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Name: |
Erika Cook |
| Position: |
Owner ECPC, Dog Walker, Pet Sitter |
| Started ECPC: |
October 2004 |
| Age: |
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| Hometown: |
VA Beach, VA.but grew up in Arlington, VA since she was 5 |
| Studies: |
Business Management & Spanish |
| Hobbies: |
Tennis, Guitar, Hiking, Beaches, Concerts |
| Pets: |
3 year old Paris and 13 year old Leo...both cats |
| Short Bio: |
After 10 years of full-time corporate office work, Erika decided to take her extensive administrative skills and combine them with her passion for animals. She had been pet-sitting on the side for ten years and made the decision to devote all of her strengths and time to providing high quality pet care service. So in October of 2004 Erika opened East Coast Pet Care so that providing this exceptional care could be her full time focus. She is ecstatic to have her dream realized and feels extremely lucky to have the wonderful clients that she does. |
| Ambitions: |
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| Other Information: |
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Name: |
Karen Rosenberg |
| Position: |
House Sitter & Boarding Supervisor |
| Joined ECPC: |
December 2007 |
| Age: |
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| Hometown: |
McLean, VA |
| Studies: |
Master English/Dutch literature & Linguistics, Post-degree in Business Administration |
| Hobbies: |
Taking care of my pets and foster pets , traveling , movies, dinners and outings with my husband, decorating |
| Pets: |
Two dogs 4-year old Luka (Chow mix), and 1.5 year old Lexie (German Shepherd mix) ; two cats 2-year old Sally (calico domestic short hair) and 1.5 year old Harry (Korat mix). All rescue animals . Go see the photogallery on this website under The Rosenberg clan |
| Short Bio: |
This is my first professional experience with pets. I have had cats all my life, love and understand their behaviors; I have had dogs for about 1.5 years now and am so dedicated to the species that I started reading, interacting and learning about dogs. I teach my own dogs and foster dogs the basics in obedience training. Together with my husband, I am an active volunteer and foster mom for the VGSR - Virginia German Shepherd Rescue. |
| Funny Pet Story: |
I see a lot of funny things happening in a dog park , a great place for socializing your dog. Petite dogs sometimes think they are big dogs and fearlessly play with the biggest dogs like a German Shepherd, a Doberman or Great Dane. You have to see it to know how funny this is. |
| Ambitions: |
To have my own business that involves boarding pets - like a pet hotel. (I need an even bigger house for that, though!) Or, a business in event management/wedding planning - and of course pet weddings will be allowed too ;-) |
| Other Information: |
I am from Belgium, Europe and always cared very deeply for pets. Unfortunately the mentality in Europe towards pets and the (health) care for pets is not as advanced in Europe, or so I experienced. Cats tend to be all outdoor cats and it is not uncommon at all for the cat to get poisoned when crossing other backyards. Moreover, rescues do not get as much attention nor (financial) support as they do here in the USA. This is one of the reasons why I love living in this country! |
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Name: |
Carina Santerelli |
| Position: |
Full Time Dog Walker, Part Time Pet Sitter |
| Joined ECPC: |
Feb 2006 |
| Age: |
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| Hometown: |
Arlington, VA |
| Studies: |
Psychology |
| Hobbies: |
Photography, Dancing, Swimming, Traveling, Modeling,
Volunteering, Movies |
| Pets: |
Her own current lovely pets include guinea pigs and rabbits. |
| Short Bio: |
Carina joins ECPC with much experience in the animal world. She has worked with several rescue groups helping to place animals, including working at Dog Adoption Days, and also fostering and transporting pets to their new homes.
Her most recent contribution was travelling to New Orleans to assist with the Hurricane Katrina pets.
