614-636-6644
Dog Walking Service 1

Journal Reports

How can I get additional help with writing journals?

You can get additional help from viewing previous journals that team members have submitted for services they’ve completed! By being able to view their journals, you can hopefully gain some inspiration for how to write your own!

This option is only available for repeat clients who have worked with us previously. If it’s a new client and you’re the one completing the first service with them, you won’t have the option of viewing a previous journal report (since there was no report sent previously!). To view a previous journal for a service, locate the note within the service box that reads “Previous Visit” and click on the journal icon Screen Shot 2022 08 15 at 4.12.38 PM either next to or below it.

Screen Shot 2022 09 13 at 4.17.03 PM

Can I see an example of a completed journal report?

Sure thing! Please click on the Download button below to view a sample report!

Sample Journal ReportDownload

What are journal reports?

Journal reports are a feature of Precise Petcare in which team members can communicate directly with clients about how things went, after they complete scheduled services with their pets. Team members typically send journal reports after each service as a way to keep clients informed. That way, clients can gain peace of mind in learning about how their pets were cared for by us!

All journal reports typically include: a title, checklist, photos, map, and additional notes.

How do I send a journal report?

You can send a journal report for a scheduled service by logging in to your pet sitter account, going to My Schedule, and clicking on the Journal button Screen Shot 2022 08 15 at 3.57.54 PM within the specified service box. Please note that the Journal button doesn’t appear on a service box until the day of the scheduled service! Before that, you will only see a Note to Office button Screen Shot 2022 08 15 at 4.01.11 PM.

Once you’ve completed your journal report and are ready to send it, please click on Save and Email Client Screen Shot 2022 08 15 at 4.08.45 PM at the bottom of the report. Then, you’ll be redirected to your My Schedule page where you can see if the journal report was submitted successfully. If so, you’ll see a green confirmation message appear at the top of your screen saying “Pet Care Journal Added” along with a blue journal icon Screen Shot 2022 08 15 at 4.11.06 PM inside the service box. If the icon eventually turns white Screen Shot 2022 08 15 at 4.12.38 PM that means it’s been viewed by the client.

Is it required that I write and send journal reports after each service?

Though not required, we believe sending journal reports (communicating with clients!) after each completed service is an important part of what we do in regards to how it impacts our client experience. Imagine if you hired a dog walker for your fur baby and afterwards, had NO idea how the visit went, where they walked, or even if your dog got along with the assigned dog walker. It would be hard to justify paying for a service where you’re left in the dark about how everything went, right? It is in your best interest to communicate clearly, effectively, and consistently with our clients after you complete services with their pets- and you can do that very easily by constructing and sending journal reports!

Journal Titles

The first section of a journal report is the title. You can find the field for the journal title at the top of a blank journal report once you click on the blue Journal button within a service box. Remember, the service box must be in-progress (blue) or completed (light gray) in order for the Journal button to even appear.

Best Practices

  • It is recommended that every journal have a title. This helps the client see at a glance which visit your journal report is referring to. The title can include the day of the week, time of day, and/or the service. Emojis are encouraged, especially our brand emoji 💜 (purple heart).
    • Examples:    
      • Monday Afternoon Dog Walk 💜    
      • Thursday Morning Cat Visit 🐾
      • Tuesday Evening Pet Visit 😻

Journal Checkboxes

The next section of a journal report is the checkboxes. The checkbox section starts with “pee”, “poop” and goes all the way through “Other Actions”. You can find the checkbox section near the top/middle of a blank journal report once you click on the blue Journal button within a service box. Remember, the service box must be in-progress (blue) or completed (light gray) in order for the Journal button to even appear.

