Samantha
Sam’s Happy Pet Care was created from two things Samantha loves most — animals and helping others.
Sam has always had a natural connection with animals. Over the years she has cared for many dogs and pets of her own, and she spent four years volunteering with the Humane Society of Pinellas, where she helped socialize feral cats so they could become comfortable with people and find loving forever homes.
Sam is also part of the neurodiverse community, and Sam’s Happy Pet Care is part of a job skills program supported by the nonprofit Picket Fences Foundation. Through this program, Sam continues to build independence, responsibility, and real-world work experience while doing what she loves most — caring for animals.
Our Mission
More Than Pet Care – A Job Skills Program
Sam’s Happy Pet Care is more than a pet care service. It is a job-skills micro-enterprise created under the umbrella of the nonprofit organization, Picket Fences Foundation.
Through Sam’s Happy Pet Care, individuals in the neurodiverse community gain meaningful job experience while providing loving care for pets in the Dunedin community.
This program helps develop real-world skills including:
• Responsibility and time management
• Customer communication
• Animal care and safety
• Scheduling and organization
• Building confidence through meaningful work
These experiences help neurodiverse young adults build independence and prepare for future employment opportunities.
How It Supports the Community
Supporting Independence Through Work
A portion of the proceeds from Sam’s Happy Pet Care supports the mission of Picket Fences Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to creating opportunities for neurodiverse young adults to live more independently.
Picket Fences works to develop programs that provide:
• Affordable and inclusive housing
• Employment and job training opportunities
• Life skills development
• Community inclusion for neurodiverse individuals
By choosing Sam’s Happy Pet Care, you are not only receiving trusted care for your pets — you are also supporting a mission that helps individuals in the neurodiverse community build confidence, skills, and independence.
Sam has completed the Fear Free® Program, which focuses on protecting and promoting both a pet’s physical and emotional well-being. Through this training, Sam understands how to create a calm, safe, and positive experience for the animals in her care.
She prioritizes enrichment and Fear Free principles, helping ensure that every pet she cares for feels comfortable, secure, and happy.