About Us
Established in 2016, Alisha's Pet Playcations was started to provide a personalized and positive pet care experience. As new pet owners to our two pups, we found it difficult to leave them at any traditional care option when we traveled. Both Max and Junior came to us as rescues with baggage and anxieties that made leaving them at the vet or with family difficult and stressful for everyone. We realized that we weren't alone in this struggle, and this realization sparked us to be part of the solution in providing alternative care to all types of pets.
We work to understand the unique likes, dislikes, and needs of each pet we meet and shape the care we then provide. From walks of all lengths for exercise and enrichment, to care in your home to provide peace of mind and comfort for pets that prefer staying in their own environment, we have dedicated ourselves to creating care options for everyone!
Serving Peyton, Black Forest and Falcon, Colorado and some surrounding communities.
Meet the Team!
Alisha and Zack Riley
Alisha and Zack have not only spent the last 7 years caring for pets, but also have a menagerie of furry critters at home. The pair have two rescue cats, Figment and Goose, 5 rescue guinea pigs (Hershey, Maple, Oreo, S'more, and Fudge), and two rescue rabbits, Sugar and Cinnamon, that fill much of their free time. Their pups, Max, the dachshund/lab, and Junior, the dachshund/chihuahua are the pups that started it all, led Alisha into the pet care industry in the first place, helping her find her calling after she departed jobs in the theme park industry and as a nanny to human children. Zack is an electrical engineer by trade, but can often be found helping out with house sits and walks in his spare time, especially enjoying time with farm animals when possible. They enjoy hiking, kayaking, and traveling when not working with pets and bring the pups on as many adventures as possible.
Our Resident Playcation Pack Members!
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Max
Max is our dachshund lab pup who we rescued from a shelter in Tampa Florida in 2014. He is as mellow and mild mannered as can be, and is often a favorite with puppies who appreciate his gentleness and patience as they learn manners and play behaviors with their little teeth and nails. While he has officially reached the status of a senior pup, he still enjoys a good squeaky toy, using his dachshund instincts to burrow under any blanket he can find, and becomes just like a young puppy again himself whenever there is food or treats around.
Unfortunately, in January of 2023 Max passed away due to aggressive throat cancer. He will forever remain an honorary team member, the reason we started our business to begin with, and our official ambassador for the other side of the rainbow bridge.
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Junior
Junior is the true inspiration for Pet Playcations and for becoming professional pet Sitters. Junior was adopted through a foster program at 1.5 years old. By the time he came into our lives, he had already been returned 5 times! He certainly came with a lot of anxieties and insecurities that we have worked towards eliminating ever since. In the years since adopting Junior, he has come into his own, gaining confidence and being Max's best friend and right-hand-pup. He is the epitome of a determined dachshund, meets a bouncy, energetic chihuahua and even as he gets older, continues to be young at heart and ready to run and play.
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Figment
While we never exactly intended on having kitties of our own, Figment came to us as a surprise and he couldn't be a more perfect addition to the family. Figment was found in Fillmore, Utah while on a camping trip. He came out from under a cabin at our campsite and after eating dog food from Zack's hand, nicely hopped into our camping backpack to be taken back home with us. Upon returning from our trip and taking him to the vet, we not only found out that he was all of 9 weeks old, but he was completely healthy; not a flea, tick, or mite to be found. We knew he was meant to find us/for us to find him and he has been the happiest, sweetest kitty around. He is almost a year old now and loves purring in our laps hanging out with his brother, Goose, and being the cutest "Figment" of our imaginations around. (His name pays homage to a little purple dragon at Disney's EPCOT where Alisha used to work).
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Goose
Goose is our little wild child, and the perfect other half to our calm, sweet Figment. Goose came to us as a Roswell kitty from RezDawg Rescue, an animal rescue that saves pets that are found out on Native American Reservations across the country. He was born to a very young mother and was only a few months old when he came home to us. Originally named Tot, his name was quickly changed to Goose, named after the cat/alien in the Captain Marvel movie. He can jump to extraordinary heights, loves chasing after his toys and brother Figment, and is often the source of food going missing from our kitchen counters.
Pet Sitters International is the world’s largest educational association for professional pet sitters and dog walkers. PSI membership is for professional pet-care providers who are committed to offering the best possible services. This commitment includes taking advantage of the best business tools and resources, prioritizing continuing education, focusing on customer service and networking with and supporting fellow pet professionals.
The CPPS-Certified Professional Pet Sitter® Exam is the only knowledge-based assessment that is designed exclusively for professional pet sitters. Experienced pet sitters have the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and enhance their marketability by obtaining a credential that is recognized throughout the industry as a mark of excellence.
Business Insurers of the Carolinas has been a proud provider of insurance coverage specifically designed for pet care professionals since 1992. By working directly with the largest pet care associations and their members for almost 25 years, we have gained a unique understanding of the types of claims that occur in the industry and what is needed to be properly covered.
Founded in 2016, Fear Free provides online education to veterinary professionals, pet professionals, animal welfare communities, and pet owners. With all the false (and harmful!) pet information on the internet, Fear Free aims to keep veterinary healthcare teams and pet professionals at the forefront as the true pet health experts. By closely listening to the needs of the profession and those of the new generation of pet owners, Fear Free has become one of the single most transformative initiatives in the history of companion animal practice, providing unparalleled education on emotional wellbeing, enrichment, and the reduction of fear, anxiety, and stress in pets and improving the experience of every human and pet involved.
1% For the Planet aims to accelerate smart environmental giving. With more than 5,000 members, 1% FTP connects those members with high-impact nonprofit partners that align with each business' values and brand story. 1% FTP members pledge to donate 1% of their gross revenue back to the environment and nonprofits in their local and global communities.
