I began working for a locally well-known, independent dog walking company in Minneapolis, Minnesota (USA) when I was 17 years old. It was the best job and taught me so much about dogs, pet care, but also about who I was and who I wanted to become. I stayed with the company for 3 years before branching off on my own venture (“The Pooch Au Pair”). From 2015-2022 I was self employed as a dog walker and in-home pet caretaker/house sitter. During this time I also invested energy into developing my knowledge and practice of pet care, including pet first aid and dog behaviour & training workshops and courses. I balanced this venture alongside studying full time at University, where I achieved a 1:1 BSc (Hons) Psychology degree in 2021. After 4 years in full-time employment in Higher Education, I have decided to refocus on pursuing work aligned with the things I am most passionate about: dogs, helping people, and continuing to learn and apply new knowledge. I treat every pet as if they were my own, keeping their safety and well-being the top priority. I understand no two dogs are exactly alike - while there are patterns and traits unique to and consistent across types, breeds, and ages, every dog has their own story and “quirks”. I truly enjoy observing, interacting with, and getting to understand each dog as an individual. Transforming these experiences and lessons into specialised, bespoke care is a task I relish and take pride in achieving. I plan to continue pursuing further education on canine psychology, behaviour, training, and care with a goal of becoming a fully qualified canine behaviourist.