About Us
Friends of Otis is a fully-insured, Brooklyn-based dog walking and pet care provider focused on reliable, personalized care. Walks are tailored to your dog’s needs and are never crowded – just a couple of companions at most. With experience working with dogs of all sizes and temperaments, we also offer training services to encourage good behavior and correct bad habits both on-leash and at home. Additional services include overnight sitting for dogs, cats, and other pets.
About me: I’m Sam, a lifelong Park Sloper who returned to the city after a number of years living abroad. During my travels, I worked at a boarding kennel in Croatia, rescued and cared for strays in Thailand and Greece, and did dog walking and pet-sitting in Spain. Working with a wide range of animals and people, combined with my background in hotel management, has taught me how to read individual needs and build the trust that leads to lasting bonds.
About Otis: Otis is an Malinois/Great Pyrenees mix that I’ve cared for since he was a puppy. His calm, steady demeanor is a helpful addition when working with dogs with anxiety or other behavioral issues. His personality inspires the spirit of Friends of Otis: attentive, patient, and trustworthy.
Rates & Services
All walks are small-group or solo, never more than three dogs at a time, ensuring each pup gets focused, personalized care.
- Standard walk: 30 minutes – $30
A balanced outing for light exercise and plenty of sniff time. - Extended walk: 1 hour – $50
A full hour for dogs needing extra movement or attention. - Weekly package: 5 standard (30-minute) walks for $125 — a convenient and cost-effective option for regular clients.
Pet Sitting
- In-home overnight care: $100 per night ($20 per additional dog). Boarding options are available for dogs depending on temperament. Puppies (<1yr) incur an additional $20/night due to extra supervision.
- Daylong boarding: $80 per day (pick-up and drop-off between 9am and 6pm). Same additional dog and puppy surcharge apply.
- Cat or small-pet visits: $30 per visit (approx. 30 minutes; includes feeding, litter box cleaning, and cuddles).
- Training packages are customizable and often include: leash etiquette, standard obedience, and socialization work. Please reach out and we can discuss what best suits you and your dog’s needs.
All services include regular updates and photos so you can stay connected while you’re away.
Booking & Cancellation Policy
- Bookings: Boarding reservations are final once confirmed in writing (text or email). Boarding requests with less than 24 hours’ notice are subject to a $20 last-minute booking fee.
- Cancellations: Please let us know as soon as possible if you need to cancel or modify an appointment. Changes made with less than 24hrs notice may be subject to a full charge, depending on the circumstances.
Meet the Friends
What clients are saying
Norman is a very large, goofy Bernedoodle, which means that not just anyone can walk him. Not only is Sam extremely qualified to look after and walk all sizes of pups, but it's immediately clear that he has an innate love and respect for dogs. Sam is very reliable, professional, and communicative, and we highly recommend him to care for your dog!
Nilou absolutely lights up whenever she spots Sam--even from down the street. He's incredibly generous with his time and attention, thoughtful about the behaviors that need support, and has taught her so many new things. He gives the perfect balance of patience, affection, and gentle discipline. She adores him!
I cannot recommend Sam enough. Sam is a great local dog sitter and walker. He takes great care of my feisty and energetic black doodles, Badger and Bobcat. Sam also has excellent communication and flexibility when dealing with scheduling. I completely messed up our overnight flight dates/times, but Sam was able to adjust and make sure my dogs were well taken care of. He left my place clean and spotless.
Sam is very responsive, professional, and a natural with dogs. Henry adores Sam's walks, trips to the park, and belly rubs, all of which he often thoughtfully coordinates with Henry's best friend Nilou. I highly recommend Sam's services and making him part of your pup's "village."
Sam takes great care of Louie. He's professional and consistently goes the extra mile to make sure Louie gets the exercise and attention he needs. Louie can be a lot to handle but Sam has shown he's more than capable! He sends thoughtful updates throughout the day and Louie always comes home tired with a big smile on his face.
Lily is typically quite shy and reserved but from their second meeting she didn't want to leave Sam's side. He's been thoughtful, responsive and attentive. I always feel completely confident knowing Lily is in his care. I can't recommend Sam's services enough.
We absolutely love our pet sitter Sam! He is incredibly conscientious and goes above and beyond every single visit. Oakley is cared for with so much attention, reliability, and genuine warmth that we always feel completely at ease when we're away. From thoughtful updates to extra little touches that show how much he truly cares, we are confident our sweet Oakley is in the best hands!
We were so lucky to find Sam! It's hard to trust people with our dog and we travel a lot so having someone that came highly recommended was important. We know Honey is in good hands with Sam when we are away!
I recently hired Sam to walk and board my puppy Gracie for two weeks, and I couldn't be happier with the experience! From the start, he was incredibly attentive and patient with my growing pup. He took Gracie on regular walks, including trips to the dog park, which my pup absolutely loved. If you're looking for a responsible and caring dog walker who will treat your furry friend like family, I highly recommend Sam. Thank you for providing such a wonderful experience for my puppy!
My dog handpicked Sam by running to him at the local dog run - which is how I learned about Friends of Otis! Many dog parents can relate to the fact that it's difficult to find a reliable, consistent and affordable care option, and we feel so grateful to have found Sam. Blue adores Sam, and I've also noticed that his leash reactivity and pulling has significantly improved since Sam started working with him. I brag about Sam to my friends and family, and would recommend him to anyone looking for a calm, responsible, and kind person for pet care.
Sam is a true dog whisperer! Responsible, caring. You couldn’t ask for a better person to walk or watch your dog. He took care of my dachshund puppy for two weeks and she fell in love with him. We still have to stop outside his house every time we are out for a walk and pause, just in case he appears.