4.8

Hi! I’m a recent graduate from the University of Virginia, and I’ve been caring for animals for many years; I see them not just as pets, but as individuals with their own personalities, emotions, and needs. My experience with animals started with family dogs, including a sweet and calm 22-year-old Chihuahua named Olga and a goofy, energetic dachshund puppy named Ginger. Living with them taught me how different dogs can be, and how important patience and consistency are. Later, I had a DDR German Shepherd (Leona). As a first-time dog owner, she was definitely a challenge, but through daily training and structure, she grew into a much calmer and more well-mannered dog. The experience gave me hands-on practice with basic obedience, behavior shaping, and understanding dog temperament. I currently have a very affectionate cat named Stella. Because of my background with dogs and my interest in animal behavior, I trained her to do many things like sit, paw, stand, spin, and high-five etc. She is well socialized, leash-trained, and comfortable exploring new environments without fear. Training a cat has further strengthened my understanding of positive reinforcement and individual learning styles across species. I studied cognitive psychology in college, and I’m especially interested in animal behavior and learning. I’ve spent years reading and watching training and behavior-related materials, and I’m comfortable helping with: • Nail trimming and basic grooming • Baths • Basic obedience and trick training • Leash training and outdoor acclimation • Gentle desensitization to new environments or stimuli I love documenting visits and will happily send photos and videos during each visit if you’d like. I truly enjoy building trust with animals and making sure they feel safe, understood, and cared for. If you’re looking for someone patient, observant, and genuinely invested in your pet’s well-being, I’d love to help.