My journey with animals started when I was very young, I had a direct hand in training my family dog (a lab) when I was 9. I helped feed, walk, and training him from when he was an over-sized puppy who liked to jump on my shoulders, until he was a quiet old man and I had to clean his ears due to infection and administer medication. I’ve cared for dogs with separation anxiety, helping them stay calm and happy while their owners (family members of mine) went for a weekend trip. I’ve minded fish and reptiles and turtles alike, feeding and cleaning after them. In my old neighborhood I regularly walked one exceptionally overweight dog until I had worked with him enough that he could keep up on a run with me. I have experience for dog sitting over weekends for a household with 5 dogs, two of which needed oral medicine daily, and all of which were very active, playful dogs. I’ve befriended an extremely anxious Great Dane with aggression issues through liberal use of treats and gentle techniques, and now I’m one of few people other than her owners that this dog will be calm with. I have a knack with animals that tend to not be so people-friendly, and a thorough base of personal experience with dogs with special needs.