Our Team of Humans
About Us
Professional Pet Care In Lakeland + Mulberry, Florida
We are the ONLY Certified Professional Pet Sitters (CPPS) through Pet Sitters International in Polk County!
We Background Screen ALL Of Our Team Members
We are Bonded+ Insured through BIC.
We are part Of National + Local Professional Pet Organizations: PSI, PUPS, and Polk Professional Pet Services Network
We are An Active Member of Girl Scouts
We are a entrepreneur with Florida SBDC at USF ( Small Business Development Center)
We Donate Regularly To Animal Rescues + Benefits through resources, financials, volunteerism and support!
Hello!
 Atta Boy! Animal Care was founded in December 2013,  when our Founder Amber Van Denzen ( Hey, that’s Me!) saw an essential need for a client-oriented, trained, professional full-time Pet Sitting + Dog Walking pet care service company in Lakeland, Fl.
The image of a company that was a family oriented, animal educated, welcoming and friendly with small + large pet families alike, which would focus on providing the quality of care and service anyone would want for their own home and furry family members came to my mind over and over. I used my 13 year career as a Trained Emergency Veterinary Technician and took my skills learned from my Animal Science Bachelors Degree from University of Florida to create such a company for YOU!
My husband and I were constantly traveling as couple, and then during our adoption process and now family travels.We always were trying to schedule for our dogs to go to one of our parents home (and having to drive them over 2 hours away!) or ask a neighbor to watch our chickens and turtles. We also had a dog that was epileptic (he had seizures) and was on seizure dog medication that was required to be given 3 times a day on a routine schedule- so having someone able to be available for those times and able to successfully give them medications was critical. Â
Eventually the drive, the having to constantly ask neighbors or family to watch the pets, and then coming home and our pups had been fed food that upset their tummy ( because they were so cute and begging for those treats, of course!), medication missed by accident, plus if we were running behind or early and having to schedule pick up/drop off, and then of course all the extra hair in the car/their food/their toys/their beds – it got to be TOO MUCH! Â
We looked around for a professional pet sitter that had veterinary medical knowledge and that didn’t charge by pet -because with 3 dogs, 3 turtles, and 14 chickens- that just wasn’t going to be financially do-able. We soon realized MANY families and individuals locally in Lakeland, Mulberry, Bartow, and surrounding areas had the same needs!Â
…and that is exactly what Atta Boy! Animal Care has created! Hopefully you will find what you are looking for here with us at Atta Boy!- where we always say “Happy Pets, Happy People!”
–Â Amber V.
Meet Your Professional Team
Each human of the Atta Boy! Animal Care team goes through a 4 step demanding hiring process, is background screened, covered by our insurance + bonding and has over 13 hours of Pet Related Certifications
‘Continuing Education is provided to our humans on a consistent bases throughout the year.This ensures that each team sitter lives up to the standard set by our company to ensure your pets and home are the happiest and safest they can be.
We will HAND SELECT a human for you based off of you and your pets need and they will become your primary sitter, and then have a team of sitters behind them to ensure we can cover all the dates you need, last minute requests and more!
We have three types of Humans on Staff:
- Pet Sitters: Pet Care Professionals that can handle all animals!
- Dog Walkers: Pet Care Professionals that focus mostly on exercising + walking our pup friends!
- Pet TechsTMÂ (Half Pet Sitter/Half Veterinary Technician!): For our high medical needs, special needs, senior or elderly clients
- We are the ONLY Certified Professional Pet Sitters (CPPS) through Pet Sitters International in Polk County!
- Veterinary Recommended and We Have Access to Veterinary Care 24/7 – 365 Days A Year.
- We Have Trained Veterinary Nurses On Staff.
- We Background Screen ALL Of Our Team Members
- We Are Bonded+ Insured through and have Workman’s Comp for our staff through BIC
- We Are part Of National + Local Professional Pet Organizations: PSI, NAPPS + Polk Professional Pet Services Network
- We Donate Regularly To Animal Rescues + Benefits through resources, financials, volunteerism and support!
Amber
Owner/Founder
Owner / Founder
Hometown:
Alva, Fl
Pets:
3 dogs: Sookie, River + Cinco, 11 chickens, 3 turtles:Blue, Zorro + Stewie, and 2 fish tanks
Interesting Fact:
I jumped off a 25 foot cliff into the Ocean in Negril, Jamaica!
Biography:
Amber is the founder of Atta Boy! Animal Care. She been working in the animal field for over 16 years. She started in the field by working in the horse industry – stable hand and pet sitter. She then trained as a local Veterinary Kennel hand, Veterinary Assistant and then an Emergency Veterinary Technician for both small and large animals for over 13 years. She has a bachelors of Animal Science from University of Florida.
Pronouns:
She/Her
Chantel D.
Manager
Manager
Hometown:
St. Petersburg, Fl
Pets:
3 dogs: Jax, Dixie + Lynx, 3 cats: Iris, Lynx + Remy and 1 betta fish: Sushi VI
Interesting Fact:
I was born with a hole in my heart and had to have open-heart surgery at 3. My dream job would be being a zookeeper.
