Caring for others has been a meaningful part of my life for as long as I can remember—both people and animals. I’ve cared for my own pets, dog-sat for family and friends, rescued lost pets and helped reunite them with their owners, and have always been drawn to animals who need a little extra care and patience. I currently have a nine-year-old Beagle/Toy Poodle mix named Millie and a cat named Josie, who is about six years old. I rescued Josie as a stray when she was sick and in need of care. I took her in, helped her get healthy, patiently earned her trust, and ultimately decided to make her part of my family. Her journey has given me firsthand experience with cats who may be fearful, shy, anxious, temperamental, or slow to trust, and taught me how important patience, understanding, and respecting an animal’s boundaries can be. I’m comfortable with animals of different sizes, personalities, energy levels, and temperaments. I pay close attention to animal body language and behavior and can recognize the signs that a dog or cat is comfortable, fearful, overstimulated, anxious, playful, or welcoming. I believe understanding those signals is one of the most important parts of caring for an animal because every pet communicates differently. My caregiving experience also extends to people. I’ve cared for infants, toddlers, and children, helped my mother with babysitting while growing up, and have provided care and companionship to elderly individuals. My professional caregiving background also includes working as an obstetric technician, caring for newborns, young children, and mothers following delivery, as well as caring for elderly patients, including those who needed comfort, companionship, and attentive support. These experiences have taught me to be patient, observant, dependable, gentle, and attentive to the needs of those in my care. Whether I’m caring for a person or an animal, I understand that they may not always be able to tell me exactly what they need. I’ve learned to pay attention, recognize changes in behavior, and respond with compassion. I understand that leaving your pet with someone else can be difficult. I take that trust seriously. I’m comfortable following your pet’s normal routine, including feeding, walks, playtime, companionship, and giving them the patience and space they need to feel comfortable. I also believe in keeping owners informed and communicating if I notice anything unusual about their pet. Most importantly, I don’t see pet sitting as simply “watching an animal.” I see it as caring for a member of someone’s family. My goal is for your pet to feel safe, comfortable, loved, and genuinely cared for while you’re away—and for you to have peace of mind knowing they’re in good hands.