About: I’ve grown up around dogs my whole life, including two Labrador Retrievers named Maverick and Goose, and a Beagle that I cared for over 10 years, so I’m very comfortable with daily routines, exercise, and understanding different personalities. I’ve also done several overnight house-sitting and dog care jobs, working with a wide range of breeds, from small dogs like pugs to larger, high-energy dogs like huskies. I’ve always had a genuine love for animals and caring for them. The first animal I really fell in love with was a manatee when I was about 5 years old living in Florida, and that kind of stuck with me. My time as a kid was spent at the beach boogie boarding out into the ocean hoping a dolphin would find me and become my friend. Growing up, I loved going to the aquarium and the zoo to learn about different animals, and I’ve always been especially drawn to red pandas and stingrays. That curiosity and appreciation carries over into how I care for pets—I really enjoy getting to know each animal’s personality and making sure they feel safe and happy. In addition, I have a lot of hands-on caregiving experience through taking care of my brother who has special needs, as well as working with special needs youth. That’s taught me to be patient, attentive, and very in tune with individual needs, which I bring into how I care for animals as well. Pet care honestly fits into my routine really naturally because it’s something I genuinely enjoy and look forward to. I have a part-time job in the mornings and some evenings, so I have a lot of flexibility during the day to spend quality time with dogs—whether that’s going on long walks, stopping by for visits, or just hanging out and keeping them company. I grew up with dogs and took care of my Beagle for 10 years, so I’m very used to building my day around their needs. It doesn’t feel like a task to me—it’s something I love doing. Being around dogs, getting outside, and making sure they’re happy and cared for is something I naturally make time for every day. I focus on making pets feel comfortable, safe, and at ease by sticking closely to their normal routine. I know how important consistency is, so I follow feeding schedules, walk times, and any specific instructions carefully. When I’m in a client’s home, I’m very respectful of their space and make sure their dog is always supervised and within my sight. I pay attention to their behavior and energy so I can respond to what they need, whether that’s a long walk, playtime, or just relaxing together so they don’t feel alone. If I’m caring for a pet in my own home, I create a calm, safe environment where they get plenty of attention, exercise, and downtime. I really just try to treat every dog like my own and make sure they feel happy and cared for the whole time.