Hi there! Thank you for taking a look at my profile. I have been dog sitting part time for over a decade and find great fulfillment in caring for animals and alleviating their owners’ stress while they’re out of town. You’ll notice in my photos that I love to snuggle up with animals no matter how big they are (what’s an extra 100+ pounds?), I really enjoy taking walks with the dogs I sit, and I’m very comfortable with animals aaaalllll up in my face. My experience with horses the last several years has made me generally fearless and very steady (I’ve got some crazy stories), so I find that anxious, protective, and/or reactive animals do very well with me. I take a respectful approach with any animal I first encounter, listening to their signals and allowing them to guide the interaction such that it is safe and comfortable from their perspective (another lesson from horses!) From that point on, I invest a lot of attention and effort into learning each animal and subsequently attending to their individual needs and personality. I’ve cared for all kinds of animals, ridgebacks, dobermans, chihuahuas, great pyrenees, pit bulls, hairless cats, and even goats and cows. Regardless of the breed or background, I have formed a connection with almost every animal I’ve cared for because I am very intentional in my interactions with them. I also connect strongly with senior animals as I have an abundance of patience and all the enthusiasm to give to them. I will always applaud an animal for trying their best. A little bit about me and my availability: I hold an MA in psychology and was a year shy of completing my PhD in psychology before I medically withdrew because of a car accident at the beginning of 2023. Since I have mostly recovered and am still looking for part-time employment outside of dog sitting, I am 100% available to your critters. I am actively involved in a community group that meets almost daily, so the longest I would be away from your pets would be 1-2 hours at the most. I’m always happy to stay in the home full time if the pet needs that for their comfort or safety. Despite my last review being in 2023, I do still actively sit for many regulars (don’t hesitate to ask about that if you are understandably curious). Thank you so much for your time and consideration!