Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Reily.
Hi Angela, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started working with dogs a little over a decade ago. At the time, I was in school working toward a degree in horticulture and thought that would be my career path. I saw an ad for a job that sounded so it interesting and applied right away. I ended up loving it so much I changed career paths! Spending my days outdoors with dogs combined so many things that already mattered to me. I am indigenous so being outdoors and in nature every day with a crew of four legged friends felt like home to me.
A huge part of that inspiration also came from my dog, Penny. She was reactive and aggressive toward other dogs, and I realized that if I wanted to give her the best life possible, I needed to learn everything I could about canine behavior, socialization, and handling. What began as a personal mission to help one dog completely changed the direction of my life.
Today, my approach is rooted in patience, safety, and understanding each dog as an individual. Penny taught me that every dog has their own needs and challenges, and that lesson continues to guide my work every day. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of caring for so many dogs, helping them build confidence, get exercise, and enjoy enriching adventures while giving their owners peace of mind
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely not. While caring for dogs is incredibly rewarding, it comes with a tremendous amount of responsibility. Over the years, I’ve made mistakes, faced unexpected challenges, and learned some hard lessons. When you are managing multiple dogs, each with their own unique personalities, energy levels, and needs, it can sometimes feel like supervising a group of toddlers who all speak different languages.
Many of the challenges I faced early on ultimately made me a better professional. Every close call, mistake, or difficult situation led me to improve my safety protocols, refine my handling skills, and become more thoughtful about risk management. I learned the importance of proper equipment, careful introductions, reading body language, and having systems in place for emergencies.
One thing I’ve learned is that confidence with dogs doesn’t come from believing nothing will ever go wrong, it comes from having the experience and preparation to handle challenges when they do arise. Today, I approach my work with far more knowledge, patience, and respect for the responsibility that comes with caring for other people’s beloved pets.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Angie’s Pawsitive Pet Care is an Oakland-based dog walking, hiking, boarding, and pet-care business built around personalized, relationship-based care. I’ve been working with dogs professionally for more than a decade, and what began as a love of getting dogs outdoors has grown into a business centered around giving them enriching experiences while giving their people someone they can genuinely trust.
I’m especially known for my group hikes in East Bay nature, where dogs get the opportunity to explore, exercise, socialize, and simply enjoy being dogs. I also offer in-home boarding, and cat visits and care. My approach is rooted in positive reinforcement and force-free handling, and I believe getting to know each animal as an individual is just as important as providing the service itself.
What I’m most proud of is the community I’ve built around the business. Many of the animals I care for have been with me for years, and those relationships extend to their families as well. I’m a small business by design, which allows me to be personally involved in the care I provide rather than treating animals like appointments on a schedule.
Ultimately, I want people to know that Angie’s Pawsitive Pet Care is about more than tiring out a dog or checking a task off someone’s list. I want the animals in my care to have genuinely good days, filled with adventures, affection, enrichment, consistency, and a caregiver they’re excited to see.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is connection. Dogs have been some of the greatest teachers in my life. My journey started with my own dog, Penny, who challenged me to become more patient, observant, and compassionate. Through her, I discovered not only a career but a genuine calling.
I care deeply about the relationships I build with both dogs and their people. When someone trusts me with their beloved pet, they’re trusting me with a member of their family. That trust is something I work hard to earn every day. I also appreciate the long term relationships I build with the families I work with.
I also believe dogs deserve more than just exercise. They deserve enrichment, adventure, social experiences, and the opportunity to be understood as individuals. Being able to help provide that while supporting busy families is incredibly meaningful to me.
After more than a decade, what keeps me going is still the same thing that got me started: seeing a dog thrive and knowing I’ve made a positive difference in their life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.angiespawsitivepetcare.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angiespawsitivepetcare
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573409452114
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@angiespawsitivepetcare
