The Team Behind EC Petcare
EC Petcare: Positive Reinforcement Pet Sitting for All Your Pets, Walking and Training for Your Portland, OR Dogs and Puppies
Meet Ellaree! (she/her)
Owner and Head Trainer
Ellaree is an Animal Behavior College Certified Force Free Dog Trainer with a lifelong passion for animal care. She is also certified in Pet CPR and a Member of the Pet Professional Guild (PPG).
Ellaree grew up on a farm in Amity, OR, where she played with dogs, pigs, cows, and other animals, her love of animals apparent from a young age. She also attended 4-H in the Cavy department, where her love for guinea pigs never ended to this day. In 2011 she began volunteering at the Willamette Humane Society and raised $1,000 for the organization, as well as started pet sitting and dog walking through various pet sitting websites as an independent contractor. It was during this time that her desire for more education grew.
In 2015, she began her dog training certification with Animal Behavior College, a year long commitment that provided her with knowledge of canine obedience training and an understanding of canine behavior and its motives. Ellaree continues to advance her education by attending animal behavior seminars and brainstorming ideas/solutions with other certified dog trainers.
Today, as the owner of EC Petcare, she uses her education, certification, and experience to train dogs humanely and effectively; keeping them safe while providing kind, compassionate and excellent service to her clients.
In her free time, Ellaree enjoys traveling and spending time with her anxious pup, who has taught her more about training than any book could have. Additionally, she enjoys sewing and being surrounded by nature.
Our Promise
At EC Petcare we are more just dog walking, training, pet sitting, our goal is to create a peace of mind by making sure all pets are being cared for with the exceptional and individualized attention they deserve, in the comfort of their own home.
We Promise:
Your pet’s safety is our top priority
Our force-free methods are humane and effective
We will provide only educated suggestions to help with behavior issues
We will care for your pet as the unique animal that they are
We are committed to continuing our education
We are Proud Members of The Pet Professional Guild
Pet Professional Guild Members Understand Force-Free to mean: no pain, no force, no fear and no compulsion methods are employed to train or care for an animal.
The Pet Professional Guild Mission
Our mission is to help make every pet a valued member of its family and improve the relationship and the quality of life people share with their pets by:
Providing the greatest value and highest quality, state-of-the-art, force-free, scientific based pet training and pet care for each client.
Always demonstrating integrity, compassion and an uncompromising commitment to excellence in the care and support of clients and their pets.
Continually expanding our knowledge and improving our skills to serve our clients as a valuable resource, providing the most innovative pet training and pet care possible.
Meet the Pet Care Team
Nick K. (he/him)
Pet Care Provider – Pet CPR Certified
Dog Trainer
I am a native Oregonian. I grew up with dogs and cats all around me. My love for animals carried on from my childhood to interning at the Oregon Zoo for almost five years. I had the opportunity to work with and care for all types of animals. Working at the Oregon Zoo at a young age really fueled my passion for caring for animals and gathering knowledge about animal care and development. After the zoo, I started volunteering in animal sanctuaries.
I have a few pets of my own, a dog, a cat, and two lizards. However, I have had many different pets over the years like snakes, hedgehogs, rabbits, and other lizard types. I have been working with dogs for the last ten years, I have been a dog daycare attendant, I have managed dog daycares, and have been a trainer at dog daycares, and I have worked at a vet clinic as a trainer. I have my CPDT-KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer Knowledge Assessed) certification.
I have worked with animals for over 15 years, and my passion and patience for them will never diminish. I am currently studying Biology hoping to increase my knowledge of animals and grow my skills.
Nick’s Certifications
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*All of our pet care providers are Pet CPR certified, insured and bonded
Mieke S. (she/they)
Pet Care Provider – Pet CPR Certified
Dog Trainer in Training
I was born and raised in Portland, and have enjoyed exploring the pacific northwest with my pup, Rue. Rue is a pandemic rescue dog, meaning there has been some struggles with socialization; I’m sure many dog parents can relate! Rue was the biggest motivator for me to get into the dog industry; working through her dog-reactivity when the world slowly started to return to normal was a huge learning experience, and has created an unbreakable bond between us.
Like most animal lovers, the exposure to nature and different species started young. I grew up around farm lands, with animals ranging from chickens to goats. My parents couldn’t tear me away from the barn when it was time for dinner (sorry mom!). I learned very quickly how to safely interact with animals who were twice my size, and it gave me great appreciation for the vast difference in how other animals think/behave. My curiosity might lead me down the path of animal behavior, and possibly become a behaviorist.
Fast forward to now, I am enrolled in the “CATCH canine training academy” program and worked at an enrichment-based doggy daycare, where I learned more than I ever thought possible. I got an amazing chance to practice group training, patience, group calming exercises, observing play behaviors, and to hone the skill of constant awareness; to have safety be my top priority. I will always continue to seek education and further my knowledge/experience!
