Meet LaRain Saige, an animal care specialist helping pets and their people stay healthy and happy at home.

LaRain grew up on a farm with all kinds of animals including llamas, horses, cows, chickens, goats and an absurd amount more! She has certificates in natural health care for pets, veterinary assisting, dog obedience and pet psychology. Volunteering at an animal shelter, the humane society, and working at a veterinary clinic has given her the opportunity to help innumerable people with their animals in different situations over the years.

LaRain uses her experience to bring the community together to help those in need. She is the founder of TAILS Foundation Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. TAILS' mission is to help families care for their pets by providing services, resources and education necessary to obtain optimal health and well-being for their animals

Visit SaigeWellness.com for details, and/or follow her on Facebook @LaRainSaige.

1) What exactly is an animal care specialist and what do you do?

An animal care specialist is someone who cares for animals in many different ways, as the opportunities are endless. I personally started as a pet sitter, dog walker and dog obedience trainer and now I am currently a pet health consultant. I am committed to providing people with education and options so they can do the very best for their pets, but not break the bank. One of my favorite topics is talking about feeding your pets fresh, real food either raw or cooked, and in conjunction with commercial pet foods. I recognize that each pet has unique needs and can include custom diet tips!

2) What are a few things you enjoy most about working with animals?

Part of the joy of working with animals is giving them a service that they could not give themselves. I love helping an animal to recover from minor health issues such as anxiety, bad breath, itching and minor skin irritations using low-cost alternative remedies. Another one of my passions is working with a dog who is in danger of losing their current home because of behavioral problems and turning that around to becoming a well-adjusted member of the family. I love assessing a new dog and talking with the family to figure out what the problems are and how to fix them in a productive manner.

3) Why do you feel animals are such a special and important part of our lives?

Interacting with animals has been shown to reduce stress and promote relaxation. The calming effect of spending time with animals can improve mental health and overall well-being. They are not just pets. They are family!

4) What is something people would be surprised to know about you?

I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in 2004. Treatment was intense, fast and thankfully over in six months. I have been cancer free for 20 years this year! As a cancer survivor I was a committee member for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life for over 10 years and helped several people through their cancer battles as well.

5) What is your favorite animal and why?

The horse of course! When I lived in Arizona. I used to be quite involved in trail riding, barrel racing, pole bending, reining and halter showing. I trained horses for behavior problems, broke to ride and also taught people how to get back on after falling off …conquering fear! Since I moved to Idaho in 2001, dogs have been the majority of my focus (black dogs are my favorite!), but I have helped all kinds and have several of my own animals such as dogs, cats, chickens, rabbits and goats! Animals provide non-complex, unconditional love, availability and bring peace to your soul.