Carina plans to one day start a non-profit no kill animal shelter. |
| Funny Pet Story: |
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| Ambitions: |
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Name: |
Darren Etheredge |
| Position: |
Webmaster |
| Joined ECPC: |
October 2005 |
| Age: |
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| Hometown: |
Ashburn, VA |
| Studies: |
Computer Systems Engineering |
| Hobbies: |
Bicycling, Camping, Traveling, Computers |
| Pets: |
1 Dog - Shadow the Black Lab ( years old). See her gallery. My Rottweiler, Dottie, passed away in February of 2008. She was 8 years old. View her memorial at Dottie Memorial. |
| Short Bio: |
As a long time customer of Erika Cook and East Coast Pet Care, Darren joined the team in October of 2005 as a way to help ECPC. |
| Funny Pet Story: |
Darren likes to recall the day that he adopted his Rottweiler, Dottie, from the Alexandria Animal Welfare Center. As he was driving her home in his SUV, Dottie decided to jump out the back window. The window was only halfway open, and Darren was still in motion (going about 30 MPH). To make matters worse, Dottie jumped out in front of an Alexandria City Police Cruiser! Dottie didn't run, she just stood in a field adjacent to the road, and looked and wagged her stump. The officer in the cruiser asked Darren if he had hit the dog. Almost in hesterics, Darren replied that he had just adopted the dog. Darren rushed Dottie to the closest animal hospital, where the staff tried to perform X-rays of Dottie. They couldn't get her to lay still long enough to get any kind of imaging done, so the vet staff brought her back to Darren, and let him know that she was just fine. Since then Dottie has been by Darren's side constantly. |
| Ambitions: |
Retire by the age of 30...maybe I need to rethink that one! |
| Other Information: |
In June of 2007, my wife and I welcomed our first child into the world. Our daughter's name is Rebecca. She LOVES the dogs, and the dogs are just as crazy about her! |
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Name: |
Sandra Fitzgerald |
| Position: |
House-Sitter/Office Support |
| Joined ECPC: |
December 2007 |
| Age: |
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| Hometown: |
Falls Church, VA |
| Studies: |
Well read on the subject of cat behavior and health; studied liberal arts and humanities; association and small business management background |
| Hobbies: |
horseback riding, wildlife conservation, environmental conservation |
| Pets: |
3 senior cats (Chester, Chloe, Caesar) that I love dearly, two with special needs. Daily care for my mother’s Newfoundland mix. |
| Short Bio: |
cat sit for friends; wildlife driver for Animal Welfare League of Arlington |
| Funny Pet Story: |
My cat Chloe was a feral kitten rescue found on the return trip of a beach vacation. She was tiny and all black, it was dark outside and we were driving about 55 miles per hour, but still I saw her trying to cross the highway. I made my husband stop the car so I could scoop her up, and for years after he told me to please shut my eyes whenever we took a road trip. His ire is understandable considering that for many years Chloe routinely used her paw to knock over my husband’s glass whenever he left it unattended. Milk, water, wine, soda – she cleverly pulled it down without spilling a drop on herself. |
| Ambitions: |
To raise my children to love and respect all animals and the environment we share with them. |
| Other Information: |
I enjoy every minute I spend with animals, and feel very fortunate when you allow me to spend time with yours. I appreciate all animal personalities – even the more fractious ones – and I have tremendous patience and a gentle, quiet demeanor. |
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Name: |
Mike Elion |
| Position: |
Part Time Pet Sitter |
| Joined ECPC: |
October 2004 |
| Age: |
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| Hometown: |
Florida |
| School: |
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| Hobbies: |
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| Pets: |
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| Short Bio: |
Mike grew up with many pets and when you watch him interact with anyone's dogs you see the true passion he has for animals. He treats them more like pals. I'm just the one that feeds and walks them.so of course.they love him more! |
| Funny Pet Story: |
All dogs are drawn to him instantly.but some, um, show it in different ways! He was house-sitting and just lounging outside in a chair, when one of the dogs he was with, who has a habit of peeing anywhere, decided to pee on HIM. Though this is hysterical in itself, especially when you know Mike, and the dog involved.what makes it even funnier is that I insisted one day for him to come on a sit with me because he just HAD to meet this most adorably tiny Chihuahua. Well, we came in, and he stood there while the little thing came running to him all excitedly. Then, out of nowhere, the puppy lifts his leg and pees on Mike's shoe. I dragged him away from TV for that! Yes.he was so grateful. And yes.he's SO happy to share this with you. |
| Ambitions: |
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| Other Information: |
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Name: |
Shane Iler |
| Position: |
House Sitter/Dog Walker |
| Joined ECPC: |
November 2007 |
| Age: |
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| Hometown: |
Louisville, KY |
| Studies: |
Music Performance |
| Hobbies: |
Hiking, Camping, Computers, Racquetball, Travel |
| Pets: |
Sara (Border Collie), Snuggles (Beagle/Springer), Scout (rat) |
| Short Bio: |
Various shelter volunteering whenever I've had time, starting age 14. |
| Funny Pet Story: |
At my friend's house, we discovered that her cat LOVES the taste of my hair. He started licking my head, getting more and more frantic. His owner said he doesn't even go that crazy over catnip. She pulled him away, and he kept pursuing me. I didn't know a cat could love me so much! |
| Ambitions: |
I aspire to live my life happily, succeed as a French horn player, and possibly open a restaurant I have been dreaming up for the past 8 years. Oh...and visit a rainforest! |