Biography:
Chantal has been with ABAC since 2012. She been working in the animal field for over 10 years as a Veterinary Receptionist and then started as a pet sitter, dog walker and cat sitter with Atta Boy! Animal Care in 2014.
She currently works with us as our Manager to ensure the best client experience from start to finish! That includes: monitoring our pet sitters, dog walker and cat sitters at the visits, ensuring visit quality and making sure our clients get their visit updates. She also manages the staff behind-the-scenes, and hiring.
​She has a Bachelors of Science in Psychology from USF.
Pronouns:
She/Her
Teresa S.
Office Assistant – Community + Client Relations
Office Assistant - Community + Client Relations
Hometown:
Mercerville, NJ
Pets:
3 dogs Molly, Luna, and Winston – all Australian Shepherd
Interesting Fact:
I love to travel and have been to 15 countries + 25 states including DC and Puerto Rico.
Biography:
Teresa has been with ABAC since 2019. She currently works with us as our Community and Client Relations Office Assistant- she creates and keeps great bonds with other local animal companies, scheduling, monthly newsletters and general office work.​ She has been in the administration field for over 20 years- including working at a local bakery- Born +Bread.
Pronouns:
She/Her
Marissa G.
Pet Tech
(Half Pet Sitter/ Half Veterinary Technician)
Pet Tech ( Half Pet Sitter/ Half Veterinary Technician)
Hometown:
Coatesville, PA
Pets:
2 dogs: Marvel the Border Collie mix + Petra the Weimaraner 1 cat: Halle
Interesting Fact:
Vet tech of 10 years? That’s literally my biggest personality trait anymore
Biography:
Marissa has been with ABAC since 2017. She been working in the animal field for over 10 years. She started in the field by working in the horse industry – stable hand and then trainer. She then trained as a Veterinary Technician for both small and large animals. She currently works as an Emergency Veterinary Technician and is working on obtaining her CVT- Certified Veterinary Technician License.
Pronouns:
She/Her
Becca R.
Pet TechÂ
( Half Pet Sitter/Half Veterinary Technician)
Pet Sitter
Hometown:
Plant City, FL
Pets:
2 dogs: Boogie the Sheltie + Sadie the Chihuahua Mix
Interesting Fact:
I have never broken a bone!
Biography:
Rebecca has been with ABAC since 2021. Becca is a Veterinary Technician and has worked in the Veterinary Industry for over 10 years. She grew up with multiple pets and has experience caring for a wide variety of animals including: dogs, cats, horses, cows, goats, pigs and rabbits. When not working she enjoys reading, cooking and spending time with her senior aged pups
Pronouns:
She/Her
April R.
Pet Care Specialist
Pet Sitter
Hometown:
Lakeland, Fl
Pets:
2 dogs, 2 cats, 2 snails + 1 leopard gecko.
Interesting Fact:
I make cool stuff with yarn with my company called Craftipus!
Biography:
April has been with ABAC since 2019. She has worked with animals from a young age, trained as a dog trainer and has been pet sitting over 2 years. She has experience caring for small rodents, cats, fish and reptiles in addition to dogs of every age. She is also the owner of Craftipus- a local crafting business and currently trains her dogs as therapy animals.
Pronouns:
She/Her
Michelle P.
Pet Care Specialist
Pet Sitter
Hometown:
Wellesley, Mass
Pets:
3 cats-Bella, Mango + Roxy
Interesting Fact:
 I am a Guardian Ad Litum for Polk County to help kids that are in foster care.
Biography:
 Michelle has been with ABAC since 2020. She previously has volunteered with SPCA Florida in Lakeland, and Raining Cats + Dogs Rescue in Plant City, Florida. She is currently working on her Masters degree in Social Work.Â
Pronouns:
She/Her
Mandi
Pet Tech
( Half Pet Sitter /Â Half Veterinary Technician)
Pet Sitter
Hometown:
Lakeland, Fl
Pets:
3 Dogs: : Mistic + Maci-Australian Shepherds and Riley- German Shepherd/Husky and two Hermit Crabs.
Interesting Fact:
I found out 8+ years ago I have Celiac + I am in the process of training my dog Riley in nosework to smell gluten in my food!
Biography:
Mandi has been with ABAC since 2022. She currently works as a Veterinary Tech in a general practice with 5+ years of experience. In her free time she likes to spend time with loved ones, go to the beach + go hiking with her dogs. She always knew at a young age her dream job was working with animals and a dream would be to work with exotic/zoo animals in the future!
Pronouns:
She/Her
Carrie L.
Pet Care Specialist
Pet Sitter
Hometown:
Niceville, Fl
Pets:
 3 cats (all special needs/medically needy): Sophie – Maine Coone, Sarranna – Bombay , and Mischa – Russian Blue.
Interesting Fact:
The Kemp’s Ridley turtle was named after my great great uncle, Richard Kemp who was the first to submit the species identification in 1906.
