by amberspets | Feb 7, 2022 | Uncategorized
Little is more endearing than the loving gaze of your dog. After standing by you through thick and thin, you want to ensure your dog’s golden years are the best ever. And what better way to enhance your golden years than to help your companion through his own? Amber’s...
by amberspets | Feb 1, 2022 | Uncategorized
Nothing is more precious than a new puppy — until the first time they have an accident on your carpet and you have nothing on hand to clean it up. But keeping your house clean with a puppy doesn’t have to feel like a never-ending battle. With these tips, you can...
by amberspets | Jan 25, 2022 | Uncategorized
Take Care of your Pets An Interview with Amber Clay of Amber’s Pampered Pets 1. Tell us when you started your business. Do you remember your first clients? I was so eager to start volunteering at Pet Refuge back in early 2002! I got right into the swing...by amberspets | Jan 25, 2022 | Uncategorized
Doing Right by Your Pet: Advice for New Owners At Amber’s Pampered Pets, we know that owning a pet is a joy and privilege, but it’s also a big responsibility. If your idea of pet adoption is finding the cutest or coolest-looking dog or cat, spend some time thinking...by amberspets | Jan 15, 2022 | Uncategorized
In the past, having a spacious home was a hallmark of success. People now are realizing that having a bunch of wasted space isn’t desirable at all. The call for simplicity is leading some people to downsize. For some, the pull comes as their children become adults and...
Pet Sitter
Meet Sarah!
Sarah has been providing pet care for APP clients for many years and is one of the longest-serving pet care professionals working with APP. I first met Sarah while we were both volunteering with the dogs at Pet Refuge, where her calm, capable approach to animal care immediately stood out.
More than one client has affectionately dubbed Sarah a “dog whisperer.” She has extensive experience working with large, energetic, nervous, and shy dogs, and her quiet confidence helps pets relax and build trust naturally. She’s also wonderful with cats and has a special talent for earning the trust of even the most reserved personalities.
At home, Sarah recently welcomed Boscoe, a rescue dog, to the family. Her passion for rescue animals extends beyond her own home—she’s especially experienced caring for rescue pets and complex multi-pet households. Whether she’s managing the routines of a busy foster home with multiple cats or caring for several dogs with different personalities and needs, Sarah is organized, attentive, and unfazed by the challenge.
Although she spent time studying veterinary technology, Sarah ultimately realized her true passion was working directly with pets and their families through professional pet care. Her dependable nature, strong work ethic, and genuine compassion have made her a trusted favorite among APP clients for years.
⭐ Specialties: Rescue pets • Multi-pet households • Large & spirited dogs • Fearful & shy pets
🌙 Available for overnight stays
📍 Service Area: Granger, North Side South Bend & Southern Niles
Pet Sitter
Meet Maggie!
Maggie has spent nearly three decades working with horses and brings a quiet confidence and wealth of experience to every visit. Throughout her career, she’s cared for horses in a wide variety of settings, including guest ranches in Colorado, hunter and eventing barns, thoroughbred farms in Kentucky, therapeutic riding programs, and collegiate equestrian competition.
One of Maggie’s more unique experiences was helping train reindeer at the Life Adventure Center! She also previously owned a farm and house-sitting business in Illinois, combining her love of animals with dependable, professional care.
In addition to her extensive equine background, Maggie has several years of experience working with dogs through both the Elkhart Humane Society and doggy daycare facilities. These days, she shares her home with her beloved Collies and her cat. Animals have always been at the center of her life, both personally and professionally.
Known for her calm, dependable nature, Maggie excels with pets that appreciate a steady, confident presence. Whether she’s caring for horses, administering medications, or looking after dogs and cats, she approaches every visit with patience, reliability, and exceptional attention to detail.
🐾 Pet First Aid & CPR Certified
⭐ Specialties: Barn & horse care • Advanced pet care, including injections and medication administration • Rescue & shelter dogs
📍 Service Area: Sunnymede, Notre Dame, South Side South Bend & Mishawaka
Pet Sitter
Meet Nykki!
Nykki has always had a passion for animals and shares her home with quite the crew! Along with her German Shepherd, Great Pyrenees, and Old English Sheepdog, she also cares for several parrots—including Blue-and-Gold and Green-wing Macaws, an Umbrella Cockatoo, an Eclectus, an Indian Ringneck—and two Juliana pigs.
Caring for such a wide variety of animals has given Nykki firsthand experience with different personalities, routines, and species. She also enjoys helping friends care for their farm animals, making her a wonderful fit for households with unique pets and specialized care needs.
