By Jeanne Willard

Staff writer

PORT ORANGE - Some might say that Christi Sharp's business is going to the dogs.

Accustomed to working indoors as a court reporter, the Port Orange resident now steps into a pair of green clogs, snaps on gloves and heads into client's yards to scoop dog poop.

Ms. Sharp, 42, recently opened a local franchise of Doody Calls, a pet waste removal service operating in 18 states.

With three dogs of her own Ms. Sharp was intrigued when her husband, Gary, told her about the franchise opportunity.

"I love dogs," she said. "I love animals."

In addition to dogs, the Sharp family has a cat and a bearded dragon.

The busy mom of three daughters, ages three to 17, was also looking for a career with more flexibility, something the franchise opportunity offered her, she said.

"I can work around (my daughters) schedule," she said.

Ms. Sharp purchased a pick-up truck and paid a Doody Calls franchise fee of $25,000 to get the business rolling.

According to the Doody Calls Web site, there are more than 65 million dogs owned in the United States, adding up to a mountain of waste.

Tools of the picker-upper trade include rakes, scoops, biodegradable bags and disinfecting sprays used on the tools after each service.

Service fees start at $14 per week, depending on the number of dogs and the size of the yard.

On a recent morning, Ms. Sharp was hunting for canine landmines in the Ormond Beach yard of client Vanessa McMurray.

Ms. McMurray, who has two Labradors named Zeus and Apollo, said she views the service as part of her yard and pest maintenance.

"That's just part of keeping our lawn looking nice," she said. "It makes being outside better."

The service also brings an added benefit to the household, she said.

"It means my husband and I don't argue about who's turn it is (to clean up after the dogs)." Ms. McMurray said, laughing.

Following a grid pattern in two directions, Ms. Sharp methodically walks the McMurrays' yard and sprays brown spots to treat urine burns.

Ms. Sharp says she enjoys people's reactions when they learn the nature of her business.

"People like the name," she said. "It's a cute name."

But people don't always take it seriously at first.

Her inlaws thought she was joking when she first told them about the business, she said.

But, there is a serious side to the business, Ms. Sharp said.

Dog waste can pollute the waterways and can contain parasites that are harmful to other pets and humans, she said.

In addition, many people use plastic grocery bags, that are not biodegradable, to collect waste, she said.

"Waste is an environmental issue," she said. "We are hoping to raise awareness."

Stetson University Associate Professor of Biology, Kirsten Work, confirmed that dogs carry the same fecal coliform bacteria that humans do.

"Waste deposited on land can end up in water after heavy rains as the runoff is carried as storm water into retention ponds, and in some cases, natural water bodies," Ms. Work said.

Although one animal is unlikely to cause a problem, the waste from many animals could, she said.

Ms. Sharp said it's also important that parks and public areas are kept clean for dog-lovers as well as those who don't own pets.

Her business can provide municipalities with gloves and waste containers for parks, beaches, playgrounds and public areas, she said.

"People that don't have dogs will have a better attitude about dogs," she said. "Nobody wants to step in dog poop."

Doody calls will have an informational booth at the Battle of the Badges Sept. 20-21 in New Smyrna Beach at Riverside Park, and at the Port Orange Family Days in October. For more information call (386) 690-5312.