“I didn’t find my way into this field.. it found me. “

I grew up a very shy, and quiet child. Having had many animals, (dogs being the foundation) I spent much of my time hiding away with them, or somewhere off in the woods. I developed a reputation for my natural way with animals. I understood their language, and started pet sitting at just 6 years old. I dreamt daily of spending my life saving animals. Everyone thought the typical animal lover outcome- “she’ll be a vet someday” but I found myself wishing to major in wildlife. College never happened and so…I had many jobs.. becoming a jack of all trades you could say and yet, I always fell back into dogs.

I always knew I was meant to work with animals. No matter what I was doing to get by, I always found a way to work with them, even if I couldn’t make it full-time. I just didn’t know yet, where I’d specialize.

Back in 2016 I started working in a dog daycare, where I stayed 7 years. This was followed by various other dog related jobs, but I also offered pet sitting on the side. It was then, that I found all my clients asking me for advice, especially when it came to dogs.

“I never wanted to be a dog trainer. “

When I found I was specializing in dogs, I got offers left and right to become a trainer. That’s all there was, no one knew of the other specialties, and if I wanted to grow.. that was seen as my only option. I turned down every offer however, while I still don’t identify as a trainer. I found myself studying and going down the path of a behavior consultant myself. I started then aiding my clients on another level.

For years, I’ve thrived as a caregiver and I wasn’t to fond of “typical trainers”. The constant controlling of dogs, obedience being the standard, the lack of true choice and freedom. All this, still being a factor today. After daily endless hours of research, I found the approach I took and what I wanted to give to dogs, alined with many R+ Behavior Consultants and Applied Animal Behaviorist.