About Us
Trusted Dog Walkers & Pet Sitters in West Los Angeles
Animal Magnetism was founded in 1999 and grew through word of mouth and referrals, reflecting our long standing commitment to quality pet care in West LA.
We know West LA pet parents have many choices when it comes to pet care. That’s why we work tirelessly to deliver peace of mind through personalized, consistent care for every pet we serve. We’re committed to earning your trust by delivering dependable service that supports both pets and their people.
Our professional dog walkers and pet sitters are highly vetted, thoroughly trained animal lovers who are passionate about meeting the needs of every pet in our care. All applicants must pass a criminal background check, maintain a clean driving record, and be certified in Pet First Aid and CPR. We look for team members who have prior professional pet care experience or extensive hands-on experience caring for personal pets.
We are fully licensed, bonded, and insured, providing added protection for both our clients and employees. We are also proud members of Pet Sitters International, the world’s leading educational organization for professional pet sitters since 1994.
Meet Our Owner
Animal Magnetism is locally owned and operated by a passionate pet advocate and dedicated dog mom, Tarina Van Den Driessche.
Tarina
Animal Magnetism owner Tarina Van Den Driessche has called the Los Angeles area home for nearly 25 years.Â
She originally moved to LA after earning a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts in Cinematography from the North Carolina School of the Arts. While cinema and photography remain among her passions, Tarina found her way into pet care through life as a devoted dog mom, something that would eventually grow into both her life’s purpose and second career.
How It Started
Fifteen years ago, Tarina adopted her dog Otis from the West LA Animal Shelter, and soon after, Benny joined her life.Â
Caring for them deepened her understanding of animal behavior, training, and medical needs in a deeply personal way. Helping Otis overcome leash aggression showed her how much patient, consistent, and thoughtful care can improve a dog’s quality of life.Â
After Benny was diagnosed with epilepsy, Tarina cared for him through more than 60 seizures while also maintaining the strict routine of administering medication every eight hours. That experience taught her how to stay calm under pressure, respond quickly in a medical crisis, and provide dogs with steady, attentive care.
Their journeys played a major role in shaping Tarina’s compassionate and deeply attentive approach to pet care.
How It’s Going
Although Tarina grew up caring for many different animals, her experience raising Otis and Benny is what most deeply shaped her compassionate, detail-oriented, and deeply personal approach to pet care.
Today, after purchasing Animal Magnetism and making it her own, Tarina oversees the company’s daily operations, from scheduling and marketing to payroll and hiring. She also fills in as a backup dog walker and pet sitter when needed, and hosts dogs in her home for boarding.
Outside of work, she enjoys hiking in the Santa Monica Mountains, spending time with loved ones, doing pilates, snowboarding, and traveling.
Meet Our Team of Pet Professionals
We hire the best, most reliable pet lovers and train them to provide outstanding service and care to ensure your peace of mind and your pet’s comfort.
Bryn
Dog Walker/Pet Sitter
Bryn grew up in Mount Vernon, Ohio, in a family and community where caring for animals was always a part of life. He moved to Los Angeles 14 years ago to pursue music and spent several years touring the country as the singer of a rock band. These days, he is studying history at Santa Monica College and enjoying the chance to spend his time working with animals.
What Bryn enjoys most about pet care is getting to know each animal’s personality and the little things that make them unique. He is naturally attentive and enjoys figuring out what makes each pet feel comfortable and happy, whether that means a good walk, playtime, extra attention, or simply keeping them company. Building that trust and becoming a familiar face in a pet’s routine is one of his favorite parts of the job.
Outside of work and school, Bryn enjoys reading, writing, and exploring everything Los Angeles has to offer.
Maya
Dog Walker/Pet Sitter
Maya has been surrounded by animals her entire life. Growing up, she cared for everything from a rooster and a snake to a hamster, dogs, and a cat. Her childhood dog and cat both lived to be over 16 years old, and the bond she shared with them helped shape the deep love and respect she has for animals today.
Maya enjoys staying active with the pets in her care, whether that means going for walks, visiting the dog park, playing, or simply spending time together. She loves getting to know each pet’s individual personality and becoming a familiar, trusted face in their world. Maya treats every pet in her care with the same love, patience, and respect she would give her own, making sure they always feel safe, comfortable, and cared for.
Dog walking and pet sitting professionals in Santa Monica, Brentwood, Venice, Mar Vista, Culver City, Marina del Rey, Playa del Rey, Playa Vista, Ladera Heights, and Westchester areas in Los Angeles.
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