Today we’d like to introduce you to Alicia Boemi.
Alicia, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was always been drawn to caring for animals since I was a very young girl but throughout high school and college, I was focused on pursuing a career in the music industry. I had so many amazing opportunities and experiences in the music industry – internships in New York City, Washington DC and Chicago working with bands and concert PR and marketing. It was exciting and fast-paced but I felt like I was missing something. I also started volunteering at a small local animal shelter near my college.
Upon my college graduation, I had secured an awesome job in concert production for a major entertainment company. I went to my first day and left at the end of the day feeling like this wasn’t going to work out for me long term. I was confused and it didn’t make sense but something was missing. I remember driving home and calling my then boyfriend, now husband saying “I think I am going to quit this job and pursue working with animals, specifically dogs. I won’t make as much money as I could in this job but this doesn’t feel right.” He said, “ok, it’s up to you”. I immediately felt like a weight was lifted!
I started volunteering and immersing myself in the animal rescue world. I started our volunteering and in part-time positions eventually working my way up to director roles. Turns out all that marketing, PR and fast-paced music industry experience lent itself to the crazy and tireless world that is an animal rescue. I really focused in on dog rescue and care specifically. Over the course of working in the shelter world, I rescued hundreds of dogs and kept some for myself. I have three dogs, Izzy, Hudson, and Mylah and we are currently fostering a rescue named Jayne.
I was always drawn to the super overlooked dogs. Black dogs, pit bulls, medical needs dogs. My love for my own dogs and rescuing them eventually brought me to where I am today as The DIY Dog Mom. My dog Mylah was diagnosed with diabetes at 10-months-old and when that happened pretty much everything stopped for me. I had run-ins with vets who no clue what they were doing to treat my newly diabetic puppy and it led me on a crazy crash course in holistic dog care. I began to do everything myself.
From homemade meals to care remedies, blood glucose tracking, IV therapy – I have done it all for this little rescue pitbull. She is 7 years old now and was the inspiration behind The DIY Dog Mom. I also founded a non-profit in her name, the Mylah Medical Foundation which raises money and sponsors medical needs dogs to get out of Chicago Animal Control.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been a windy and hilly road that is for sure. I think that is what ultimately makes a good entrepreneur. Without these experiences, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Struggles professionally to personally with my dogs are something I have faced.
With dog rescue it is so emotional, everyone you work with is emotionally charged because you are saving lives. That can result in conflict, feelings of guilt, failure, etc. Ultimately, I am proud of the work I have done that has gotten me here and the lessons I have learned as a result.
Please tell us about The DIY Dog Mom.
The DIY Dog Mom was a blog I started in late 2015 to share with others all the things I was doing for my dogs and it turned into a business as I kept immersing myself in the holistic dog care world. Services became a demand. People asked if they could pay me to teach them how to feed their dog a healthy fresh food diet and that is how the services came about.
The DIY Dog Mom is an alternative wellness business and blog for dogs and their parents. I tell potential clients to think of me as a dog trainer for your dog’s wellness and longevity. My focus is on understanding each dog as an individual and approaching any dis-ease (lack of ease or harmony within the body) with a focus on coaching owners about proper nutrition, herbs, aromatherapy and other natural modalities.
I utilize Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), western herbalism and aromatherapy with a focus on a species appropriate diet to help dogs live a vibrantly healthy life. There is a difference between merely surviving and thriving. My focus is on ensuring all dogs are thriving in their everyday lives.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Being out in nature at our lake house with dogs playing and barking, just being outside all summer long. Connecting with nature is something I grew to miss and I am happy that working with dogs has helped me get back to growing that connection.
Pricing:
- Raw Food Consultations $40-$75
- Aromatherapy Consultations $20-$80
- Canine Wellness Coaching $40-$60
Contact Info:
- Website: diydogmom.com
- Email: alicia@thediydogmom.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thediydogmom/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/diydogmom
Image Credit:
AmStaphy Photography
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