Best Practices

  • It is best to check off EVERYTHING that occurred during your completed service. That way, the client can get a clear, detailed idea of how the service went. It can be easy to miss certain checkboxes, so double checking that none were missed is highly recommended! 
  • In the “Other Actions” section (below pee, poop, medication, meal), you’ll notice a TON of checkbox options to check off. Please note that all checkboxes are organized in subsections by service type. That way, it’s easy to locate which checkboxes apply to you and the service you completed. The subsections are as follows:
    • General
    • Dog Walking
    • Cat Sitting 
    • House Duties

Journal Notes

The next section of a journal report is the notes (Sitter Notes to Client). This section looks like a big open blank space in a blank journal report. You can find it beneath the checkbox section near the bottom of a journal report once you click on the blue Journal button within a service box. Remember, the service box must be in-progress (blue) or completed (light gray) in order for the Journal button to even appear.

Best Practices

  • The most effective and well-received journal notes are at least 7-8 sentences in length.
  • Plenty of emojis are encouraged, in order to emphasize points and be expressive and emotive! 
    • It’s especially encouraged to use the purple heart 💜 branded emoji at least once!
  • You can use the following acronym to help guide you: P.A.W.S.
    • Preface with an opener
    • Always keep things positive
    • What specifically happened? (Detailed summary of events from start to finish)
    • Statement of gratitude
Click for a deep-dive on the P.A.W.S. acronym!

Journal Photos

The next section of a journal report is the photos section. This section contains two buttons: “Choose Photos” and “Take Photo”. You can find the photos section near the bottom of a blank journal report once you click on the blue Journal button within a service box. Remember, the service box must be in-progress (blue) or completed (light gray) in order for the Journal button to even appear.

Best Practices

  • We recommend that every journal report includes at least 4 photos, and at least 1 of those photos is a selfie with you and the pet(s) in your care! This gives clients the chance to put a face to your name, adding a friendly touch to things!
Click to see a helpful pet selfie technique!
  • We highly recommend NOT taking photos of hiding, cowering, or scared pets. Photos ideally showcase happy and content pets!
    • For example, if you are working with a cat who is super shy and is hiding under a piece of furniture, instead of taking a picture of the cat, you can include a picture of a pet care duty you completed: a refreshed water/food bowl, a clean litter box, toys neatly put away in a toy bin, etc. Then, you can include a note in your journal comments stating: “X was relaxing in his spot under the bed, and I didn’t want to disturb him by taking a picture. So, I’ve included a picture of the duties I took care of for him instead!”
  • The best photos are clear and NOT blurry!
    • *PRO TIP: You can try taking photos of pets halfway through or towards the end of the service; that way their initial energy is out and they can likely hold still for a clear picture to be taken.
  • The best photos are well-lit (you can use your flash if needed!) 
  • In the best visit photos, pets take up majority of the frame in all the photos you take. Clients want to see as much of their pets as possible!
  • We recommend you NEVER snap a photo of a pet while it’s going to the bathroom! 💩 Gross!!
  • We also recommend you NEVER take a photo of pets while you’re walking them!
    • If you DO decide to take a photo while out on a dog walk, the safest way to do so is for you and the pet to stop first. Then, you can pull out your phone and proceed to take your photo. Then, you can put your phone away before you continue walking the pets! Walking and taking a photo at the same time can be unsafe simply because it means you’re distracted! 
  • Pets do NOT have to be looking into the camera for every single photo you take!
    • It can get frustrating trying to get pets to look perfectly into your camera for every shot. Candid shots of pets are definitely acceptable and more realistic anyhow! If you’d like for pets to look at the camera, however, there are several things you can try to get them to focus and look!
      • You can hold a treat right near the camera lens.
      • You can squish a squeaky toy near the camera lens. 
      • ONLY if it’s before you take them on a walk (so you don’t tease them), you can ask them if they wanna go for a walk. 
      • You can say hot words (their name, treat, toy, squirrel, walk, etc), especially if you don’t have a treat or toy on hand!
      • You can say training commands listed in the pet’s profile in Precise Petcare.

