About the caregiver

I have two years experience as a Canine Care volunteer at Berkeley Humane (Berkeley, CA), where I cared for and walked hundreds of dogs. I received additional training and passed the “3 paw” exam to work with dogs who have higher behavioral or care needs (e.g. dogs that are reactive, have poor leash manners, are very large and strong, etc. This is the highest level of difficulty available for non-staff volunteers at the shelter). I eventually was responsible for leading onboarding and training of new dog-care volunteers. I have also provided pet-sitting and walking services for many dogs and cats, primarily for friends and acquaintances. I love dogs and I am patient and attentive to their body language and behavioral needs. I use positive reinforcement strategies such as rewarding good behaviors with praise and treats (as allowed by the owner). For owners interested in having me train better leash manners, I employ the “red light, green light” technique (only walking forward when a dog is not pulling the leash, so the behavior of not pulling is rewarded with continuing the walk + praise and treats as appropriate). I am happy to adapt my strategies to align with a training plan or the specific needs of a dog at the owner’s request.