My name is Stephanie and I work with special needs kids, and occasionally at the local holistic pet food center. I have always been an animal advocate, and my best friends have been dogs. As a child, I was given an opportunity to work at our family veterinarians office observing surgical procedures and helping with the boarding facility on a weekly basis. At that time I wanted to become a veterinarian, but as time went on I realized I do not have the stomach for injured fur babies- I got far too emotional with every hurt pet. I still carry knowledge of first aid for animals. Instead, I found a love for helping rescue animals and dog training (not professionally). Instead of playing sports in high school, I trained agility with my pit bull terrier, which started my love for training techniques and of course for my beloved pit bull breed! As an adult I adopted my very own pit bull terrier when I became involved in helping shelters. Ruca and I traveled all over the place and did alot of house and dog sitting for his pup friends when their families were away. I also got him trained and certified as a therapy dog so he could come to my day job with me. He was a wonderful breed ambassador and the love of my life. Unfortunately he passed away 7 months ago unexpectedly and it has been the biggest tragedy in my life. I have continued to foster dogs for local shelters and help rehabilitate their aggressive behaviors so they can find forever homes instead of being "un-adoptable". I would love to be able to work with dogs and get paid to do so- who wouldn't want to have their favorite hobby and their job be one in the same? It is important to know that although I have a very big yard, it is not fenced in. DOGS WILL NOT BE OFF LEASH AT MY HOME unless they are on the gated deck. I do have a fenced in rec area down the street from my house that I take dogs to frequently so they can run around off lead. I have a vast love for dogs and while watching someone else's pet, I will always treat them like my own. Throughout my life I have also had rats, fish, cats, small and large birds, and have worked with and ridden horses for years.