Meet Heidi Herman | Dog Hiker & Sitter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Heidi Herman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Heidi, what are you inspired by?
I am inspired by the many things in my life that have shown me: encouragement, love, support, grace, comfort and how to grow. My husband and children have shown me the love and support that has allowed me to take the steps to start my own business. Without them by my side and in my corner, I could not have taken the necessary time to focus on what was needed. My brother has guided me through the business/entrepreneurship world, which is still quite foreign to me, seeing that I am a Science major, not a Business major. My mother has been my cheerleader since day one and has always seen in me, what I finally see. My clients and my community have encouraged me to reach out to those who are in need of my service and have supported my business with their own fur babies and with referrals.

I am inspired by the forest and how being in nature can feed the senses. I am inspired to share these moments with the dogs that are longing for a day outside, while their pawrents work. I am inspired to be healthy for myself and for my family and to have a work/life balance that allows me to enjoy the world around me.

I am inspired to create a space where dogs can come and play, feel safe, meet friends and grow relationships, work hard on the trail and get rewarded for a job well done and to go home and feel at peace with their families.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
It all started when I wanted to work with animals for a living! I received my BS in Zoology/PreVet and had a lot of fun working at different zoos, as well as, a refuge, where I met my husband. I wasn’t sure where life would take me, but I knew if it involved animals, I would be content.

My kids and my family have always been what I have been the most proud of. I started working overnights after my first child was born, so my husband and I could both work and be our own babysitters. I decided to venture into overnights at an Animal ER, so I could continue working with animals and found that I really loved the medical aspect too. I did this fulltime for 6 years, all while raising the kiddos and having the best of both worlds: stay-at-home mom AND working mom. After running into some health issues, I decided to take a break from the physical demands of veterinary medicine and instead, transition into human medicine of some sort. Here, I had the honor of working in Organ/Tissue/Eye Transplant, while still working overnights to be there for my kids. But, after my dad passed suddenly, working in O/T/E Transplant became a little too close to home for me and I had to part ways with that journey in my life. This led me to my PAR role on overnights in the emergency room, where I had the ability to connect with patients and still raise my kiddos during the day. Then, COVID hit. This was the wake up call that I needed.

After 14 years of working overnights in different roles, I decided that it was time for a change. The decision was made to quit overnights and start my own business, where I can dictate the schedule and ultimately be there, mentally and physically, for what I am most proud of: my family. It was not easy to give up a ‘regular’ paycheck or to bet on myself. But it was easy to see how much happier I was being home with my family, every night.

I have learned that it is okay to take risks, to ask for help, to get frustrated along the way. I have learned that it is okay to set boundaries within my services. I have learned how to believe in myself.

I want the world to know that it is okay to not know what you want to be when you grow up, even if you have a college degree. It is okay to question your situation and want better for yourself.

I want the world to know that I absolutely love my job! I love hiking my pack through the forest, watching the caterpillars change into butterflies and seeing the pups get the exercise they absolutely deserve. I want the pawrents out there to know there is someone like me who would love to make a difference in their pups’ life.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would be guilty of trying to provide the majority of the spectrum that Colorado has to offer!

Obviously, hiking would be top on the list. If my friend was up to conquering a 14-er, we would meet the challenge with grace. We would also take a ziplining trip through the canyons and maybe even stop for some Beau Jo’s Pizza or some sushi along the way. A trip to the Beer Spa in Denver or maybe even the Strawberry Hot Springs in Steamboat would be a relaxing adventure.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to: Ryan, Maddox, Meadow, Greg and Mom …. You all know who you are!

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