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Tessa & Nik

Pampered Pets & Peace of Mind, 1 Snuggle at a Time

Picture of House Sitter, House Minder and Pet Sitter at Aussie House Sitters, Australia. User Pampered Pets & Peace of Mind, 1 Snuggle at a Time
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About us

groupCouple

46, Doctor (PhD), Paediatric Feeding, Behaviour, Clinical Psychology, Applied Research

40, Opera singer, musician, teacher

Hello! I'm a doctor (PhD) from New Orleans specialising in paediatric feeding & behaviour. My partner from Perth is an opera singer & music teacher. We're a dynamic duo of >10 years based in Sydney.

favoriteWhy we love house sitting

Housesitting lets us blend love for travel, nature, & a slower, healthy lifestyle with dedication to meticulous pet/home care & responsibility, ensuring your pets feel secure with caring companionship. We love getting to know new furry friends & exploring new places, while providing peace of mind.

Intro
We are a couple in our early 40s (together over 10 years now!), are very tidy/respectful/reliable, vegetarian, and do not smoke or have pets, kids, or a caravan. We love travelling, culture, nature, health, staying active/exercising/yoga, sunshine, warmth, each other, dancing, audiobooks, and our professions (but we are now wanting to go at a much, much slower pace, enjoy life, chill more, and decrease stress; ‘semi-retire’). We have travelled extensively and previously had our own place ... Read moreIntro
We are a couple in our early 40s (together over 10 years now!), are very tidy/respectful/reliable, vegetarian, and do not smoke or have pets, kids, or a caravan. We love travelling, culture, nature, health, staying active/exercising/yoga, sunshine, warmth, each other, dancing, audiobooks, and our professions (but we are now wanting to go at a much, much slower pace, enjoy life, chill more, and decrease stress; ‘semi-retire’). We have travelled extensively and previously had our own place in the heart of Sydney on the beach and lived up the city/harbour life for 7 years, so besides nature walks and sunset picnics (or whatever is unique or the thing to do in your town such as vineyards), we are now mostly homebodies able to give your pets plenty company, attention, and quality time. We now like to go to bed and wake up early and eat healthy, so aren’t much into bars or restaurants anymore, or having guests over. We still love travelling and novelty, and are personable, silly, fun, not boring etc., but ‘when in Australia’ it’s about the gorgeous nature here. We like following your local recommendations, bringing pets along (if they like it), and sending you photos/videos of us being a tourist in your town with them. I am very sun-loving/cold-natured, so we tend not to go or stay out after dark. We both are Australian citizens with passports and driver's licenses. Tessa also has dual citizenship with USA. I am a professional originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, USA but now permanent in Australia. I work in paediatric feeding disorders (little kids who need to learn how to eat/drink or get off of a feeding tube, many with medical and developmental disabilities), and help parents if they have dangerous behaviour like pica (eating nonfood items). My company is Paediatric Feeding International (website PaediatricFeedingIntl). My partner Nik is an opera singer and music teacher from Perth, and my assistant with patients. We travel together full time for work, conferences (to raise awareness/disseminate in my specialty area), and leisure. In between patients while we housesit, I have much needed breaks to recover and may do some minimal on and off work on my laptop for research, talks, and business development (e.g., website, manuals), and some clinical intake consultations, follow-ups, and patient scheduling. Nik focuses on some language learning, practicing, rehearsing, auditions, etc. and helps me out. We are happy to have a video chat to 'meet', answer questions, and provide more details!
Why housesit
We are very responsible and clean, and take pride in caring, integrity, and doing a 'great job'; going above and beyond leaving a place cleaner than we found it. I was a huge animal lover growing up and did fostering and rescue. Since internship/fellowship, I have not had my own pets due to travel and work. We value freedom, independence, environment (responsible travel and avoidance of animal exploitation in tourism, animal welfare), minimalism, and variety/new experiences and feel this is a way to help others/fill a need under those values while on the road. Our daily lifestyle actually really aligns with that of pets :), in that we enjoy nature walks for exercise and exploring, or chilling at home, so they will have plenty company either way. We will be nurturing, attentive, and respectful to your pets as we are guests in their home. Given our day jobs, we are pros at sticking to feeding/medication and behavioural protocols and will follow your instructions to the T. We are uber organised and on top of things, scheduling care, setting timers for meals, and taking data as needed. If applicable, we love seeing pet progress and neat things they might learn with us (e.g., new words, using doggie door, potty training). We understand and empathise with the trust involved in opening your home to others and placing your treasured family members in their hands, so our aim is to provide you as much peace of mind and comfort as possible so you can enjoy your time away fully!
See our experience section as well!

