About Us

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Aqiyla has over 20 years of professional pet care experience across North Carolina, New York, and Washington DC, having been a pet owner for most of her life. She has been the proud owner of dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, and fish and most recently was a dog mama to a pomeranian-chihuahua named Chuck who passed in 2023.  Since his passing, her big heart has fostered and walked dogs from the Animal Protection Society of Durham and Wake County Animal Center. Despite her love for all animals, she unfortunately developed a cat dander allergy and is only able to provide daytime services for cats at this time. She is certified in pet first aid and CPR and has experience administering oral medications.

Aqiyla received both a BA in Psychology and Masters in Social Work from UNC Chapel Hill and continued graduate studies in documentary filmmaking where she previously worked across the social science, media, and nonprofit sectors for 20 years. She has now shifted into a new chapter studying nature-based expressive arts therapy and animal-assisted care. Aside from spending quality time with animals, she also enjoys being in the outdoors hiking, kayaking, and engaging in the arts.

She is excited to follow her passion for community care and continue offering safe and reliable drop-in pet visits, dog walking, and overnight pet care services to clients in the Bull City. Email: aqiyla@honeypalspetcare.com

Honey Pals is inspired by the memory of our late Chuck, who was adopted on July 4, 2010 from SPCA of Wake County and passed at the age of 14 on April 3, 2023. He was a silly old cat-dog who loved to take naps in luggage and boxes, go on nature walks, snack on avocado, and travel with his mama on trains, planes, and automobiles in his trusty backpack.  

We miss you and love you, Chucky!

Get a glimpse into his wonderful life on Instagram @heythereitschuck