At Mearns Canine Lodge, my main role is to work in the kennels. Here, I am responsible for the dogs' welfare which includes feeding, exercising, administering medication, kennel cleaning and maintenance, and enrichment. Lots of time is spent with the dogs one-on-one making them feel comfortable as kennels can be a confusing place for some. This is a very active role as each dog is walked 3 times a day and there are 15 kennels which all require daily cleaning within a strict frame. When I am not working in kennels, I am needed in daycare where dogs of all breeds, sizes, and backgrounds are mixed to socialise for the day under our care. This can be a high pressure and high stress environment for both us, the workers, and the dogs, as some dogs can switch from playing nicely to fighting in an instant, and we have to be prepared to get between the dogs to break it up.

I was responsible for the welfare of the animals we kept and sold in store. These animals included fish, rabbits, guinea pigs, gerbils, and hamsters. Everyday they needed to be fed, medicated, and socialised. It helped to make bonds with customers and their pets, mostly dogs, that came into the store. I made the experience for the customer personal by learning the dogs' names and giving them a treat. Interacting with animals was the best part of the job. I needed to satisfy customers with sufficient and accurate information about products for their pets and provide solutions to niche queries. Providing correct information was crucial to the welfare of the animal.

I was responsible for creating customer to company bonds using excellent communication and customer service skills. By making the sales experience personal, I was able to connect with the customer and positively impact their time in the store. This then reflected positively on the company.In-app purchases were linked to transactions to increase numbers and reach our goals as a store.The shop floor was maintained to a high standard of tidiness at all times with clothes in size and style order. Vigilance was key in this role because no product was allowed to be misplaced and shop-lifters came by often.Expert advice was given about the technology of products, particularly shoe technology. I recommended many different shoes depending on what the person was training for or what their feet needed ie. were they training for a marathon, were they an elite competitive runner, were they a casual runner, did they have a large instep, did they need extra heel support?

I processed clinical samples and followed standard operating procedures in line with COVID-19 protocols. I was responsible for maintaining a clean and safe work station and ensuring no leaks or contamination could occur outside of my ventilated station. All work handling clinical samples was undertaken wearing full personal protective equipment (PPE).