Additional Things

  • To learn all about how journal reports are viewed and understood on the client’s end, please check out this support article!
  • You are encouraged to respond to all journal comments from clients in a timely manner, especially if a client asks a question about something regarding the service, their pets, etc. Even if a client simply thanks you for your service, you are still encouraged to respond. 
    • If the client asks a question, you may answer accordingly.
    • If the client presents a tip, trick, or “something to note” for future, you have the ability to make those edits to the client’s profile or pet’s profile accordingly to reflect the new information. Or, you can at least take a screenshot and send it in Slack so that we are all made aware. We’ll likely then add that to the client’s account.
    • If the client simply says thank you, you may respond with a form of “you’re welcome”.
  • *For dog walks: It’s best to aim for the following “miles walked” for each type of service duration. You can see our Journal Maps support article to learn how/where to locate your walk miles/distance!
    • QUICK Service: 0.25-0.5 miles
    • STANDARD Service: 0.5-1 miles
    • LONG Service: upwards of 2-3 miles
  • You are highly encouraged to stay at your scheduled services for the designated amount of time, as indicated by the client.
    • QUICK Service: Stay checked in (in-progress) for AT LEAST 20 minutes 
    • STANDARD Service: Stay checked in (in-progress) for AT LEAST 30 minutes 
    • LONG Service: Stay checked in (in-progress) for AT LEAST 45 minutes

Editing Journals

If ever you submit a journal report (click “Save and Email Client”) and realize that you accidentally forgot to include something, go to your My Schedule page, locate the service box that you want to correct a journal for, and click on the journal icon (either Screen Shot 2022 08 15 at 4.11.06 PM or Screen Shot 2022 08 15 at 4.12.38 PM). Once the journal loads, click on the green Edit button Screen Shot 2022 08 15 at 4.49.46 PM to make your edits. Once done, click on the blue Save and Email Client button at the bottom of your edited journal to make the edits official!

Work Infractions

It is important to reiterate that journal reports are the bread and butter of communication between team members and clients at Hands N Paws. Journals are highly valued in our workplace because they are essential to giving peace of mind to our clients! If journal reports are neglected, the client may be inclined to believe we didn’t meet their expectations and the quality of care is poor. Clients may become wary of pet care techs that do not provide details on how services went.

Ideally,  journal reports are sent to the client after each and every assignment, using the best practices laid out for each section above. If journal report is NOT sent to the client, team members will be subject to work infractions as detailed in the Record Points support article. Team members receive 1 (one) point per journal report they do NOT send after completing services.

To learn more about other journal-related things that could result in work infractions, please see Record Points.

Our Latest Support Articles

Compensation FAQs

What do I get paid for this work? Team members are paid a 50% commission on each service they complete. This is 50% of what

Client Communication

Effective communication is essential in providing exceptional pet care services. We are pleased to announce that as of today, each team member will have access

See All Support Articles
2
dog4
dog1
dog5
dog6
dog7
dog8
1

Learn More

Need Help?

ezgif.com gif maker
oh columbus dog walkers 2022 transparent
thumbtack pro award
Join our mailing list!
Be the first to know about all the latest updates, events, pet blogs, and more!
Thank you for subscribing!

Mailing List

Where we'll offer the most exclusive offers, and the best kinda pet-parent BARK you can imagine!

C'mon, whatcha waiting for?
© 2023 Hands N Paws, LLC
Facebook Instagram Youtube

Check out our best tips for summer dog walks!

Learn More
X
Dog Walking Service 1
(614) 636-6644

Please review this agreement carefully. Your electronic signature on this indicates that you have read, reviewed, and agreed to the following Company policies.
Your signature also indicates that you grant Hands N Paws the permission to add your email address to our mailing list. This is not a binding agreement, however; if you wish, you can click “Unsubscribe” at the bottom of any of our emails to opt out of receiving them altogether. To re-subscribe at any point, please visit our website at www.myhandsnpaws.com and scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page. Enter your email address in the mailing list field and submit.
The terms of this agreement are as follows: “Client” refers to you, “Company” refers to us (Hands N Paws), and “Team Member” refers to the person from our team completing services with your pets. 

