Mia has a gift for working with animals. She started having pets at a young age with fish, mice, hamsters and birds, taking joy in interacting with them, feeding them, always being the first one to notice any health concerns. As she grew older she went to zoo camp, to SCPA camp, and she graduated to counselor sharing her love of animals with other children. Over the last few years she has regularly walked her many dogs, cleaned up after them, made sure they received needed vet care and nursed them back to health after surgery or illness. When younger, she would walk her two Chihuahua mixes, and helped care for them as they aged, became less mobile, and needed extra attention and medications. As a young adult, she raised one puppy Pit Bull from 6 weeks (now 5 years old), and adopted a mistreated Pit/Lab mix, who is now her best friend and companion. She is excellent at ensuring their routines are followed and spending quality time with them. She uses treats wisely, and has trained her dogs to follow her lead, sit and wait when commanded. She ensures regular vet care and gives medications, applies lotions and other vet-prescribed care with kindness. As she has started dog walking and care professionally, she has been a reliable, trusted caregiver. She has demonstrated her capacity with all types of dogs and her understanding that dogs not only need food, water and walking or play, but also interaction, reassurance, and love. I admire her ease with and love for animals, and am glad she can share her gift with other pet owners.