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Pet care

When I was little, I was like a Cajun Doctor Doolittle and wanted to be a veterinarian. We lived on the bayou and my dad had a seafood business ('swamp people'). We were always in nature (e.g., the camp) and around a large variety of different animals. I later lived in a barn (horses, cows, ... Read moreWhen I was little, I was like a Cajun Doctor Doolittle and wanted to be a veterinarian. We lived on the bayou and my dad had a seafood business ('swamp people'). We were always in nature (e.g., the camp) and around a large variety of different animals. I later lived in a barn (horses, cows, chickens) and did fostering and rescue (dogs and some wildlife). I had my own pets during that time as well (rescue dogs, birds, fish, ferrets, turtles, etc.). Nik has had pets since childhood as well (dogs, guinea pigs, birds). Given our ‘day jobs’, we are pros at sticking to feeding/medication and behavioural protocols. We have cared for pets and housesat for friends and family as well as with TrustedHousesitters (please see our reviews)! We also have heaps of great reviews on Airbnb over 10 years.

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petsWilling to care for these pets

DogsDogs
CatsCats
FishFish
BirdsBirds
Rabbits/Guinea PigsRabbits/Guinea Pigs
Chickens/Ducks/GeeseChickens/Ducks/Geese
Farm AnimalsFarm Animals
HorsesHorses
ReptilesReptiles
NoneNone

agricultureFarm experience

I lived in a barn on 10 acres, and we had horses, cows, and chickens.

Trust

Gold member24 months
reviews5 star reviews
demographyPolice check
diagnosisReferences

diagnosisAbout our references

Please contact us for a link to see our Trusted House Sitters reviews!

"I simply cannot ... Read morePlease contact us for a link to see our Trusted House Sitters reviews!

"I simply cannot recommend Tessa and Nik highly enough! Choosing them to house-sit and look after our precious fur baby, Billy, while we were on holidays was the best decision we made. They provided such peace of mind, allowing us to fully relax knowing our home and dog were in the most capable hands.

The most heart warming part was the immediate connection Billy made. He’s usually a little reserved with new people, but the moment he met them, it was an instant connection. We received daily updates showing him snuggled up and completely comfortable, which told us everything we needed to know—Billy was getting endless love and attention. They treated him like their own.

Beyond the exceptional pet care, Tessa and Nik were models of professionalism. They were incredibly organised, taking meticulous notes on Billy’s feeding schedule and quirks, and followed every single instruction we left for the house. They are wonderfully reliable; their communication was prompt and reassuring, and they always did exactly what they said they would.

I returned home to a happy, relaxed dog and a house that was absolutely spotless. They didn't just house-sit; they genuinely cared for our space and our family member. Thank you, Tessa and Nik, for providing such a wonderful experience!"
- Tanya, Bondi

""**Outstanding House & Dog Sitters – Tessa & Nik!**

Having Tessa and Nik look after my home and beloved dog for nine weeks was an absolute pleasure. From the moment we met, their super-organized and energetic approach put me at ease. It was clear they genuinely cared about my dog’s well-being—they stuck to feeding routines, ensured regular walks, and showered her with love. My dog adored them, which made being away so much easier.

