Hello! I’m so glad you stopped by Rover to look for your next dog walker/pet sitter, and I can’t wait to hear all about the lovable pets you share your life with! I was an animal shelter manager & professional dog trainer for four fantastic years, and managed the care of thousands of rescued dogs and cats while they waited to find their forever homes! I went back to school to study Applied Animal Behavior at the University of Washington, and after moving to sunny California, I took the big leap into the world of zoos & aquariums. Since then, I’ve been an aquarium keeper with sharks & stingrays, a zoo educator at the world famous San Diego Zoo & Brookfield Zoo, and worked with native North American wildlife as a zookeeper! I’ve had the privilege of working with just about every kind of furry, feathered, and finned animal, and loved every minute of it. My diverse background has given me a lot of experience in animal care, training & behavior, and veterinary care. I’m very experienced working with special needs animals (both behavior issues and medical needs), and have even had some special pups of my own at home, including a deaf/blind border collie, a cattle dog with separation anxiety, and a snuggly pittie who needs a little extra help getting along with other doggos. I own a 7 month old greyhound puppy named Arthur, and am equipped to meet the special care considerations for sighthounds. I’m also experienced in caring for exotics including fish, reptiles, small mammals, and birds. My goal is to be a resource to busy pet owners who want their dogs to have fun, get spoiled, have an adventure, and receive extra special care— no matter what else you might have on your plate! *Note for special needs pet owners: I'm experienced with administering oral & topical medications, as well as administering subcutaneous injections, caring for pets with food/environmental allergies, mobility issues, pain conditions, and more.