Miranda Shipman grew up in Asheville, N.C.

     In her youth, her hobbies were hiking in the mountains and spending time on a ranch with rescue horses.

     Throughout her life, Miranda has always had an affinity for helping others. She has been involved with social work, nursing and caring for and handling animals.

     Working her dream job at the Willows of Red Oak in the Blue Ridge Mountains – a residential treatment facility for women with severe trauma, substance abuse and eating disorders – Miranda was enjoying her life in Asheville.

     She was performing amazing therapies to help people - which included equine therapy, wilderness therapy, adventure therapy, mindfulness, somatic therapies including aromatherapy and shiatsu massage.

     Things took an unexpected turn in 2021.

     Miranda made a courageous decision to relinquish the life she had built and move to South Florida. The driving force behind this life-altering move was her own battle with mental health issues, particularly complex PTSD and suicidal thoughts. “My PTSD was really bad,” Miranda says. “I realized that I had to help myself before I could help other people. Taking care of myself was the most important thing.”

     The move to South Florida was a choice to invest in her own recovery. Drawn by the warmth of the region and the abundance of resources, Miranda embarked on a journey to heal herself. She ended up finding solace and purpose in working with dogs.

     “It saved my life,” Miranda says.

     Miranda has always had a connection to animals. They were always her safe place. Upon moving here, she lived in Imperial Point. Downward Dogs Pet Care was born. Her business started growing and is thriving.

     The business focuses on pet sitting, dog walking, grooming and boarding. She specializes in large and restricted breeds. “I got clients,” Miranda says.

     Her business is very personalized. “Every dog has its own needs and routine. Our goal is to provide peace of mind,” Miranda says. She also provides geriatric care, special food if needed and can assist with giving your pets medications.

     Miranda and her team aren’t just pet caregivers. They are companions to the animals, and they forge strong relationships with their owners. The passion they pour into their work is evident, creating a level of trust that goes beyond the ordinary.

     “We only hire passionate puppy lovers. We go above and beyond to make sure that the animal is good. When we board, our home is their home. They are very comfortable,” Miranda says.

     Another area where Miranda and her team are helpful is with giving the animal stimulation. An animal’s world is so small. She enjoys getting animals to focus, which will help them mentally, and she also will get them to use their senses. She and her team will interact with them with toys and do a lot of work with them outdoors.

     “It has been a beautiful journey to heal from it. Now, I really don’t have any symptoms,” Miranda says. “I am so grateful that my healing journey led me back to my purpose in life. It is so fulfilling”

     Miranda’s commitment to helping extends beyond her business. She is involved with the Blue Waters Pit Bull Rescue and will also help out people who don’t have access to resources and are in an emergency situation.

     Miranda’s favorite things to do locally include finding a trail or nature spot that feels like an escape from the city. Victoria Park feels like Fort Lauderdale's best-kept secret. “It’s a magical getaway from the bustling city and is my absolute favorite neighborhood in South Florida,” Miranda says.

Miranda and Andrea are always incredible when taking care of our two large dogs. We have never had to worry about them when traveling, and most recently we were able to take an international trip for an extended period of time, receiving daily updates and photos of their progress that were not only informative but also put our minds at ease. They are very trustworthy and take care of our animals as if they were their own. Highly recommended!

- Lisa Neumayer and Zeb Holt (Owners of Tucker "TT" and Coco)

Millie and Delilah’s Favorite Visitor:

My two Danes love it when Miranda from Downward Dogs comes for a visit. She always takes us for long walks and lets us sniff all of the good smells in the neighborhood. They look forward to her next visit.

- Jim Hand (Owner of Millie and Delilah)