From the time I was very young, I’ve had a knack for connecting with dogs and in fact, there is a running joke in my family that I am a "dog whisperer"! I do truly love taking care of dogs and when I heard about the opportunity to work with Rover, it seemed like such a perfect fit and I’m so happy that I gave it a try. I've had dogs my entire life, and so has my extended family, so I have experience caring for puppies as well as senior dogs. I volunteered for a few years at the Seattle Humane Society in Bellevue and was a Dog Behavioral and Socialization Trainer where I had the opportunity to train dogs to sit and lie down as well as how to behave when walking on a leash. Since these dogs came from so many different situations, I was taught what signs to look for if a dog is anxious -- sometimes my entire 2-hour shift would consist of me sitting on the floor of a nervous dog's kennel to build up trust and when they finally did trust me, leaving for the day was the hardest part! But overall, I found the experience to be very rewarding. I live in a house in the Ravenna of Seattle. It's actually the house I grew up in, so this is the only home I know! I live in the basement of the house which is like my own studio apartment. I live there with my parents while I’m going to school, but dogs that I care for will be staying downstairs with me. I do have a 2-year-old West Highland White Terrier, or “Westie,” and her name is Pearl and she loves to play! Pups will also love the fact that we're literally feet away from Ravenna Park and very close to View Ridge Playfield, Magnuson Park and Matthews Beach. I'm very into fitness and I like to go hiking with friends. I've also been snowboarding for 11 years now and I try to go up to the Pass during the season as much as I can! I’m motivated, outgoing, honest, and insightful. I consider myself to be a good communicator and I have a strong work ethic. I'm also flexible and understanding and very attentive to detail -- I do believe it's the little things that count.