Whether she’s caring for dogs, cats, birds, or other companion animals, Nykki approaches every visit with patience, confidence, and genuine enthusiasm for animal care.
🐾 Fear Free Certified
🐾 Pet First Aid & CPR Certified
🐾 Feline Safety Grooming Certified
⭐ Specialties: Exotic birds • Farm animals • Multi-species households
📍 Service Area: North Side South Bend & Granger
🗓️ Availability: Limited availability
Pet Sitter
Meet Rachel!
Rachel has spent more than 25 years as an educator, bringing patience, compassion, and a calm, thoughtful approach to everyone she meets. Those same qualities make her a wonderful fit for pet care, especially for pets who appreciate a gentle, reassuring presence.
Outside the classroom, Rachel has devoted many years to animal rescue through her volunteer work with Pet Refuge and Tracking in the Shadows Rescue. She has fostered numerous rescue dogs over the years, helping them prepare for their forever homes, and has a special appreciation for the patience and understanding that many rescue pets need. She also has a soft spot for cats and enjoys earning the trust of even the most reserved felines.
Having cared for pets for family, friends, and APP clients over the years, Rachel is experienced administering medications, including injections, and caring for pets with medical needs. Her attention to detail and nurturing personality help pets feel safe, comfortable, and well cared for while their families are away.
🐾 Pet First Aid & CPR Certified
⭐ Specialties: Rescue pets • Cats • Advanced pet care, including injections and medication administration
🌙 Available for select overnight stays
📍 Service Area: Sunnymede, South Side South Bend & Mishawaka
Pet Care Provider
Ciera has always had a deep love for animals. Growing up around horses, dogs, and cats gave her an early appreciation for the unique personalities and needs of each pet—but dogs have always held an especially meaningful place in her heart.
She has spent years building hands-on experience throughout the pet care industry, including dog daycare, training, and grooming. Those roles helped her develop a strong understanding of canine body language, medication administration, coat care, mental enrichment, and breed-specific needs. Ciera is especially patient with shy or nervous pets and loves helping them feel safe and comfortable at their own pace.
She also has a special soft spot for bully breeds and appreciates their affectionate, playful, and often misunderstood personalities.
Outside of pet care, Ciera enjoys adventuring with her four-year-old pit mix. Their favorite activities include hiking, long walks, trick training, and the occasional day spent relaxing on the couch. She and her fiancée also enjoy vending Pokémon cards at shows throughout the region, including events in Indianapolis, Chicago, Detroit, and locally.
🌙 Currently considers: Select overnight care
🐾 Specialties: Shy and nervous pets • Bully breeds • Canine body language • Enrichment • Grooming and coat-care experience
📍 Preferred Service Area: Mishawaka • Granger • Select areas of South Bend
Pet Sitter
Meet Heather!
Heather has a gentle, compassionate nature that helps both pets and their people feel at ease. She has a special gift for connecting with shy dogs and reserved cats, patiently allowing them to build trust at their own pace.
As a devoted pet owner herself, Heather shares her home with her husband, three dogs, one cat, and their new addition, a sweet baby girl. She understands firsthand how important it is to know your pets are receiving thoughtful, dependable care while you’re away.
Heather is known for her attention to detail and takes pride in treating every home with the same care and respect she would her own. Whether she’s caring for your pets, tidying up after meals, or making sure everything is just as you left it, she approaches every visit with kindness, reliability, and genuine care.
🐾 Pet First Aid & CPR Certified
⭐ Specialties: Shy dogs & cats • Detail-oriented care • Calm, compassionate visits
📍 Service Area: Mishawaka, Granger, Notre Dame & South Bend
Pet Sitter
Meet Gabby!
Gabby has been caring for animals in one way or another since 2010 and has never met a pet she didn’t want to talk to in a funny voice. Whether they’re furry, feathered, or covered in whiskers, she believes every animal deserves kindness, patience, and a little extra love.
Over the years, she’s cared for dogs, cats, horses, rats, and many other animals. When she’s not caring for APP clients’ pets, you’ll usually find her exploring local trails with her energetic Irish Setter, Artemis, or spending time with family and friends.
For more than a decade, Gabby has also volunteered weekly with the horses at Reins of Life. That experience, combined with her natural attention to detail, has made her a thoughtful, dependable pet care professional who genuinely enjoys getting to know each pet’s unique personality.
One thing clients quickly notice about Gabby is her incredibly detailed visit updates. She loves sharing the little moments that make each visit special, giving families a clear picture of how their pets are doing while they’re away.