| Other Information: |
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Name: |
Holly Woods |
| Position: |
House Sitter |
| Joined ECPC: |
November 2007 |
| Age: |
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| Hometown: |
Alexandria, VA |
| Studies: |
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| Hobbies: |
Swimming, Baking, Doing things outdoors with my daughter. |
| Pets: |
Cat named Peaches |
| Short Bio: |
When I was about 18 I was working in an animal hospital, but I got fired because I was speaning too much time with the quarantined cats. I felt bad for the because they were so alone. |
| Funny Pet Story: |
I had a kitty named Shrimp (Stinky) who would pull all of my mother's underwear out of her drawer into a pile and dig in them some. As soon as they were just right she'd lay down in them and sleep. |
| Ambitions: |
To raise my daughter to the best of my ability and to be debt free. I also want to start volunteering again once I have a few extra minutes in my schedule to do so. |
| Other Information: |
I am a single mom who is just trying to make a little extra money to make sure my daughter gets and has everything she needs. Plus, my daughter loves dogs and we can't have one. |
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Name: |
Janelle Gatchalian |
| Position: |
Administrative Support |
| Joined ECPC: |
January 2005 |
| Age: |
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| Hometown: |
Arlington, VA |
| Studies: |
Public Policy |
| Hobbies: |
Travel, watching movies and of course, filing! |
| Pets: |
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| Short Bio: |
Janelle joined ECPC to support Erika's mission to bring exceptional pet care for the Northern Virginia Area. |
| Funny Pet Story: |
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| Ambitions: |
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| Other Information: |
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Name: |
Kevin Cole |
| Position: |
Full Time Dog Walker |
| Joined ECPC: |
January 2006 |
| Age: |
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| Hometown: |
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| Studies: |
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| Hobbies: |
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| Pets: |
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| Short Bio: |
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| Funny Pet Story: |
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| Ambitions: |
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| Other Information: |
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Name: |
Jenny Chin |
| Position: |
Dog Walker |
| Joined ECPC: |
December 2007 |
| Age: |
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| Hometown: |
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| Studies: |
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| Hobbies: |
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| Pets: |
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| Short Bio: |
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| Funny Pet Story: |
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| Ambitions: |
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| Other Information: |
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Name: |
Vu Tran |
| Position: |
Dog Walker |
| Joined ECPC: |
July 2008 |
| Age: |
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| Hometown: |
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| Studies: |
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| Hobbies: |
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| Pets: |
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| Short Bio: |
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| Funny Pet Story: |
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| Ambitions: |
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| Other Information: |
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Name: |
Sunae Kim |
| Position: |
Dog Walker |
| Joined ECPC: |
July 2008 |
| Age: |
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| Hometown: |
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| Studies: |
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| Hobbies: |
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| Pets: |
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| Short Bio: |
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| Funny Pet Story: |
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| Other Information: |
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Name: |
Ryan "Brandon" Hunter |
| Position: |
Dog Walker |
| Joined ECPC: |
July 2008 |
| Age: |
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| Hometown: |
Arlington, VA |
| Studies: |
I am currently studying Economics, Biology, and Spanish. |
| Hobbies: |
I like playing the piano, watching the cheap primetime shows on TV, and playing soccer. |
| Pets: |
I have one dog--a black mix (labrador and pit bull) named Balto-8 years old. I also have one cat--a blonde one (I don't know the breed) named Bruiser--12 years old. |
| Short Bio: |
I was born as a "military brat" in Puerto Rico, and moved around from Alaska, to Hawaii, and then to Japan, before my family settled down in Arlington, VA. It was a little tough because I would never have enough time to get set up with great, long lasting friends, but I've been more than happy with the last eight years in Arlington! Right now I'm attending the University of Virginia and absolutely love it--it's pretty, fun, and challenging as well. There are lots of opportunities for fun and getting involved, it's really great. |
| Funny Pet Story: |
This story isn't so much funny because of the dog, but more because of my brother's cowardly nature--When we first bought Balto, he was a little puppy of only a few weeks, he couldn't have weighed more than 15 pounds. We took him home, and were all playing with him in the basement of our home. All of a sudden he looked up at my brother Barrett and started barking and ran at him...my brother immediately shrieked and jumped on top of the back of our couch to avoid the rush of the oncoming beast. Thias was really funny because not only was Balto completely good natured, but at his age and size, even if he wanted to, he couldn't have done but so much damage! |
