Jessica is from Winston-Salem, but has lived in Raleigh for eight years. She grew up with a dog and currently has a Miniature Schnauzer named Cooper. Jessica became COO of aMANda’S BEST FRIEND in January 2020, after working part-time on the weekends for over 2 years and doing the bookkeeping. She loves to bake cookies, hang out at breweries, and listen to podcasts. The three words Jessica’s friends would use to best describe her are reliable, funny, and patient.
Taylor is from Dayton, OH but has lived in the Raleigh area for 14 years. Though she just joined the aMANda’S BEST FRIEND team in 2020, she has been walking dogs for more than 3 years. Her current rescue dog, Oliver, is a dachshund mix who loves to cuddle! She even helped pay for his adoption fee when she was in sixth grade by selling her things at a yard sale. Taylor is a recent grad from UNCW where she earned her Bachelor’s in Environmental Science. Though she loves being a pet handler, her dream job would be to work at an animal sanctuary. Taylor’s friends would describe her as loyal, resilient, and kind. The most exciting thing she has ever done is travel to Reykjavik, Iceland in 2017.
Ryan moved to Raleigh in 2010. He grew up in Greensboro, NC, where he had a cat and a dog. Ryan currently has an orange Tabby cat named Malvo. He spends his time cooking, trying new restaurants, watching the Panthers, and playing tennis. So far, his favorite job has been to join the aMANda’S BEST FRIEND family, but his dream job would be traveling to experience different foods around the world. Ryan’s friends would describe him as easy-going, loyal, and optimistic. The most exciting thing he has ever done is going on a 50+ mile backpacking trip in the Appalachian Mountains.
Katie is from the Raleigh area, and she has lived here her whole life. She has amazing experience with dogs by working in a boarding facility and walking dogs for over 3 years. Katie has a dachshund that she rescued named Frankie. She currently attends NC State studying Social Work, and her favorite job has been volunteering with children who were involved in domestic abuse. Katie’s friends would describe her as relaxed, passionate, and honest! She loves to take her dog to local trails and lakes all around Raleigh and to binge-watch her favorite Netflix shows.
Emily moved to Raleigh six years ago from Philadelphia, PA. She graduated from NC State with a degree in Biological Sciences. Her favorite job experience was working for 2 years in the Meredith Autism Program helping children with Autism in an early intervention program. She grew up in a house with a dog and multiple cats coming and going! She loves all the animals and although she doesn’t have a pet of her own, she is a wonderful and dedicated Auntie to Busy and Reo. She enjoys music and reading and going to the movies in her free time. She enjoys learning about Herbalism and using all natural skincare products and would one day like to make her own products! Emily’s friends would describe her as responsible, empathetic, and someone who loves unconditionally.
Bhavisha is from Rocky Mount and is studying animal science, poultry science, and agricultural business management at NC State. She has been working with dogs and cats since she was 16, and started working with farm animals when she came to college. (Check out her second show heifer, Magnolia!) Her favorite job so far has been working at NC State’s beef educational unit, but she loves all animals big and small! She enjoys painting, reading, and listening to music. She hopes to work in the feed industry one day!
Taylor is originally from Vanceboro, NC, but now lives in Raleigh while she attends NC State University for Zoology. Taylor has experience with all sorts of animals and has previously worked as a veterinary assistant at a local animal hospital, and as an intern at a wildlife sanctuary. She currently has four pets of her own: an Australian Shepherd named Winnie, a three-legged cat named Kiwi, a tuxedo cat named Kermit, and a Bearded Dragon named Ham. Some of Taylor’s favorite things to do in her free time are hiking, cooking, and spending time outdoors! Taylor’s friends would describe her as down-to-earth, creative, and open-minded.
Katie is an Animal Science major at NCSU and has lived in Raleigh since August 2020 moving from her home in Charlotte. She has moved quite a bit growing up in many states and although she loves Charlotte and Raleigh, she mainly grew up in Ohio. Katie‘s love for animals began when she started helping her grandfather and uncle with their barn. She helped take care of race horses that they raised and a few cows, but she mainly enjoyed finding and taking care of stray cats or dogs that found their way to the barn. Katie loves to be in nature. Her favorite spots to travel always have something to do with outdoors, whether it’s mini hiking trips to the mountains, day trips to the beach or even a walk in the park! Lastly, she has two pets of her own; a 12 year old bull mastiff/lab mix named Sarge and a 9 month old orange tabby cat named Jupiter! Katie‘s friends would say she is a loyal, selfless, and fun person to be with!
Hannah is originally from Cleveland, Ohio. She moved around a lot as a child but finally settled in Raleigh, NC 11 years ago. Hannah recently graduated from NC State with her Bachelor’s in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. She has had three dogs in her life, but currently has a Shiba Inu and a German Shepherd. Hannah started working with aMANda’S BEST FRIEND as a part of her Digital Marketing class at NC State, then officially joined the team as a Digital Strategist in May 2020. She loves to take pictures, bake and spend time with her friends and family. One of the most exciting things she has done was getting married. She enjoyed the celebration and dancing the night away with her friends, family, and husband.
Nicole is from Raleigh, NC, and is a senior at NC State University. She grew up with five dogs and two cats, but she currently has a cat named Nelson. Nicole first started working for aMANda’S BEST FRIEND as class credit for her Digital Marketing Practicum, but she then joined the team part time in May 2020 as a Digital Specialist. In her free time, she loves going swing dancing with her friends, and her favorite adventure is when she biked the entire Neuse River Trail with her dad (33 miles). Nicole believes that being a family is being a part of something very wonderful. It means you will love and be loved for the rest of your life.