Mieke’s Certifications
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*All of our pet care providers are Pet CPR certified, insured and bonded
Aspen K. (she/her, they/them)
Pet Care Provider – Pet CPR Certified
Dog Trainer in Training
I grew up in Eugene, Oregon with a menagerie of pets and have been living in Portland for the past twelve years. I’ve spent the better part of the last decade working with animals, and the last several years with dogs specifically.
Currently I work part time as an assistant at a dog training school and part time dog walking, pet sitting and adventuring.
Finding positive reinforcement dog training has changed my life and career path, and I’m pursuing a CPDT (Certified Professional Dog Trainer) certification and hoping to sit for the exam in the next year or two. I know I’ll be learning and growing alongside dogs and other animals for a very long time.
I share my life with my senior cat Silver and a two year old cattle dog mix named Shade. I’m so excited to meet and hear stories about your pets. Helping others love and care for their animals is an honor I’ll never take for granted.
Aspen’s Certifications
Click to magnify
*All of our pet care providers are Pet CPR certified, insured and bonded
Carrie B. (she/her)
Pet Care Provider – Pet CPR Certified
I am a native Oregonian, born and raised in Ashland. I inherited the gene for bonding with animals from my Dad and Grandpa. I got my first pony when I was 4 years old and it just carried throughout my life, being around animals and loving every minute of it.
I grew up on a farm with horses, cows, sheep, pygmy goats and a border collie. Equestrian was my sport growing up. I entered horse shows doing Dressage and Show Jumping. Horses were my life.
While at college, I volunteered at Equine Rescue & Sanctuary in New York, helping the owner take care of rescued horses. There I faced one of the most difficult jobs – handling horses, donkeys and mules that suffered from animal cruelty – abuse, neglect and abandonment. I loved the position there very much because I was able to be around animals that really needed positive human attention.
I have continued doing animal care, on and off, since college. My calming energy seems to be a hit with many pets. I volunteered at an Animal Shelter to walk dogs. And I have always been available to do pet sitting for many friends and for those referred by friends. In 2012, I became an independent contractor and started working for another pet sitting/dog walking company here in Portland. I am excited to add EC Petcare to my family.
Carrie’s Certifications
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*All of our pet care providers are Pet CPR certified, insured and bonded
Austin B. (he/him)
Pet Care Provider – Pet CPR Certified
My name is Austin Sevigny, I am originally from Melbourne, Florida. I have had the opportunity teaching math to a diverse population of students in Palm Beach, FL, Salt Lake City, Utah, Arcata, California and here in Portland, Oregon over the last 9 years. I currently still tutor math but my true passion is hiking and backpacking with dogs. My evolution to loving pets didn’t start until my late 20s when I discovered hiking having moved from Florida to Utah in 2010, it was there that I volunteered at a massive shelter for various animals including birds, cats, and dogs, called Best Friends Animals Sanctuary.
I started to volunteer pet sitting for any friend or family member who needed help and absolutely fell in love with the possibility of caring for others’ pets as a job. I genuinely care so much for all animals and adventuring with them has given me and the animals such authentic joy and I can’t wait to meet and care for yours.
Austin’s Certifications
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*All of our pet care providers are Pet CPR certified, insured and bonded
Jakob D. (he/they)
Pet Care Provider – Pet CPR Certified
Jakob has over 15 years of professional pet experience and a lifetime of loving animals. Having pets throughout childhood he was drawn to vet tech school in his 20s where he ended up in South Africa helping rescue penguins. He has also worked at a variety of animal rescues and sanctuaries, understanding the complex nature of abused and medically needy animals.
Currently he resides in Portland with his partner, two rescue dogs and baby. When he’s not loving on your pets he’s in nature or volunteering with the bird sanctuary in Astoria.
Jakob’s Certifications
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*All of our pet care providers are Pet CPR certified, insured and bonded
Rojer (he/him)
Pet Care Provider – Pet CPR Certified
I have adored animals since the moment baby me came home and met the family dog! Some of my earliest memories are being licked by dogs and meeting the neighbor’s cats. I originally grew up with dogs and was particularly obsessed with rats as a kid but eventually became a huge fan of cats and ferrets, the latter two animals being my current pets. I’m quite certain there has not been a day in my life that I didn’t think about animals!
On my sixth birthday, my parents brought home a dog as a birthday present, a terrier named Maddie.
They quickly realized they may have made a grave mistake when Maddie came with an assortment of behavioral issues and wouldn’t hesitate to bite if her boundaries were crossed. When my parents considered rehoming her, six-year-old me overheard their conversation and I pleaded with them not to. So, Maddie stayed with our family for the rest of her long life, and growing up alongside her gave me early experience with an aggressive, reactive, and leash-aggressive dog. She was all-in-one!
