When I was in middle school, I often had the responsibility of helping to feed my neighbors cat and make sure he took his medicine. Since then, I've had the opportunity to walk a neighbor's dog twice a week for a year, and help out in various animal shelters (walking dogs, playing fetch, and helping to reinforce training). In the winter of 2021, I spent two months in Alaska helping a couple take care of their 21 (!) sled dogs, as well as their two house dogs and occasional foster puppies that I helped begin to train. Taking care of the sled dogs was a twice-a-day task that involved cutting up fish, measuring out different amounts of food for each dog, learning each dog's name and personality, keeping track of the dogs while they ran around the property, and shoveling out their kennels. At times I would have three puppies in my arms at once, or have to feed late at night in the snow and cold, so I am no stranger to hard work! I also helped feed the couple's three Icelandic horses. In addition, I have professional animal care experience as part of an environmental education job with 4-H, through which I've taken care of several species of reptiles (I love snakes!), amphibians, and fish. I also have some experience handling birds. So if you have pets that fit into those categories and need help with feeding while you are away I would be happy to help out! :) I am an animal lover at heart and I have a degree in biology, so I enjoy learning about animals, how best to take care of them, and how to read their body language.