 

LIABILITY RELEASE

In case any of the Client’s pets need emergency veterinary treatment, Hands N Paws will prioritize treating the pets and try to contact the Client or emergency contacts. However, the on-site Team Member can take appropriate actions, including getting veterinary care, if needed. The Client gives permission for Hands N Paws to transport the pet(s) to a veterinary clinic or request on-site treatment, and make treatment decisions except for euthanasia if they cannot be reached, or if it’s a life-threatening emergency. The Client is responsible for any veterinary fees incurred, and releases Hands N Paws from liability for any damage or harm to pets or property beyond the Team Member’s control. The Client is also liable for any injuries or damages caused by their pet’s undisclosed aggression to the Hands N Paws team.

 

VACCINATION, LICENSING & ID POLICY

To comply with local laws and ordinances, it is required that all pets have the appropriate vaccinations and licenses. For further information on these requirements, please visit the Ohio State Bar Association’s website at https://www.ohiobar.org/public-resources. You should also check with your veterinarian to determine which vaccinations/shots your pet requires. For safety reasons, we encourage all dogs and cats to wear an ID tag or collar with their name and a contact number while our team is working with them.

 

LOCKBOX POLICY

To ensure access to Clients’ homes during scheduled services, Hands N Paws requires that Clients purchase a lockbox and place spare house key(s) inside it for Team Members to use. Clients can purchase the lockbox on the Hands N Paws website by clicking Buy Your Lockbox. Once it arrives, the lockbox should be programmed with a four-digit code. The lockbox should then be placed on the main door handle or another secure location, and the lockbox code and location information must be entered in the client’s account on Precise Petcare. Alternatively, Clients may elect to provide a code for entry via a garage door or electronic keypad and must enter all necessary codes in Precise Petcare. Clients are strongly encouraged to purchase a lockbox to ensure that Team Members can access pets at all times during scheduled services, especially in situations where power goes out, batteries die, or keys are lost.

PHONE NUMBER EXCHANGE POLICY

It is strongly discouraged that Team Members and Clients exchange phone numbers with each other in working together. Phone numbers are personal and Team Members have specific work hours.
Clients should direct all communications with Team Members in our app, Precise Petcare. Both parties can communicate via submitted journal reports, which Team Members send after completion of all services with pets. More information on this can be found by visiting our client support page at www.myhandsnpaws.com/client-support.
For any pressing/non-emergency communications, Clients are advised to call our office number at (614) 636-6644. Office hours are Monday through Friday 9am-5pm. We are closed on Saturdays, Sunday, and Federal Holidays.
PLEASE NOTE: Office hours differ from fieldwork hours. Office hours are the times in which we provide client support via answering phones, emails, etc. Fieldwork hours are the times in which we offer services/are working in the field with pets. Our fieldwork hours are 7am-10pm (and overnights), 365 days a year.

 

CAT POLICIES

Clients are NOT allowed to request that Team Members “ignore the cat” when providing care for other animals in households that have multiple pets. Regardless of the cat’s disposition, personality, or levels of need, Hands N Paws Team Members must provide some kind of attention and care to the cat during scheduled services. Similarly, Client must create a pet profile for the cat(s) and provide care notes accordingly.

UPDATING PET & CLIENT PROFILES POLICY

Our Team Members can only perform services correctly if they are equipped with the correct (and most up to date) pet care information. You will only be allowed to request services on the basis that pet and personal profiles are updated every 6 months (at minimum). Any Client who attempts to request services at the 6 month mark will receive an error message letting them know that they cannot submit a request if they haven’t made updates to their profiles. If there is nothing to update at the 6 month mark, simply reword a current piece of information and click Save at the bottom of the page.

