Hi! I’m Louisa, a 24 year old (half Dutch, half Taiwanese) cat and dog lover. I have over 10 years of experience caring for my own cats, and I recently became a dog lover too through my volunteer work at an animal shelter. Whether in personal or professional settings, I’ve learned how important it is to meet every animal on their own terms — and that will always be my first priority. Animals have always made me feel safe and seen, and I try to offer them that same sense of comfort in return. Cats Experience • My own cats: I’ve lived with cats since I was 7, and each one has taught me something different about boundaries and communication. I’ve cared for shy cats, anxious cats, and highly energetic cats. My current cat, Maine, is young and playful — I’ve trained her to walk on a leash using clicker training and calm, low stimulus practice sessions. Living with such different personalities has taught me how to adapt to each cat’s needs, whether they’re sensitive, independent, or full of energy. • Shelter experience: I volunteer at the animal shelter 1–2 times a week, socializing cats with a wide range of temperaments. I use techniques like the 3 second rule and careful observation of body language, and I also help teach new volunteers these protocols. I’ve gained experience with practical care too, such as weighing cats, taking temperatures, and giving simple medications. I also understand that socializing can simply mean sharing space and offering a calm presence. • Additional training: I’ve followed a lecture on TNR cats and am currently training to assist with the adoption process, helping match future owners with the right cat. What I offer • 1–2 house visits per day (30–60 minutes) • Photo/video updates after every visit • Feeding, fresh water, litter cleaning, simple medications • Small chores (mail, plants, trash) • Outdoor supervision or leash/backpack walks if your cat is comfortable with this (we need to meet beforehand to see how this goes before you leave) Caring for so many different cats has made me patient, observant, and focused on helping each cat feel safe and at ease. Dogs Experience I’ve always enjoyed spending time with dogs through family and friends, and over the past year I’ve gained hands on experience walking shelter dogs of different sizes, personalities, and training levels. I believe both the dog and I should feel safe and relaxed together, and I’m honest when a dog needs more experience than I can offer (I then opt to learn and watch from more experienced volunteers) . I use positive reinforcement and have completed the shelter’s mandatory clicker training course, which allows me to walk yellow coded dogs and some orange coded dogs when we’re a good match (green = easy behavior, yellow = trained but not always responsive, orange = needs active training and guidance). What I offer • Walks for small to medium dogs, or larger well trained • A free meet and walk beforehand to ensure everyone feels comfortable • Feeding and fresh water • 1–2 walks per day (up to an hour each) • Playtime, enrichment, and company (time spent with them can be planned beforehand to match the needs of the dog and my availability) • Photo/video updates after every visit If you feel I could be a good match for your pet, I’d be happy to meet you and see how your cat or dog responds to me. I look forward to caring for your pet with patience, attention, and respect for their individual needs.