Virtual assistants for dog pros: What do they do & how could one help you?

If you’ve ever found yourself drowning in admin, struggling to find time to introduce a new product or service, or wishing you had more time for hands-on work with dogs, you might have wondered if a virtual assistant (VA) could help. But what exactly does a VA do, and how can they support canine professionals like you?

Many people aren’t quite sure what a VA does - some assume they only work with big corporations, others think they just handle basic admin tasks, and some associate the term with AI assistants like Siri or Bixby. In reality, a VA can be a game-changer for solo business owners, trainers, behaviourists, and other canine specialists.

In this blog, we’ll explore the role of a VA, the types of support they offer, and how they can help you create a more sustainable, stress-free business.

What is a VA?

A virtual assistant (VA) is a professional who provides remote support to businesses and individuals, handling a variety of tasks to help streamline operations

Types of virtual assistants

Not all VAs are the same. Some offer general support, while others specialise in specific industries or tasks.

• General VAs – Provide broad admin and organisational support, often on a monthly retainer.

• Specialist VAs – Focus on a niche, such as bookkeeping, tech, social media, a particular industry, or even supporting neurodivergent business owners.

• Canine industry VAs – Understand the unique challenges of working with dogs and their guardians, from behaviour diaries to ethical considerations, with many drawing on hands-on experience in the industry or personal journeys that led them to explore canine behaviour and wellbeing more deeply.

Ways to work with a VA

A VA can support you in different ways, depending on your needs and budget:

• Monthly retainer – A set number of hours or specific tasks handled every month.

• Project-based support – Help with a one-off project like launching a membership, running an online summit, or revamping your systems.

• Consulting & power hours – Strategy sessions for streamlining processes, learning new tech, or improving business organisation.

Day-to-day tasks a VA can handle

Admin & organisation

• Diary management, inbox detox, and flagging important emails.

• Refining processes and streamlining admin workflows.

• Managing behaviour consult documents: diaries, vet reports, videos, photos (yep, even the poo pics!).

Content & marketing

• Social media scheduling and content formatting.

• Newsletter creation, website updates, and blog management.

• Video editing, YouTube/Spotify uploads, and organising media libraries.

• Setting up online courses, CPD applications, and membership platforms.

Event support

• Organising conferences, workshops, and in-person training days.

• Handling delegate registrations, supplier sourcing, and on-the-day coordination.

• Supporting webinars and online events, from back-end tech setup to monitoring chats.

  
  

Product & store management

• Handling customer queries, orders, and monitoring stock levels remotely.

• Managing digital product sales and membership access.

Professional development

• Tracking CPD, speaking engagements, and renewals.

• Tidying up presentations and staying on top of industry news.

How a specialist VA helps canine professionals thrive

Industry-specific knowledge

• Understanding the nuances of working with dogs and guardians.

• Familiarity with sensitive topics like welfare concerns, training debates, and legislative issues.

• Awareness of emotional burnout and the unique pressures of the caring profession.

Making life easier

• Freeing up your time for hands-on work or personal life.

• Reducing stress by taking on tech-heavy or organisational tasks.

• Helping create a more sustainable business, preventing burnout.

• Supporting the introduction of new services and products.

• Providing a sounding board and keeping you accountable.

Common questions about working with a VA

“Isn’t a VA just for big companies?”

No! Many VAs specialise in supporting small businesses and solo professionals. Even a couple of hours a week can make a big difference.

“I can just do it myself”

Of course! But is it the best use of your time? Outsourcing admin lets you focus on what you love and do best.

“Can’t I just hire a general VA?”

A general VA can be helpful, but a canine-specialist VA understands the industry, the language, and the unique challenges you face.

Real-life example: A VA in action

Imagine you’re a behaviourist offering 1:1 packages. Here’s how a VA could help:

• Booking discovery calls and managing invites.

• Sending follow-up emails with service options.

• Handling consult prep - diaries, videos, vet reports.

• Formatting training plans and progress reports.

• Managing WhatsApp groups and client follow-ups.

• Collecting feedback, testimonials, and success stories.

Is it time to get support?

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, constantly behind on admin, or struggling to grow your business, a VA could be the missing piece.

Take a moment to consider: What tasks are eating up your time? What would you love to hand off?

If you're ready to explore how I can help you take back time and focus on growing your business, let’s schedule a discovery call. We’ll chat about your specific needs and how we can work together.

Drop me a line

Stay tuned for the next two blogs in the series, where we’ll dive into the practicalities of working with a VA and how to choose the right one for you.