Katie Ballard is the owner of Nona Paws Pet Sitting. She is also a Nonahood resident. Check out our interview with her below!

Nonahood News: What is your job?

Katie Ballard: I am the owner of Nona Paws Pet Sitting. We provide daily walks and pet sitting to clients in Lake Nona. 

NHN: What does your day-to-day schedule look like?

KB: I manage the business. I oversee new clients as well as current clients. I answer questions, coordinate visits, reach out to clients, and make sure everything runs smoothly. I also assist my team if they have questions about visits and creating the schedule. I use Time To Pet to manage everything as far as scheduling, coordinating invoices, and communicating with clients.

NHN: What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?

KB: Pets are always so happy to see you, and they’re full of joy. Sometimes I’m like, wow, I’m getting paid to do something that I love. It’s been also interesting to see all the different kinds of pets out there and all the different families. The most rewarding aspect is being able to come inside people’s homes to take care of not just their pets but also their home and seeing how appreciative they are and seeing the pets happy.

NHN: What is the most challenging aspect of your job?

KB: Keeping up with the growth and the demand. In the year and a half that we have been established, we have grown to about 350 clients. It’s also challenging finding quality sitters. We want to make sure that sitters are fully vetted, they have a background check, and they’re professionals. For example, we’re comprised of a veterinary technician, an aquarist, two that worked for Disney, one in the financial industry, and another with a counseling background. They’re professionals in the community, and it’s very helpful that they have other backgrounds and knowledge. 

NHN: What got you interested in doing your current job?

KB: It began as a side gig. I was really into triathlons – I did two Ironman races and have a college background in swimming. I was into competing until I had two surgeries. I had to find something that would pass my time and keep me engaged. One day, my mom suggested I go for a walk down the street and back like normal people. I said, “Mom, that would be boring. It would only be fun if I had a dog to walk.” At the time, I didn’t have a dog because I was so busy training and I was always gone. I started on Rover. I eventually built my clientele and decided it would be nice to have my own business. So that’s how it started. It’s fun to see the satisfaction of the clients and know that we take care of them like they’re our family.

NHN: Do you have any interesting hobbies, collections or interests?

KB: I go to Orangetheory, I love yoga, and I love to travel. 

NHN: What brought you to Lake Nona and when did you move here?

KB: I moved to Lake Nona in 2010 to be closer to work. I was a school counselor at Lake Nona Middle School for 11 years. I live in NorthLake Park now, in the back at Water’s Edge. 

NHN: Where are you from originally?

KB: Michigan. I moved to Florida in 2006. I was recruited from a job fair at Michigan State University to work in a school as a school counselor in Port St. Lucie. So that’s what brought me to Florida. I came to Orlando in 2008.

NHN: What is your favorite part about Lake Nona?

KB: I love that everything is here. You don’t have to leave. The gym is here – work, shopping, restaurants. That’s what I love most about Lake Nona is that it’s inclusive.

NHN: What would you say to anyone who is considering a move to Lake Nona?

KB: Hurry up! Housing is going fast. It’s a great place to live. The schools are great. We have a very tight-knit community; people help each other a lot. I don’t think you can go wrong by moving here.