Pet Sitter in Calgary, Alberta

My name is Melanie, and I am currently attending the University of Calgary, with a major in Music. The 2013 Winter term at the University has ended, so I am now looking for a part-time job related pet care where I can work during the spring/summer. I currently have a Doberman, a cat, two guinea pigs, and a donkey. As was said before, I have a great passion for working with animals, and I love to care for them. During the course of my life, I have owned several different species of animals simultaneously, such as hamsters, guinea pigs, a rabbit, aquarium fish, beta fish, aquatic frogs, donkeys, cats, and a dog. I have trained my dog (Doberman) myself, and she is certified in beginner obedience. She knows commands such as sit, down, stay, wait, with either hand signals or verbal commands, as well as come, leave it, shake right, shake left, go though (weave through someone\'s legs), up, and off, as well as many others. I do not dislike any one kind of animal, as I believe that they all deserve to be treated fairly. However, there are certain kinds of pets that I would not be comfortable looking after, such as exotic pets like spiders, scorpions, or anything remotely similar. In training dogs, I use positive reinforcement and food, and I treat all animals that I handle with respect. I would also never physically harm any animal; not for a punishment, or any other reason. Again, if given instructions by the owner, I would be comfortable with taking care of pets that I have not had experience with, as long as they are relatively simple tasks. I also don't mind caring for multiple pets at once. Although I do not have any experience with walking more than one dog at a time, I certainly wouldn't mind doing it. I am often asked to take care of family members pets while they are away on vacation, as I have a genuine love for animals of all shapes and sizes, and I like caring for them however I can. I wouldn't mind working with any species of animal (except exotic pets like spiders, or anything similar), as long as I am given specific instructions on their care. I have a large amount of experience in caring for animals such as dogs and cats, as well as smaller animals like fish, guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, and aquatic frogs, as I have owned all of them over the course of my life. I am somewhat familiar with small snakes, although I have never formally cared for one. I currently have a Doberman, who has completed the beginner obedience level, as well as a cat, two guinea pigs, and a donkey. I also have a lo of experience in working with larger animals, such as donkeys, and horses. In taking care of smaller animals, I can provide services such as feeding, walking (dogs), giving clean water, entertainment (playing with dog/cat/guinea pig, etc.), cage cleaning (rabbits/guinea pigs/hamsters/small fish), nail trimming (dogs/rabbits/guinea pigs), bathing/cleaning (dogs/guinea pigs/rabbits), brushing fur (dogs/cats/guinea pigs/rabbits), brushing teeth (dogs/cats), trimming whiskers (dogs), and obedience (dogs) teaching simple commands, such as sit, down, come, house-breaking, and possibly, leave it, stay, and shake, if I have a larger time frame. For larger animals, such as donkeys and horses, I am familiar with feeding, and providing clean water, as well as cleaning out hooves, and brushing. Although I do not have any experience in caring for any birds or reptiles, given specific instructions, I would not mind doing simpler tasks involving them, such as feeding, and watering. The same principle applies to small animals not mentioned before, such as ferrets, gerbils, chinchillas, etc.) I can do drop-in visits, depending on where the house is located, and walk the dog, let the dog outside for a break, play with the animals, etc.), or I can stay for a longer time during the day to care for the animals, while you are away. I can host pets at my house if the owner is away, but this is restricted to smaller animals such as rabbits, guinea pigs, fish, hamsters, frogs, and possibly cats and dogs, depending on their gender/temperament/personality, because I also have a cat and a dog, and certain people at my house have a fear of reptiles and birds.