🐾 Pet First Aid & CPR Certified
⭐ Specialties: Horses • Advanced pet care, including injections and medication administration • Detailed visit updates
🌙 Available for select overnight stays
📍 Service Area: Niles, Granger & Mishawaka
Pet Sitter
Meet Natosha!
Natosha has a lifelong love for animals and a calm, capable approach that helps pets feel comfortable in her care. Whether she’s looking after dogs, cats, horses, or farm animals, she brings patience, confidence, and genuine compassion to every visit.
One of Natosha’s greatest joys is caring for her beloved horse, Major, whom she’s had since she was just four years old. At home, she’s also a proud dog mom to a German Shepherd, a Yorkie, and an Australian Kelpie, and she recently opened her heart to a rescued street cat named Tigger. Her years of hands-on experience with a wide variety of animals have given her the confidence to care for pets with many different personalities and needs.
Whether she’s caring for barn animals, administering medications, or spending quality time with your pets at home, Natosha approaches every visit with kindness, dependability, and attention to detail.
🐾 Pet First Aid & CPR Certified
⭐ Specialties: Barn & horse care • Advanced pet care & medication administration • Farm animals
🌙 Available for overnight stays
📍 Service Area: Mishawaka, South Side South Bend, Granger & Sunnymede
Pet Sitter
Meet Gabs!
Gabs has a warm, upbeat personality and a natural ability to help pets feel comfortable. She has a special talent for connecting with shy cats, earning the trust of timid dogs, and building lasting bonds with pets who may need a little extra patience.
As a devoted pet owner herself, Gabs shares her home with two dogs and a Sphynx cat named Yoda. Caring for a variety of personalities every day has given her an appreciation for what makes each pet unique and the importance of providing individualized care.
Whether she’s spending quiet time with a nervous kitty, heading out for a walk with an energetic pup, or caring for a pet with medical needs, Gabs brings kindness, patience, and genuine compassion to every visit.
🐾 Pet First Aid & CPR Certified
⭐ Specialties: Cats • Shy & timid pets • Advanced pet care, including injections and medication administration
📍 Service Area: North Side South Bend, Downtown South Bend, Mishawaka & Granger
Doody Division
Meet Robin!
Robin has been a very special part of Amber’s Pampered Pets since 2015 and is the warm, familiar face behind our Doody Division.
She brings so much more than a scoop and a clean yard to each visit. Robin’s cheerful personality, attention to detail, and genuine pride in her work shine through in everything she does. She is thoughtful, dependable, and the kind of person who notices the little things that matter.
Before focusing on pet waste removal, Robin worked as a dog trainer, giving her a strong background in canine behavior and handling. During the winter months, she also fills in for select pet care visits—so you may be lucky enough to see her smiling face caring for your pets, too.
Clients especially love her fun updates and the care she takes to confirm that gates are securely latched before she leaves. Robin independently chooses the scoop opportunities she accepts and completes them on the days and at the times that work best for her.
When she’s not caring for yards and pets, Robin enjoys spending time with her wife, their two daughters, and their two mischievous—but very lovable—cats.
💩 Specialties: Pet waste removal • Former dog trainer • Select winter pet care
📍 Preferred Service Area: South Bend • Mishawaka • Granger
Pet Care Provider & Office Coordination
Meet Jennifer!
Jennifer provides office coordination support for APP while also accepting pet care opportunities throughout the Michiana area.
Her thoughtful communication, attention to detail, and calm, organized nature are such a gift behind the scenes. Jennifer helps with scheduling and client support in a flexible way that works naturally alongside the parts Amber also handles, and she brings that same care and reliability to the pets and families she serves.
Jennifer is an experienced pet care professional who enjoys caring for animals of all kinds. Whether she is stopping in for visits or providing overnight care, she brings compassion, professionalism, and genuine dedication to every family she works with.
Outside of APP, Jennifer is deeply involved in animal rescue and has a special passion for Basenjis. She regularly participates in rescue transports and foster care, reflecting her lifelong commitment to helping animals in need.
🐾 Fear Free Certified
🐾 Pet First Aid & CPR Certified
⭐ Specialties: Office coordination • Overnight care • Basenjis and rescue dogs
🌙 Typically considers: Overnight stays
📍 Preferred Service Area: Granger • Mishawaka • Notre Dame • Southern Niles
Pet Sitter
Meet Kaleb!
Kaleb has a calm, patient presence that helps pets feel comfortable from the moment they meet him. He especially enjoys earning the trust of shy or hesitant dogs and understands that sometimes the best way to build a relationship is to simply let pets warm up at their own pace.
