Our Story
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.