Meet the team
Wellington’s Premier Pet Sitters
I understand that caring for pets in their own home requires a deep level of trust and responsibility,
along with unfailing and genuine love for all animals.
Meet The Creature Comforts Team
Byndie Maxwell
Hi, I’m Byndie, the founder and owner of Creature Comforts. I have always had an unwavering love for animals, from dogs and cats to chinchillas and everything in between. After returning home from several years of living overseas, I obtained my qualification as a Veterinary Nurse and started working in a central Wellington clinic in 2002.
During my time as a vet nurse, I noticed the need for a professional alternative to boarding pets while their owners were away, which led to the founding of Creature Comforts.
Working with animals every day has provided me with constant new learning experiences and valuable lessons. Over the past 20 years, my knowledge and skills have grown, and I am always striving to improve. Many of our first clients are still with us to this day, which I believe reflects our commitment to continually grow and provide the best possible care.
Caring for pets in their own home requires trust, responsibility, and genuine affection. That’s why Creature Comforts is built on a foundation of honesty, integrity, and compassion. We continually strive to provide the very best care when you can’t be there!
Briar Simpson
Briar joined the Creature Comforts NZ team in 2024 as our amazing admin person, keeping everything running smoothly behind the scenes! With a lifelong passion for animal welfare, Briar brings a wealth of experience and a genuine love for all creatures, great and small.
After spending 20 years living in Japan and working in her dream role as the Tokyo Director of Animal Refuge Kansai, Briar returned home to New Zealand. She continued her animal welfare work at the Wellington SPCA, where her dedication to helping animals in need only grew stronger.
One of her proudest achievements is Grace, the Tokyo street cat who made the journey back to New Zealand with her. Once a shy and untouchable stray, Grace has blossomed into a confident cat who now head bumps children for attention—proof of the incredible resilience and adaptability of animals.
After taking some time away to raise her family, Briar is thrilled to be back working with animals again through Creature Comforts NZ. She plays a key role in making sure our clients’ beloved pets are well cared for while their people are away.
At home, Briar enjoys the company of her family dog Sergei, a cheeky farm rescue with a dodgy ankle and even dodgier manners! She loves the sense of humour and comfort that animals bring to our lives and feels lucky to be able to combine her skills and passion in her work with Creature Comforts.
Tyla Greenwood
Meet Tyla “G”! Tyla joined Creature Comforts in 2023 and has already proven herself to be an invaluable part of the team.
Tyla has been surrounded by animals her entire life, which has given her a natural affinity for them. In addition to her role with us, she has a diploma in veterinary nursing so also works part-time as a veterinary nurse, bringing a wealth of experience, knowledge, and a genuine passion for animal care to our team.
Tyla’s journey in animal care extends beyond her professional commitments. She shares her home with her two furry troublemakers. Both are older ladies with their own unique health needs so she understands first-hand how to cater to pets with diverse requirements, ensuring that they remain the centre of attention during every interaction.
Outside of work, Tyla enjoys spending her time friends and enjoying the great outdoors, soaking up the sun at the beach or just being out enjoying nature. Of course, her downtime wouldn’t be complete without showering affection on her two beloved cats.
Tyla looks forward to the opportunity to meet and care for your furry family members, ensuring they receive the same love and attention she lavishes upon her own.
Fadzi Paradza
Fadzi is an absolute animal lover who has been pet sitting and walking furry friends for years—and loving every minute of it! She brings a fun, friendly, and calm energy to every visit, making sure each pet feels safe, happy, and well cared for while their owners are away.
Fadzi joined the Creature Comforts NZ team in 2019 and quickly became a trusted and valued member of our paw-some crew. With two impressive degrees—a Bachelor of Science in Animal Behaviour and a Bachelor of Veterinary Technology—she has a deep understanding of animal health and behaviour.
Fadzi has spent time working in a veterinary clinic outside of Wellington, and has now luckily for us returned to Wellington and is now working in a clinic closer to home. Despite her busy schedule, she’s thrilled to still spend her weekends visiting all our lovely client’s pets she’s come to know through Creature Comforts NZ.
Whether it’s walks, playtime, cuddles, or simply keeping your pets company, Fadzi is passionate about making sure they get the very best care when you can’t be there!
Jordan Levy
Jordan’s passion for animal care began at a young age, looking after family pets. Over the years she has gained extensive experience caring for a wide variety of dog and cat breeds—including Labradors, Collies, and Huskies one of her personal favourites! Jordan loves getting to know each animal’s unique personality and has a great understanding of how to work with their different traits and needs.
When not caring for furry friends, Jordan enjoys hiking, kayaking, making art, and playing music.
Through studying Rongoā & holistic healing she has developed a passion for making botanical remedies, jewellery and candles to sell at local markets.
Jordan is looking forward to meeting and getting to know you and your pets soon!
Kiera Brodie
Kiera has always had a passion for animals, a must given the zoo she has grown up with over the years! Her family has rescued over 15 cats and 4 dogs so she has been surrounded by animals since she was a baby, and she now has her very own cat, Toastie, to keep her on her toes. This led her to pursue a degree in biology, ecology, and conservation at VUW, coupled with a great respect for all creatures big and small. Kiera brings a boatload of animal-loving expertise to the table and will treat your pets with all the love and care as if they were her own.
When she’s not wrangling kiddos at the childcare center she works at in Khandallah, you’ll find her out and about soaking up the sunshine, whether it be a spot of gardening or hitting the trails for a hike. Kiera is also a big social butterfly, always making new memories with her friends around Wellington and at local music events.
She believes caring for your furry friends is all about trust, integrity, and genuine affection—values she stands by every day. You’re not just getting a sitter or walker; you’re getting a friend to treat your fur-babies like the royalty they are. Kiera is very excited to meet you and your fur-babies, and is looking forward having a tail-wagging, purrfectly awesome time with them all!
Shawna Wilson
Shirley James
With a passion for all creatures great and small Shirley has enjoyed several years of volunteering with the Wellington Zoo, the SPCA and fostering cats and kittens in preparation for desexing and adoption to their forever homes.
From building cardboard castles for kittens to making puzzle feeders for kaka, Shirley has developed a particular interest in environmental enrichment for animals.
In 2017 Shirley qualified with the NZ Certificate of Animal Technology from Otago Polytechnic and she is now loving being an NZCAT herself!
Gemma Kahi
We are very fortunate to have Gemma as one of our amazing casual employees. Gemma has been a valuable member of the Creature Comforts team since 2013. Despite her demanding role as a full-time practice manager at a busy veterinary clinic in Wellington, Gemma generously helps us cater to our clients in the Wainui area as she is a local.
Gemma’s passion for veterinary nursing began in 2005 when she worked with Byndie in her first veterinary nursing job. Since then, she has continued to work as a veterinary nurse, and in 2015, she was promoted to the position of Practice Manager, which she thoroughly enjoys. Gemma is a proud pet parent to Boss, a huntaway rotti X, two cats, Jam and Mo, and two Guinea pigs, Panda and Wolfgang.