Our Mission!
“At Turd Herders, our mission is plain and simple: to give hardworking dog owners a break by wranglin’ up the mess so you can spend more time enjoyin’ life with your pup. We take on the not-so-fun chores of pet care and offer up the supplies every dog owner needs, all to keep your homestead cleaner and your family happier.”
The Story of Turd Herders
We know firsthand how rough it can be to come home from a long day’s work—or head into your weekend—only to face a yard full of mess. Over the years we’ve cared for just about every animal under the sun. From household companions like dogs and cats, to barnyard favorites like horses, goats, and chickens, even the exotic ones—snakes and lizards—we’ve wrangled it all.
Eric Craig, Founder & CEO of Turd Herders
Our Team
Eric Craig
President & Founder
That’s me, Eric. After many years ridin’ the long trail of retail management, I hit a wall like many folks do in the corporate world. When my wife, Melanie, wrapped up her college degree and took up teachin’, it was my turn to blaze a new trail. So, I saddled back up for college myself, earnin’ a bachelor’s degree in psychology. It was sittin’ in those classes that the wild idea of Turd Herders first came to life. Little did I know back then, more than a decade later, it’d grow into the outfit it is today.
We’re mighty proud to have started this company from scratch in New Hampshire, and to still be growin’ strong in the young industry of professional pooper scoopers. After ten years of freezin’ winters up north, we looked southward, followin’ the trail where Melanie’s teachin’ work led. Now we call North Carolina home, where Melanie and the boys stay full-time while I split my saddle time between NC and NH. Truth be told, I’ve been more of a reverse snowbird—but maybe one day I’ll get that part figured out!
Melanie Craig
CFO & Founder
“From the start, Melanie’s been the backbone of this outfit. While she was workin’ her dream job teachin’ high school biology, she still pitched in wherever Turd Herders needed her most. In those early days she was our PR hand and the voice on the phone—truth is, I never did hear all that well, so I leaned on her plenty. And she never once shied away from doin’ whatever needed doin’.
After a spell wranglin’ the politics of inner-city schools, Melanie decided it was time to hitch her wagon full-time to Turd Herders. With her on board, the business grew like a prairie wildfire. She built up a strong pet sittin’ side of the herd and even taught pet first aid classes along the trail. Then came the pandemic, which shut down sittin’ work across the board. So Melanie dusted off her boots, joined me scoopin’ full-time, and we never looked back.
Still, her love for teachin’ never left her. So when the chance came to step back into the classroom in North Carolina, it was the right move. Today, Melanie continues teachin’ while still standin’ beside me in this business we built together, keepin’ Turd Herders runnin’ strong.
Mike Dziura
New England Operations Manager