What sets me apart from other sitters? Oh boy! - I wanna take your dog(s) hiking with me, and not just on the Okanagan Rail Trail and Grey Canal Trail - but possibly on longer hikes too further affield. Mount Rose, Enderby Cliffs, Ellison Provincial Park, Spion Kop - you name it. I'm completely willing to take your dog to even cooler places farther away too. - Not only am I willing to take your dog(s) on actual hiked but as an experienced thruhiker I have the knowledge and equipment to do so safely. I always make sure that my phone is charged before going out and I use a backcountry GPS app BRMB with downloaded maps to ensure that we never get lost. I always carry sufficient water for both of us and on longer hikes I carry a Garmin inReach Explorer personal locator beacon so that if an accident does occure Search and Rescue knows EXACTLY where to find me! Additionally, I carry bearspray from April to October and will always keep your dog leashed to prevent negative encounters with wildlife. Safety is my number one priority so I will only ever walk your dog with a another dog if that dog is an established packmate or buddy. If your dog doesn't like other pups I will take care to walk them on quieter trails and in summer heat I will stick to shadier paths as well as run air conditioning during transport. I will respect your pet's allergies if they have any and will refrain from feeding treats if requested (I prefer to use freeze dried beef liver which is usually okay.) Be prepared to be spammed with photos of your dog looking majestic in beautiful places! For safety during transport I have a Kurgo Car Safety strap which I can clip to your dog's harness. As someone who deeply cares for wildlife, dogs and other people I dedicated to always picking up after your dog while on walks as dog poop can spread pathogens throughout the environment, harming wildlife and threatening the watersheds which we all depend upon. I always carry poop bags properly dispose of excrement in appropriate garbage recepticles. - Having completed Sprott Shaw College's Veterinary Assistant course I am well versed with diseases and injuries which can afflict our pets. I know how to get pills down the throats of dogs and cats who need medication, including by disguising the medication in treats like churu or pill pockets for a less stressful experience. I can give injections too and I'm not afraid of feeding your pet raw if that is what they eat. I will stick to your care instructions for your pet, regardless of their species. - At home I keep two cats and a marine reef aquarium so I am happy to look after all species if fish and will gladly check water parameters with provided tests then text you the results to keep you updated on how your water is doing. Having kept a leopard gecko for twenty-three years I am extremely comfortable with looking after reptiles and amphibians, including bearded dragons, Bunny, guinea pig, ferret, rat, chinchilla, conure, gerbil, hamster, budgie, etc? No problem! I spent half of my retail career looking after a miriad of species in pet stores. I'll follow your care instructions to a T and happily keep your animals company, keeping you updated with photos. - Cat? Cats are where I really shine! I have kept cats since I was seven years old and I don't balk at cleaning litterboxes (and I've used pretty much every litter media out there.) I know which medical signs to watch for which would indicate an emergancy having had several cats with urinary health issues which have required hospitalization and I am deeply respectful of cats' skittish, nervous nature. I'm happy to play with them, get scratched/nipped, feed them as you would feed them, give them plentiful butt scritches, watch TV with them, let them out into their catio and chill for hours with them in my lap. In closing, I would be absolutely honored to look after your pet no matter what its species is and be their friend while you are away. I am a trustworthy, respectful, quiet and kind individual who has loved animals (and the great outdoors) all of her life. While I have never had a dog of my own (yet) I have walked a friend's dogs for over a year and my veterinary assistance training as well as years in pet supply has made me confident and knowledgeable in walking all manner of breeds. I love playing 'guess the breed' with every dog I meet and I have knowledge of rarer breeds which most people have never even heard of!