Finding the Right Sitter for Maisie the Therapy Dog — Deb & Scott’s Story
Deb and Scott are proud pet parents to Maisie — an extraordinary 8-year-old Maltese/Shih Tzu mix who lives with them in the coastal town of Burnie, Tasmania. They’ve shared their lives with Maisie since she was just 8 weeks old, and from the very beginning, her gentle, affectionate nature stood out.
Maisie’s Journey as a Therapy Dog
“She is very calm and accepting of everything happening around her and very much lives in the moment, taking most things in her stride as they happen,” says Deb. Maisie’s warm, empathetic spirit quickly drew attention — especially at a local dog festival when she was just 12 months old. There, representatives from Delta Therapy Dogs noticed her natural ease with people and invited Deb and Scott to consider enrolling her in their program.
At 18 months old, Maisie passed her official assessment and officially became a certified Delta Therapy Dog. Her work began with visits to aged care homes — but over the past year, she’s become a beloved presence at the North West Support School in Burnie, supporting children with physical and intellectual disabilities.
Her impact extends even further: Maisie is now a recognized “celebrity” at the North West Regional Hospital. Staff and patients alike greet her enthusiastically — doctors pause mid-shift for a pat, nurses invite her into the canteen during breaks, and patients across all wards light up at the sight of her. For many, those quiet moments with Maisie are vital stress relief in demanding days.
Finding Trusted Care While Away
As retired school teachers, Deb and Scott enjoy visiting their children in Perth each holiday season — but leaving Maisie behind wasn’t simple. She thrives on routine, familiarity, and consistent care, so finding someone who could honor her needs — and her special role — was essential.
A quick online search led them to FurPetVo, where they were impressed by the platform’s transparency, community reviews, and emphasis on safety and trust. After joining furpetvo.com and listing their dates, they received numerous thoughtful applications.
Still, Deb had understandable concerns — especially as first-time users. “My biggest worry was confirming a sitter only through video calls or messages,” she shares. “I wanted to meet them in person, see how they interacted with Maisie, and feel confident in their connection with her.”
The Perfect Match — Closer Than Expected
That confidence came when Deb discovered Noelene and Udo — a caring Tasmanian couple with outstanding reviews on furpetvo.com and availability matching their travel dates. After a warm, relaxed meet-and-greet at Deb and Scott’s home — where Maisie immediately settled in beside her new friends — the decision was easy.
“To have such wonderful people as our first sitters was a godsend,” Deb says. “Maisie adored them, and they adored her. We were able to go away knowing she was being well cared for, loved, and totally spoiled — and she didn’t miss us at all while we were gone. We could relax and enjoy our time with family knowing Maisie was safe.”
So successful was that first experience that Deb and Scott invited Noelene and Udo back multiple times — even coordinating trips to align with their availability. When an upcoming trip to the Maldives presented scheduling challenges, Deb felt completely comfortable returning to furpetvo.com to find another trusted match.
“We do have a trip to the Maldives coming up next April 2025,” Deb explains, “and though Noelene and Udo weren’t available, we had no hesitation advertising our dates again. FurPetVo has been amazing — and we’ve already confirmed wonderful new sitters for Maisie.”
A Recommendation Rooted in Trust
For Deb and Scott, FurPetVo isn’t just a booking platform — it’s peace of mind. “We strongly recommend furpetvo.com to anyone and everyone who will listen,” Deb says. “It’s been a great way for us to happily leave Maisie and relax while away, knowing she’s living her best life.”
And Maisie? She continues to bring comfort, joy, and quiet strength — whether greeting hospital staff, supporting students at school, or enjoying cozy days at home with her favorite sitters.
