About...
Susan
Susan with one of our clients, Indy
Born in New Jersey, Susan Graff spent six years in the production side of the fashion industry after earning her BA at Rowan University (Glassboro State College). Needing a change of scenery (and to escape the cold weather), she relocated to northern California and earned an MA from Santa Clara University in Special Education.
After one last relocation back east to North Carolina, and after 13 years of service as a public school teacher, Susan Graff decided it was time for a change. She enjoyed being a teacher and being around children, but wanted a bit more flexibility in her schedule and the ability to spend more time with her own furbabies, Snickers, Barney and Calvin.
After working at a dog daycare one summer, Susan found that she really liked working with dogs. She enjoyed being a caregiver, so she decided to make it her business to give her clients the personal attention every animal deserves while their owner is away, whether it is for the day or for a week or more.
Susan started her own business, A Whole Lotta Love Dog Walking and Pet Services, in 2009. She worked part-time caring for animals in the mornings, evenings and weekends while teaching middle school full-time.
After a successful first year, she decided to leave teaching to pursue her dream full-time.
In 2011, Susan hired her first employee and now the AWLL team has expanded.
When Susan is not caring for animals, she is writing about them! She writes a monthly newsletter for AWLL featuring articles about pet care. She likes to write about new pet gadgets and products she discovers “in the field” as well writing about her clients.
Susan enjoys baking homemade treats for our dog and cat clients.
She wrote a regular column in Heart2Home Magazine, Tails in the Kitchen, which included recipes for dog and cat treats.
After one last relocation back east to North Carolina, and after 13 years of service as a public school teacher, Susan Graff decided it was time for a change. She enjoyed being a teacher and being around children, but wanted a bit more flexibility in her schedule and the ability to spend more time with her own furbabies, Snickers, Barney and Calvin.
After working at a dog daycare one summer, Susan found that she really liked working with dogs. She enjoyed being a caregiver, so she decided to make it her business to give her clients the personal attention every animal deserves while their owner is away, whether it is for the day or for a week or more.
Susan started her own business, A Whole Lotta Love Dog Walking and Pet Services, in 2009. She worked part-time caring for animals in the mornings, evenings and weekends while teaching middle school full-time.
After a successful first year, she decided to leave teaching to pursue her dream full-time.
In 2011, Susan hired her first employee and now the AWLL team has expanded.
When Susan is not caring for animals, she is writing about them! She writes a monthly newsletter for AWLL featuring articles about pet care. She likes to write about new pet gadgets and products she discovers “in the field” as well writing about her clients.
Susan enjoys baking homemade treats for our dog and cat clients.
She wrote a regular column in Heart2Home Magazine, Tails in the Kitchen, which included recipes for dog and cat treats.
Steve is holding one of our dogs, Calvin.
Steve
Steve is a lifelong animal lover. And one thing is for sure...animals LOVE Steve! Steve volunteered for Durham’s Animal Protection Society (APS) where he was named “Volunteer of the Month”. He also volunteered for the Coalition to Unchain Dogs for a three day Fence-a-Thon, helping build fences for over 50 chained dogs in Durham.
Professionally, Steve works in support in the high technology industry for over 20 years.
Steve is a lifelong animal lover. And one thing is for sure...animals LOVE Steve! Steve volunteered for Durham’s Animal Protection Society (APS) where he was named “Volunteer of the Month”. He also volunteered for the Coalition to Unchain Dogs for a three day Fence-a-Thon, helping build fences for over 50 chained dogs in Durham.
Professionally, Steve works in support in the high technology industry for over 20 years.
Our Employees
We realize that clients want someone they can trust, inside their home and with their precious cargo, their pets. So we make sure to hire only the best people. All of our dog walkers and pet sitters are bonded and insured and undergo a thorough background check and training before hiring. You can find out more about some of our amazing pet sitters below.
AWLL staff holiday picture 2017
Barbara
Barbara Wendel is A Whole Lotta Love’s book keeper and a lifelong dog lover. She was raised in Coldwater, Michigan and lived there until she moved to North Carolina in 1995. Barbara attended Kellogg Community College and Western Michigan University where she studied accounting.
Besides AWLL, Barbara is also employed by iEntertainment Network, Inc. an online gaming company and with Batteries Plus Bulbs.
Barbara always had dogs when she was growing up. She had a boxer named Tuffy and two Dalmatians names Bess and Maggie. Currently she resides with a white boxer named Cami who joins her in her photo. Barbara inherited Cami from her daughter when she moved to Colorado.
In her spare time, Barbara enjoys reading, baking and gardening. We are excited to have Barbara as part of our team!
Barbara Wendel is A Whole Lotta Love’s book keeper and a lifelong dog lover. She was raised in Coldwater, Michigan and lived there until she moved to North Carolina in 1995. Barbara attended Kellogg Community College and Western Michigan University where she studied accounting.
Besides AWLL, Barbara is also employed by iEntertainment Network, Inc. an online gaming company and with Batteries Plus Bulbs.