Communication was fantastic; they sent regular updates and photos, giving me peace of mind while I was away. Not only were they responsible and trustworthy, but they also seemed to truly enjoy their stay, which made me feel even more relaxed. Coming home to a spotless house, a delicious cheese platter, and a bottle of bubbly was such a thoughtful touch—it made our return extra special.

Beyond being exceptional sitters, Tessa and Nik have become friends. Their warmth, reliability, and kindness made the whole experience wonderful. I wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone needing house or pet care and hope to stay in touch. Thank you both for everything—you’re the best!" 5 stars for: organised, reliable, self-sufficient, clean and tidy, pet care."
- Tracey, Currarong

"Tessa and Nik took exceptional care of my dog Boone as well as my home. It is clear they really care for animals and are extremely respectful. They sent pictures and updates every day of the sit which gave me such peace of mind. They also left the house cleaner than they found it. They were thoughtful and kind every step of the way. I would recommend them to anyone!" 5 stars for: organised, reliable, self-sufficient, clean and tidy, pet care.
- Maddy, Baton Rouge

"Tessa and Nik are delightful people who took exceptional care of Moy Moy my cat and my home. They were great communicators and took special care of my very shy rescue cat. I have returned to a clearly relaxed and happy cat and a very clean and well cared for house and garden. Not to mention the thoughtfully prepared and delicious meal that they prepared for us to share the night I returned. li was lovely to share a farewell meal and to hear how much they had enjoyed their time in Katoomba. I could not recommend them more highly as really terrific pet and Housesitters." 5 stars for Organised, Reliable, Self-sufficient, Clean & tidy, Happy pets.
- Linda, Katoomba


"Tessa and Nik arrived the day before our departure and it was lovely to meet them, have a meal and chat about the things we both needed for a smooth house sit. They were both lovely and we had a great time with them, and the house sit was excellent; no issues, and regular updates with happy pets. They even managed to sweet talk our cat, which takes some doing! Happy to endorse them 100%. Thanks again Nik and Tessa."
- Christopher
Coal Point, NSW

"A beautiful couple, Tessa and Nik were fabulous. They are super friendly, fun and very active. I loved our conversations. Tess and Nik took excellent care for our animals. Top condition when we returned. The house was clean and tidy. I wish them all the best in their future travels."
- Rebecca, Bawley Point

"Tessa and Nik were absolutely perfect pet sitters. They looked after our Daisy and Charlie as if they were their own dogs. This is no easy feat as our Charlie can be quite hard to handle plus Daisy needed medication daily. They sent us regular photos and took the dogs on their standard walks. They also left our apartment in a better condition than what we left it in.
Tessa and Nik are genuine and caring people and we'd have them look after our dogs again in a flash.
Thanks again Nik and Tessa you guys are awesome!"
- Paul, St Leonards, NSW

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Availability

eventNext 12 months

Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
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Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
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Jul

eventCurrent bookings

2026: 1 Aug - 5 Sep | 3 Aug - 9 Sep | 11-18 Sep | 17-27 Sep | 26 Sep - 5 Oct | 18 Oct - 4 Dec

chairOn a house-sit right now

Preferences

scheduleHouse sit duration

1 - 2 weeks, 2 - 4 weeks, 1 - 2 months, 2 months +

where_to_votePreferred locations

External Territories: ALL   NSW: Central Coast, North Coast, Sydney   QLD: Central Coast, Northern, South Eastern   WA: Perth (Coastal Strip, Fremantle, Inner Western Suburbs, Perth City), South Western (South West)  

Reviews (7)

