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
After 20 years of living in Japan, and working at her dream job as Tokyo director of Animal Refuge Kansai, Briar returned to New Zealand and continued in animal welfare at the Wellington SPCA. Grace, the Tokyo street cat, came back with her and showed the incredible adaptability of animals. From a cat that wouldn’t be touched, she now head bumps children.
Briar took time away to have a family and is happy to be back working with animals at Creature Comforts and helping to make sure loved pets are looked after while their people are away.
Briar loves the sense of humour and comfort animals bring to our lives. The family dog, Sergei, is a farm rescue with a dodgy ankle and dodgy manners.
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.
Tyla O'Neill
Tyla O joined our team in 2024 while pursuing her studies at Victoria University in Wellington. Raised in an vastly animal focused environment Tyla has been surrounded by various animals including cats, rabbits, horses, and dogs……. lots of dogs, her entire life.
Growing up Tylas family owned a kennels and also showed and bred dogs such as Border Terriers, English Pointers, German Shepherds and Dachshunds. Tyla has worked in her family kennels throughout her lifetime learning valuable animal care skills from administering medications to ensuring proper nutrition, grooming, and, of course, providing abundant love and attention, Tyla is well-equipped to ensure the happiness and health of your furry friends.
She competed in horses throughout her younger years and still has one. But her specialty is in dogs and she has been to international dog shows around the world and has a wide knowledge of dog breeds and handling and has even represented New Zealand at handling for dog showing in England in 2018 at Crufts.
Out of work, Tyla shares her home with her two cats and dog and just loves being around animals, she is loving her role with us here at Creature Comforts and she can’t wait to meet you and your pets.
Leah Moth
From a very young age, Leah has had the magic touch with cats and many other animals. Her family were constantly fostering and rescuing all kinds of animals in rural Australia.
She’s owned a large number of pets, some with unique and challenging health problems and moggies rescued from fun parks and stormwater drains. They’ve all had a loving, caring home after winning a spot in Leah’s big heart.
Being a passionate pet owner, Leah is dedicated to meeting the needs of owners and their pets alike.
Leah’s other passions include op-shopping, photography, fostering and rehabilitation of cats for a local rescue.
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.