My background in zoology, veterinary medicine, zookeeping, wildlife rehabilitation, and professional pet care has given me hands-on experience working with a wide variety of domestic, farm, exotic, and wildlife species. This diverse experience has strengthened my understanding of animal behavior, welfare, enrichment, husbandry, and species-specific care across many different environments.
At Daffodil Cottage, this broad knowledge allows me to provide thoughtful, individualized care that goes far beyond traditional pet care.
Companion Animals
My primary specialty is working with companion animals, with extensive experience in behavior, training, enrichment, and daily care.
Species include:
- Dogs
- Cats
Experience includes:
Puppies, adolescents, adults, seniors, reactive dogs, fearful dogs, rescue animals, multi-pet households, medication administration, behavior support, and enrichment.
Farm & Livestock Animals
I have hands-on experience caring for a wide range of farm animals and livestock, with a strong understanding of husbandry, feeding routines, welfare, and handling.
Species include:
- Horses
- Donkeys
- Cattle
- Goats
- Sheep
- Pigs
- Chickens
- Ducks
- Geese
- Turkeys
- Guinea Fowl
- Peacocks
Experience includes:
Feeding, handling, behavioral observation, welfare management, enrichment, and routine care.
Small Mammals
I have worked with a variety of small companion mammals, understanding their unique social, environmental, and enrichment needs.
Species include:
- Rabbits
- Guinea pigs
- Chinchillas
- Ferrets
- Rats
- Hamsters
- Gerbils
- Hedgehogs
Experience includes:
Handling, habitat care, enrichment, feeding, behavioral observation, and specialized care.
Birds & Raptors
My avian experience ranges from companion birds to birds of prey and wildlife rehabilitation species.
Species include:
- Parrots
- Macaws
- Cockatoos
- Kookaburras
- Toucans
- Hornbills
- Bald Eagles
- Hawks
- Falcons
- Owls
- Turkey Vultures
- Pelicans
Experience includes:
Training, handling, enrichment, husbandry, behavioral observation, and rehabilitation support.
Crocodilians
Working with crocodilians requires strict safety protocols, advanced husbandry knowledge, and strong behavioral awareness.
Species include:
- Nile Crocodiles
- American Alligators
- Dwarf Crocodiles
- Caiman species
Experience includes:
Feeding, habitat management, behavioral observation, safety procedures, and environmental care.
Arachnids & Invertebrates
Through my time working in insect and invertebrate care, I gained experience with a wide variety of species requiring highly specialized environments.
Species include:
- Tarantulas
- Scorpions
- Stick insects
- Giant millipedes
- Beetles
- Cockroaches
- Mantids
- Walking sticks
- Various spider species
Experience includes:
Habitat care, feeding, handling, environmental regulation, and behavioral observation.
Large Exotic Herbivores
My zoological experience has also included working with some of the world’s most iconic and intelligent large mammals. These species require advanced knowledge of behavior, husbandry, enrichment, safety protocols, and welfare-focused care.
Species include:
- African Elephants
- Indian Elephants
- Giraffes
Experience includes:
Behavioral observation, enrichment planning, feeding routines, habitat management, protected contact safety procedures, and species-specific welfare.
Working with these highly intelligent and emotionally complex animals strengthened my understanding of trust, communication, social dynamics, and behavioral conditioning—skills that continue to shape my work with companion animals today.
Reptiles
I have worked with a variety of reptile species requiring specialized environmental management, handling, and care.
Species include:
- Bearded dragons
- Leopard geckos
- Iguanas
- Monitor lizards
- Tegu species
- Skinks
- Tortoises
- Turtles
Experience includes:
Habitat setup, temperature and humidity regulation, feeding, enrichment, and behavioral monitoring.
Amphibians
My amphibian experience includes species that require highly specific environmental care and monitoring.
Species include:
- Tree frogs
- Toads
- Bullfrogs
- Salamanders
- Axolotls
Experience includes:
Habitat care, moisture and humidity management, feeding, and environmental regulation.
Carnivores & Exotic Wildlife
My zoo experience provided the opportunity to work with some of the world’s most remarkable carnivores and exotic species, requiring advanced safety protocols, husbandry, and behavioral understanding.
Species include:
- African Lions
- African Leopards
- Cheetahs
- Clouded Leopards
- Sumatran Tigers
- American Black Bears
- African Painted Dogs
- Red Wolves
- Ocelots
- River Otters
Experience includes:
Behavioral conditioning, enrichment planning, advanced husbandry, welfare management, and safety procedures.
Marsupials
My experience working with marsupials has given me valuable insight into the care, behavior, and unique husbandry needs of these highly specialized species. Marsupials require a strong understanding of environmental management, dietary needs, social dynamics, and stress-sensitive handling.
Species include:
- Wallabies
- Opossums
Experience includes:
Feeding routines, habitat maintenance, enrichment planning, behavioral observation, safe handling, and species-specific welfare.
Working with these species strengthened my ability to adapt care to animals with unique biological and behavioral needs, reinforcing the importance of patience, observation, and individualized care in every species I work with.
Snakes
I have worked with several species of non-venomous snakes, focusing on proper husbandry, handling, and feeding.
Species include:
- Ball pythons
- Boa constrictors
- Corn snakes
- Kingsnakes
- Rat snakes
- Milk snakes
Experience includes:
Feeding, habitat maintenance, safe handling, and welfare-focused care.
Aquatic Species
I have worked with both freshwater and saltwater aquatic systems, including species requiring specialized care and water quality management.
Freshwater species include:
- Cichlids
- Koi
- Goldfish
- Catfish
- Tetras
- Angelfish
Saltwater species include:
- Triggerfish
- Pufferfish
- Lionfish
- Groupers
- Rays
- Reef fish species
Experience includes:
Water quality management, habitat maintenance, feeding, and species-specific care.
Wildlife Rehabilitation
I have worked with injured and rehabilitating native wildlife, strengthening my understanding of stress management, species-specific care, and rehabilitation practices.
Species include:
- Raptors
- Songbirds
- Waterfowl
- Small mammals
- Native reptiles
- Native amphibians
Experience includes:
Rehabilitation support, behavioral observation, feeding, recovery monitoring, and specialized care.