New to Chicago! Animals are my great love. I do exotics, as well. Talk to me about your parrots, snakes, lizards, etc. as well! Until recently, I was an educator and animal handler at the Dallas Zoo, because caring for and protecting animals is my calling. I was heartbroken to have to leave due to the COVID-19 crisis, but my love for animals remains strong. I have been around dogs and household pets for literally my entire life. But, of course, I have handled and cared for everything else from reptiles to birds to fish to bacteria cultures! I worked as a keeper/educator at an aquarium, and worked closely with reptiles and fish including feeding, walking and handling. At the zoo I was trained to handle and care for everything from rabbits to lizards to tarantulas for educational purposes! I have also interned as a keeper at the Dallas Zoo, with the Fair Park Aquarium. Previously, I spent years being an keeper at a local farm, administering medicine, food, and baths to sheep, goats, cows, turkeys, chickens and horses. Beyond all the out-there animals, I'm a lifelong dog owner and have owned cats before. My 7 dogs are my big babies! I have a 10 pund Maltipoo all the way to a 180 pound mastiff. No animal is too big, too scary, or too hard to care for-- or too gross! For dogs, I have experience with every size breed, though I have the most experience with small- to medium-sized dogs. I am more than happy to offer my services for your fur-, scale-, or feather-babies, whatever it may be, from feeding and walking, to administering medication, to just staying overnight and helping to ensure they don't get too anxious.