Neighborhoods: Bushwick, Bed-Stuy, Navy Yard, Downtown

About me:Since the time I was born I've been surrounded by animals. Raised on a farm in Point Reyes, CA I became friendly with the goats, horses, cats, and three dogs that were on our property. Dogs, cats, various snakes, lizards, and a beautiful African hissing cockroach were in our home in various combinations for the majority of my upbringing. My mother was a Humane Officer before retiring so she could focus on raising us, so it is no surprise that every dog that we've lived with was adopted. She instilled in us at a very young age that animals deserve our respect, that they're not here solely for our pleasure, and that we should never cease to be empathetic towards them. Come high school I started a small neighborhood dog walking business with two of my close friends, and while we did enjoy the substantial money we made off of it I think we reveled more in the fact that we could make money by hanging out together in the company of animals. I can't think of a job I've had since then that I've enjoyed more. I volunteered at the Humane Society during the same time, and while it was a great experience it further drove home a point about the misery that can be created when one stops respecting animals, and begins to treat them as something less. I love this job because I like personally knowing that the city-dwelling animals of New York are getting the exercise that they need to remain healthy, since they're not going to get it by staying inside, and that they're being treated with respect and love in the process. Getting paid to hang out with your adorable, loving, and enthralling furry friends? Well that's just icing on the cake.

"When I had to leave for Africa for six weeks I knew that I needed somebody totally reliable to watch my cat, Rorschach. She's an old girl and can be difficult, but Cosmo had no problems with her whatsoever. He even figured some things out I had forgotten to mention to him! Rorschach likes to drink running water so I'll turn on the bathtub faucet for her while she perches on the side of the tub and drinks from it. Cosmo picked up on her cues very quickly and made sure she got her special treatment. He was kind enough to stay in for an extra hour on most days so that Rorschach could get some socialization and cuddle-time. I know anytime my work pulls me away from home, I'll call Cosmo!"