Having been surrounded by dogs and cats throughout my life, I've cultivated a profound passion for working with these wonderful companions. While growing up, my mother and I had a cat, but most of my interactions with pets occurred through my grandparents. My grandparents have always had dogs and allowed me to be actively involved in their care, including feeding and walking. This experience nurtured a deep passion and profound appreciation for animals, as they are not just our pets but integral members of our family. I embarked on my first job at McDonald's, where I gained valuable experience in providing excellent customer service. In September of my first college year, I began working at the UW Veterinary Hospital as a kennel worker. This role primarily involved cleaning and providing vet students, vet techs, and doctors with the necessary equipment for treating animals. In the following spring semester, I left the hospital and secured a position as a dog caregiver at Dog Haus University in Madison. I was already familiar with dog behavior, but this job allowed me to gain confidence in recognizing a dog's emotions through their body language. Additionally, I currently work at a doggy daycare in Milwaukee called Unifursity in the same capacity, but with the added responsibility of pottying and feeding dogs since this establishment also offers boarding services. I have experience in petsitting my grandparents' dogs in their home while they were out of town and have demonstrated my ability to maintain their routine. Being at the doggy daycare has allowed me to gain new skills such as properly administering the Bordetella and Distemper vaccination, along with solidifying my skill in maintaining a dogs daily schedule when it comes to feeding, pottying and excerise. Regarding my experience in Madison, opportunities that arose did not align with my housing situation since I did reside in the campus dorms. Patience is a quality I've developed over the years, partly due to having younger siblings who can be quite challenging. My grandma's dog, a large German Shepherd with severe separation anxiety, has given me experience in dealing with dogs who are considered "difficult." Working at the daycare, patience is crucial, as some dogs struggle to follow instructions and require consistent redirection. There have been instances of nervous dogs who were initially wary of strangers, but through careful handling, consistent communication, and positive interactions, I gained their trust while maintaining authority when necessary.