5.0

My life has always been measured in the animals who’ve walked beside me. My very first furry friend was a dog my mother rescued the day I was born; a stray who chose us as much as we chose her. She watched over me as I grew, and when she passed, our home filled again with life: a white German shepherd, a Siberian husky, a Chesapeake Bay retriever, and two rescue dogs who completed our pack of five. Alongside them were rabbits, birds, and fish, each one a small heartbeat that shaped my understanding of care, patience, and love. I grew up feeding, walking, grooming, training, and comforting animals of every age and temperament. I’ve raised puppies from their first steps, and I’ve supported senior dogs through their gentle final years. I’ve administered medication, helped dogs with mobility needs, used ramps, changed diapers, and adapted to whatever made them feel safe and dignified. To me, these things aren’t chores, they’re acts of love. During my undergraduate studies, I also trained to become a veterinarian, deepening my understanding of animal health, behavior, and compassionate handling. As part of that training, I traveled to Thailand for two weeks to volunteer at a dog and cat shelter, where I supported stray animals and assisted licensed veterinarians with spay and neuter procedures. Despite switching my studies to social work, my experience strengthened my belief that animals are more than companions, they are beings who trust us with their safety, their comfort, and their hearts. Caring for them is both a responsibility and a privilege, and it’s one I carry with deep respect. Most recently, I rescued a senior “big brown dog” whose owner passed away. He now lives with my mother, but he’s still part of my heart. Even though I don’t currently have animals in my home, caring for them has never stopped being part of my life. I regularly board, walk, and look after family members’ dogs and cats, and I treat every animal as if they were my own. I don’t see animals as “pets.” I see them as family; quiet companions who trust us with their whole hearts. They deserve to be cherished, comforted, and understood. They give us their loyalty without hesitation, and I believe the least we can do is return that devotion with gentleness, patience, and joy. If you choose me to care for your family member's needs, I will honor the love you have for them. I will treat them with the same tenderness I’ve given every animal who has shaped my life. Your dog won’t just be watched; they’ll be welcomed, respected, and cared for as the family member they are.