I started pet sitting for my professors in college in 2004 and have helped care for hundreds of pets since then! The types of pets have ranged from big and small dogs, to cats, birds, hamsters, guinea pigs, fish, and chinchillas. Beyond the years of experience, I’m a lifelong animal lover and asked for a puppy for Christmas every year of my childhood. While I never got that puppy, I did start volunteering at the local animal shelter. I’ve volunteered off and on at various animal shelters throughout my life and have also served as a foster mom for abandon kittens, a cat with special medical needs, puppies, and Bassett hounds. I know the stress of leaving my critters when I have to be away from home and would love to meet your family to help put your mind at ease, so you can have safe relaxing travels.

I completed a Master’s Degree in Human and Canine Life Sciences at Bergin University in December 2019 with an emphasis in service dog training. I have been fortunate to study under the mother of the service dog, Bonnie Bergin.  Through this program I’ve learned about everything from canine behavior, emotions, and cognition to genetics, health, and of course hands on training! I work on the canine behavior team at a local shelter and LOVE it! I learn a lot from the different dogs I work with and help find them loving homes! I’m passionate about continuing education and am always on a webinar or partaking in a mentorship to better hone my skills. Some of the topics have included: Dog to human aggression, Cat Aggression, Loving and Living with a Senior Dog course, Reducing Behavior with Reinforcement, What is Intelligence in Dogs?, Canine Fear Based Aggression, Pain Management in Dogs, Separation Anxiety: Understanding and Treatment Desensitization and Counterconditioning, The Effects of Fear, Anxiety and Arousal on Learning, Incorporating Enrichment into Your Behavior Modification Plan, Trish McMillian’s Canine Shelter Behavior Mentorship, Dogs Playing For Life, Shelter Playgroup Alliance Mentorship, Unicorn Fostering Mentorship.

I’m the newest human member of the Monster Puppy Family, and am so excited to get to know the people and pets of our new California home. I’ve always had animals around since I was a kid, and started pet sitting for neighbors and family friends in elementary school. As an adult I’ve been fortunate enough to live with many animals through the years, I’ve had dogs, cats, bred bunnies for a while, had some pretty sweet aquarium setups, and kept just about everything that fits comfortably in a small tank or cage. Working in the Pet Room at Northwest Seed and Pet, I’ve even had the opportunity to work with exotic animals like Sophie the Coatimundi and even a dwarf caiman!

I love spending time with animals, and have learned through experience how to treat them with care and respect. I would love to get to know your pets and make sure they get all the care and attention they need when you’re not able to be there for them. Go Team Monster Puppy!