Being an empath while having an understanding of trust and patience is important in animal care. Jasmine's love for animals came about at the early age of 5. As a kid, her mother knew she had an affinity for helping injured wildlife and taking care of her pets. Over the years, she had cats, dogs, guinea pigs, an African gray parrot, a cockatoo, budgies, and finches. Her back yard was a menagerie of local wildlife which she always enjoyed observing and studying. She always knew she wanted to help or be around animals. It was her life goal.
Graduated from Penn State Altoona with a BA in Environmental Studies and Natural Science. Jasmine interned in wildlife husbandry and as an educator for injured, orphaned animals at a Pennsylvania Wildlife Center. She worked part-time at Central PA Humane Society where she received her experience in pet adoption, grooming, and animal husbandry. Once graduating college, she worked as a vet tech assistant at VCA Animal Hospital in NJ learning animal restraint, med dispensing, compliance, and lab work. While working at the vet office, Jasmine started volunteering at the local Zoo. It was at the Zoo where Jasmine gained a passion for ALL animals including farm animals, domestic, and the exotic. Once full-time in the Zoo field, she continued her education at Columbia University in New York focusing on Conservation Biology, went to advanced zookeeping and training classes, and continued her studies with animals. She moved to San Diego in 2007 where she became a Senior Wildlife Care Specialist at San Diego Zoo all while workingpart-timee as a freelance pet sitter and later becoming a positive reinforcement dog trainer.
Jasmine has over 30 years of experience with dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects, rodents, as well as small to large mammals and farm animals. In the Zoological field, the list of animal training and care is more expansive: A myriad of large and small felines like tigers, lions, bobcats, and ocelots, to specializing in an array of primates, apes, as well as exotic species you've probably never even heard of!
I believe in empowering pets and their owners through fear-free, science-backed training that builds trust and lasting results. If you're ready to transform your pet’s behavior, have questions about my services, or want to schedule a session, reach out today.