Barbara always had dogs when she was growing up. She had a boxer named Tuffy and two Dalmatians names Bess and Maggie. Currently she resides with a white boxer named Cami who joins her in her photo. Barbara inherited Cami from her daughter when she moved to Colorado.
In her spare time, Barbara enjoys reading, baking and gardening. We are excited to have Barbara as part of our team!
Linwood
Linwood Hester was born and raised in the Bull City. He attended Northern High School and has an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration from Rutledge College. He has professionally been a part of post press production experience in the newspaper industry and has experience in furniture building and restoration.
Linwood has surrounded himself with animals his entire life! Growing up, he started out with crayfish and then moved up to turtles and frogs. He has had rabbits, hamsters, dogs, cats, birds and fish. At the present moment Linwood has eight fish tanks, both salt and fresh water, the largest being a 75 gallon tank. Freshwater fish are mostly Amazon basin type fish like angels and Rummy Nose.
Linwood loves dogs almost as much as he loves fish! He has eight dogs; six poodles, one Yorkie and one German Shepherd. The poodles’ names are: Ruby, Louie, June, Rudy, Slow Poke and Bebe. The Yorkie's name is Charlie and the German Shepherd's name is Mikayla. Linwood has taken part in the delivery of toy poodle pups and have bred freshwater angelfish. He can groom toy poodles from head to tail (cuts, baths, blowouts, nails, etc.).
When I asked Linwood what his favorite part of being a dog walker/pet sitter at AWLL he answered, “I enjoy meeting with the different dogs and their personality. I love being outside and spending time with our furry friends.“ Linwood has many hobbies. Some of them include: coins, stamps, records and antiquing just to mention a few. He loves spending time outside. As far as sports is concerned, he enjoys all motorsports.
Linwood Hester was born and raised in the Bull City. He attended Northern High School and has an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration from Rutledge College. He has professionally been a part of post press production experience in the newspaper industry and has experience in furniture building and restoration.
Linwood has surrounded himself with animals his entire life! Growing up, he started out with crayfish and then moved up to turtles and frogs. He has had rabbits, hamsters, dogs, cats, birds and fish. At the present moment Linwood has eight fish tanks, both salt and fresh water, the largest being a 75 gallon tank. Freshwater fish are mostly Amazon basin type fish like angels and Rummy Nose.
Linwood loves dogs almost as much as he loves fish! He has eight dogs; six poodles, one Yorkie and one German Shepherd. The poodles’ names are: Ruby, Louie, June, Rudy, Slow Poke and Bebe. The Yorkie's name is Charlie and the German Shepherd's name is Mikayla. Linwood has taken part in the delivery of toy poodle pups and have bred freshwater angelfish. He can groom toy poodles from head to tail (cuts, baths, blowouts, nails, etc.).
When I asked Linwood what his favorite part of being a dog walker/pet sitter at AWLL he answered, “I enjoy meeting with the different dogs and their personality. I love being outside and spending time with our furry friends.“ Linwood has many hobbies. Some of them include: coins, stamps, records and antiquing just to mention a few. He loves spending time outside. As far as sports is concerned, he enjoys all motorsports.
Ben
We are fortunate to have Ben Anderson as one of our fabulous dog walkers/pet sitters. Originally from Lorton, Virginia Ben has lived in Durham for most of his life and considers Durham his home.
Growing up, Ben had a black lab named Spooner. But, Ben is an equal opportunity animal lover! Currently Ben lives with an orange tabby cat named Andrew and an Australian Shepherd mix (dog) named Lucy. He enjoys working with animals. Previously, Ben has been employed as a kennel tech as well as a dog walker and pet sitter so he comes to us with his own bag of tricks and tools to pull from. He enjoys being around all kinds of different dogs and cats and getting to know their personalities.
Ben is very patient with animals. “I worked at a vet for a bit so I have somewhat of an understanding of the anatomy of a dog and I can pick up on a dog's behavior pretty well too.”
Ben has worked with goats, chickens, cows, and just about any domesticated animal you can think of. “The vet I worked with had some exotic pets come in sometimes.”
When Ben is not taking care of animals, he enjoys skateboarding and filming friends at the skate park in downtown Durham.
He is an asset to A Whole Lotta Love and we are proud to have him as part of our team!
