Three days of seminars, hands-on learning, and discussions led by industry experts. Walk away with business and operational tools to better care for the pets in your community.
Hyatt Place Houston / The Woodlands
Created by pet professionals, for pet professionals. Since 2016, the Texas Pet Sitters Conference has been the affordable, high-quality event where pet sitters, dog walkers, home boarding companies, trainers, and groomers come to sharpen their skills and grow their businesses.
Our growing community of pet care professionals at the Texas Pet Sitters Association Conference 2026
Industry veterans cover pet first aid, business operations, marketing, client management, and the latest pet care protocols. Practical knowledge you can put to work the day you get home.
Most of our attendees come from outside Texas. Connect with pet care professionals from across the country who understand your daily challenges. Build referral relationships that last.
A grass-roots conference that proves quality doesn't have to break the bank. Three full days of presentations, workshops, and networking at a price point that respects your bottom line.
A veterinarian, a CPA, a behavior specialist, and owners who have built and sold pet care businesses. Every session gives you something you can use the week you get home.
Founder, Vida Pharmacal · Spring Branch, TX
A veterinarian and researcher whose work centers on canine Chagas disease and Leishmania, including new diagnostic methods and treatments. He served as principal scientist for the Canine Chagas Treatment Study at Lackland Air Force Base and is Chief Medical Officer at The Animal Hospital of Smithson Valley.
Session
Kissing Bugs, Chagas & Pets: What Texas Pet Professionals Need to Know
Founder, C-squared Accounting
A CPA with more than a decade of experience, Chanté runs an accounting firm built for the pet industry. She helps owners of every size reduce their tax burden, raise profitability, and make better financial decisions.
Session
Reduce Your Tax Bite: Strategies to Protect Profits
Founder, Covered in Pet Hair · El Paso, TX
An award-winning pet industry marketer, speaker, and content strategist with a background in journalism and podcasting. She works with pet care professionals across the country to build trust, raise online visibility, and attract qualified clients.
Session
Become the Trusted Local Pet Expert: How to Build Authority That Attracts More Clients
Cathy's Critter Care · Schertz, TX
Cathy co-founded this conference in 2016 and serves as TPSA Board President. She owns Cathy's Critter Care and wrote How To Start A Homebased Pet Sitting Business. Her full session description is coming soon.
Session
Selling Your Business
Founder, DogCo Launch
Michelle doubled her dog walking company's size and profit margins in a single year, then sold the 25-staff, 600-client business in 2023. She founded DogCo Launch and has since worked with more than 300 team-based pet care companies.
Session
Lead Flow Was Never the Bottleneck: Why Delaying Gratification is the Real Growth Strategy
Founder, Positive Pooch Behavior · CDBC, CSAT, CPDT-KA, KPA CTP
Fanna specializes in canine separation anxiety and compulsive disorders, with more than a decade inside a veterinary behavior practice. She chaired the APDT in 2022 and helped build training education for over 2,000 dog trainers.
Two Sessions
Drama-Free Walks: When Dogs Have Other Plans
Creating Calm Interactions: When Excited Dogs Can't Contain Themselves
Instructor, Calibre Press · Georgetown, TX
Kelly spent 30 years in Texas law enforcement and retired as a patrol commander in Georgetown. He now teaches de-escalation and human communication full time, and he has instructed across the United States and Canada.
Session
…and Then There's Gen Z
Alameda Internet Marketing · Frisco, TX
Ross runs Alameda Internet Marketing and works with pet care businesses on search visibility and lead generation. His session covers how a pet sitting business gets found when people ask an AI tool for a recommendation.
Session
How to Increase Visibility in AI Search for Your Pet Sitting Business
Panel members will be announced soon. A few session descriptions are still on the way.
Three packed days of learning and connection.
1:15 – 2:45
Kissing Bugs, Chagas & Pets: What Texas Pet Professionals Need to Know
Dr. Roy Madigan, D.V.M.
2:45 – 3:00
Break
3:00 – 4:00
Reduce Your Tax Bite: Strategies to Protect Profits
Chanté Dawston, CPA
4:00 – 5:00
Become the Trusted Local Pet Expert: How to Build Authority That Attracts More Clients
Isabel Alvarez Arata
5:00 – 7:00
Happy Hour
9:00 – 10:00
Selling Your Business
Cathy and Phillip Vaughan
10:00 – 11:00
Lead Flow Was Never the Bottleneck: Why Delaying Gratification is the Real Growth Strategy
Michelle Kline
11:00 – 11:15
Break
11:15 – 12:15
Drama-Free Walks: When Dogs Have Other Plans
Fanna Easter
12:15 – 2:00
Lunch Provided and Networking
2:00 – 3:30
…and Then There's Gen Z
Lt. Kelly DeVoll (Ret.)
3:30 – 5:00
Navigating Client Communication, Expectations and Trust
Panel Discussion
9:00 – 10:00
Creating Calm Interactions: When Excited Dogs Can't Contain Themselves
Fanna Easter
10:00 – 11:00
How to Increase Visibility in AI Search for Your Pet Sitting Business
Ross Taylor
11:00 – 11:30
Closing Comments
All times are Central. Sessions and times may change before the conference.
Video showing an aerial view of the Hyatt Place Houston / The Woodlands hotel, the conference venue.
1200 Lake Front Cir, The Woodlands, TX 77380
February 19 – 21, 2027 (Friday through Sunday)
Stay where the conference happens. Hotel booking details will be available soon.
Platinum Sponsors
Interested in sponsoring or vending at the 2027 conference? Contact us at txpetsitters@gmail.com.
Founded in 2016 by business women in South Central Texas, the TPSA was created to give pet care professionals access to affordable, high-quality education and community. What started as a regional gathering has grown into a nationally attended event, now entering its 12th year.
Board President & Conference Co-Founder
Owner of Cathy's Critter Care in Schertz, TX. PSI Pet Sitter of the Year and author of How To Start A Homebased Pet Sitting Business.
Board Secretary & Conference Co-Organizer
Owner of Deanna's Dog House in Spring Branch, TX. Left the corporate world to build her pet care and in-home boarding businesses. Passionate about connecting pet parents with rescued dogs.
Join a community of pet care professionals dedicated to raising the bar in the industry. TPSA members get conference updates, networking opportunities, and exclusive member resources.
Contact us about membershipEverything you need to know about the conference, venue, and registration.
Three days of education, connection, and inspiration. Registration details coming soon.