Spending time with a dog can absolutely light up my day! I grew up with pups and have some experience assisting with the care of senior and special needs dogs. I have a very calming energy for those nervous types! There’s a very simple technique that I like to call “happy breathing” that I learned from observing dogs when they’re content. MANY dogs respond to it and it can quickly alter the energy of overly excited or very cautious dogs! A phrase I’ve heard a lot is “he/she doesn’t usually like new people!” I’m also a massage therapist, so most dogs notice right away that I pet them a bit differently than most folks and they always come back for more! Plus, I’m great at tug of war.