| Ambitions: |
I'd really like to go to med-school and then become a doctor, and hopefully get really involved in my church as I get older. |
| Other Information: |
Not too much, just to the clients that I have a genuine love of animals and am able to be very patient with them! |
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Name: |
Melissa Lockwood |
| Position: |
Dog Walker |
| Joined ECPC: |
July 2008 |
| Age: |
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| Hometown: |
Bowie, Maryland |
| Studies: |
Psychology Major |
| Hobbies: |
Reading, hiking, music, food & wine, shopping, going to the beach, spending time with friends & family |
| Pets: |
I have two kittens, Bettie and Marilyn. They're seven months old and are tuxedos. |
| Short Bio: |
I've grown up with cats and dogs. I've pet sat and dog walked for family and friends on multiple occasions. I have a lot of experience with cat sitting too. This job is perfect for me because it combines some of my favorite things: exercising, animals and the outdoors. |
| Funny Pet Story: |
When my kitten Bettie was three months old she jumped on the toilet seat and was trying to investigate and check it out. She got a little too interested and fell in. She got soaked and jumped out immediately. It was pretty funny and now I always make sure to keep the lid down. |
| Ambitions: |
Owning land and living in the mountains of North Carolina, getting married and starting a family, being successful in business aspirations, traveling abroad and continuing my education. |
| Other Information: |
I'm looking forward to caring for your best friends. |
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Name: |
Brenda Walls |
| Position: |
Dog Walker |
| Joined ECPC: |
July 2008 |
| Age: |
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| Hometown: |
Washington, D.C. |
| Studies: |
Communications and Non-Profit Management |
| Hobbies: |
theater, reading, cooking, jogging |
| Pets: |
Kilie (dog) 8 Mia (dog) 6 Charlotte (cat) 8 Timmy (bunny) 1 Hazel (bunny)1 |
| Short Bio: |
I am finishing up my Graduate work and will graduate in June 2009. I have been married for almost 9 years and have a 2 year old daughter. I grew up as an Air Force "brat" and lived in a lot of cool places until my family settled in DC this is where I have lived the longest and most of my memories are here so this is home for me. I also am a trained actor and worked for a year in a theater troupe in Oregon while in undergrad school. I still act as my "hobby". |
| Funny Pet Story: |
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| Ambitions: |
To open my own non-profit animal sanctuary. |
| Other Information: |
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Name: |
Kelly Widmann |
| Position: |
Dog Walker |
| Joined ECPC: |
July 2008 |
| Age: |
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| Hometown: |
Fairfax County |
| Studies: |
All subjects, but have a strong interest in computers |
| Hobbies: |
I enjoy computers, and figuring out how things work and why they don't work |
| Pets: |
I have two dogs. Katie, a black lab, is 14 and very smart. Mikey, a yellow lab, is 7 and very affecionate. |
| Short Bio: |
I was born and have lived all my life inFairfax County. I have lived in Burke, Lorton and Centreville. I completed my studies in April of 2008. I have two older brothers who live in this area. I spent my childhood vacations at Lake Anna where my Grandpa lives. It was great spending the time swimming, fishing, boating, climbing trees and building forts with my brothers and friends. |
| Funny Pet Story: |
My dog Mikey loves to watch TV. One day we were watching the animal channel and a big dog was barking. It was a close up shot so his face filled the screen. Mikey was laying on my mom's bed (which is about 2 1/2 feet off the floor) and he leaped from the bed to the TV (about 10 feet)barking at the dog on the set. He missed the set and hit the dresser it was on and slid down the front of it, barking and growling the entire way. My mom and I laughed our heads off. |
| Ambitions: |
At this time I am uncertain what I want to do with my life. I know at some point I want to continue my education. Just not sure what area. |
| Other Information: |
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Name: |
Heather O'Neil |
| Position: |
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| Joined ECPC: |
July 2008 |
| Age: |
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| Hometown: |
Bay Area, California |
| Studies: |
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| Hobbies: |
Going to concerts |
| Pets: |
I have a yorkshire terrier named Murray and he will be 9 years old in September. I have two cats one is named Coco and one is named Pixie. Coco is 1 year old and Pixie is 6 years old. |
| Short Bio: |
I love animals and working with them as well as their owners. I look forward to working with clients and their pets. |
| Funny Pet Story: |
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| Ambitions: |
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| Other Information: |
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Name: |
Lauren Zuckerman |
| Position: |
Dog Walker |
| Joined ECPC: |
August 2008 |
| Age: |
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| Hometown: |
Stony Brook, NY |
| Studies: |
Public and International Affairs |
| Hobbies: |
Muay Thai |
| Pets: |
I am the proud adoptive mother of two retired black lab guide dogs; Lucky is 12.5 and Chip is 9.5 |
| Short Bio: |
After getting my BA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and my MA from the University of Pittsburgh, I have settled down in the DC area to work. As I can't have my own dogs with me, who stay at home in NY with my parents, I am looking for some animals in need of my attention. |
| Funny Pet Story: |
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| Other Information: |
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