Pet Sitter in Berwyn, Illinois

I am a lifelong animal lover. I am deeply empathetic and caring, and am the type of person who takes better care of her pets than she does of herself. I've been surrounded by animals for all my life. There isn't a time I can remember when I didn't have a pet in the house. As a result of this, I developed a deep love of all forms of life and gained an intuitive understanding of various animal behaviors. This makes it easy for me to recognize when something is wrong, and act early enough to ensure the greatest chance for recovery. Because I've owned animals for so long, I've had to learn how to handle animals when they are distressed. My experience working in a shelter further enhanced this valuable skill. I volunteered at Animal Care League, and mostly worked with the cats and dogs, socializing walking and playing with them. I am intimately familiar with cat and dog behavior, and can usually figure out the cause and solution of bad habits. I know their nutritional and environmental needs, and am willing to suggest changes to a pet owner. I am experienced in the care of amphibians, and while I have never had the chance to own a reptile of my own, I've read and watched enough care guides about them to know their needs and behaviors. I know what types of bedding are best for small animals such as gerbils, hamsters, mice, and rats. I know how to clean cages and what chemicals to avoid to maintain the healthiest environment possible. I'm also aware of various small animals' nutritional needs, and can tell if a certain brand of food provides this, and what fresh foods to supplement a poor diet with. I also have knowledge pertaining to the keeping of fish and other aquatic life. I have a firm grasp of the nitrogen cycle and different water parameters. I have successfully diagnosed and treated various freshwater fish diseases, and know how to recognize when a fish is acting abnormally and how to reduce stress in the environment. I am also skilled in caring for aquatic plants and have a loose grasp pf the Walstad Method. Animals that I currently own are: - One cat - Two gerbils - Two African Dwarf Frogs - Three American Toads - Numerous freshwater fish and invertebrates Animals that I've worked with or owned in the past: - Dogs - Mice - Bullfrogs - Chickens - Turtles - Parakeets