Pet Sitter in Sparta, Tennessee

My name is Kristen. I am a farm girl to the core. I have a BS in Zoology with a specialization in Animal Care. Perhaps you are looking for somebody with an extensive background in animal care, or specific abilities with particularly unusual pets. I probably have some relevant experience and can help you. It’s true that I have worked as a dog trainer and have rescued/ tamed and re-homed many stray cats, but my experience and abilities go beyond that. For 5 years I worked as a veterinary assistant in a mixed practice and I learned how to assess animals, provide supportive care, give them medication, and clip claws, nails, talons and beaks. Before that I volunteered for three years in an Exotic Animal ward at WSU’s vet teaching hospital. There I assisted caring for wildlife and became a level three handler (highest level) for their birds of prey program. I grew up on a farm and have cleaned up after many species of farm animals. I assisted my mother in training horses. I helped my father with his beef cows. I have cared for sheep, pigs, donkeys, geese chickens and ducks. I had a tropical fish tank growing up and have a particularly soft spot for pet rats. I rescued and rehabilitated a Dusky Headed conure that was a chronic biter and screamer. I hand-raised and trained baby cockatiels. I raised and trained homing pigeons. I have clicker trained chickens to complete obstacle courses. More recently, I was a park ranger for 5 years ( recently resigned to be a stay at home mom) and cared for arachnids, amphibians, reptiles and some orphaned wildlife just long enough to get them to a licensed rehabilitator (skunks, raccoons and squirrels). Also as a park ranger I managed the birds of prey training and programming for the park ( which I was extremely passionate about!). I have cared for people’s horses, walked and trained dogs, and have performed house sitting services for farms in the past. I have been involved in animal care, of some form or another, for almost my entire life. That puts my animal care experience well over 20 years. I am conscientious and thorough, and I am focused on making your pet feel comfortable. My schedule is rather flexible. I currently only have a few animals of my own: some show chickens and one rescue cat.