My love for animals was clear since an early age. I wasn’t allowed to have pets growing up, but that didn’t stop me—I begged to join every animal-related program my parents could find. They happily signed me up, and that’s when everything began.

My first real hands-on experience was at our local Humane Society. I walked, bathed, and played with every dog I could. I was the kid who chose Animal Planet over cartoons and memorized animal fact books just for fun. When I finally adopted my first dog, a Golden Retriever named Kobe, everything I’d learned started to come to life. Then came Bryant, my second Golden, and it was through our time in the local Dog Scout troop that I discovered my real passion: animal behavior.

From that point on, I threw myself into the dog world. I took classes, went to events and seminars, fostered, volunteered—you name it, I did it. I shadowed veterinarians and trainers, gaining hands-on experience with all kinds of animals and behaviors. I found a deep interest in assistance animals and helped train therapy and service dog teams that went on to make a real difference.
I also started competing in all sorts of dog sports with my own pups, which not only strengthened our bond but also taught me so much about communication and teamwork.

Eventually, I wanted to turn all this passion into something more, so I studied animal behavior in college. After graduating, I worked in a shelter focusing on enrichment, playgroups, and helping dogs with behavioral challenges.

Now, I get to bring all that experience into my work at Chewy. I help recruit pets to model in our studio and make sure they feel confident and happy on set—so they can shine their brightest in front of the camera.