Matt – Downtown

Hi! My name is Matt Kish, and I’m so happy to be part of the RuffCity team. I grew up surrounded by animals, including Labradors, two gerbils, and a saltwater fish tank, which taught me early on that every animal has its own personality and needs. I’ve also dog sat for a neighbor’s Shih Tzu and helped care for a friend’s cat, and I genuinely enjoy getting to know what makes each pet tick. My goal on every walk is for your pet to feel safe, relaxed, and like they’re having the best part of their day.

I grew up as a military brat and moved around a bit, though I spent most of my time in Florida. I went to college in Michigan and, after graduating, moved to NYC to fully experience city life. Since being here, walking has become one of my favorite ways to explore, and I regularly log multiple miles in all kinds of weather. I’m comfortable handling dogs of all sizes, walk at a steady and confident pace, and know my way around the city by foot, bike, and subway. When I’m not walking dogs, I enjoy video editing and designing layouts of cities and transportation systems, which means I might be just as enthusiastic about a good route as your dog is about a great sniff. I love building real relationships with pets and their people and treating every animal I care for like family.