From Rossella moment could speak,  her first word was one of my dogs’ names—a sign of the deep connection I’ve always had with animals. Leaving her dogs behind in South Africa when they moved to Canada was incredibly tough, and for years,  she dreamed of having a pet of their own again.

After university, she struggled to find a career that fit their needs and aspirations. As someone who is neurodivergent and values flexibility, purpose, and autonomy, the traditional 9–5 path felt limiting. Instead of trying to mold themself into a role that didn’t work for her, she decided to create one that did. She started gaining experience by shadowing trainers, walking dogs, and fostering. Eventually, they took the leap and turned their passion into a pet care business and became Free® Certified.

Now, as a proud cat parent, she can honestly say her own fur babies have deepened her understanding of just how much love and care pets truly deserve. And it works the other way around too - the more she learns and pays close attention to each cat as an individual, the more connected she feels to them. She continues to grow her knowledge by shadowing other fear-free pet professionals, including groomers, so she can bring the gentlest and most informed care possible.

Being neurodivergent with lived experience of disability has also made their especially attuned to the needs of anxious and sensitive animals. They are a big believer in patience, choice, and positive reinforcement, using evidence-based approaches to ensure every pet feels safe, understood, and loved.

But her work isn’t just about caring for pets. She is passionate about making pet care more inclusive and accessible, especially for disabled and neurodivergent folks.

That’s why she is building a team that supports one another—creating a space where we can all thrive, share knowledge, and uplift each other. It’s not just about offering top-notch pet care—it’s about making the industry a more welcoming place for everyone.

Julien is a neurodivergent pet carer who's love for animals runs deep, and it’s a love that’s now guiding him into a fulfilling career in animal care.

After spending years in the corporate world, Julien decided it was time to follow his heart and make a difference in the lives of pets. Over the past year, he’s been shadowing me, gaining hands-on experience, and learning all about positive reinforcement techniques to make sure your pets get the care they deserve.

He’s currently working on his Fear-Free certification to help him provide the most gentle and stress-free experience for your pets. Plus, Julien is fully insured and certified in pet first aid, so you can always trust that your pets are in safe hands.

Julien has a soft spot for animals, especially his own senior kitty, Zelda, and the two playful kittens his family cares for. His calming presence has even helped my own cats warm up to him quickly, which speaks volumes about his ability to connect with animals on a deeper level. Julien is one of the most patient people I know, and that’s one of the reasons animals feel so comfortable around him.

He has a natural gift for calming nervous or anxious animals, especially those who may be wary of men. Julien is thrilled to continue growing in his animal care journey, and he can’t wait to give your pets all the love, patience, and attention they deserve!

Aether is a neurodivergent, professional, caring, and passionate animal lover with a strong dedication to high-quality pet care. With a growing background in pet sitting and pet first aid certification, Aether has spent time studying canine body language and learning how to communicate effectively with dogs of all personalities. They know when to give dogs space, when to gently engage, and how to recognize important social cues to intervene appropriately when needed.

Aether is experienced in supporting anxious or reactive dogs through thoughtful redirection and distraction techniques and deeply understands the importance of identifying and meeting each pet’s individual needs with compassion.

They are always eager to expand their knowledge, particularly in the areas of training and enrichment, and enjoys sharing helpful tips to support clients in building stronger, more confident relationships with their dogs.

Outside of pet care, Aether loves making music, crocheting, and dreams of adopting an Italian Greyhound once they move into a pet-friendly home. (Also, their favourite colour is green!)

Aether is currently attending school to pursue a music degree but still hopes to foster dogs in the future.

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