Kathy S. Kergaravat

Owner, CPPS, PTI #1497

 

Kathy spent over 25 years working as a nurse, surgical coordinator and ophthalmologic technician.  She thoroughly enjoyed working with patients and loved the medical profession, but always felt that there was something missing.  

 

A lifelong pet caretaker and animal lover, she always knew that she wanted to work with animals.  She has been caring for pets for her family, friends and neighbors for decades and finally decided to launch her own pet care business in 2000.  It started with a retail online pet supply store called Best Petz.  It began as a part-time project while she continued to work full-time as a nurse/ophthalmologic technician.  After a few years, she updated her business plan to focus on pet care services(pet sitting and dog walking) while keeping the retail going on the side.

In 2010, after experiencing several years of financial struggles and frustrated with working crazy hours for minimal pay, she decided to take a leap of faith.  She changed the name of her business to Berkshire Pet Pals, LLC and decided to cut back on her nursing hours with the goal of  eventually becoming a pet care professional on a full-time basis.  She joined the leading pet sitting organizations, became a certified professional pet sitter and got her Pet Tech Instructor certificate.  She became an animal reiki practitioner and operated a free pet lost and found website.  She fostered ferrets, cats and dogs.  She took workshops and classes in animal communication, animal behavior, reiki, pet nutrition, etc.  A short while later, her husband joined her business venture and together they are the driving force behind Berkshire Pet Pals, LLC.

 

When she has the time, Kathy enjoys creating and making her own handmade soaps/lotions/lip balms(called Naked Nanny Naturals) as well as working on computers and just about anything related to animals.  She enjoys hiking, shooting, and iPhone photography.  Along with her husband, she played guitar and sang back-up vocals/harmony for a country band called,  Sierra Pearl.  Although an injury has made it difficult for her to play guitar, she does continue to enjoy music as much as possible.  She also has a printshop called Crafty Kat Designs.  She creates unique designs for apparel(team uniforms, business and personal wear, etc.), gifts, and custom items that include name badges, key tags, mugs, signs, slate/glass/metal photos, pet ID tags, gift baskets, and so much more.  

Kathy lost her husband/business partner, JC, after a long battle with cancer.  She currently lives in Lee with her 10 cats, 3 dogs, and bunny.

 

 

 

 

Jean-Claude "JC" Kergaravat

Business Manager, Pet Care Specialist

(1/14/1953-3/20/2021)

 

JC was born in Carhaix-Plouguer in the department of Finistere, Brittany region of France and came to the United States with his family as an infant.  He grew up in the Lee/Stockbridge, MA area and attended St. Mary's, Berkshire School and Monmouth University.  He ran his own card and gift shop in the Back Bay section of Boston for several years.  He also served as a trouble shooter for Hallmark and resurrected many floundering stores during his retail career during the 1970's-1980's. 

 

JC moved back to The Berkshires in the latter part of the 1980's and worked for the State of Massachusetts, Department of Mental Retardation for almost 20 years before retiring in 2009.  In 2010, he joined his wife and became the Business Manager for Berkshire Pet Pals, LLC.  He provided pet care services and oversaw all of the personnel and business dealings.  

 

In his spare time, JC enjoyed playing softball, reading, and was an avid sports fan (NY Yankees and NY Giants).  He played rhythm guitar in several successful local country bands including Eldorado, Southern Cross, and Sierra Pearl. 

JC was incredibly proud and supportive of Berkshire Pet Pals, LLC.  He sponsored several softball leagues and would be out playing softball at the Monterey pick-up games on the weekends!  Even after undergoing rounds of immunotherapy/chemotherapy/and radiation!  His knowledge and love of softball was something that he enjoyed right up until the end.

JC was a true inspiration.  He was more than just my husband and business partner.  He was my rock.  He was my mentor.  He was the friend and confidant that I would turn to whenever I had questions, concerns, or needed guidance.  He was brutally honest, funny, and smart.  He had some strong opinions and was not someone you wanted to mess with.  He always had my back.  

I will be forever grateful for the time I had with him.  He taught me so much and did more for me than anyone ever has.  

Not a day goes by that I don't think about him, miss him, talk to him, and feel PROUD to have been his wife!  

Berkshire Pet Pals, LLC exists because of HIM.