But instead of pursuing veterinary education at a college, she started her own business as a pet sitter.
“This is something that I already know how to do, and it’s kind of an extension of my previous career of nurturing,” Allen said.
Allen is now owner and operator of Aunt Jeni’s Pet Care and one of 8,000 pet sitters who are members of Pet Sitters International.
The group was established in 1994 and is an education source for professional pet sitters.
It also provides them with access to liability insurance for their small businesses.
The group did a survey of its members in 2008 and found the following information:
98 percent of pet sitters are independent, small businesses.
84 percent of the businesses are owned by women.
They serve 1.5 million pet owners and perform 17.4 million pet visits.
In her job as “Aunt Jeni,” Allen visits pet owners’ homes when they are on vacation or even just during their work day.
She will walk a dog, just hang out with cats or feed a bird. She will give medications to sick or elderly pets.
A pet sitter also will bring in mail and packages, take in recycling bins and otherwise make it look like your house is occupied while you’re gone.
Her rate is $16 for a half-hour visit.
There’s a 15-percent discount for a week full of “potty break” visits.
That visit, of course, would include a trip outside, but also a short walk.
Allen says the walk is for the animal’s health to avoid issues like obesity, but there’s another reason to let her walk your dog.
“If dogs don’t walk enough, they’ll get behavioral issues,” Allen said.
That’s polite code for a nonwalked dog is a barking dog or crazy dog when you get home from work.
Even though her fee covers a half-hour visit, she can’t help but give a little more.
After all, she enjoys animals, especially ones like the ball-fetching cat that she visits.
“A lot of time it will be 40-45 minutes because I enjoy playing with them and petting them,” she said.
How to find a pet sitter
Aunt Jeni’s Pet Care is not the only pet sitter or pet-sitting service in the area. Go to PetSit.com and click on the Locate a Pet Sitter button. Put in your zip code and about 10 choices will appear.
Or you can call Aunt Jeni at (937) 613-WOOF or at AuntJenis PetCare.com
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2216 or kmargolis@DaytonDaily News.com.
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