I grew up with dogs and cats, and have personally owned two dogs and a cat: a lively and silly corgi mix named Couper who ended up staying with an ex-partner, currently a young and energetic beagle/terrier mix named Everest, and the newest addition to my family, a hairless kitty named Violet. Besides owning dogs, I am a daily dog walker for two elderly dogs, and I have been a foster for Lucky Pup Rescue (LPR) in upstate SC, where I fostered a wormy, covered in fleas pekignese that was rescued from a bad situation and is now in his furever home. Everest was also an LPR foster that I immediately fell in love with. Since LPR is foster only, I was singlehandedly responsible for finding and meeting with potential adopters, taking them to vet appointments, and administering medication. I have had several years of professional experience working with wildlife, from raptors, to alligators, to venemous snakes, to songbirds. I have a master's degree from Clemson University in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology, and although most of my training is in the field research realm, I have also worked in animal care, primarily primates, birds, and amphibians. I am currently getting my PhD in fisheries science at Oregon State University.