My love for animals has been a defining part of my life for as long as I can remember. I started my pet-care journey at just 10 years old, looking after my neighbors' dogs and building a foundation of trust within my local community. Over the years, that childhood passion evolved into professional expertise. For the past four years, I have worked as a seasonal dog handler at my local animal inn. This professional background has equipped me to handle everything from standard pet sitting to complex canine behaviors and specialized medical needs. A core part of my training includes an extensive understanding of canine body language. I am highly skilled at reading subtle signs of stress, fear, or discomfort, allowing me to intervene before a dog becomes overly anxious or potentially aggressive. I use this knowledge every single day to ensure that walks and play sessions remain entirely safe and low-stress. I am incredibly comfortable walking dogs of all sizes and strengths. I have hands-on experience utilizing a variety of specialized walking gear safely and correctly, including martingale collars, gentle leaders, and various types of harnesses. Whether your dog is a puller or needs a specific setup for safety, I know how to manage them on a leash. I have worked with an incredibly diverse range of breeds, from tiny pugs to giant Irish wolfhounds. Through my professional training, I have successfully managed and de-escalated challenging behaviors, including: - Food aggression and resource guarding - Fence fighting and dog-to-dog aggression - People-selective behaviors and high-anxiety pets Beyond behavioral management, I am highly experienced in handling special medical accommodations. I have safely cared for dogs managing a variety of health issues, including blindness, severe arthritis, infectious illnesses, and pets requiring strict medication schedules. I am also completely unfazed by the less-glamorous parts of pet care. I am always prompt, thorough, and sanitary when it comes to cleaning up vomit, poop, or any unexpected accidents inside the house. Additionally, I have extensive experience doing in-home drop-ins and overnights through a professional service similar to Rover. I treat every client's home with the utmost respect. You can look forward to meticulous attention to detail: I always ensure the home is left exactly as I entered it, and I have a strict double-check protocol to ensure all doors and entryways are completely locked and secured before I leave. Whether your pet needs high-energy play, strict behavior management, gentle senior care, or just a safe and secure environment while you are away, I am dedicated to providing the highest standard of professional care!