My Experience & Local Services

At Daffodil Cottage, you’re not simply hiring a pet sitter or dog trainer—you’re partnering with an experienced animal professional dedicated to helping pets and their families thrive.

With more than 15 years of hands-on animal care experience, a Bachelor of Science in Zoology, professional dog training certifications, veterinary experience, and a background as a zookeeper, I bring a unique combination of knowledge, compassion, and practical expertise that is difficult to find in a single professional.

Experience Beyond Dogs and Cats

While dogs are my primary specialty, my experience extends far beyond traditional pet care.

I have worked with more than 80 domestic and exotic animal species throughout my career, providing care, training, enrichment, and behavioral support across a wide variety of settings.

This broad experience has strengthened my ability to understand animal behavior, adapt to individual needs, and recognize subtle changes in health, stress, and welfare.

Care That Supports the Whole Animal

Whether I am providing dog training, pet sitting, daycare, drop-in visits, cat care, or specialized support services, I focus on more than simply meeting basic needs.

I strive to provide:

• Mental enrichment
• Physical exercise
• Consistent routines
• Emotional well-being
• Training reinforcement
• Individualized attention

Because a fulfilled animal is a happier, healthier animal.

The Daffodil Cottage Difference

When you choose Daffodil Cottage, you’re choosing:

• Certified professional expertise
• Science-based methods
• Positive reinforcement training
• Extensive animal behavior knowledge
• Experience with 80+ species
• Compassionate, individualized care
• A trusted partner invested in your pet’s success

Because every animal deserves to be understood, respected, and given the opportunity to thrive.

A Strong Foundation in Animal Science

My career has been built around understanding animal behavior, welfare, learning, and enrichment.

From veterinary medicine and zoology to zookeeping and dog training, I have spent years studying how animals think, learn, communicate, and interact with the world around them.

This scientific foundation allows me to look beyond surface-level behaviors and create solutions that support each animal as an individual.

Training That Builds Relationships

I As a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), I believe training should strengthen the relationship between pets and their families.

My approach focuses on:

• Positive reinforcement
• Science-based methods
• Clear communication
• Confidence building
• Practical skills for everyday life

Whether working with a new puppy, a reactive dog, or a family seeking better manners and communication, my goal is always to create lasting results through trust and understanding.

A Commitment to Lifelong Learning

The animal care industry is constantly evolving, and I believe great professionals never stop learning.

I regularly pursue continuing education and professional development to expand my knowledge of behavior, welfare, training, and specialized care so I can continue providing the highest level of service to my clients.

Dog Training Services

Basic Dog Training
Foundational training focused on loose leash walking, recall, impulse control, manners, confidence building, engagement, and everyday life skills for a calm, well-balanced companion.

Behavior Modification Training
Support for more complex behavioral challenges such as reactivity, anxiety, excessive barking, fear-based behaviors, overstimulation, difficulty settling, and confidence concerns.

Maintenance Training Program
Ongoing discounted training support for clients who have completed a 10-session package, helping maintain long-term progress and troubleshoot new challenges as life changes.

Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Preparation
Real-life manners and confidence-building designed to prepare dogs for the AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluation.

Dog Walking & Hiking

Dog Walking
Structured, enriching walks designed to provide exercise, mental stimulation, confidence building, and reinforcement of polite walking skills and everyday manners.

Adventure Hikes
Enrichment-focused outings for dogs who thrive with extra exercise, confidence-building, exploration, and mental stimulation in nature.

Reactivity Walks
Calm, structured walks specifically designed for dogs who struggle with reactivity, overstimulation, nervousness, or big emotions around triggers such as dogs, people, sounds, bikes, or busy environments. Sessions focus on helping your dog feel safer, more confident, and more successful through positive reinforcement and thoughtful exposure.

Dog Pet Sitting & Daily Care

Dog Pet Sitting (In Your Home)
Personalized overnight care in the comfort of your dog’s familiar environment, including feeding, walks, medications, enrichment, companionship, ongoing reinforcement of good habits, and home care while you are away.

Dog Boarding (In My Home)
Limited, personalized boarding in a calm home environment focused on routine, enrichment, structure, and individualized care for dogs who do well in a home setting.

Drop-In Visits (Dogs)
Potty breaks, feeding, medication administration, enrichment, play, companionship, and personalized care while you’re away.

Doggie Daycare
Structured daytime care focused on enrichment, routine, confidence-building, and positive experiences.

Bath & Light Grooming Add-On
A simple refresh during your dog’s stay, including bathing and light brushing so your pup comes home feeling fresh, clean, and cozy when you return home or when they return home from boarding.

Dedicated Training Sessions During Pet Sitting & Boarding
Optional discounted one-on-one training sessions available during overnight pet sitting or boarding stays to work on new skills, confidence, manners, or customized goals while your dog remains comfortable in a home environment.

Cat & Exotic Animal Care

Cat Pet Sitting & Drop-In Visits
Low-stress care for cats including feeding, litter maintenance, medications, enrichment, companionship, and thoughtful care designed around your cat’s comfort and routine.

Exotic Pet Care
Experienced care for reptiles, birds, rabbits, amphibians, fish, pocket pets, and other exotic companions with species-specific attention and husbandry.

Exotic Animal Training & Cooperative Care
Positive reinforcement training designed to support voluntary handling, confidence building, cooperative care, enrichment, and reduced stress during veterinary visits, husbandry, medications, and routine handling.

Farm, Homestead & Hoofed Stock Care

Farm Animal & Hoofed Stock Care
Experienced care for horses, goats, sheep, chickens, pigs, llamas, alpacas, and other livestock including feeding, turnout, welfare checks, medications, routine care, and enrichment where appropriate.

Farm & Homestead Overnight Sitting
Comprehensive overnight care for multiple species and homestead routines while maintaining consistency, safety, and structure for your animals and property while you are away.

Farm Animal Training & Cooperative Care
Positive reinforcement-based support for voluntary handling, confidence building, cooperative care, haltering, hoof handling, medical preparation, husbandry, and reducing stress during veterinary or farrier visits.

Wildlife Rehabilitation Support

Wildlife Rehabilitation Care
Experienced support for wildlife in rehabilitation settings, following established care plans and species-specific protocols with attention to welfare, enrichment, safe handling, observation, and husbandry needs.

Wildlife Enrichment & Behavioral Support
Assistance with enrichment strategies and species-appropriate behavioral support to encourage natural behaviors and improve welfare during rehabilitation.

Specialty Pet Services

Pet Taxi & Transportation
Safe, reliable transportation for veterinary visits, grooming appointments, airport pickups, training sessions, or other pet-related travel needs.

Wedding & Event Pet Attendant
Helping your beloved pet safely participate in your special day while ensuring their comfort, care, transportation, and supervision.

Flight Pet Nanny / Global Travel Pet Support
Personalized travel assistance for pets needing accompaniment during flights, relocations, or extended-distance travel.