My love for animals began at a very young age. At the young age of 3, I began riding horses and competing, under the training of my mom. Horses were my entire life and I learned all that I could at a young age. I was handling these 1200+ pound animals by myself and doing all I could with them! In 2016, we moved to a farm where we were able to keep our horses and it also had a dog kennel which was always filled with dogs. From then I started watching how things were run and I got to help handle many different breeds and sizes. As I got older I started to do more for the kennel and got to watch/help administer medication to the older pups. Every morning, before school and before bed, I would go down to the kennel and check on the dogs, refill waters, and give treats! We also had goats, sheep, alpacas, cows, peacocks, chickens, ducks, pigs, and so much more on the farm. I was able to help raise babies and care for all of the animals. It was so amazing to work with all these different animals for years and learn all I could about them! I would go out every morning before school and after school to move the animals from the barn to their paddocks outside. It was my favorite way to start the day. In September 2019, My mom brought home two 8 week old puppies Cinnamon & Pumpkin. They are Toy Australian Shepherds, who are extremely energetic and very strong considering they are small. I started walking them 3 times a day and loved it. Not only was it great exercise for both of us, but I noticed such a difference in their demeanor. From then on, I wanted to do all I could with dogs. In 2020, I started helping a close friend of mine, Alexis, who owns a pet care business (Alexis’s Home Pet Care). I would go on walks with her daily and help as much as possible. She taught me so much about the dog walking side of the business because as we know, it’s not always as easy as it seems. I helped work with the easier dogs and then the reactive dogs as well. Dogs are all different and they all can be triggered by different things, whether it be other dogs passing by, humans, etc. For almost two years, I did all I could to learn everything possible with a great mentor behind me. In March 2022, I felt ready to venture off on my own and I began Devon’s Pet Care. I started with just very few walks a week, and then started to really learn more and started caring for pets overnight. It’s such an amazing feeling to be able to grow with these fur babies. Eventually, my business took off and I felt so happy and accomplished because this was my dream job. I have had the opportunity to work with some very amazing pets and I even have had the chance to have some human-aggressive dogs trust me. Although I have my business, I still work with Alexis, and as she got more into boarding, I am able to help her when she needs it. She is always there to give me advice when needed, as well I am even able to give her advice now. In May of 2023, I looked more into pet boarding and I ended up being able to set up a great kennel-free environment for dogs. It seemed people wanted to stop using “kennel facilities” as the dogs don’t get out as much as they are typically used to. I am so lucky to get the chance to care for amazing dogs and work with some amazing families to make sure their fur babies get the correct care. I now have 30 horses and compete nationally with them as well as being able to raise foals. I helped my mom raise over 10 foals this past season and some were bottle-fed to help get a little start prior to them figuring out how to nurse. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my new puppy, Gemma as well as riding my my horses and spending time with them. I also recently joined my local fire department as a volunteer firefighter. I love being able to help the community! This journey has been amazing, and I am so excited for the future in this field!