Biography:
Carrie has been with ABAC since 2019.Carrie has 10 years of pet sitting experience and working with rescue domestic and wild animals. She just moved to Lakeland from a small town called Niceville, in the FL panhandle, with her significant other, who is prior military. She loves to fish and hunt but has a large amount of respect for wildlife and animals. She has a Bachelor’s in Human Resources and when not working with animals as a pet sitter, she works at a local school as a 4th-grade teacher.
Pronouns:
She/Her
Frank S.
Office Assistant
Pet Sitter
 Hometown:
Quebradillas, PR
Pets:
10 chickens, 3 turtles, 3 dogs: a Poodle mix- River, a Corgi Mix- Cinco & a Saluki mix- Sookie.
Interesting Fact:
I am currently perfecting my archery + knitting skills!
Biography:
Frank has been with Atta Boy! since the beginning as he is the husband of our Founder Amber in 2013! He has been in the animal field for over 7 years.He graduated from University of South Florida with an engineering degree and currently works as an engineering inspector.
Pronouns:
He/Him
Risa W.
Pet Care Specialist
Pet Sitter
Hometown:
Fort Worth, TX
Pets:
1 cat-Monkey, 1 Dog-Giant Meatal T-Rex (T-Rex for short)
Interesting Fact:
She occasionally streams video games on Twitch.
Biography:
Merissa (Risa) has been with ABAC since 2021. She loves nature in the forms of hiking, biking, and camping. Animals have been in her life as long as she could remember + always enjoyed caring for them. She is a retired Licensed Massage Therapist of 13 years.
Pronouns:
She/Her
Kelsey A.
Pet Care Specialist
Pet Sitter
Hometown:
Winter Haven, Fl
Pets:
All the Atta Boy! clients she cares for
Interesting Fact:
I played softball from 7 years old until I was 20, and I can state the alphabet backwards.
Biography:
Kelsey has been with ABAC since 2021. She has grown up with animals, has experience in dog walking and pet sitting dogs or cats, and currently does not have a fur baby due to her boyfriend’s high allergies, but hopes for a hypoallergenic dog one day! She graduated from Polk State College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice in 2020,and when not pet sitting works at CertiPay Payroll. She enjoys going to the beach or being on a boat, visiting amusement/water parks, baking, and hanging out with family, boyfriend, and friends
Pronouns:
She/Her
Christa W.
Pet Care Specialist
Pet Sitter
 Hometown:
Lakeland, Fl Â
Pets:
3 dogs: Puggy, Layla + Willow, 2 Cats: Milly +Stormy
Interesting Fact:
I am secretly a mermaid.
Biography:
Christa has been with ABAC since 2022. She has been in the Veterinary Industry as a Veterinary Receptionist for 3 years in both non-profit and for profit companies in Lakeland. Helping people and their pets is her passion. Her furbabies and her family mean the world to her. In her free time she enjoys going to the beach- especially Sanibel and working on house projects with her husband.
Pronouns:
She/Her
Joshua T.
Pet Care Specialist
Pet Sitter
Hometown:
Altrus, Fl
Pets:
1 dog: Urv- Blue Heeler and 2 cats: Tye + Broc
Interesting Fact:
My future goal is to become an author in the LGBTQ+ Fantasy/SciFi genre
Biography:
Joshua has been with ABAC since 2022. Prior to working as a Pet Sitter he worked in the restaurant + medical industries. Growing up in Central Florida farm groves + forests he developed a love for going on hikes with his pup, reading or cooking at home with his husband.
Pronouns:
He/Him
Courtney P.
Pet Care Specialist
Pet Sitter
Hometown:
Bartow, Fl
Pets:
2 dog: Great Danes- Panda +Clark and 2 cats: Phil + Sullivan
Interesting Fact:
I participated in an exchange program in High School
Biography:
Courtney has been with ABAC since 2022. When she is not working as a pet sitter she works for Polk County as a Contract Specialist. Her hobbies include going to Disney, baking, and traveling with her husband and family.Â
Pronouns:
She/Her
Growth
-
December 2013: Opened our Virtual Doors for business. Our Founder Amber was the only staff person.
-
2014-2016: The team grew from a solo operation to a team + expanded from just South Lakeland to Central Lakeland.
-
2017-2018: The company’s service area was able to increase and improvements in coordination, scheduling, and invoicing were brought on board with the implementation of the online client portal. Clients schedule appointments, communicate with the team, pay and much more directly through this easy and convenient site! GPS tracking and Daily Updates via email are added
-
2019: Re-branded from our previous multi-animal and key design and slogan of “We are the KEY to your pets comfort + care” to a fun, current dog design with a slogan of “Happy Pets, Happy People!”
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2020: 5,000 visits completed! In the past 6 years of business we have cared for hundreds of pets- dogs, cats, horses, goats, geese, chickens, pigs, rats, snakes, fish, aquariums, turtles, geckos, chameleons, hamsters, guinea pigs, tortoises, and more! We look forward to adding you and your pets to the Atta Boy! family
- 2021:12, 000 visits completed! We were able to offer all our Independent Contractor Staff – Employee status!