I am a licensed and insured pet sitter specializing in pets with behavioral and medical challenges, and I welcome pets of all breeds. I have over ten years of professional pet-sitting experience, and outside of work, I’ve fostered dozens of pets and volunteered in animal shelters helping animals get ready for adoption.

My love for special-needs animals started when I adopted my first cat, a senior Persian who was partially blind, living with chronic illness, and highly reactive. She taught me that the inner lives of animals are as rich and complex as those of humans and that they too communicate boundaries that deserve respect- and we were so fortunate to have had caregivers who recognized that. Because of this first cat, animals living with behavioral and medical challenges became my absolute favorites, and in addition to working with them I went on to adopt another Persian, a tortie, and a Shih-poo all facing challenges of their own.

When working with animals living with these kinds of issues I aim to balance my hope for progress with a deep unconditional love, acceptance, and respect for the pet exactly as they are in that moment. I like to help the pet move towards increased calmness with no judgments attached, keeping in mind that they are not enjoying the anxiety/fear they have driving any “problem” behavior as much as we may not be enjoying things like needing them to wear a muzzle when guests come over. I feel that often, anxious and reactive pets really need the time and space to bond to a new caregiver on their own terms. I am comfortable sticking around for as long as it takes, in whatever form that takes, staying closely attuned to your pet the whole time.

In my free time, I stay active through running, cycling, and yoga. I’m a “plant person,” in addition to being an animal person, and enjoy trying to identify native plants, caring for my houseplants, and cooking vegetarian meals. I like to wrap it all up with really pretty much any dating show available- please let me know if your pet would like to Netflix binge with me!

I carry insurance through Pet Care Insurance Co., backed by Lloyd's of London, and hold certification in Fear-Free Pet Care through the MSPCA. Additionally, I am a member of Pet Sitters International and am Red Cross certified in Pet CPR and First Aid.