Experience

Dogs ✅

I have had experience and am confident looking after dogs of all shapes and sizes, except very large Great Dane types. If s/he was well trained I would also feel confident with this size of dog.

In the year and a half that I’ve been looking after dogs I’ve had one who was very nervous, one who was very senior (17!) and two who needed oral medication.

I’ve looked after some tiny dogs – a mini-cockerpoo, a duo of pomeranians, and some large ones – a husky/lab and a beautifully well trained tall curly-haired gentleman!

I’ve looked after reactive dogs and have no problem with this as long as there are spacious/safe places for us to walk.

Please note, I am currently unable to look after puppies so all dogs will need to be over a year old.

Equines ✅

I am confident and competent working with ponies and horses of all sizes – including large ones (16.2hh+) as long as they’re relatively quiet and well behaved! (Smaller naughty ones are fine. 😂)

I would be very comfortable looking after donkeys as well. I grew up with ponies, read Horse & Pony magazine obsessively, and did Pony Club exams up to C+.

I haven’t done much lunging but would consider exercising a horse by taking them out for a walk in a bridle or headcollar if that was necessary and safe.

I will skip out/muck out stables, bring in and turn out, and obviously feed, hay and water as necessary.

If you wanted me to ride we could look at that possibility – I am a competent rider but have not ridden regularly for a few years.

Cats ✅

I’m happy and confident looking after all types of cats.

Regular cuddles and an almost always available lap generally makes us good friends pretty quickly!

Poultry ✅

I have experience of, and enjoy very much, looking after poultry.

Rabbits & Small Mammals ✅

I don’t have any experience of looking after rabbits or smaller mammals since I was a child. However I would feel happy and confident caring for them, with good instructions!

Farm Animals ✅

Equally, I don’t have direct experience working with farm animals – cows, goats, pigs or sheep, but I feel confident around them and am more than happy to gain some experience in this area.

Snakes & Spiders 🚫

I would not feel confident or happy at the present time looking after spiders or snakes, sorry!

Other reptiles are a possibility if they are easy to look after. I don’t have any experience with them yet.