Sunshine's Pet Services

Thank you for reading Our Story and for your interest in Sunshine’s Pet Services! My name is Lyndie, and I am a Professional Pet Sitter, Certified Dog Trainer, and Behavior Consultant. Above all, I am an animal advocate. I believe that all animals should be treated with kindness, patience, and respect.

In June 2011, I became a Certified Dog Trainer and created The P.A.W. Method. The P.A.W. Method stands for Positive Associations Work. The idea is to make learning fun for you and your dog. Teaching your dog should be enjoyable and your dog should associate learning with positive reinforcement.

I completed my externship with one of the top dog trainers in Pittsburgh. At the time, Maribeth Hook worked with the Humane Society of Pennsylvania. I admired her kindness and respect towards her energetic pack of Australian Shepards. I’m so thankful that I had the opportunity to teach a variety of group classes with her.

I continued my education by earning additional certifications in training shelter dogs and teaching private lessons. Formal training is important; however, I gained the most knowledge by learning from every animal that has come into my life.

Professional and Volunteer Experience

I was a manager at a doggie daycare, dog grooming, dog boarding, and veterinary facility. I have experience working in stray dog intake at a county shelter where I conducted behavioral evaluations. In addition, I have experience working in adoptions and monitoring meet and greets for potential adopters. Over the years, I have worked and volunteered at a variety of doggie daycares, kennels, county animal shelters, rescues, veterinary clinics, and dog training facilities.

I have been a lifelong volunteer at animal shelters and rescues. One of the most rewarding things I have ever done was foster fifteen litters of kittens. Most litters were without their momma, fighting infections, and suffering from other health issues that required special attention. I learned so much working with the veterinary staff that managed the foster program.

I plan on fostering more litters of kittens in the future. Fostering any species of animal is critical to their development physically and psychologically. When you foster an animal, that gives the rescue or shelter the opportunity to save even more lives. Fostering, volunteering, adopting, spaying, and neutering saves lives.

My Mission and Continuing Education

I have been lucky enough to meet some amazing veterinary professionals, veterinarians, and animal shelter staff that have gifted me with priceless information that I have used throughout my career.

Additionally, I have years of experience working with injured strays, special needs pets, medical emergencies, and more. The best lessons I have learned came from the animals themselves. I am an animal nerd and I never stop learning.

I read academic literature on medical findings, research conditions and diseases, and I keep up to date with new treatments for a variety of medical conditions. Furthermore, I love to learn about animal nutrition. I can go into a rabbit hole for hours researching nutrition and how food impacts an animal’s health. If you can’t tell, I love animals and I am passionate about learning how to care for them mentally, emotionally, and physically.

My mission is to help as many animals as possible while I am on this earth. I have always been sensitive to the energy of animals. Furthermore, I form deep connections with animals quickly.

I am the person you see on the side of the road, coaxing a fearful dog into the safety of my vehicle. I am known as the person who will drop everything to help an animal in need. If there is a loose dog, I am already out the door with a leash and treats.

Furthermore, I specialize in working with fearful, neglected, abused, and special needs pets. This is something that has always been very important to me. It is my passion to help the “underdog” or “undercat” live their best life.

Sunshine’s Pet Services is named after my sweet Sunshine.

Our story truly begins with Sunshine. His name inspired Sunshine’s Pet Services. Sunny was my special little buddy. He taught himself how to play fetch, he made the funniest faces, gave the best hugs, and had a beautiful heart, along with an amazing personality. He came into my life unexpectedly after being dumped in my neighborhood. However, I knew from the moment I laid eyes on him that we were meant to be together. Even if it was for a short time.

He was severely neglected which caused him to suffer from a variety of serious infections. All of which were 100% avoidable if he were provided with the most basic care. These infections led to major medical issues, one of which required double eye surgery. His ears were heavily infested with ear mites, bacteria, and fungi. He had to be quarantined when it was discovered he had ringworm. He developed an enlarged heart due to being heartworm positive (typically rare in cats and can cause sudden death), a seizure disorder that later transformed into Feline Hyperesthesia, and irreversible brain damage.

I was blessed to have him for two years and I gave him all the love and care in the world. A very wise and compassionate veterinarian once told me that it is not the length of time that our babies have, it is the quality of the time. Sunny had such an impact on my life. I can’t quite formulate it into words. My dream is to one day create a sanctuary and rescue in his name and save the animals that need it most. Sunshine’s story does not end here.

Pet Care Experience

I have experience giving oral medications. Pills, liquid, pastes, injections, transdermal medications, eye drops, eye ointments, ear drops, and more.

I have experience cleaning wounds, cleaning ears, giving IV fluids, removing ticks, and providing first aid. Additionally, I’m experienced in diffusing physical altercations between animals, calming stressed or fearful animals, handling stray animals, safely trapping stray animals, handling injured animals, managing off leash dogs while walking with a dog, and more.

I have experience in preparing freeze dried pet food and dehydrated pet food. Also, prescription pet food, home crafted diets, and other special diets. I’m experienced with finicky eaters and pets that require medications to be added to their food.

Medical Conditions and Special Needs Experience

I have experience caring for pets who have a variety of medical conditions and special needs. Some of these conditions are blindness, deafness, diabetics that require insulin, diabetics that are difficult to regulate, diabetics that require glucose curves at home. I have experience performing these curves at home with an AlphaTRAK device. Also, diabetics that use the Freestyle Libre device, Cushing’s syndrome, seizure disorders, eye infections, ear infections, food allergies, collapsing trachea, environmental allergies, hot spots, rashes, gastrointestinal issues, bilious vomiting, fleas, ticks, heartworm in dogs and cats, arthritis, and more.

Additionally, I have experience caring for pets who have a variety of psychological disorders and behavioral challenges. Some of these challenges are CCD (canine cognitive dysfunction aka canine dementia), feline hyperesthesia, OCD, situational phobias, fixating behaviors, reactivity, depression, anxiety, PTSD, food aggression, and more.

Furthermore, I have experience in caring for survivors of traumatic situations. Examples: Pets from hoarding cases, abuse and neglect cases, seizure cases (removal by county), puppy/kitten mills, dog fighting cases, abandonment cases, and more.

Please check out Sunshine’s Photo Gallery and My Favorite Testimonials to learn more about our services, our story and Sunshine’s Pet Services!

Sunshine’s Pet Services is insured and registered with the Division of Corporations in the state of Florida.

Insurance Certificate Number: CCP 997954-00234-10

Prior to making an appointment, please review Sunshine’s Terms of Service. Thank you!