Cagri Sarigoz ·
Updated July 1, 2024
Meet Rick Schneider, a retired army veteran with an unyielding passion for pets. Not only does Rick love spending his days with pets, but he also works with several animal rescue missions, fostering and transporting dogs to their new forever homes. His career as a driver for CitizenShipper is much more than a job — it’s a passion turned into purpose. You can find animal-loving transporters like Rick on CitizenShipper’s industry-leading, two-way pet transport marketplace.
Finding His Passion in Transportation
Rick discovered CitizenShipper through his son, who knew about his father’s love for pets and desire to stay busy post-retirement. From transporting dogs across the country to sharing dog kisses on the road, every day is a new adventure for Rick. His first experience was so positive and the connection with the pets so strong that he instantly got hooked.
Committed to Safety and Comfort
Keeping pets safe and comfortable during their journey is Rick’s top priority. He uses a 2012 Toyota Sienna equipped with foam flooring and blankets — a comfy cozy mobile pet home. Depending on the pet owner’s preference, pets can stay in kennels or roam freely in the back, securely attached to leads. Rick ensures every pet gets VIP treatment on his watch.
Smooth Communication for the Win
Rick values communication with pet owners, knowing how much it means to them. He sends updates with pictures at least four times a day and a heartfelt thank you note after each successful delivery. He believes that honest and open communication is the surest way to fulfill a pet owner’s expectations and ensure 100% customer satisfaction.
Never Stop Learning: The Power of Coaching Calls
Even with his wealth of experience and passion, Rick is always open to learning and improving his services. Participating in coaching calls has helped him finesse his methods and build strong relationships with pet owners. He highly recommends taking part in coaching calls to any new driver looking to improve themselves and elevate their services.
Every Journey is Special
A memorable adventure that Rick recounts is when he transported a rescued Malmute from a California shelter to a new home in Maryland. Watching the excitement and instant connection between the pet and the owner at the end of the trip is what makes the job extremely fulfilling for him.
The Mission of Delivering Happiness
As a driver for CitizenShipper, Rick endeavors to maintain a 5-star rating, make every pet feel special, and stay busy doing what he truly loves. Treating every pet like a VIP, continually updating their owners and, in turn, delivering happiness is how he views his mission. “Treat the pets like VIPs,” he says, “always keep the owners updated throughout the trip”.
Advice for Aspiring Drivers
One piece of advice Rick offers to new drivers is to be patient and always underbid if possible. He believes it’s important to stack shipments and offer VIP services to charm customers. He also recommends encouraging customers to leave reviews and learning from any feedback to continually improve and maintain high-quality services.
Conclusion
Rick’s story is a testament to the joy that comes with linking one’s passion with their career. His love for pets and his commitment to their safety and comfort has endeared him among CitizenShipper users. As he continuously thrives to cultivate happiness for pets and their owners on every journey, Rick Schneider truly embodies the spirit of the CitizenShipper community. There is indeed something special in making every pet feel like a VIP and fostering meaningful connections with people, pet, and routes across the country!
Marketing and product leader with over 14 years of experience, proficient in growth marketing, product management, and team development in fast-paced environments. Experienced in establishing and growing marketing functions and teams from the ground up.
