A WALK AROUND THE CORNER

	Melissa founded A Walk Around the Corner in 2005. After ten years of working for non-profit organizations, Melissa found her true calling - working with animals. She knew from experience how difficult it can be to find someone you trust with your pet, so she began her pet sitting business with lots of love, patience and understanding, and she continues to thrive on that foundation. Melissa knows that your pet is not "just" a pet but is a part of your immediate family. Melissa is certified by the Animal Behavior College as a Dog Trainer, and is currently enrolled in a Veterinary Assistant program in addition to furthering her studies in dog training. She is also certified in first aid for pets by the American Red Cross. Melissa is the very proud mom of Molly-Muffin.
	Jason is the Co-Founder of A Walk Around the Corner. He is certified in first aid for cats and dogs by the American Red Cross, and has several years experience caring for dogs. During his teenage years and early adulthood years, Jason had a Beagle mix, Maggie, who was very popular in Brooklyn Heights. People in the neighborhood used to spoil her and would actually stop by to bring food to Maggie. She was also a big ham and would pose as soon as she saw someone holding a camera. Jason is now the proud dad of Molly-Muffin who, at 55 pounds, likes to leap into his arms when she gets scared late at night.
	Catherine joined our staff in January of 2008, and is certified by the American Red Cross in first aid for pets. She works primarily in the Park Slope area. Growing up in a house with many dogs and cats, Catherine was the family's designated pet caretaker. She recently lost her two childhood Labradors to old age, but still tends to the five cats in her parents’ home. She also has two Betta Fish, Bow and Violet. When Catherine is not working for A Walk Around the Corner, she devotes the rest of her time to her adorable son as well as her boyfriend, David. Catherine also enjoys listening to music, writing poetry, drawing sketches and sight seeing.
	Tara moved to New York in early 2008 and dog walked for another company before joining our staff. Tara works in the Park Slope, Windsor Terrace and Kensington areas, and is certified by the American Red Cross in first aid for pets. Tara’s great love of animals started as a child. She grew up in a big animal loving family, and feels incomplete without a pet of her own. In addition to having dogs and cats, Tara had two bearded dragons, parakeets, cockatiels, hamsters, guinea pigs and a chinchilla. Tara now has an adorable Basset Hound named Optimus Prime who makes her laugh daily. Tara also enjoys art, poetry, photography, reading, vintage clothing and travel. She and her boyfriend, Xavier, hope to one day own a home big enough to accommodate many pets, which they hope to rescue in the near future.
	Deirdre joined our staff in the Fall of 2008, and came highly recommended by her sister, Catherine. As far back as Deirdre can remember, she has always been surrounded by all different types of animals, and her love for them started at a very early age. Deirdre has a very strong bond with cats, and has even personally hand raised many kittens that she rescued off of the street. At one point she had 11 cats and four dogs because she cannot bear to see an animal living on the street instead of being in a warm home living with a family to love them. When Deirdre cannot personally care for an animal, she takes whatever steps possible to help place the animal in an appropriate home. Deirdre is certified by the American Red Cross in First Aid for Pets.
	Cristina joined our team in the Fall of 2008, and is certified by the American Red Cross in First Aid. Swapping her high heels and dresses for sneakers and warm sweaters on weekends, Cristina works part-time for A Walk Around the Corner. Cristina has loved animals from a very young age and would always ask her parents for dogs as gifts for birthdays and Christmas. Cristina has been surrounded by dogs most of her life, and now she currently has two Betta fish, Optimus Prime and Megatron. Cristina is also the very proud aunt of two English Bulldogs, Jimmy and Oscar, who she babysits and sometimes "borrows" on a very regular basis. Cristina’s ideal life and job would be filled with LOTS of animals to help, take care of and love. She believes that nothing says thank you like a big slobbery kiss!