Hi! I'm Arika, and animals have pretty much been my entire personality for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I cared for just about every kind of animal imaginable—dogs, cats, horses, chickens, rabbits, hamsters, and even reptiles. If there was an animal that needed love (or someone to clean up after it), I was usually first in line. Needless to say, my parents never had to wonder what I'd be doing with my free time! For the past 5 years, I've worked in animal rescue, primarily with cats. As an Office Manager and Foster Coordinator for a nonprofit rescue, I've cared for hundreds of cats of all ages, personalities, and medical needs—from tiny bottle babies to spicy feral kittens, seniors, and cats recovering from illness or surgery. Let's just say not every cat has appreciated my help at first... but I've learned that patience (and a few treats) goes a long way! While my rescue work has focused on cats, my love for dogs has always been just as strong. I volunteer with a local dog rescue where I walk and exercise energetic dogs, helping them burn off some zoomies while preparing them for adoption. I've also assisted a friend with a dog training program in Bakersfield, where I gained experience with basic obedience, leash manners, and confidence building. When my in-laws head out of town, I become the designated ranch manager for their five dogs and six horses. It's a full house, but I wouldn't have it any other way! Between the dogs demanding belly rubs and the horses reminding me breakfast should have been five minutes ago, there's never a dull moment. I'm comfortable caring for dogs of all sizes, breeds, and personalities—from puppies who think every walk is a treasure hunt to seniors who just want to take their time and sniff every flower along the way. I'm also experienced administering oral medications, eye medications, topical treatments, and subcutaneous fluids when needed. I'm currently exploring becoming a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) because I genuinely love learning about animal health and want to continue building on the experience I've gained over the years. At home, I have two cats and a rescue dog, so I know how nerve-racking it can be to leave your pets with someone new. My goal is to make that as stress-free as possible—for both you and your pets! I'll treat them like family, keep their routine consistent, and send plenty of updates and photos (because let's be honest... you're probably going to miss them more than they'll miss you 😉). Whether your dog wants to power walk, sniff every tree in the neighborhood, play fetch until your arm hurts, or simply enjoy some quiet company, I'm happy to match their pace. I can't wait to meet you and your furry family!