Since I was young, I have always loved dogs and wanted to Be with them. My first job was walking dogs after school and during summers.

Since then, there has always been a dog in the house — currently four. I’ve worked in many animal-care roles, including shelter work, dog daycare, training, and as an animal control officer. For ten years I ran my own dog-walking and pet-sitting business in Massachusetts, serving Watertown, Waltham, Weston, and Cambridge, where I was known as Dog Enthusiast.