SPECIFIC VISIT TIME POLICY

Client acknowledges that arrival times for services occur within a two-hour period. It is NOT possible for Team Members to arrive at exact times. This is why time frames appear, rather than exact times, in the dropdown menu when selecting a time for the service(s).
Client agrees to requesting services in the two-hour time frames offered.

 

SERVICES & PRICING

For detailed descriptions on our services, please visit our website at www.myhandsnpaws.com.

Dog Walking
*Rates below apply for up to 2 dogs; add $7 per additional dog
QUICK WALK – 20 mins – $22
STANDARD WALK – 30 mins – $25
LONG WALK – 45 mins – $35

Pet Sitting
*Rates below apply for up to 2 pets; add $7 per additional pet
QUICK VISIT – 20 mins – $22
STANDARD VISIT – 30 mins – $25
LONG VISIT – 45 mins – $35

Cat Sitting
*Rates below apply for up to 2 cats; add $7 per additional cat
QUICK VISIT – 20 mins – $22
STANDARD VISIT – 30 mins – $25
LONG VISIT – 45 mins – $35
Overnight Stay (8-10 hrs) – $80

*Rate applies for up to 2 pets; add $10 per additional pet.

 

 

HOLIDAY PRICING

A $20 surcharge is added to each service that is scheduled on the following Federal Holidays: New Year’s Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve.

 

SERVICE REQUESTS

Upon submitting service request(s), Client will be informed as to whether Hands N Paws can take on the requested work via a confirmation or declination email/notification. Client understands that there is NO guarantee that any/all service requests can be approved; it simply just depends on Team Member availability. Clients are encouraged to submit all service requests as far in advance as possible!

 

SAME-DAY SERVICE REQUEST POLICY

Client understands and accepts the Company same day service request policy as outlined below:
– A $10 convenience fee is added to each service if requested (and approved) with 24 hours or less notice before service(s) is scheduled to occur.
– A $20 convenience fee is added to each service if requested (and approved) with 12 hours or less notice before service(s) is scheduled to occur.
– A $30 convenience fee is added to each service if requested (and approved) with 6 hours or less notice before service(s) is scheduled to occur.

 

OUT-OF-SERVICE-AREA REQUEST POLICY

Client understands and accepts the Company out-of-service-area request policy as outlined below:
– A $10 (minimum) convenience fee is added to each service if requested outside of our current service area.
Please note, this amount is subject to increase depending on how far a client lives outside of our current service area.

 

 

MEET N GREETS

All meet n greets are FREE (and required as part of proper client onboarding) for first-time Clients. To the extent that Clients wish to schedule additional meet n greets, after their first free one, they will be charged $50 per meet n greet.

To schedule a first-time meet n greet (for new clients), please go to www.myhandsnpaws.com and click Get Started.

To schedule additional meet n greets (for current clients), please log in to your client account, go to My Schedule > Request Service and select Meet N Greet in the service dropdown.

 

BILLING

All services are to be paid for via credit/debit card. We accept all major cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover). Card information can be added securely to each client account.

For services scheduled as ongoing, you will be auto-charged every Friday evening for the previous 7 days worth of work on schedule, including completed, canceled, and in-progress services.

For services NOT scheduled as ongoing, the day your services are accepted and confirmed is the day you will be charged 50% of your invoice total (as downpayment). Your invoice will be sent to you immediately. You have from then until the date of the last confirmed service to pay your invoice manually. If you choose to not pay manually, your remaining total will be auto-paid (via card on file) on the evening of the last service day.

If any auto-charges are declined, you will be notified immediately. In the first declined attempt, we give you a 24-hour grace period to correct the issue. In the second declined attempt, a late fee of 10% of the invoice total ($10 minimum) will be added. Please look out for emails regarding overdue notices.

Credit cards are required to be added to and remain on file in order for Clients to request any services with Hands N Paws.

