Meet The Owner,
And Your Sitter
Hi there! My name is Hayley Smith and I would love to be your next dog walker, pet sitter and/or your pet’s new best friend!! I’m 24, I grew up here in the valley, and I’m currently working on my undergrad in Business Management! Right now I live in North Scottsdale with my parents and two dogs, Cinnamon and Sugar!
Upon graduating from Cactus Shadows High School in 2020, I moved to Missouri where I would attend the University of Missouri (Mizzou) and major in Textile and Apparel Management. I absolutely loved my time there and learning about the apparel and retail industries, but I began to discover my true passion lays in business operations and organization. Because of tuition costs and several conflicting logistics, I decided to move back home and finish my degree through Scottsdale Community College’s new Bachelors’ program. I love the flexibility, cost, and support of the program, and I’m excited to continue classes this fall!
Animals have had a place in my heart since I was little, and my very first pet was a tadpole named Daphne I got in Kindergarten. A year later, I was lucky enough to rescue a kitty named Callie who I spent several amazing years with. She sadly passed away early due to pre-existing health conditions. I was taught early on by experience how to properly care for animals and how important it is to prioritize an animal’s health and well-being. In addition, I occasionally volunteered at animal shelters in my childhood just to spend extra time with animals.
If You Know Me, You Know My Doggies!!
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is my thirteen-year-old miniature dachshund who I’ve had since I was 10 and he was 14 weeks - we were both babies who have truly grown up together! He is my first best friend, nightly cuddle buddy, and favorite tanning partner. Cinnamon was born without the ability to produce doggie tears in his eyes which we discovered after a terrifying health scare. When I was 11, I made the life-changing decision and commitment with my family to help administer the eyedrops Cinnamon would need 3x daily for the rest of his life. I even insisted on postponing the annual family vacation so we could afford the surgery he would need.
These decisions turned out to be some of my best. Cinnamon has been there for every single one of my “firsts” and childhood memories. He has always known when I’m sick or hurt - either by refusing to leave my side, or licking the crutches I had when I twisted my ankle in high school. Cinnamon loves sleeping, barking at nothing, belly rubs, food, fuzzy blankets, burrowing himself, warm laps, and his humans especially when they give him what he wants. Unfortunately, we have reason to believe he is slowly starting to develop doggie dementia, so we are giving him as much love, security, and goodies as possible.
Sugar
Sugar is my seven-year-old “supermutt” that I rescued when I was just 17! I paid for her with the first tips I had earned from my first job, and we are definitely your typical “who rescued who” pairing. She is loyal, protective, smart, a “velcro dog”, very food-motivated, active, and extremely well-behaved (after her puppy phase). She loves her humans unlike anything I’ve ever seen; she makes the best guard dog and always keeps my bed warm for me when I’m not home.
Sugar’s breed composition always spiked my curiosity since the only information we received was she’s a “lab mix”. This past year, I did a DNA test through WisdomPanel and found out her most prominent breed was only 17% - St. Bernard! She also has 15% Australian cattle dog, 7% Cocker Spaniel, 6% Labrador Retriever, and most shockingly, 8% Chihuahua. I will always recommend dog DNA tests if you own a mutt yourself; dogs are prone to various health issues as they age just like humans so understanding breed composition will help you navigate your dog’s health. Because of the test, I was able to identify Sugar’s arthritis as breed-related, and put her on a Glucosamine supplement to help.
So how did I decide to start Whiskers and Wags?
If you had told me a year ago, or even six months ago, that I would be starting my own pet sitting business, I would have responded with a very different answer than I would have now! When I moved back to Arizona in August of 2025, my original plan was to take a few online classes and move back to Missouri to finish my fashion degree. I found it increasingly difficult to remain motivated in these classes, which I later realized was one of the many subconscious ways I was trying to tell myself that this path was no longer right for me. To occupy my time, I began trying new hobbies or jobs I enjoyed in the past - like caring for animals to earn money!
I first began to recognize my entrepreneurial side during the fall of last year when I worked at Dutch Brothers’ Coffee. A huge part of my job was engaging in friendly conversation with customers, and my favorite thing to talk about with people was their careers. I began to notice the people happiest with their jobs were the innovators, or people that had taken something they enjoyed and turned it into a business. At the same time I wanted to finish my undergrad, and I was growing closer to my Arizona family and friends. I remember Christmas 2025 sealed the deal; I received a new suitcase set and Sugar thought I was moving again as I unwrapped it. Seeing her reaction broke my heart - I could not stand the thought of ever living a long distance away from her again (I still can’t). That next month I was researching business degrees in Arizona!
It was also in December of 2025 when I started responding to local Facebook group posts for pet sitting jobs. My first client was an older kitty, and I remember being so happy to finally have the presence of cats back in my life. After a few months, I had watched the kitty a few times and consistently was walking two doggies twice a week. I was actually excited to do my job, and I was already starting to incorporate business concepts into my work without even realizing it. Finally everything clicked after a few months; I needed a second income for tuition, I have a giant heart that loves animals, and I’m literally studying business - why not just start my own! Here I am now! Not only am I the owner of my own business and I can genuinely say I love what I do. I cannot wait to grow Whiskers and Wags and make a difference by watching your pets!
Other honorable mentions and facts, if that wasn’t enough!
My dream is to live by the beach with a golden retriever, and I’m determined to make this happen one day! Additionally, my biggest goal in life is to own and rent a beach house just like my grandmother once did.
My three favorite dog breeds are golden retrievers, miniature dachshunds, and corgis. I would love to RESCUE all three eventually in my lifetime.
I had a hamster for two years in Missouri named Fireball! He was the best little companion and he loved when I brought him home croutons from my old job.
I’m a proud alum of the Phoenix Children's Chorus (Arizona) and Phi Mu National Sorority (Chi Chapter, University of Missouri-Columbia)! These two organizations greatly shaped me into the woman I am today.
Lastly, my hobbies in my rare free time include line dancing, diamond painting, jewelry making, hiking, and shopping! I also work part-time at a gym!
