Our Story

Christie with her beloved dogs, Dexter and Reggie.

Christie with her beloved dogs, Dexter and Reggie.

Barks and Recreation was founded by Christie VanHorne in 2015 after she recognized the need for a professional pet sitting service with a personal touch. Christie grew up on a family dairy farm in the Finger Lakes region of New York, and has been an avid animal lover her entire life. If her husband would allow it, she would have a backyard full of chickens, goats and rescue dogs. Christie worked for a dog walking and pet service business called Canine Walkers during her time as a graduate student in Melbourne, Australia, and she loved it.