Hello! I'm a pet care professional with 2 years experience in the city and a life time of caring for friend’s and family animals . I've worked as a Dog Daycare Attendant, Dog Walker and Boarder as well as an Animal Care Attendant in the ER and Surgery departments at the Veterinary Emergency Clinic (VEC). I have seen and dealt with almost everything dogs and cats can throw at us--- and I loved it all with a passion! I’m certified in Pet First Aid and CPR by St. John Ambulance as well as Fear Free health practises and have passed an Oct 2018 police back ground check. I'm working to make animal care my life long career and my biggest aspiration is to operate my own Dog Walking/Boarding company and become a certified Dog Trainer. My greatest strengths are bonding and reading an animal's body language in order to personalize their day for their best comfort and enjoyment and have applied this practice to taking care of pets in my home, recovering pets after surgery or keeping them at ease during appointments. I've recently left the Veterinary field to return to full time dog walking and am excited to have the spare time again to board, dog walk and cat sit for you! Outside of the training and experience acquired at past jobs, I also enjoy educating myself about dog training and cognition. I only practice positive reinforcement and do not believe in breed discrimination. I understand that dogs can have anxiety and triggers just as humans and the proper way to deal with these issues are accommodation and gradual positive reinforcement. As well, I consider aggression to be a product of fear and have worked with many dog and human reactive dogs. Boarding: My primary focus in on dog boarding. By hiring me, your dog will spend their time in my wonderful one bedroom apartment that many dogs have loved and returned to again and again. I live between two great dog parks (Wychwood Barns and Cedarvale) as well as a lovely ravine and calm residential streets. All dogs will have to be friendly and respectful with my cat, Turkey. I board up to 3 dogs at a time and have had visitors that have ranged from a day to a month. For my boarding services you can expect 3 to 4 quality walks a day and lots attention. You can look forward to daily updates and picture check ins. Dogs can be allowed to free roam, be up on the couch/bed, go off leash at a dog park or be crated when left alone as according to their usual rules and I stick to their usual schedule as much as possible. I work during the week as a Dog Walker for 4-8 hours a day so boarding dogs will need to be comfortable being alone for that time. On occasion, I work 10-12 hours at a vet hospital where boarding dogs will be able to accompany me, getting their own large kennel in the staff pet area where they’ll receive loads of attention and walks through the day. I accept puppies that have been house trained and have developed to waiting 8 hours for a bathroom break. I love hosting mature dogs and have a lot of experience with handicapped animals. If there is any dog that is post-operation or may have special needs, I am your girl. I know all the tricks for medication admin but do not take on any injectable types. I will take on dogs with human reactiveness if they are comfortable with me, as well as dog reactive dogs if I don't have other overlapping bookings. The lines I draw are barking issues (as I live in a apartment building), history of destructiveness and puppies/mature dogs that will have accidents within 8 hours. It's best if dogs can be picked up and dropped off at my apartment but I can also go to your house for pick up/drop off. Dogs must be comfortable on the TTC if outside of walking distance. If you want to send along toys, bedding, bowls etc. you are free to but I have basic toys, bowls and a small dog bed on hand. If dogs are crate trained, I would appreciate the crate being sent with them to keep with their usual routine. Drop in Visits/Cat sitting: I’m available for cat sitting services after 6pm on weekdays or anytime on weekends. I’m willing to travel anywhere in downtown or mid town and even further uptown if it’s TTC accessible. My cat visits will last a half an hour and will include feeding, litter cleaning, giving medication (non-injectable) and play/grooming time. I can also provide additional help such as mail collection, plant watering and so on. I even have a history of pet sitting cats that loved going for harness walks in their backyard! Any special things your cat might need or enjoy, I’m ready to provide! If your cat has made a mess or thrown up a hairball, I’ll clean that right up for you. Each visit will include a picture and written update on your kitty. Dog Walking: I offer dog walking in the evening after 6pm and anytime on weekends. I’m willing to travel anywhere in downtown or mid town and even further uptown if it’s TTC accessible. I’ve even gone outside this radius so please reach out! A walk with me will be a half hour around your neighbourhood, going to an off leash park if permitted. All walks will be solo unless you have a multiple dog household. If requested, I can work on loose leash skills or basic obedience. I will follow your regular walking routine and rules, using my own treats or ones provided if your pup has any allergies. Whether your goal for these walks is socializing, tiring your dog out or simply a bathroom break, let me know I will personalize the experience for those needs. Each walk will include a water break, a wipe down if dirty and be followed up with a picture and report on the fun had. I can also give medications (not injectables) or feed at the end of a walk. I have past experience walking dog aggressive/muzzled dogs and other kinds of reactive/anxious dogs as well as pups that need sling support, have bandages/casts or who are immobile but want to be trollied out for fresh air. For new clients: I offer in person consults so we can get to know each other as well as visits to approve my apartment space. At the very least, we will have an in depth conversation about your pet's habits/needs/particularities so I can be prepared and you can know that your friend is in the best hands. Don't hesitate to message me if you want to learn more!