Hands N Paws will be paid the amount discussed with no exceptions other than if our Cancellation Policy (outlined below) applies and Client receives a refund in either the form of Account Credit(s), or in emergency circumstances as transferable credit(s) back to their card.

Client may be charged additional fees if Team Members are instructed to, or sees the need to, purchase items for the pet while under Company care, including but not limited to: pet food or treats, litter or cleaning supplies, transportation to the vet and/or emergency expenses for general care of pet(s). Hands N Paws will retain and share receipts as proof of purchase.

 

 

SERVICE CANCELLATION/REFUND POLICY

When Client schedules services with Hands N Paws, the Company has likely turned down other work so as to devote our time to the work requested from said Client.

Client understands and accepts the Company cancellation/refund policy as outlined below:

– 100% refund is issued as Account Credit if cancellation is made at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled service(s).

– 50% refund is issued as Account Credit if cancellation is made at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled service(s).

– NO refund is issued for same-day cancellations/less than 24 hour notice.

PLEASE NOTE: Refunds are NOT transferable. Should you be eligible to receive an Account Credit (based on terms above), that will be auto-added to your account and applied to your very next invoice with us.

 

SERVICES TERMS

Hands N Paws agrees to provide the services stated in this contract in a reliable, caring, and trustworthy manner. In consideration of these services and as an express condition thereof, Client expressly waives and relinquishes any and all claims against Hands N Paws arising out of or relating to the provision of services hereunder, except those arising from gross negligence or willful misconduct on part of Hands N Paws.

Client understands and acknowledges that the environment in which they are requesting Hands N Paws to complete services is reasonably sanitary and safe. We assess home conditions during initial meet n greets. If we determine home conditions to be unsanitary and/or unsafe, we will make it clear to the Client that we cannot pursue a working relationship.

Should a Team Member sustain any injury, disease, or other harm in the course of providing services hereunder, the Client will indemnify Hands N Paws and hold it harmless with respect to all loss, expense, and damage caused thereby, except those arising from gross negligence or willful misconduct on part of Hands N Paws.

Client understands and acknowledges that he/she is responsible for letting Hands N Paws know of anyone who has access to their home and agrees to not contract with any other company and/or care provider during the duration of services booked with Hands N Paws. Client releases and holds Hands N Paws harmless of all loss, expense, and damage caused by anyone entering the Client’s home with their permission or access given to others during the terms of services rendered.

 

 

CONTRACT TERMS

This contract will take effect upon digital signature by Client (clicking “Agree & Submit” below) and will remain in effect until terminated by either party. Client may make online reservations for additional services at any time during the terms of this contract, as subject to Hands N Paws availability. All scheduled services will be governed by all the terms of this contract. We appreciate as much advance notice as possible for the work, but will make every effort possible to accommodate all requests.

Either party may terminate this contract at any time by written notice to the other. Hands N Paws is entitled to payment for all services rendered until notice of termination is received and for any transition services reasonably required to provide for the health and welfare of Client’s pet(s). Hands N Paws will not terminate during a period of scheduled service unless Hands N Paws determines, at their sole discretion, that a serious danger exists to the health or safety of a Team Member or pet. If such concerns preclude Hands N Paws from providing further care for the pet(s), Client agrees to pay for their pet to be boarded at a boarding facility or taken under the care of another party until Client returns. Every attempt will be made to notify Client and/or emergency contacts regarding such situations.

Client acknowledges that by signing below, he/she is providing written approval for the provision of services by Hands N Paws during any service period scheduled by Client and confirmed by Hands N Paws. Upon such scheduling and approval, Hands N Paws will be authorized to enter Client premises and perform services without additional signed contracts and/or written authorizations

 

 

AGREEMENT

I, Client, have reviewed this Client Agreement in its entirety. I will promptly complete all parts of my client account in Precise Petcare, and the information I provide will be detailed and accurate. My electronic signature here will indicate that I am agreeing to all the terms and conditions of this contract, exactly as they are outlined above.