As kid growing up in a family with multiple dogs, cats, rats, guinea pigs and hamsters, I took long hikes, and often returned home with rescues. My dad helped me clean them up and adopt them out. Later, as a teen, I worked in a veterinary office after school and on weekends. As an adult, I found many abandoned and injured animals and helped get them fixed up; I found their owners and/or re-homed them with loving families.