Meet the team behind FurBabies & Friends, a trusted, award-winning pet care company serving Glendale, Peoria, and the Phoenix West Valley. Since 2018, we have provided professional dog walking, in-home pet sitting, grooming, and force-free dog training designed to support both pets and their people.
Our bonded, insured, and background-checked team is committed to delivering safe, reliable care you can feel confident about, whether you’re home or away.
Proudly insured through Pet Sitters Associates
Coverage for your home, your pets, and your peace of mind.
Our pet care team is made up of compassionate, experienced professionals who treat every animal as if they were their own. Every team member is background-checked, bonded, and insured, and trained to deliver safe, reliable care you can trust.
As a licensed pet care provider serving Glendale and Peoria, we hold our team to high standards of communication, consistency, and professionalism. Whether your pet needs a simple visit or more specialized care, we tailor our services to match their individual needs and routine.
Get To Know the People Caring For Your Pets
Kristie Halverson Owner & Dog Trainer
Kristie Halverson is the owner of FurBabies & Friends and a force-free dog trainer with over 7 years of professional experience and more than 20 years working with dogs. She specializes in puppy training, obedience, leash reactivity, and in-home behavior support, helping pet parents build clear communication and real-world reliability with their dogs.
In addition to working with clients, Kristie has rehabilitated and trained over 70 foster dogs, helping them gain confidence and successfully transition into permanent homes. Her training approach is rooted in positive reinforcement, science-based methods, and a commitment to creating lasting results for both dogs and their families.
As the founder of FurBabies & Friends, Kristie sets the standard for how every service is delivered, ensuring the team provides safe, reliable, and compassionate care across Glendale, Peoria, and the Phoenix West Valley.
Michelle Mayer Senior Pet Care Professional
Michelle has been a valued member of the FurBabies & Friends team for over four years and brings additional experience from working with a pet sitting company earlier in her career. She has cared for a wide variety of pets, including dogs, cats, and small animals, and is comfortable adapting to each pet’s unique needs and routine.
Known for her calm, attentive approach, Michelle is one of the most requested team members for overnight pet sitting. She treats every pet as if they were her own, helping them feel safe, comfortable, and well cared for while their owners are away.
Outside of pet care, Michelle works for Maricopa County and enjoys reading, baking, fishing, playing poker, swimming, and cooking. She shares her home with her German Shepherd, Kya, and her cat, Luna.
Melissa Howle Senior Pet Care Professional
Melissa has been a trusted member of the FurBabies & Friends team since 2021 and is one of the longest-standing members of the team. Known for her reliability, consistency, and calm presence, she plays an important role in delivering dependable pet care services to families throughout Glendale and the Phoenix West Valley.
She has experience providing overnight pet sitting and in-home care, helping pets feel safe, comfortable, and secure in their familiar environment while their owners are away. Melissa is especially attentive to maintaining routines and ensuring each pet receives personalized care based on their individual needs.
Outside of work, Melissa enjoys spending time with her husband and her rescue dog, Tina, and understands firsthand the importance of trusting someone to care for your pets like family.
Becca McCormick Pet Care Professional
Becca has been part of the FurBabies & Friends team for over a year, providing dependable pet care services to families throughout Glendale and the Phoenix West Valley. With a lifelong love of animals, she brings patience, consistency, and a genuine passion for caring for pets of all sizes and personalities.
As a dog owner herself, Becca understands the importance of trusting someone with your pets and treats every animal with the same level of care and attention she gives her own. She is especially comfortable working with larger breeds and ensuring each pet feels safe, comfortable, and well cared for.
Outside of pet care, Becca enjoys spending time with her family, creating handmade dog accessories, and making homemade treats for her two Mastiff mix dogs.
Nina Newell Pet Care Professional
Nina has been a valued member of the FurBabies & Friends team for over a year, providing attentive and compassionate pet care throughout Glendale and the Phoenix West Valley. With a lifelong connection to animals, she brings both experience and a genuine commitment to every pet she works with.
