I am a 27 year old professional working in Forestry. My job is a nice mixture of desk based and outdoor work, so I am used to spending time outdoors in all kinds of weather conditions. In the industry, I inherently spend lots of time with colleagues dogs, both in the office and on-site visits. I've found that spending time with dogs can really decrease stress levels and gives me the ability to switch off after work. I work flexible hours from Mon-Fri. So, I can schedule in different times throughout the day and my evenings are free.

I grew up with two cocker spaniels, who were an energetic delight. They both joined me on many hiking and exploring adventures - almost like having two partners in crime. I very much miss having dogs as pets! During my adult life, I have (and still do) spent lots of time with friends' dogs, including dog sitting, walking and camping trips. Currently, I have a cat. My partner and I would love to bring a dog into the family, this is something we are planning for the future. 

Health and fitness is a important value in my life for my mental health and sleep quality. I walk daily (especially after working at a desk) and aim to do a minimum of 10k steps per day. I have found myself missing my childhood dogs on walks and have really appreciated the enjoyment, companionship and motivation that they bring.

Outside my job, I do have a passion and interest for the environment, through urban woodlands, conservation and ecology. This is a nice extra opportunity to connect with the outdoors and new areas. Especially since, I moved to Edinburgh 6 months ago from Inverness.