As soon as I was old enough to, I attended several training classes with Maddie and put in years of hard work needed to build a connection with her. Maddie truly broadened my understanding of animal behavior like no other animal has since and I now have a soft spot for animals with behavioral issues. Had I immediately resented my dog the first time she attacked me, who knows where she might have ended up. This insight has fueled my passion for all animals, not just the friendly ones! One of my life goals is to work closely with aggressive cats in need, such as rescues or local feral populations.
It is with that same sentiment that I guarantee no matter what your pet throws at me, I will return only love, patience, and acceptance.
Rojer’s Certifications
Click to magnify
*All of our pet care providers are Pet CPR certified, insured and bonded
Julien L. (they/them)
Pet Care Provider – Pet CPR Certified
Ever since I can remember I’ve been working with animals and engaged with the natural world. From raising pigs as a kid to bonding with the family dogs. I have roughly 7 years professionally caring for rescue dogs and cats. I especially love working with reactive dogs and seeing them grow and shine. I’m a big advocate for working within an animal’s specific needs and limitations in order to nurture growth. Nothing taught by force stays in the soul. I’m whole-heartedly invested in the long game of that pursuit with your animal.
I adopted a street dog from Mexico 3 years ago who battles with reactivity and fear of people. That got me into learning force free training methods to help her better cope. Our experiences really set me up to learn and observe how to better serve/help other dogs and owners. I can’t wait to work with your pets!
They quickly realized they may have made a grave mistake when Maddie came with an assortment of behavioral issues and wouldn’t hesitate to bite if her boundaries were crossed. When my parents considered rehoming her, six-year-old me overheard their conversation and I pleaded with them not to. So, Maddie stayed with our family for the rest of her long life, and growing up alongside her gave me early experience with an aggressive, reactive, and leash-aggressive dog. She was all-in-one!
As soon as I was old enough to, I attended several training classes with Maddie and put in years of hard work needed to build a connection with her. Maddie truly broadened my understanding of animal behavior like no other animal has since and I now have a soft spot for animals with behavioral issues. Had I immediately resented my dog the first time she attacked me, who knows where she might have ended up. This insight has fueled my passion for all animals, not just the friendly ones! One of my life goals is to work closely with aggressive cats in need, such as rescues or local feral populations.
It is with that same sentiment that I guarantee no matter what your pet throws at me, I will return only love, patience, and acceptance.
Julien’s Certifications
Click to magnify
*All of our pet care providers are Pet CPR certified, insured and bonded
Olivia M. (she/her)
Pet Care Provider – Pet CPR Certified
Hi! My names Olivia/Liv and I’m currently a student at Portland State University studying Biology/Psychology and Neuroscience. I have worked with animals all my life, igniting in me an immense love for all sorts of pets including but not limited to dogs, cats, goats, lizards and iguanas, snakes, mice and rats! You may even be able to find the kid (baby goat) in my profile picture alongside the beautiful Great Pyrenees pup!
I have fostered around 40 rescue dogs throughout my upbringing, teaching me the behavioral uniqueness of every pup. I have ample experience with reactive and leash sensitive dogs as well as pups that resource guard – but every pup is different and please share with me how you meet their needs!
More recently, I have worked as a Canine Coach at a doggy daycare center, emphasizing the value in packs for dogs in-training – often I would manage a play area of around 20 dogs at a time, keeping the peace between hyperactive dogs and the more submissive type. But, I value one-on-one interaction and training with pets above all.
Olivia’s Certifications
Click to magnify
*All of our pet care providers are Pet CPR certified, insured and bonded
Shelby H. (she/they)
Pet Care Provider – Pet CPR Certified
Hey there, I’m Shelby, but plenty of great folks call me Ace too. I was born and raised in southern Florida around all sorts of insane wildlife from coyotes, to gators, to giant snakes and parrots. My family raised me around no less than half a dozen cats, and multiple dogs and of course our beloved parrots. My lifelong love of animals started early when my poor mother would find me rescuing abandoned kittens and baby possums off the side of the road when I went out to play.
I’ve never stopped being an animal lover and rescuer since those early days of playing in the front yard in the middle of wild Florida country. Coming to Oregon in early 2017, I’m still out here doing my very best to be a haven for all kinds of critters and I currently have quite a few exotic reptile rescues (the coolest being a giant tegu!) that were deemed unfit for adoption or abandoned previously.
My entire career path has led me through animal wellness and a plethora of work involving pet nutrition, rescue, rehab and training. I love working with animals that plenty of others won’t give a proper chance to, because I believe in the power of patience, understanding, and learning to thrive in your environment. I take that approach with every pet I meet: respect and kindness all the way no matter how much time and effort it takes. There’s no critter I don’t want to absolutely adore so rest assured all your beloved pets from the furry to the scaly are in good hands!
Shelby’s Certifications
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