My history with pet care: For as long as I can remember... I've known working with animals is "my calling". I've been fortunate to never have to wonder what I wanted to do with my life or which career path I could excell at and wished to pursue. I have trained and competed with dogs since I was a kid! Even back then.. I chose to spend my free time having fun training and working with my dogs. Not only was I actively involved in 4-H with my dogs (competing in both the Evergreen & Puyallup state fairs each year), I spent countless weekends competing in agility, dock diving and obedience with my own dogs, in addition to competing in conformation handling for breeders and private parties. By the time I reached adulthood, I had spent time volunteering at local animal shelter/rescue and handled at dog shows for several breeders/owners. By the age of 15, I was experienced, vigilant, responsible & hard working enough to be trusted to "kennel-sit," for a local American Pit Bull Terrier breeder during times she needed to travel to judge or compete at shows. I was solely responsible for the care and wellbeing of up to 15 adult dogs, in addition to the occasional litter of puppies. I pursued working with animals on a professional basis as soon as I was legally able at the age of 18... I've been in the field professionally ever since.. My pet care credentials & experience: Today, I am a professional pet care provider & certified dog trainer. I am Pet First Aid & CPR Certified. I graduated from the Karen Pryor Dog Trainer Foundations course, The School of Canine Science Dog Training & Behavior program as well as the Dr. Ian Dunbar Puppy Raising program... I am also both educated & experienced with the Puppy Culture program (which I cannot recommend enough as an indispensable tool for any and all puppy owners & raisers!) I am also an AKC certified Canine Good Citizen and STAR Puppy Evaluator. I completed a hands-on dog trainer apprenticeship, from which I took-and-left what I learned and observed to start my own dog training & pet care business, with the help of my, at the time, employer at a dog boarding facility, that we partnered together to morph into both a dog boarding & dog training facility. I now have several years under my belt providing local pet care services and you will find me highly recommended by those whom I have had the pleasure of working with. I have extensive personal & professional experience working with a variety of animals in addition to my experience working with canines, specifically... including experience with cats, horses, chickens & ducks, llamas, goats and various other livestock animals, reptiles & amphibians, birds, small pets such as rats, guinea pigs, ferrets, gerbils, degus and rabbits, as well as indoor and outdoor/pond fish, etc. My dog training & behavior experience includes service dog training, diabetic alert dog training, puppy temperament testing, behavioral modification, teaching obedience & puppy classes, agility training & using multiple specific training techniques such as BAT, shaping, targeting, the array of modern e-collar training techniques, etc. I have developed a deep understanding of dog behavior & cognition and I plan to continue to expand that knowledge throughout my career & my lifetime. There are few things I enjoy as much as learning about the animal brain and behavior.... and being able to use those skills & tools I gain to help animals and their human companions.