I adore dogs! Being an elementary school teacher, my flexible summer schedule is the perfect opportunity to channel my inner dog lover and give your four-legged family member some extra TLC! Not long after beginning my teaching career did I realize the similarities between educating young minds and caring for dogs, something I have been doing since childhood. Both require a great deal of patience, insight, flexibility, and a compassionate spirit. At the heart of working with a dog or a child, with their unique personalities, talents, and interests, is building a relationship rooted in trust and positive nurturing. Both pose their challenges at times, but at the end of the day are very rewarding for me! Many of my fondest childhood memories involve my cockapoo Tori and throughout my life I have experience fostering and caring for a variety of pets including dogs of all sizes and ages. Most recently, I lived in Nicaragua for 3 years where I spent time volunteering at an animal shelter that rescued dogs off the streets and found them forever homes.