5.0

Pet care continues to be a major part of my daily life, as I care for my own three animals, offer services to others, and have a job that requires constant animal care. Currently, I work full-time as a dog handler at a large animal sanctuary, where I care for and work with a large population of dogs with diverse behavioral backgrounds. My role involves monitoring structured playgroups, facilitating group walks (long hikes with a majority of the sanctuary dogs), and closely observing canine body language and social dynamics to maintain a safe and balanced environment. I also conduct individualized enrichment and training sessions tailored to each dog’s behavioral and emotional needs. Beyond handling, I take an active role in many aspects of the dogs’ daily care. This includes supporting medication staff when needed, maintaining a clean and safe environment, ensuring all dogs are accounted for, and spending time building trust with more complex behavioral cases. I work regularly with dogs that require extra patience and adaptive communication. For example, learning hand signals to communicate with a deaf dog. A large portion of my work also takes place in the feed room, where meals are prepared for over 100 dogs each day. This requires careful attention to detail, as many dogs have specific diets, feeding amounts, supplements, or medical considerations. Through this work, I’ve developed a deep familiarity with each dog’s personality, behavior patterns, and individual needs. My schedule at the sanctuary is Sunday–Wednesday from 8:30 AM to 7:00 PM, which means my availability for pet sitting during those days is limited to pets who can comfortably be left alone for longer stretches of time. If your pet requires midday care during those hours, I kindly ask that arrangements be made with another caregiver for a check-in. Outside of those hours, I remain committed to providing thoughtful, attentive care and will always work closely with pet parents to make sure their pet’s routine is supported.