I have a strong instinct for reading dogs’ body language and emotions. When I first meet them, I can typically read and understand their temperament and get a sense for any anxieties they may have. Then, I quickly adjust the situation or conduct activities to make them more comfortable. My intuition has always served me well when it comes to dogs, but I’m also quite analytical and organized. I grew up with dogs constantly around me. My dad fostered dogs when I was young, and I grew to develop a passion for dogs. In my teens and college years, I had a black labrador named Layla who was my partner in crime. I have years of dog training and conflict resolution experience; I've been around dogs my entire life and feel comfortable with any breed or temperament. I've cared for special-needs and elderly dogs in the past, and have experience in monitoring signs of pain from arthritis as well as administering medication. I love taking dogs out for walks, going to local parks, and on sunny days, spending time on my roof deck. When I'm not pet sitting, I'm typically either listening to music, working on freelance graphic or web design, reading, or playing board games or video games. On the weekends, I like to try a new restaurant or two and experiment with new recipes--I’m crazy about cooking. I'm able to provide the dog with as much love and attention as they need, plus plenty of exercise. I like to keep the owners updated each day, with a picture of their pup and a brief recap about how they're doing. If there are any issues at all, I reach out to the owner immediately, briefing them on the situation and asking for advice. Working from home also grants schedule flexibility, so pickup and dropoff will be a breeze. My home is located in the Fort Greene Neighborhood of Brooklyn. My home is a 1 bedroom apartment with an open floor plan that dogs can freely roam. The home itself features a long entryway that provides quiet from the rest of the building and keeps dogs calmer as well as ample sunlight for sunbathing. When I'm out of the house and the dogs are alone, I turn on music across the house to ease any anxiety. The building itself is dog friendly and is located near many parks. Nearby shops and restaurants are also welcoming toward pups, so I’m able to minimize any time the dogs spend alone in my home.