Olivia N.
Brookline, MA
Adaptive care style & lots of ❤️
Pet care experience
I’ve had pets all my life, and have been volunteering at animal shelters—including Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah—for most of it. I have extensive knowledge of animal behavior, including experience socializing feral cats and training/socializing dogs of all sizes and temperaments, as well as a genuine love for all animals and the understanding necessary to interact with them safely and positively. I have some experience training puppies and high-energy dogs with behavioral difficulties (and I’ve even trained my cat to perform some basic commands, which was not easy!).
Reviews
Olivia was great with Charlie! She sent us plenty of updates and was fantastic at maintaining consistency in training. I came home to a happy dog and a tidy house!
Olivia is one of those people who can’t pass an animal without stopping. She has the gift of being able to connect with them perhaps in part because she really cares about them and takes the time to learn about them. Your dog will be hers while in her care and you will quickly gain an appreciation for her interest and commitment.
Olivia is a very caring and compassionate individual with a particular soft spot for animals. I have never seen an animal with which Olivia could not get along, and every pet seems to adore her.
Olivia was great! She was very attentive to our dogs' needs. Was responsible for their feedings and kept our dogs very happy and in their routine. You can tell she really loves animals.
About Olivia N.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
I have one senior cat that I adopted two years ago. He started out very shy (fleeing whenever someone stood up in the room, or when anyone walked around the apartment, living under beds, not coming out during the day), but with time and patience he has come out of his shell in such a big way. It has been a learning experience for me, and deeply rewarding to see him become a more confident animal who isn’t afraid to be around people anymore. I have also had several large dogs (pit bull, German shepherd, lab mixes) and have also become the designated caretaker for my parents’ pets (a 6 month old goldendoodle and a 12 year old Havanese) whenever they go out of town. All this to say: I am comfortable caring for and interacting with animals of all temperaments and types, and the most important things to me with regard to animal wellbeing are 1) safety, and 2) respect (more specifically, respecting the animal’s needs and space, not taking them out of their comfort zones in ways that don’t benefit them, and reducing anxiety wherever possible).
Information Olivia N. would like to know about your pet
I’d like to know any special needs a dog has that I need to consider, as well as a rough outline of what a typical day looks like for the dog. Do they walk in the mornings and evenings, or one long walk and a few short breaks? Do they go to dog parks, or enjoy sitting with you while you work from home? Do they watch tv with you in the evenings? these sorts of things help the dog maintain some level of consistency even if there is a new person taking care of them, which helps reduce stress. I also like to know if the dog has any preferred treats, toys, or comfort items, and any behaviors to keep an eye on like eating food off the ground, chasing small animals, or becoming nervous around cars or other dogs. It’s always important to know of any triggers a dog may have (some dogs don’t like loud noises, some don’t like being touched on the stomach or paw, some don’t like being crowded while they eat, etc.), since knowing these things helps me keep them and myself safe during our time together.
A typical day
I walk at least twice a day with potty breaks outside as needed. I am a big believer in dogs needing mental stimulation as much as physical, so I tend to rely on some ‘games’ to keep dogs entertained. Things like learning new commands, hiding treats in toys or under boxes, etc. I also enjoy running around with dogs with a toy or rope to get them to engage in play if they are high-energy, or just sitting and throwing a ball for a while.
Services
Olivia can watch in your home
Availability
I am currently studying from home, so I have time every day to go out for walks. I also love dogs, so being able to walk and spend time with a pup makes me happy. I have a cat, but unfortunately cannot have a dog right now; since I miss being able to interact with dogs (there’s a different type of fun to be had playing with a dog vs a cat), walking people’s pets allows me to experience those things that I am missing.
About Olivia N.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
I have one senior cat that I adopted two years ago. He started out very shy (fleeing whenever someone stood up in the room, or when anyone walked around the apartment, living under beds, not coming out during the day), but with time and patience he has come out of his shell in such a big way. It has been a learning experience for me, and deeply rewarding to see him become a more confident animal who isn’t afraid to be around people anymore. I have also had several large dogs (pit bull, German shepherd, lab mixes) and have also become the designated caretaker for my parents’ pets (a 6 month old goldendoodle and a 12 year old Havanese) whenever they go out of town. All this to say: I am comfortable caring for and interacting with animals of all temperaments and types, and the most important things to me with regard to animal wellbeing are 1) safety, and 2) respect (more specifically, respecting the animal’s needs and space, not taking them out of their comfort zones in ways that don’t benefit them, and reducing anxiety wherever possible).
Information Olivia N. would like to know about your pet
I’d like to know any special needs a dog has that I need to consider, as well as a rough outline of what a typical day looks like for the dog. Do they walk in the mornings and evenings, or one long walk and a few short breaks? Do they go to dog parks, or enjoy sitting with you while you work from home? Do they watch tv with you in the evenings? these sorts of things help the dog maintain some level of consistency even if there is a new person taking care of them, which helps reduce stress. I also like to know if the dog has any preferred treats, toys, or comfort items, and any behaviors to keep an eye on like eating food off the ground, chasing small animals, or becoming nervous around cars or other dogs. It’s always important to know of any triggers a dog may have (some dogs don’t like loud noises, some don’t like being touched on the stomach or paw, some don’t like being crowded while they eat, etc.), since knowing these things helps me keep them and myself safe during our time together.
A typical day
I walk at least twice a day with potty breaks outside as needed. I am a big believer in dogs needing mental stimulation as much as physical, so I tend to rely on some ‘games’ to keep dogs entertained. Things like learning new commands, hiding treats in toys or under boxes, etc. I also enjoy running around with dogs with a toy or rope to get them to engage in play if they are high-energy, or just sitting and throwing a ball for a while.
Location
Brookline, MA
Pets
Olivia N.
Brookline, MA