I’ve had a lifelong love for animals, especially dogs. I grew up caring for my two family dogs, Clancy and Russell. Russell is now almost 16, so I have hands on experience supporting senior dogs with patience, attentiveness, and lots of love. I was also surrounded by dogs through my uncle, who rescued and cared for three shelter dogs Koki, Lucky and Pickles. Being around them helped me learn early on how to safely approach dogs, respect their boundaries, and understand different temperaments. I later volunteered at Adopt & Shop, where I became a lead for volunteer groups. My responsibilities included dog walking, providing enrichment activities, and cleaning kennels. So I’m very comfortable with both the fun and the responsibility that comes with animal care.