As I said in the last blog I posted here, the Texas Pet Sitters 2025 Conference Cruise was a huge success! I know everyone had a great time, myself included. But, I don’t think you should only hear it from me. For this reason, I asked attendees of the Texas Pet Sitters 2025 Conference Cruise to share their highlights from the experience. Here goes!
Disconnecting & Enjoying Down Time
Cathy Vaughan, Cathy’s Critter Care in New Braunfels, Texas
“I LOVED the convenience of not having to drive anywhere for anything. Everything was right there accessible! Restaurants, shows, shopping, drinks. It was just so convenient. I loved knowing there was only 90 of us total but running into someone on the ship of 3k everywhere I went! I loved that we could coordinate group lunches impromptu right at the end of the conference time at 1pm. “Who is going to windjammer? Who wants Johnny rockets?” I loved waking up to a balcony overlooking the sea and room service continental breakfasts! If I had to do it over I would’ve been more intentional about getting folks on my RC app messenger to communicate easier and I would’ve just go ahead and buy the dang wifi. But I wanted to disconnect from work back on land….”
Cathy Vaughan, www.cathyscrittercare.com
Renee Gunn, The Sterling Pooch in Fort Worth, Texas
“Of course I loved seeing everyone and the conference topics were great. I loved being able to reunite with everyone and enjoyed the laughs. However, I was at the edge of burn out & my energy level, both physically and emotionally, was very low. I needed this time away from clients, pets, and family. I found what my soul desperately needed on the 4th deck. Just sitting in the quiet breeze, looking out over the ocean and enjoying the beauty of it all. I loved that I was able to just be still and in the moment. I came home ready to tackle life once again.”
Renee Gunn, www.thesterlingpooch.com
Cindy Chain Johnson, Just Fur A While in San Antonio, Texas
“There were many perks to attending a conference on a cruise ship like not having to worry about driving, no time spent deciding where to eat, amazing ocean views during breaks, and of course excursion day – forced downtime. I liked that it was a more intimate group which helped facilitate conversations that might not have been possible in larger group settings. The down time at this conference was true down time and started as soon as sessions were over – no drive time required. I would attend a conference on a cruise ship again in a heartbeat!
Cindy Chain Johnson, www.justfurawhile.com
Lois Alsup, 3DogPet in Keller, Texas
“It was great meeting fellow pet sitters in an environment that was educational but also revitalizing, relaxing, and fun! Loved the cruise, and it was such a nice disconnect from the business. My team and office manager did an amazing job handling everything while we were away.”
Lois Alsup, 3Dogpet.com
Prioritizing Personal Relationships
Tiffany Manson, Dallas Professional Pet Care in Dallas, Texas
“I can’t even count the number of conferences I’ve attended. I always come away with excellent knowledge and ideas for improving and growing my business. This one was a bit different. Yes, there was plenty of knowledge to be had, but my greatest takeaway from this one was self care. After four full days spent with my closest colleagues – working, playing, dancing, eating, and yes, a bit of drinking – I came home with the very firm understanding that I need to really nurture my female friendships. I came home happy and grounded, and immediately starting making phone calls and putting girl time on my calendar. That self care has made a real difference in the way I look at and run my business.”
Tiffany Manson, www.dallaspropetcare.com
Jenn Hodge, Jenn’s Pet TLC in San Jose, California
“This was one of the best conferences I have ever been to. The topics were great, amazing speakers and always a great time reconnecting with friends. It was just what I needed to disconnect for a bit from my business. While I was able to keep tabs on what was going on, my team at home handled everything fantastic! They knew we’d have limited connectivity and they helped each other. The views were unbeatable! The perfect environment for relaxing and taking a deep breath. The conference coincided well with hubby & my 15th wedding anniversary, so we were able to celebrate in a way I don’t think we would have been able to otherwise. Definitely would do again!”
Jenn Hodge, www.jennspettlc.com
Malaysia Speak, Paw Time Favorite Pet Sitting in San Antonio, Texas
“Attending a conference on a cruise was quite different. This was Jonathan and I’s first cruise. We absolutely LOVED seeing familiar faces from last year’s conference, connecting with the speakers, and growing new relationships within our industry. As our business in its infancy stage (going on 2 years) , so are our children (6 months & 2 years old). This conference was a way for us to still pour into the business, yet take a moment from the businesses day to day to enjoy some white sand between our toes and come back with some fresh ideas! Overall, It was a great experience and very much needed.
