.
• Be open to learning and embrace feedback from team members and leaders.
• Always strive to improve and refine your pet care skills.
• If unsure or needing guidance, reach out to the team on Slack for support.

What supplies should I bring to be prepared for pet visits?

• Comfortable Walking Shoes – Invest in good-quality, supportive tennis shoes for long walks.
• Weather-Appropriate Gear – Raincoat, umbrella, gloves, hat, sunscreen, and a towel to dry wet paws after walks.
• Waste Bags – Always carry extra dog waste bags for proper cleanup.
• Water – Bring water and/or a dog walking water bottle, especially during long walks or hot weather.
• Extra Leashes & Collars – Have a backup leash and collar, plus consider using a shoulder-strap leash for hands-free convenience.
• Treats (If Allowed) – Check with the pet parent before offering treats to reward good behavior or comfort pets. Of course, use any treats client provides first!
• Phone with All Necessary Apps – Ensure your phone has all company apps installed, fully charged, and ready to reference notes, checklists, and stay connected.
• First Aid Kit for Pets – Include bandages, antiseptic wipes, pet-safe ointment, and emergency vet numbers.
• Hand Sanitizer & Disinfectant Wipes – Keep your hands and surfaces clean during and after visits.

How can I connect with my fellow teammates?

We stay closely connected as a team through our Slack workspace, which is our primary virtual platform. To make the most of our virtual space, here are some tips:

• Engage on Slack by joining team channels, offering support, and asking questions.
• Participate in company-wide challenges or activities to bond with teammates over shared goals.
• Reach out directly to co-workers on Slack to introduce yourself and build relationships.

We also hold quarterly in-person team meet-ups, coordinated and announced by team leaders in Slack, providing opportunities for face-to-face connection.