For Lauren, working with animals is her happy place. With the support of her Humanim job coach, Kelvin, she started a position at Pet Fit five months ago, and now, she’s able to bring her passion for animals into her everyday work as a dog walker.
Based in Ellicott City, Pet Fit is a small, independent pet care business where Lauren works with a half-dozen coworkers to care for clients’ dogs. Each day, she visits homes to check in on pups, take them for walks, feed them, and ensure they get the attention they need. She also keeps owners updated through an app, giving them real-time insights into their pet’s day. Lauren has a regular roster of dogs she sees, which she enjoys. She also prefers being outside rather than in an office setting. “It’s not one place for the day,” she shares, “and that seems to be a good fit for me.” At the same time, she’s able to chat with her coworkers through a team app if she needs anything while she’s working. “If I have a question about one dog, I can put that in our chat, and someone who has experience with that dog can get back to me,” she says. In that way, she and her colleagues support each other even though they aren’t physically together.
Lauren credits Kelvin with helping her land this job. He started working with her last year and put together multiple sample questions to prepare her for the Pet Fit interview. In their weekly meetings, they talk through any potential issues or anxieties she may have about her work. Lauren says, “he gives me the confidence to ask my supervisor questions and to figure out how to word them in a way that feels comfortable to me.”
Outside of work, Lauren loves spending time with her own dog, a bull terrier named Kevin. She also crochets, often making blankets for family members who request them, and reads a lot. Historical fiction like Lyndsey Faye’s The Gods of Gotham and Carlos Ruiz Zafón’s The Shadow of the Wind are recent favorites.
Lauren’s journey with Humanim’s job coaching program has played a vital role in her independence. When she left her previous job, Kelvin was there to guide her toward the next step in her career. As with every job coach she’s worked with at Humanim, she values the encouragement, practical solutions, and unwavering support.
With a job that blends her love for animals, the outdoors, and a strong sense of independence, Lauren has truly found her perfect fit.