I couldn't recommend Tessa and Nik highly enough. Our house was absolutely spotless when we arrived home and we came home to two very happy fur babies. Tessa and Nik sent us regular photos and updates while we were away and gave our fur babies so much love, which meant we could just relax and enjoy our holiday knowing everything was in good hands. We would happily have Tessa and Nik look after our house and animals again in a heartbeat!
Tessa & Nik are extraordinary sitters with a lot of positive energy. From our first face time call we were impressed with their understanding of what we required. Their attention to detail and directions allowed them to provide excellent care to our pets & they made immediate and genuine bonds with them. We were given regular communication and updates which was reassuring for us, and resulted in a relaxed experience for us all. They demonstrated a trustworthy & respectful approach living in ... MoreTessa & Nik are extraordinary sitters with a lot of positive energy. From our first face time call we were impressed with their understanding of what we required. Their attention to detail and directions allowed them to provide excellent care to our pets & they made immediate and genuine bonds with them. We were given regular communication and updates which was reassuring for us, and resulted in a relaxed experience for us all. They demonstrated a trustworthy & respectful approach living in our home; we returned to everything being neat and tidy with more than ample food basics and treats waiting for us! Tessa and Nik were honest with us in their appraisal of enjoying their time in our home & our area. We wouldn’t hesitate to have them back :)

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Absolute Gems!!! Outstanding human beings who treated our home, our pets and us with the upmost care and respect!! I would never hesitate to ask them back to care for our home and our fur babies again!!! I would recommend Tessa and Nik to anyone thinking of accepting them to sit for you!! This was our first “house sitting” experience and they both made us feel at ease and confident that our home would be well cared for and definitely appreciated!! They kept us updated, asked questions and ... MoreAbsolute Gems!!! Outstanding human beings who treated our home, our pets and us with the upmost care and respect!! I would never hesitate to ask them back to care for our home and our fur babies again!!! I would recommend Tessa and Nik to anyone thinking of accepting them to sit for you!! This was our first “house sitting” experience and they both made us feel at ease and confident that our home would be well cared for and definitely appreciated!! They kept us updated, asked questions and considered our needs and went above and beyond!! We wish them both well and hope they find every success and happiness in the future endeavours!! We will never be able to repay Tessa and Nik for the opportunity they gave us to experience our first real trip and the joy they shared with us along the way!!

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Tessa & Nik were incredible housesitters and we would thoroughly recommend them. They treated our iggies like family and took excellent care of our home. Communication was spot on and we almost ran out of storage on our phones with all the beautiful doggy photos we received!
Nik and Tessa were great. I received updates regularly, with photos, and information on how everything was going at home. We came back to 2 very happy Frenchies and the house in perfect order. I hope they will be able to come again.
This was our first experience of using Aussie House Sitters and we can honestly say that Nik and Tessa were amazing. They were easy to liaise with prior to the sit, and when we met them we knew straight away that our house and pets were in safe hands. We had regular chats and updates whilst we were away. They ensured our elderly cat Lulu ate all her meals, took our dog Rosie on lots of fun adventures, back washed the pool after it rained for days, and looked after all our plants. When we ... MoreThis was our first experience of using Aussie House Sitters and we can honestly say that Nik and Tessa were amazing. They were easy to liaise with prior to the sit, and when we met them we knew straight away that our house and pets were in safe hands. We had regular chats and updates whilst we were away. They ensured our elderly cat Lulu ate all her meals, took our dog Rosie on lots of fun adventures, back washed the pool after it rained for days, and looked after all our plants. When we returned home Rosie and Lulu were relaxed and happy, the house was spotless, and they’d even stocked up on essential food for us. We would have them house sit again any time and would highly recommend them. Thanks again Kitty, Jules, Rosie 🐶 and Lulu 🐈‍⬛

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Tessa and Nik were hands down the best house sitters we've had. Our dogs were very well taken care of whilst we were away and Tessa and Nik were champions with preparing our house for the incoming Cyclone Alfred. There was plenty of communication from them to make sure we were at ease with the challenging situation. We would have them back for a house sit again with no hesitation.
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Aussie House Sitters is a big fan, and corporate supporter of RSPCA Australia, who do extraordinary work 24/7 for pets and other animals nationwide.