She has volunteered at a local animal shelter and served as a foster for dogs, helping animals transition into safe and loving homes. Nina also spent two years working at a dog daycare as a trainer, where she developed a strong understanding of dog behavior and handling.
At home, Nina shares her life with her Dachshund, Doja. Her calm, patient approach and dedication to each pet’s well-being help ensure every animal feels comfortable, supported, and cared for.
Vanessa Mahoney Pet Care Professional
Vanessa has been part of the FurBabies & Friends team for the past year, providing reliable pet sitting and dog walking services throughout the Glendale and Phoenix West Valley area. After working with Kristie to train her own two dogs, she developed a strong understanding of dog behavior and positive reinforcement, which she applies in her care for every pet.
She has experience caring for a wide variety of animals, including dogs, small mammals, birds, and reptiles, and is comfortable adapting to each pet’s unique needs and personality. Vanessa is known for her calm, attentive approach and her ability to help pets feel comfortable and at ease while their owners are away.
Originally from Vermont, Vanessa has lived in Arizona since 2017. She enjoys spending time outdoors hiking with her dogs, Bash and Kipo, or relaxing at home with her wife and pets.
Emily DiTomasso Pet Care Professional
Emily is a valued member of the FurBabies & Friends team, providing attentive pet sitting and dog walking services throughout Glendale and the Phoenix West Valley. She brings a compassionate, detail-oriented approach to every visit, helping pets feel comfortable, safe, and cared for in their home environment.
As a pet owner herself, Emily understands the importance of trust and consistency when it comes to caring for animals. She is especially dedicated to maintaining routines and ensuring each pet receives personalized attention based on their individual needs and personality.
Recently married, Emily enjoys spending time with her family and her rescue cattle dog mix, Zoe, and is passionate about creating a positive, enriching experience for every pet she cares for.
Recognized and Trusted in Glendale and the West Valley
FurBabies & Friends has earned consistent recognition across Glendale and the Phoenix West Valley for outstanding pet care, dog training, and customer experience. These awards reflect the trust our clients place in our team and the consistent standards we deliver.
Community Recognition Awards Glendale Community Votes – Platinum Winner (Pet Training, Kennels) – 2024 & 2025 Glendale Community Votes – Gold & Platinum Winner (Pet Sitting, Pet Grooming) – 2024 & 2025
Industry Recognition Best of Glendale – Reader’s Choice Award (2024 & 2025) ThreeBestRated® – Top Dog Trainers & Dog Walkers in Glendale (2024 & 2025)
Multi-Service Recognition Best in Phoenix – Dog Training, Pet Sitting, and Grooming
Local & Community Recognition Nextdoor Neighborhood Fave (2023 & 2024) Recommended Business – Loc8NearMe
Recognized across multiple service categories, including dog training, pet sitting, and grooming.
GOAL: Live your IDEAL life with your best friend, furry or not.
Our Mission, Values, and Beliefs
Motto
"A TIRED Dog is the BEST Dog"
To us, this means more than physical exercise. A truly fulfilled dog is mentally engaged through training, emotionally supported through a strong relationship, and physically exercised in a way that meets their individual needs. When those needs are met, behavior improves, confidence grows, and both dogs and their people thrive.
Mission
We help pet parents live their ideal life with their best friend, whether furry, feathered, or scaled, through exercise, training, grooming, and compassionate in-home pet care.
Our goal is to help pets thrive by supporting their physical, emotional, and behavioral needs using positive reinforcement and force-free methods.
Values
What Guides Everything We Do:
1. Safety always comes first 2. We RESPPPECT all beings, both human and animal alike 3. We listen openly and communicate honestly 4. We support keeping pets in their loving homes 5. We believe in enjoying life with your pet
Beliefs
Every pet deserves to be part of a loving family
Animals deserve proper care, including food, water, shelter, medical care, and companionship
Pets are not disposable, families should have the support they need to keep them
Dog training should never involve prong, shock, or pain-based tools
Respect between humans and animals creates better relationships
A healthy relationship with a pet improves life emotionally, physically, and mentally
