My college education/training and work experience/career has been in Veterinary Medicine. I am a Michigan State Graduate of Veterinary Technology and licensed in MI as well. After graduation, I served in the Army where, during my first assignment in Panama, I provided medical care for Military Working Dogs and worked in a Veterinary Clinic/Hospital. While stateside, I was an instructor/trainer at at the Army’s Veterinary Technician School in the Washington, D.C. area. Upon leaving the Army, I worked in Comparative Medicine at the National Institue of Environmental Sciences (NIEHS) in RTP, until I decided to retire early. My husband and I have lived in NC for 26 years and are both animal lovers. He too has a lot experience with dogs. Some of his years in the Army were spent as a trainer/handler of Army Military Patrol and Bomb Dogs. I am proficient in administration of medications (all routes), veterinary emergency procedures, as well as other procedures that might be necessary with a special needs, very young or senior pets. Whatever special care your pet may need, I’m confident I can provide it. I quickly and easily engage in friendly interaction with animals and work hard to earn their trust. Dogs don’t understand where or why their humans go away; they just know they left without them. My goal with all pets under my care, is to alleviate any separation stress/anxiety they may experience as quickly as possible. After staying with me even once, I will feel like I have failed if your pet isn’t happy to see me the next time we met. I aim for ‘happy tails’! I’ve had experience with animals most of my life. In fact, I don’t remember a time in my life when growing up where we were without a fury-faced family member or two! At 13 years of age, I became the proud dog owner of a miniature dachshund for my birthday (BEST birthday present ever!) and have had responsibility for animal care since. We currently have a miniature dachshund, Ginger, who is 14 years old and doesn’t know she is a d-o-g! She is tolerant of other dogs as she has been around so many, big and small. We live in a nice neighborhood and there are sidewalks throughout it for taking walks. Because we wanted our yard to be ‘open’, we opted to not fully enclose the yard. However, it is partially fenced and very spacious with plenty of smells from deer, squirrels, and bunnies; all of whom come to eat. ‘Squirrel TV’ is one of Ginger’s favorite things to watch! Being retired allows me GREAT flexibility. Although I prefer to pet sit in my own home, I would consider whatever arrangement is determined to be the least stressful for your pet. My philosophy about this is simple...while some dogs welcome a change of environment and all the investigation of new smells that experience offers, for others, especially small ones, time is needed to get acquainted with the sitter before sleep overs will be tolerated.