I was raised in an animal-loving family, growing up with horses, rabbits, and other pets who kept me company throughout my entire childhood and into adulthood. From my upbringing, I learned to consider animals not only as companions but as beings in their own right, deserving respect and deep care. Pet sitting is, for me, another way to stay connected with animals while providing help and support to their owners. Having lived with various animals since childhood, I learned how to walk dogs correctly, feed them properly and at the right times, observe and react in emergencies, and provide basic treatment when needed. I became accustomed to caring for rabbits, chinchillas, horses, dogs, and cats, as we had them all as pets over the years. On the professional side, I began volunteering at 19 during summer breaks in animal shelters, mostly specialising in cats and dogs. I also spent a short period at an animal sanctuary in Germany focused on farm animals. My pet-sitting experience started when I was around 15–16, looking after dogs and cats for friends and acquaintances. My main tasks included walking dogs, feeding, grooming, and cleaning up after them. When I moved to Maastricht for my studies, I volunteered at a horse shelter in Aachen for a few months in 2022, and in 2025 I worked at another animal shelter in Maastricht called Stichting Animal's Faith. Our duties included walking dogs in the morning, thoroughly cleaning their kennels, and providing entertainment. I learned how to handle difficult dogs on the leash and manage encounters with other owners’ dogs. Due to my living circumstances, I cannot pet sit dogs or cats in my home unless they are vaccinated.