I know that it can be difficult to leave your loved pets behind when you go out of town. I would love to provide safe, loving care for your pet(s) while you are away. Hi - my name is Dawn. I live in Eldorado, WI. I have worked with animals, mostly dogs, cats, and small mammals for about 26 years. My mom was a groomer/breeder, and I grew up watching her and helping her with puppies. This started a life-long love for animals. As a teenager and young adult, I volunteered for our local humane society, working in the wildlife department. I had the opportunity to care for orphan/abandoned mammals and birds until they were able to be prepared for release. When I got married, I took a job at a boarding facility for dogs and cats, and the occasional small mammal or hermit crab, etc. I worked there for 17 years. My duties while working at the kennel were feeding and watering, cleaning, giving medications (including injections,) walking and exercising dogs, playing with cats and other housekeeping duties, reception and clerical duties. I have experience caring for special needs and older pets, as well. While I loved my job at the kennel where I worked, I saw a great need for care of pets that don't board well in a kennel setting or for owners who prefer their pets are cared for in a home setting. This need helped me decide to open my own pet sitting/dog walking business. I want to meet the needs of your family and your pets. If I provide care in your home, I am willing to provide other services, such as mail pick-up, watering plants and/or gardens, animal waste pick-up, trash or recycling out to curb and returned to designated area, light housekeeping, etc. What others say about me: I am hard working, trustworthy, dependable, easy to work with, organized, a good communicator, and of course, I love animals:) Other things I enjoy are outdoor activities, biking, most sports, especially volleyball, and I love reading. I love kids of all ages, especially my own. I have fostered both children and dogs, and have a caretaker's nurturing heart. I would love to set up a meet and greet with your family and your pets. Please contact me with any questions you may have. Thank you for the opportunity to care for your pets so that you can relax and enjoy your time away. About this sitter: I have been married to my wonderful, patient husband for 27 years. We have 8 amazing children, 3 that we home school and still live at home. We foster 3 kiddos, currently, and we have 3 granddaughters. Why I love dog sitting I have loved dogs since I was a little girl. My mom groomed dogs out of our home and was also a breeder. She passed on her love of animals to me, especially dogs. Even as a young child I took my younger sister's diaper boxes (they used to use boxes) and made dog houses out of them for my stuffed animals. I had always dreamed of being a veterinarian, but could not afford the cost for that amount of schooling. Although I was unable to become a veterinarian, I have always worked with animals in some way. I volunteered at our local humane society as a teen and young adult working in the wildlife department. I worked at a kennel for over 17 years. I have fostered dogs for a local rescue, and I have also done some volunteer dog walking for a shelter in Madison, WI. I have always had a dog in my life, from the time I was born, to the present. Right now our family has 4 dogs. We have a shepherd/lab mix, 2 lab/hound mixes and a lab/border collie mix. All of our dogs are rescue dogs. While I am not an official trainer, I have done basic obedience classes with all of my dogs, and I have done more advanced training and basic agility with my English Springer that passed away several years ago. About my yard My family and I live in the Fond du Lac area. We have a 5-acre yard out in the country. We have a very small fenced in area for off leash time, but most outside time and walk(s) are on-leash. We live very close to a quiet walking trail where we can take the dogs on longer walks. At this time I am only doing boarding in my home for past clients. I am not taking any new customers at this time for boarding in my home. My experience administering medication Yes. I have many years experience giving medication to even the most difficult of dogs and cats, including pills, lotions, ear and eye drops and insulin shots. I also love to learn new things, (remember, I wanted to be a veterinarian:) So, if you are willing to train me, I am willing to learn!