Hey, I’m Stephanie Presley—the founder and owner of GENTLE LEASH. I’m currently interning at Connection Point Church and pursuing my Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Liberty University.

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I grew up as an Army kid, which meant moving around a lot. But through all

the changes, one thing always stayed consistent: family. And family

wasn’t just the people I shared a last name with—it was also my dogs

and cats who went everywhere with me. Whether I needed to get outside

and move or just needed a shoulder (or paw) to cry on, our pets were

always there.

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Our first family dog was Sarge, a Boxer-Bullmastiff—aka a gentle

giant with the sweetest soul. Then when I was 9, my parents told me

that if I saved up $300, I could adopt a dog of my own. A year and a

half later, I went to the humane society and met the pup of my dreams.

I named her after my favorite candy: Skittles. Sarge and Skittles were a

huge part of my life growing up. They always knew how to make things

better—and through them, I learned real responsibility and how to care for

and train animals. My brother has a pup named Mavis (aka my favorite and only

niece), and I’ve been training her to be leash-trained and non-reactive around other

dogs and animals. 

 

Over the years, people began asking me to watch their dogs—family, friends, even friends of friends. I loved it every time. Getting to know each dog’s personality and earning their trust never gets old. I only expect the best from myself, and the best for my pets and the pets I care for. Somewhere along the way, I realized how much joy I find in both caring for pets and helping them thrive. We regularly walk the trails in Jackson and Cape parks, and one day it hit me—what if I could give this same level of care and love to every dog I meet? Why not build a business rooted in compassion, consistency, and quality care? So I took what I love—dog sitting, dog walking, and building trust—and that’s how Gentle Leash was born.

A girl with a dream, now put into action—ready to serve the pets (and people) of Southeast Missouri.