About Us!

At Pawsitive Strides, we are more than just pet sitters. We are college students with a lifelong love for animals and a genuine passion for caring for them. Each member of our team grew up surrounded by pets, learning early on the joy, comfort, and companionship they bring to our lives.

Balancing busy student schedules has not stopped us from doing what we love most: spending time with furry friends. Whether it is a morning walk, an afternoon play session, or an overnight stay, we treat every pet like family with patience, warmth, and plenty of belly rubs.

We proudly serve our local Northern Virginia community, from Burke to Fairfax, Annandale to Springfield, Alexandria to Ashburn providing dependable, affordable, and flexible care that fits your lifestyle.

At the heart of Pawsitive Strides is a simple belief: every pet deserves love, safety, and joy every single day.

A light-colored dog lying on grass near a sidewalk, with a black car parked behind it.

Meet the team

Cathy Turnbull

Ava Blindauer

A young woman with long brown hair smiling, wearing a black sleeveless top with pink lotus flower embroidery, against a white background.

Hi, I’m Cathy Turnbull. I’m a Government student at George Mason University and the founder of Pawsitive Strides. I have over a year and a half of experience as a dog walker and pet sitter in Northern Virginia, working with dogs, cats and birds of different ages, sizes, and temperaments. I understand that every pet has unique needs and routines, and I take the time to make sure they feel comfortable, safe, and well cared for.

Hi! I am Ava Blindauer a Kinesiology major at George Mason University. I’ve been a pet sitter for four years for families I have also babysat for. I truly love animals and enjoy giving them the same care and attention they’re used to at home. If you’re looking for someone reliable who will treat your pets like family, I’d be happy to help!

Maxine Teague

Zoe Lemon

A woman with long blonde hair, wearing a light pink strapless dress, looking over her shoulder at the camera, with a neutral background.

Hello, my name is Maxine. I’m a student at George Mason University pursuing my Bachelor’s degree in Business, and I’m excited to care for your furry family members. As a pet owner myself, I understand how important reliable and attentive pet care is. I take pride in providing thoughtful, dependable care and making sure each pet feels comfortable and loved. I look forward to meeting you and your pets soon.

Hi, my name is Zoe. I study Environmental Science and have always loved working with animals. I worked at a dog boarding kennel all through high school, which gave me a lot of experience with different breeds and personalities. I also grew up riding and caring for horses, so I am very comfortable with larger animals. I am excited to meet your furry friend.

Bahara Bahar

Isabella Komaily

Adam Chinque

Davis Perez

Sabrina Majdalawieh

Hi! My name is Sabrina Majdalawieh a student at George Mason University majoring in Community Health on a pre-vet track. I’ve been around animals my whole life and want to give them the best care possible. Pets are companions and family, which they should be treated as such by everyone who steps into their house. If you’re looking for someone who you can trust and ensure your pets have an amazing time feel free to reach out!

Hi, my name is Isabella Komaily. I am a biology major at George Mason University. I’ve had pets my whole life including alpacas, so I have experience taking care of all kinds of animals. I’ve grown up taking care of my own animals and pet sitting for other people’s animals as well. I’ve always loved animals and currently have three dogs of my own. I can’t wait to take care of your pets!

Hi there! My name is Bahara, and I’m a student at George Mason University, majoring in Criminology with a minor in Forensic Psychology. I’ve always had a lot of love for animals I grew up with dogs and currently have two adorable cats of my own. Caring for pets has always come naturally to me, and I love creating a safe, comfortable, and fun environment for them while their owners are away.

Young woman with long dark hair smiling, wearing a black top, against a white background.

Davis here! Exercising is something I love because it helps me both physically and mentally. I truly enjoy taking care of pets. Growing up, I never had the experience of owning a dog or a cat, but the closest thing to “owning” a pet was caring for friends’ and family members’ pets while they were away. I’ve always loved taking care of animals, and I believe that adding a friendly face to my walks will not only motivate me but also bring joy to your little companion, which is why I’m excited to be a part of Pawsitive Strides, to care for your pets and make their walks 10x better.

Hi, My name is Adam. Growing up I always loved dogs, spending a lot of my time walking my neighborhood dogs and pet sitting friends and family dogs. These experiences growing up showed how rewarding, fun and exciting dog walking can be for me and your pet. Now, as a GMU student I would love to provide dog walking services and make sure every walk is active and enjoyable, giving your dog the exercise and attention they deserve while on a walk.

Join the team

Why you’ll love it

  • Flexible scheduling around school and life

  • Supportive, friendly team of fellow students and animal lovers

About the role
You’ll provide safe, reliable dog walks and pet-sitting visits in our service area. Walkers are independent contractors and choose their availability. Most visits are 20–30 minutes on weekdays; occasional evenings/weekends/holidays.

What you’ll do

  • Pick up, walk, and return pets safely; refresh water and tidy up as needed

  • Follow client instructions (harnesses, meds, feeding)

  • Flag concerns to the admin team (behavior, health, access issues)

You are

  • Punctual, communicative, and great with people + pets

  • Comfortable handling various dog sizes/temperaments

  • Over 18 with consistent access to a car or reliable transport

    • A university student.

  • Willing to complete Pet First Aid/CPR certification (we provide a free option)

Nice to have (bonus)

  • Prior pet-care experience

  • Experience with reactive or shy dogs

  • Availability over school breaks/holidays

How to apply (simple):
Email your resume to pawsitivestrides.walking@gmail.com. We’ll reply with a short application form to complete. Once you fill out the form, email it back to us.

Include in your email:

  • Full name and mobile number

  • Home neighborhood (for routing)

  • Weekly availability (days/times)

  • A few sentences on your pet-care experience

What to expect next:
We’ll review and send you our application form within 7 business days. If it’s a fit, we’ll schedule a interview.