Malaysia Speaks, www.pawtimefavoritepetsitting.com
Lindsey Stein, Second Best Friend Pet Sitting in Fort Worth, Texas
“This was my 2nd conference and I LOVED IT. It was my first cruise experience, too. I was so anxious leading up to the trip because I didn’t know anyone well from the conference and I wasn’t sure I was going to like being on a ship. But I’m so glad I went and I really loved bumping into other petsitters on the ship and having that commonality. I was forced to meet a lot more of you this time around. At last year’s conference, it was easy to just befriend my table of people and leave it at that. The cruise experience really forced me to put myself out there and I’m so grateful 
“
Lindsey Stein, www.secondbestfriendpetsitting.com
Fun in the Sun
Mariah and Wes Jennings, Let’s Go Pawty in Watertown, South Dakota
“This was our first ever pet sitting conference and we are hooked! We were impressed with the speakers and topics that we were able to implement right away in our business when we got home! A conference on a cruise is the best. A vacation, tax write-off, and a chance to learn valuable information was the best thing for our hearts at a time we needed to slow down and enjoy life. A cruise is one of the only vacations I feel like I can truly relax, food is taken care of, no rushing around, entertainment for every one, every where you look there is something beautiful to see and a place to sit and relax. We wish every conference could be on a cruise but we are also SO excited to check out Austin next year. One thing we both have shared since being back home was that absolutely everyone in Galveston, on the ship, and conference organizers were so kind and welcoming. We’d recommend all to anyone looking for a fun learning vacation.”
Mariah and Wes Jennings, www.letsgopawty.com
Scott Henning, Pampered Pets & Plants, LLC in Highland Park, Illinois
“When the 10th anniversary of the Texas pet sitters conference was announced last year. I was thinking WOW. This sounds great. Cheryl (photographed right) and I have been talking about doing a Alaska cruise in the future. That is our dream vacation. I was super excited yet scared to death it wasn’t going to happen. Because life happens. Weeks before this trip we were worried about our cat Opal as she wasn’t eating very well. We were both moving forward yet were we really going to be able to go? Between Cheryl ‘s Mom and our friend Andy we knew she was gonna be in good hands.
We had been very busy with the business. We were both looking forward to just getting away. Seeing our friends and just relaxing. For me I was just taking it all in as were going through security and getting on the ship. It was surreal as we were walking onto the ship. (Dam thing is BIG) LOL
It was beyond cool to look out from our balcony in our room and see nothing but Ocean. it was so much fun to be not only With each other. Also being with many of our friends. Having the conference on a Cruise was awesome. It was nice not having to drive anywhere. Enjoyed the speakers at the conference. Getting recognized, along with others, having been to each one of these conferences the last 10 years
. Kudos to the organizers each and everyone of you for pulling this off. Thank you for everything.”
Scott Henning, Pampered Pets & Plants LLC
From Our Travel Agent
Stormy Lothringer, The Gallivanting Guru & At Home Pet Sitting Services
“What an incredible experience the Texas Pet Sitters Association 10th Anniversary Conference Cruise was! As both a professional travel agent and a fellow pet sitter, I was sooo thrilled to help create this unforgettable event onboard Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas.
What I always love most about our annual conferences is the depth and quality of learning that happens during our time together. This year’s lineup of speakers was fantastic—each one brought something valuable to the table, and I walked away inspired and energized with new tools to grow my pet sitting business (and my other businesses as well).
My pet sitting niche is in-home care—I stay in my clients’ homes while they’re away, providing their pets with the comfort of familiar surroundings and one-on-one attention. Over the years, I’ve learned so much about growing and refining my niche through these conferences—from business practices to client communication and beyond. It’s a service built on trust, and it means so much to be part of a professional community that values that level of care.
I’ve also really enjoyed reading and hearing how much you all appreciated the true relaxation that came from being on a cruise—how nice it was to all be in one place without needing to drive anywhere, make plans for meals, or think about what to do next. That kind of ease is exactly what I strive to bring to all of your travel experiences, whether it’s a cruise, a retreat, or any other kind of getaway.
What truly made this year so special for me was the personal connection. Being able to really get to know so many of you—not just as fellow pet sitters, but as clients and friends—meant the world to me. Helping you plan and enjoy this cruise was a joy, and seeing it come to life was such a fulfilling and meaningful part of my journey as both a travel agent and pet sitter.
I can’t wait to see you all again in Austin—and hopefully even before then!”
Stormy Lothringer, The Gallivanting Guru & At Home Pet Sitting Services
The Texas Pet Sitters 2026 Conference
The 2026 Texas Pet Sitters Conference will occur in Austin, Texas, from February 20 to 22, 2026. Registration is now open, and hotels are available to book. Will you be joining us for another excellent weekend ‘deep in the heart of Texas?’ If so, check out registration here. If you attended in 2025, take advantage of your special rate through June 15th!
