AAA+ Experienced Sitter

About this sitter

I am Dr. Michael Groner. Hello, my name is Dr. Michael (Mike) Groner. I'm a former university professor in Australia (Melbourne University, University of Central Queensland) and the USA and Canada (Oregon State University, Western Washington University, University of British Columbia and the University of Kansas). I've been a resident of the USA state of Oregon for many years and, in fact, just recently returned there. I have 3 children - one daughter who resides in Australia as a Veterinarian and a son who coaches university football in the USA and a daughter in Vietnam. I frequently travel between the US, Australia and Vietnam where I have ongoing accommodation and often continue to teach English to local residents. My former professional involvement had been in the areas of Exercise Physiology, Child Development, Disability and Aged fields and having served many years as a sports coach along with professional sports experience. I've been house-sitting and pet-minding for nearly 15 years with over 50 such experiences while accumulating many 5 star reviews. I have several ongoing interests that include walking, cycling, swimming, fishing, cooking, gardening and community service volunteering; am a keen environmentalists and enjoy the beauty of many natural settings available throughout the North America, Australia and SE Asia.

Why they want to house sit

I need to housesit. I don't own any real home property, anymore. I need to enjoy what I have and enjoy where I am in my life and to do all this, I have chosen to enjoy the comfort of others' home when I have the opportunity. I often give more that I receive from others; this being one reason why so many homeowners recognize me for my efforts in caring for their pets and maintaining a secure, safe and clean home environment on their property. As well, I benefit from having accumulated many new acquaintances and friends throughout many of my housesitting experiences.

Their experience

My house-sitting and animal-caring experience spans the last 15 years during which time I have tended numerous types of properties in both urban and rural areas of Australia and the USA. During that time, I have cared for many different domestic animals including cats, dogs, birds, horses and others. The sum of all my housesitting experiences is about 30 throughout that time as well as the present. I'm a most responsible and reliable house-sitter with references available from previous home owners. As a former property owner and carer of many pets, I am confident that home owners will find me to be most dependable and honest and caring for their pets. As well, I enjoy gardening/landscaping so that I will provide further service in looking after your foliage and natural landscape, in general. I don't smoke (never have) or drink and am very tidy, clean and well-organized. I have never expressed any interest in short-term (brief) housesitting arrangements (less than 2 weeks). Only mid to long term appointments are of interest to me (from 3 weeks to 6 + months or more. Throughout, my previous experiences as a house-sitter, I have often been told, by owners, upon their return that their house look more orderly and clean than before they went on their holiday. As well, many owners have become closer acquaintances following housesitting for them. Without any hesitation, for the most part, my housesitting experiences have been most enjoyable and rewarding.

What can they bring to the assignment

Experience, maturity, honesty, integrity, dependability; care and compassion for animals, respect of owners' requests and management of their properties . As well, I'm most communicative and reliable in maintaining communication with homeowners.