Why Do I Do This?!
Throughout my life, I’ve always followed my passions of helping people and working with animals with the belief that both had to be separate. I sought out a career in healthcare and worked for a local Emergency Physician group for over 20 years. Additionally, I have also volunteered for numerous organizations working with animals, pet sat for several friends and cared for [at least] two fur babies at home. In 2015, I attended a conference held by the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants where I found that there was a path where I could merge my two passions – helping people with their pet problems. Fireworks went off, music played in the background – this was the career for me! I immediately started learning more.
​
​My general rule in life is to learn from each experience and try to find ways to improve. For example, my experience in the Emergency Department is still very useful, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. I based my cleaning procedures off of the ‘universal precautions’ I learned while working in the ER and only made minor additions in my Covid-19 protocols. This process not only helps prevent the spread of germs, but also helps protect your pets as well from not only germs that could make them sick but smells from other animals and homes that could cause them stress as well.
​
Alongside my career, I also gained over 20 years of experience working with animals, including field research in primate behavior and ecology in Costa Rica, on-site caregiver for a local horse business, pet sitting a wide range of animals, trained chickens, and am currently training bobcats, crows, barn cats, and a baby vulture at AWARE (a local wildlife hospital and rehab center) just to name a few. While it may seem like these ‘dots’ are impossible to connect and can leave one wondering why I would mention this, each experience has helped me to be a better observer, gave an in-depth understanding of training where I can tailor to different species, and individual animals to help give them the best personalized training plan available.
​
I received my Cat Trainer Certification, with honors, from the Animal Behavior College in July 2019 and currently own and operate Alex's Feline Training and Behavior Consulting, LLC. I’m also a supporting member of the IAABC, Fear Free Homes, Pet Sitters International, and Pet Professional Guild. In my spare time, I regularly volunteer with numerous animal shelters, work with the educational ambassador animals at AWARE, the wildlife hospital and rehab center in Lithonia, GA, and maintain my amateur foodie status by checking out various restaurants near me… eh, they don’t have to be near me.
​​Contact me today to see how I can help you!​
​