About Valerie

Hi! I'm Valerie: former elementary school teacher, writer, artist, and creative caregiver. I enjoy animals more than I like most people. While living abroad, I became fascinated by the nervous system, trauma awareness, and the power of play. Most pets are mammals with nervous systems that work just like ours. We coregulate with our pets, and they calm us, too. I enjoy looking after most animals. Outside of work, I'm a lifelong learner and creator. I design games and educational resources, and I write poems, songs, and stories with my original monkey characters that teach emotional awareness, calming strategies, and body safety. Nowadays, I focus on nurturing more individualized care than possible in classrooms, especially with pets. Having recently moved back to Florida to be near my family, I'm seeking caring work where I can invest my energy and continue perfecting and personalizing my caregiving practice.