With 20+ years of experience in animal welfare, including hands-on rescue work and shelter experience, I aim to help pet owners build relationships with their animals based on compassion, understanding, and effective communication. Growing up in challenging circumstances, including homelessness and childhood foster care, animals became my sanctuary, teaching me empathy and resilience. From caring for injured wildlife to protecting my own pets from the rage of my family members, these formative experiences shaped my lifelong commitment to protecting animals. For many years, I’ve dedicated myself to fostering animals in need, particularly those with temporarily houseless families or those with medical needs, focusing on hospice care.

My journey also led me to pursue Humane Law Enforcement as a career, earning national certification in animal cruelty investigations through the Law Enforcement Training Institute. When reflecting on the systemic challenges faced by pet owners, including racism and classism, I shifted my focus to community education and support with the San Diego Humane Society’s Adoption team in 2015. I have placed nearly 10,000 pets in homes across Southern California, with special focus on “barn cat” placement and exotic pet education. Using Positive Reinforcement and Fear-Free Certified techniques, I offer compassionate coaching to resolve communication issues between pets and owners, focusing on goal-oriented solutions. I provide support to those in financial need, including shelter workers and volunteers, and am committed to improving the bond between pets and their families.