Daily Inspiration: Meet Devan McMillan

Today we’d like to introduce you to Devan McMillan.

Hi Devan, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Barnhouse Pet Sitting began during a season of unexpected change. In February 2024, I was laid off from my job as an EMT. While it was difficult at the time, it forced me to pause and reflect. I realized I was burnt out from pouring into workplaces and companies that were not pouring back into me. My spouse and co owner was feeling something very similar in his career as an automotive technician. We were both craving something more meaningful and fulfilling.

As I reflected on my years as an EMT and my time volunteering at Horses Make Miracles, I noticed a common thread. The most fulfilling moments were never about money. They were about connection, service, and purpose. Animals always had a way of turning my hardest days around, rain or shine. Even in stressful seasons, they grounded me and reminded me why care matters.

At the time I officially created Barnhouse, I was also in nursing school. Before forming the business, we were quietly building our pet care experience through word of mouth. We poured ourselves into every client, every home, and every animal we cared for. As our clientele grew into a community we genuinely love and appreciate, we decided to make it official and form an LLC.

We have now been an official business for one year, but two full years of dedication, sacrifice, and behind the scenes work went into building this foundation. Barnhouse would never have grown to where it is today without our drive, dedication, and determination. Most importantly, it would not exist without the incredible Barnhouse team members who show up every single day with heart, professionalism, and compassion for the families we serve.

Pets continue to pour into our cups in ways we never expected. Barnhouse was built not just as a business, but as a reflection of the life we wanted to create. A life rooted in fulfillment, service, community, and the love that pets so effortlessly bring.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a completely smooth road, and I believe that is what shaped Barnhouse into what it is today.

One of the earliest challenges was finding reliable people. When I first began the hiring process, I wanted to be the “bend over backwards” kind of boss. You need supplies? I will get them. You need time off? I understand. You have a family emergency? Say less. I truly wanted to create a supportive and flexible environment.

Over time, I realized that not everyone shared the same level of integrity or commitment. Some applicants were not truthful on their resumes or during interviews. Others, once hired, communicated in ways that did not align with the mission and values of Barnhouse. I had to ask myself a hard question. If I could not fully trust the people I hired, how could my clients trust them with their most precious family members?

That realization pushed me to rework our hiring process entirely. I went back to the drawing board. I studied leadership podcasts, hiring motivators, and educated myself on what a true dream team of pet sitters looks like. What began as just my spouse, my mom, and myself slowly grew into something beautiful. My brother and future sister in law joined us, followed by Myckayla, Bree, Rachael, and Catina. Today, we are proudly a predominantly women owned and run team, and I could not be happier with the integrity and heart each member brings.

Another major challenge came as we experienced a sudden increase in new dog clients. While we carefully screen every client to ensure we are the best fit for their pets, we began encountering situations where owners were not fully transparent about their dogs’ behaviors. In some cases, bite histories were withheld. Unfortunately, this resulted in one of my sitters being bitten.

That was a turning point for us. No more.

We immediately reworked our client screening questions and strengthened our policies. I brought in a professional dog trainer to educate our team on dog bite prevention, body language awareness, and safe walking practices. We elevated our safety standards and even began educating some of our current clients on responsible disclosure and dog handling.

The road has not been without obstacles, but each challenge forced us to grow stronger, wiser, and more intentional. Every setback became a lesson. Every lesson made Barnhouse safer, more aligned, and more resilient.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
John and I both come from service driven backgrounds, and that foundation shapes everything we do at Barnhouse.

I worked as an EMT for eight years, which taught me how to stay calm under pressure, think critically, and advocate fiercely for those in my care. In 2025, I attended nursing school in an accelerated BSN program and graduated with my Bachelor of Science in Nursing. I will soon begin working as a registered nurse at one of Colorado’s Level 1 hospitals. My background in emergency medicine and healthcare has heavily influenced how I run Barnhouse. I specialize in safety protocols, structure, client communication, and team development. I am known for being thorough, proactive, and systems oriented. Preparation prevents problems, and that mindset carries directly into how we care for animals.

John’s background is in automotive technology, and his mechanical and analytical mind brings a completely different but equally valuable skill set. He is observant, patient, and incredibly detail oriented. He notices subtle behavioral shifts in animals that others might overlook. He is especially known for his calm presence, which animals respond to almost immediately.

John also specializes in exotic pet care, which truly sets us apart. He is experienced with birds of all species and sizes, reptiles, snakes, and yes, even tarantulas. Not every pet sitter is comfortable or knowledgeable in those areas, but John has both the confidence and hands on experience to provide safe, attentive care to animals that require very specific environments and handling.

Together, we specialize in high quality in home pet care, 24 hour care, farm sitting, and multi pet households. We are particularly known for working with high energy breeds, pets that thrive with structure, and homes that require detailed, customized care plans. We prioritize safety, education, and clear communication.

What I am most proud of is the culture we have built. Barnhouse is family rooted, predominantly women owned and run, and mission driven. Every single member of our team, including family, is background checked to demonstrate our commitment to sending clients reliable, trustworthy, and family oriented caregivers. That layer of accountability matters to us.

What sets us apart is our standard. We do not cut corners. We screen thoroughly. We communicate clearly. Our healthcare and technical backgrounds allow us to approach pet care with a level of structure, accountability, and safety that is not always common in this industry. At the end of the day, we are most proud that families trust us with what matters most to them, and that is a responsibility we never take lightly.

How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
There are several meaningful ways people can work with us, collaborate with us, or support Barnhouse.

For pet owners, the most direct way is by trusting us with your pets and animals. Whether that means 24 hour care, farm sitting, drop ins, or specialized exotic pet care, we love building long term relationships with families who value structured, reliable, and heart led care. Referrals and word of mouth have been a huge part of our growth, and we are incredibly grateful for every client who shares our name with a friend or neighbor who needs care for their pets.

For local businesses, we are always open to thoughtful collaboration. We love partnering with veterinarians, trainers, groomers, boarding facilities, rescues, and other community organizations that serve pets and animals. Cross referrals, educational events, and community involvement allow us to strengthen the local pet care network together.

For individuals interested in joining our team, we are always looking for reliable, compassionate, and accountable people who genuinely care about animals and professionalism. Caring for pets inside someone’s home is a privilege, and we hold that responsibility to a high standard.

And for those who simply want to support us, engaging with our social media, leaving reviews, sharing our services, and recommending us to other pet owners truly makes a difference. Small businesses grow because communities choose to stand behind them.

At the end of the day, Barnhouse was built on relationships. Whether someone is a client, collaborator, team member, or supporter, we value connection, trust, and community above all.

Pricing:

• Overnight Care (7 pm – 7 am) – $85/night
• 24-hour care (Day & night) – $100 – $125
• Drop-in Visits (30 minutes) – $25/visit
• Farm Sitting – $115 – $150+
• Barnhouse Pet Treats (Frozen & Oven-baked) – $12.99 – $15.99

Contact Info:

• Website: https://barnhousepetsitting.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barnhousepetsittingllc/reels/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Barnhouse-Pet-Sitting-LLC-61574971581300/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/barnhouse-pet-sitting-longmont
• Other: https://nextdoor.com/pages/barnhouse-pet-sitting-llc-firestone-co/

Image Credits
All pictures were taken by Barnhouse Pet Sitting, LLC with pet owner permission to share