I did pet sitting full time for two years after graduating from UC San Diego in California. It was an extremely rewarding and wonderful experience, so I'd like to continue even after moving across the world and back! I just finished my Master's degree in Cognitive Neuroscience from the Netherlands. I need a break from the stress of academia while I plan my next steps. I chose Rover because it would be a good way to get paid to do what I love: sending time with dogs and getting exercise. I am not ready to have my own dog, so spending time with other people's dogs is the best way to get my doggie fix. My childhood was spent mostly with cats, because my mother did cat rescue out of our home. Much of this knowledge translates to dogs because I know how to get animals to take their medications, I can tell when they are done playing or getting overstimulated, and I know how to approach a timid dog or cat without seeming big and scary. It definitely makes the job easier when dogs are well trained but I've lived my entire life with untrained cats and know to be patient with untrained dogs, while still being assertive. I never get frustrated at an animal for not understanding me or being disobedient. I think I love spending time with dogs because of their playful nature. Dogs always love me because I get as excited as they do about nothing, will chase them around, play their games, and be part of the pack.