Having always been an animal lover since I was a young child, I had volunteered at my local humane societies for all kinds of animals as well as watched pets for my family & friends. While in college, I worked for 2 dog daycares, the latter of which I received my dog behavioral and training certificates. (Also knowledgeable in most small pets such as rats, reptiles, hedgehogs, ferrets, rabbits, hamsters/guinea pigs, birds, etc. I will be honest with my knowledge of the specific animal, but am comfortable watching any kind- I love them all!) While working for these locations, I was tasked with: - Baths: knowing what shampoos to use for which coat type, breed type & knowing what substitutes to use for individual dog needs. - Walks: working daily to train and lead dogs into a safer and more pleasant way to walk for both dog and owner. - Brushing & Grooming: knowing which brush to use responsibly based on coat thickness to refrain from scratching or irritating the skin, avoid causing dry skin/ dandruff, & strategies to comfortably & painlessly detangle knots/mats, ensuring a pleasant, relaxing experience for our fluffy friends! (I am not trained in stylized grooming such as hair trims or styles.) - Health & Safety: understanding what risks, behaviors and body language to look for to determine overall happiness/ health. - Mental/ Physical Needs: understanding and working with special needs dogs, including amputations, hearing/sight loss and seizures (etc.) My schedule is extremely flexible and open- both early mornings and late nights! Schedule changes are easy for me to work around as well & I'm very understanding when unexpected changes arise. It happens! The only reason I cannot offer a drop off service to my home for you is because my apartment only allows 2 pets per unit (which we already have 2 cats.) However, I am more than willing to come to you! I am adamant about keeping my cats clean, groomed, and feeling their best & will do the same for your little loved one(s) as well, including nail care, coat care, eye/ ear/ nose cleaning, teeth cleaning, & any additional care they may need. Entertainment, stimulation, physical and mental exercises are great for a pets focus, trust and mood levels & I make sure to do this daily. (Certifications: currently refreshing knowledge courses and lessons to become recertified as past certifications have expired; includes canine CPR courses)