Life & Work with Rachel Whitman

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Whitman. 

Hi Rachel, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
My dog helped me find my job. Before becoming Marketing Manager for Camp Bow Wow in Bedford Heights I brought my pup, Sunday, here for Day Camp. She loved it, and I loved having a place where she could play while I was working (lucky her!). Coming on staff at Camp allowed me to indulge my passion for dogs and apply my professional skill set. In other words, a dream job! I’m still rather new to Ohio and it’s been a joy for me to get to know the people in our community while caring for their pets. 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I started at Camp Bow Wow Bedford Heights amid the first COVID shutdown, in 2020. The significant drop-off in travel had drastically reduced boarding reservations and since so many people were staying home, fewer Day Camp dogs were coming in. Those were lean times. We got through the slow period and were then faced with an intense rush of new clients and requests for boarding in the summer of 2021. Navigating the uncertainties and staying safe throughout the pandemic has been challenging. We’ve managed to survive and thrive as a team, finding our way through each new difficulty while staying committed to the care and safety of our pups. 

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My work as Marketing Manager at Camp Bow Wow in Bedford Heights is based on relationships. I develop relationships with the dogs, assessing their personalities and behaviors, learning how best to handle them, figuring out how to effectively communicate with them. Then there are the people who trust us with their pups or, as we like to call them, the ‘pawrents.’ With them, I’m reliable, caring, and responsive to their needs. Behind the scenes, I maintain relationships with local pet care businesses, dog rescue organizations, veterinary centers, media professionals, and more. Handling marketing and communications for Camp involves growing these relationships and understanding how they serve everyone involved, including the dogs. Most importantly – always – the dogs! 

What makes you happy?
Animals – all variety of animals – bring me joy. I get excited about exploring the outdoors, taking road trips, visiting museums. I’m a huge fan of stationery shops and bookstores, which have become more of a rarity in this digital age. I love to watch movies and stream series, always with snacks. Snacks make me happy! And having a place to call home and people I care for is essential for happiness. 

Pricing:

• Half-Day of Camp $20
• Full-Day of Camp $30
• Overnight Boarding $47
• Short Hair Bath $20
• Nail Trim $10

Contact Info:

• Email: bedfordheights.scout@campbowwow.com
• Website: www.campbowwow.com/bedford-heights
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/cbwbedford
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CampBowWow.Cleveland/

Image Credits
Rachel Whitman
Megan Slusarczyk