Hi! My name is Mark, and I'm currently a Master's student at Columbia University. I recently relocated to New York City and have been missing my cat, Zuko, and my dog, Jango, every day. I'm hoping to fill that pet-shaped void by caring for other people's furry family members through Rover! Dog Experience: I adopted my dog, Jango, about a year ago after fostering him through a local rescue organization. He was being fostered by my downstairs neighbor, and we formed an instant connection that quickly turned into a forever home. Like many young rescue dogs, Jango came with plenty of energy and a few mischievous habits—especially when it came to sniffing out unattended food (that's the Dachshund nose at work!). Since adopting him, I've invested countless hours into positive reinforcement training, consistency, and building good household manners. Friends and family have even commented on how much calmer and more well-behaved he's become. Because of that experience, I understand the importance of patience, routine, and prevention when caring for energetic dogs. I'm happy to reinforce the training and routines you're already using while providing your pup with plenty of exercise, attention, and love. Cat Experience: I adopted my cat, Zuko, when he was just 8 weeks old back in 2019 while I was in college. He's now a happy, healthy 6-year-old! As a first-time cat owner, I spent a lot of time researching feline nutrition, enrichment, and overall health to make sure he had the best care possible. Over the years, Zuko has had a few visits to the vet for urinary health concerns, so I've become familiar with recognizing early signs that something may be wrong and understand the importance of monitoring litter box habits. While he's now spoiled with an automatic litter box and feeder, I'm very comfortable caring for cats with traditional litter boxes, food and water bowls, and daily playtime and affection.