Valerie joined the Creature Comforts team in April 2025 and brings with her a lifelong passion for animals of all kinds. Over the years she has had a number of critters, including tree frogs, anole lizards, tortoises, various snakes, rodents, doves, and more. Valerie is working towards vet tech certification and has a special interest in exotics and wildlife. At home, Valerie shares her life with her two cats, Penny and Oliver, as well as two rats, Hazelnut and Bean (whom she hand-raised from just 10 days old!) In her free time, she enjoys reading, printmaking, photography, and playing all kinds of games: video, tabletop, and the occasional game of “keep the cats off the keyboard.”