Leanne Hailing from the Pittsburgh, PA, Leanne Glace is an avid animal lover who joins the A Whole Lotta Love family. Leanne has a Bachelor’s degree in art education and during the school year is an art teacher at Envision Science Academy, a charter school located in Wake Forest. Leanne volunteers at the Nasher Art Museum and the Wake County Animal Center. “This school year, I organized a benefit art show to support a local animal shelter. We raised over $1000 for the shelter!” Leanne explains. Leanne has always loved animals. Growing up, she had two dogs, a German Shephard mix named Whitney and Kia, a terrier mix. She also had a cat named Kitty. Kitty was a black and gray Mackerel tabby. When not pet sitting or dog walking, Leanne likes to like to exercise, paint, draw, Netflix, and cook. She likes to paint and draw pet portraits too. Leanne likes to spend free time running, biking and practicing yoga. She is also a fan of the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Barcelona Football Club. Leanne is enjoying combining her love of the outdoors with her love of animals this summer. “My style of pet care is a balanced and loving approach. I appreciate people “sharing” their pets with me.” |
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Paige Born and raised in the Bull City (Durham), Paige Chavis, knows that working with animals in some capacity has always been her calling. Being around animals started early as her grandfather owns a farm in Oxford, NC. “We have cows, a horse named midnight, pigs and dogs. Since I was little I’ve always loved animals and animals have always loved me.” So it makes sense that Paige is studying Animal Science at North Carolina A&T State University (Aggie Pride!). Although Paige doesn’t currently live with any pets, she has surrounded herself with animals her whole life. Growing up, she had two labs, Luna and Chino, a hamster named Mimi, a lizard, Roxie, a Bearded Dragon, Dragonfly and two rabbits, Cole and Myra. . When asked what she likes best about working for A Whole Lotta Love, Paige explains, “I feel I am gentle and have a kindred spirit with domesticated animals and agricultural animals. I enjoy being around animals every day, being able to make the animals happy and giving them all of my love.” Paige stays very busy. When she is not working at AWLL, she is a sales associate at Pier One Imports and is an after school group leader for Durham Public Schools. Besides for the Aggie Pride she has, Paige loves Duke and enjoys watching Duke basketball with her dad. Paige is excited to be a part of the AWLL team and is happy to be able to do something that she truly loves! 
Kim Wuich
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Tessa
A Whole Lotta Love’s newest dog walker/pet sitter is Tessa Nemec. Originally from Tulsa, OK, Tessa has lived in Dallas, TX and Macon, GA before moving to Durham, North Carolina. Tessa graduated from SMU (Southern Methodist University) in 2017. She majored in Business Management and minored in Women’s and Gender Studies.
Tessa is also an instructor at Pure Barre in both Chapel Hill and Durham.
Even from a young age, Tessa has always had a passion for animals. She got her first dog, a Shih Tzu named Samanthawhen she was four, and started riding horses when she was six years old. Her horse’s name was Bo. Tessa has ridden horses for 10 years. She also has had Toy Poodles named Chloe and Lucy.
Currently she resides with her boyfriend, Mike and has a cat named, Mason.
During high school Tessa worked at a local vet as a kennel attendant, and got to work with client’s pets, as well as pets that were up for adoption. “I think my favorite thing about pet sitting, dog walking, and caring for animals is the special connection you form with each pet. You have your own special routine with each one, and they always make it known how much they appreciate you spending time with them.”
Tessa already has a favorite pet sitting story.
“When I was pet sitting for one of A Whole Lotta Love Dog Walking and Pet Services’s cat clients, during one visit, every time I would stand by the kitchen counter one of the cats, let’s call him “R” would jump up and put his paws on my shoulder. I couldn’t figure out what he was doing! The next thing I knew, he promptly jumped up onto my shoulders and made himself comfortable. It was definitely unexpected, but very cute!”
In her free time Tessa likes to travel, read, exercise, and try new restaurants in the Raleigh-Durham area. Her favorites so far are Viceroy, Gonza Taco, and Mateo. In addition to dog walking and pet sitting, Tessa also manages A Whole Lotta Love’sSocial Media accounts. She is an asset to A Whole Lotta Loveand we are proud to have her as part of our team!
A Whole Lotta Love’s newest dog walker/pet sitter is Tessa Nemec. Originally from Tulsa, OK, Tessa has lived in Dallas, TX and Macon, GA before moving to Durham, North Carolina. Tessa graduated from SMU (Southern Methodist University) in 2017. She majored in Business Management and minored in Women’s and Gender Studies.
Tessa is also an instructor at Pure Barre in both Chapel Hill and Durham.
Even from a young age, Tessa has always had a passion for animals. She got her first dog, a Shih Tzu named Samanthawhen she was four, and started riding horses when she was six years old. Her horse’s name was Bo. Tessa has ridden horses for 10 years. She also has had Toy Poodles named Chloe and Lucy.
Currently she resides with her boyfriend, Mike and has a cat named, Mason.
During high school Tessa worked at a local vet as a kennel attendant, and got to work with client’s pets, as well as pets that were up for adoption. “I think my favorite thing about pet sitting, dog walking, and caring for animals is the special connection you form with each pet. You have your own special routine with each one, and they always make it known how much they appreciate you spending time with them.”
Tessa already has a favorite pet sitting story.
“When I was pet sitting for one of A Whole Lotta Love Dog Walking and Pet Services’s cat clients, during one visit, every time I would stand by the kitchen counter one of the cats, let’s call him “R” would jump up and put his paws on my shoulder. I couldn’t figure out what he was doing! The next thing I knew, he promptly jumped up onto my shoulders and made himself comfortable. It was definitely unexpected, but very cute!”
In her free time Tessa likes to travel, read, exercise, and try new restaurants in the Raleigh-Durham area. Her favorites so far are Viceroy, Gonza Taco, and Mateo. In addition to dog walking and pet sitting, Tessa also manages A Whole Lotta Love’sSocial Media accounts. She is an asset to A Whole Lotta Loveand we are proud to have her as part of our team!