Hi, im Jacci! I am a very particular kind of pet sitter for a very particular kind of dog, and I might be just the person you’ve been looking for. I am an independent behavioral consultant, and I work with dogs and their parents to get past separation anxiety, fear, trauma, and other behavioral quirks that keep you from being able to leave your beloved hairy baby alone with me while you are out of town, without guilt or concern. This is a slow process and depends upon when your sweet baby is ready and only when they are ready to move on to the next step. I suggest booking 2-3 months in advance because every dog is different and we respect their place and not ours. We do as many sessions as it takes for your love bug to feel safe and comfortable with you gone and me caring for them. It's simple: I have the perfect mix of professional expertise, a lifetime of hands-on experience, and a heart full of love for hairy four-pawed companions. I've got the medical and animal science know-how to understand what makes your furry friend tick, alongside years of experience working with and being totally obsessed with dogs. Think of me as the cool, fun aunt or uncle for your furry family member. I get dogs. I love their sloppy kisses, over-the-top hellos, and even their curious nose boops in places that make us blush. It's all part of their charm! And when it comes to behavior, I'm all about trying to hear what they are saying and respecting that. I have seen it all. Please don’t be worried that I will think your dog is “bad.” They are not. Something happened to cause the fear response and I’m here for you to help you with figuring out how to mange it so you both can have lives a little more joyful and breathe a little easier. I’m not here to judge and I love them all the same. It might take some time but I am all about getting to know your pet's unique personality and needs to ensure they have the best time with me. I expect lots of doggy cuddles, and I will do happy dances with them. I will treat your canine family like my own, and by hiring me you are getting a seasoned professional animal lover who can pick up on what your pet needs from me. I will always listen to what you have to tell me to make your furball the happiest he or she can be while you are away and I am responsible for walking or caring for your love bug. I am also the third-time consecutive Winner of the Prestigious A+ Super Cuddler Award, bestowed upon me by the Global Guild of Spoiled Pets. *NOTE: I have two dogs, and they’re both on oral meds for fleas and ticks (the most effective treatment available), heartworm medication, and their shots and wellness visits are up to date. I know I am coming to you, but this is to ease any anxiety that I could be carrying an errant flea or other pathogen into your home and disrupting your ecosystem! And yes, I make sure that I make enough time to go home to make sure my family feels loved as much as yours! * I've had many rescue dogs, each with their own touching story of how we found each other. These experiences taught me how to handle anything, from severe and emergent health scares to thunderstorm jitters. With a lifetime of rescuing and caring for dogs with all sorts of backgrounds and needs, I'm equipped to handle just about anything – pups with special medical needs, those recovering from illness or surgery, those in need of specially administered drugs, those with paralysis or other issues—I got it. I have been through the thick and thin of pet care, from managing chronic terminal conditions, working with aggression, scary emergencies, dementia, and PTSD, separation anxiety, herding in an escapee FAST, and soothing a post-Fourth of July traumatized friend. I am a battle-tested pro ready to provide the level of insane love and care I have always given my own dogs over the years. Boring but important stuff. I am an applied animal behaviorist with an MS in behavioral neuroscience and 4 years of experience in animal behavioral research. I worked for a dog training guru, Linda Goodman, during college, where I fell in love with being a pet mom and a dog behavioral specialist and trainer. I learned that to be good at any of the things that are on my list of services, you first need to learn to dog. I am certified in dog behavior and training through Dr. Ian Dunbar's Sirius Dog Training Academy. I am dog first aid and CPR certified. I am learning about dog behavior, psychology, training, development, breed and genetics, nutrition, and health-related not only to be a better pet sitter and trainer, but to pass the exam to earn the CPDT-KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer Knowledge Assessment) credential, issued by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, the next time it is offered in the fall. I am a member of the Animal Behavior Society, a professional society dedicated to keeping up with the latest scientific research and findings in animal behavior, and I'm part of the Whole Dog Journal community, filled with dog lovers and experts from all over the world covering not just behavior and training, but also nutrition, breed-specific information, mental and physical health, chronic and acute illness, special topics, and just great everyday tips and general information to foster better communication between humans and dogs and make sure we attend to their holistic needs to help keep them healthy and whole. Random Flexes (it all adds to what I do): I am a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and a section reviewer for speakers and workshops in the medical and political sciences for the 2025 Science meeting! I slowly finishing up a first-author paper to submit to a scholarly journal on my neuroscience research. I hold a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree and I realized after two years of residency that medicine was not for me.