One of Kaleb’s favorite parts of pet care is watching nervous dogs grow more confident with each visit. His gentle, steady approach helps pets feel safe while creating lasting bonds built on trust.
At home, Kaleb shares life with his partner, Brodie, their four dogs, one rabbit, and two birds. As a devoted pet owner himself, he understands the importance of providing dependable, compassionate care while families are away.
🐾 Pet First Aid & CPR Certified
⭐ Specialties: Shy & hesitant dogs • Calm, confidence-building care • Multi-pet households
🌙 Available for select overnight stays
📍 Service Area: Mishawaka, Granger & South Bend
🗓️ Availability: Primarily available during fall, winter, holidays, and other select times throughout the year.
Pet Care Provider
Meet Nichole!
Nichole has spent years working as a veterinary technician and brings a calm, knowledgeable, and compassionate approach to every visit. Her experience caring for pets in both routine and emergency medical situations allows her to confidently care for animals with a wide variety of medical needs.
At home, Nichole shares her life with three dogs and two cats, so she understands firsthand the trust it takes to leave your pets in someone else’s care. She especially enjoys helping pets who require a little extra attention, whether that’s administering medications, monitoring medical conditions, or simply providing patient, gentle care.
Nichole’s calm demeanor and veterinary experience make her an excellent match for families looking for someone with advanced medical knowledge and confidence caring for pets with special needs.
🐾 Pet First Aid & CPR Certified
⭐ Specialties: Veterinary & advanced pet care • Medication administration • Senior & medically complex pets
📍 Service Area: Mishawaka, Granger, and South Bend
🗓️ Availability: Limited
Pet Sitter
Meet Shelly!
Shelly has spent more than 15 years caring for animals in a variety of settings, bringing a calm, knowledgeable, and compassionate approach to every visit. Her experience includes working in veterinary medicine, pet grooming, and animal rescue, giving her the confidence to care for pets with a wide range of personalities and needs.
Her patient nature makes her especially skilled at earning the trust of shy or nervous pets. Whether she’s caring for a senior pet with medical needs, spending time with horses and barn animals, or looking after exotic pets, Shelly approaches every visit with kindness, confidence, and attention to detail.
When she’s not caring for APP clients’ pets, Shelly enjoys spending time with her own crew—three dogs (Flapjack, Rumple, and Dakota) and two cats (Leonard and Sheldon). Life is always full of wagging tails, happy purrs, and plenty of adventures.
🐾 Fear Free Certified
🐾 Pet First Aid & CPR Certified
⭐ Specialties: Advanced pet care & medication administration • Barn & horse care • Exotic pets
🌙 Available for select visits and overnight stays
📍 Service Area: South Bend, Mishawaka & Granger
Pet Care Provider
Meet Chris!
Chris has a calm, upbeat personality that pets seem to love. Whether he’s winning over a spicy cat or earning the trust of a dog that’s usually hesitant around men, he has a natural way of helping animals feel comfortable and at ease.
A 2018 graduate of Purdue University’s Animal Sciences program, Chris has experience caring for a wide variety of animals. He still lives on his family’s farm, where he helps care for ducks, chickens, cows, cats, and his beloved Newfoundland, Reina. Growing up around livestock gave him a deep appreciation for animal behavior and the unique needs of every species.
Chris especially enjoys dog walks and loves spending time outdoors, making him a great match for energetic pups who are ready to explore. He also has a special passion for barn and farm animal care and enjoys caring for horses, livestock, goats, donkeys, and other farm animals.
🐾 Fear Free Certified
🐾 Pet First Aid & CPR Certified
⭐ Specialties: Fearful & shy cats • Barn & farm animal care • Advanced pet care, including insulin injections
🌙 Available for select overnight stays
📍 Service Area: Mishawaka, Granger & South Bend
Pet Sitter
Meet Shea!
Shea has a warm, upbeat personality and genuinely enjoys getting to know both pets and the people who love them. She has a special fondness for dogs of all sizes but is just as happy spending time with cats and other furry family members.
Whether she’s heading out for a walk, providing companionship during a visit, or caring for pets while family members are home, Shea brings patience, kindness, and a calm, reassuring presence. She enjoys building trust with each pet and making sure they feel safe, comfortable, and well cared for.
Shea has also assisted with barn care and appreciates the unique routines and responsibilities that come with caring for farm animals.
🐾 Pet First Aid & CPR Certified
⭐ Specialties: Visits while family members are home • Dogs of all sizes • Cats • Limited barn care
🌙 Available for select overnight stays
📍 Service Area: Mishawaka, Granger & South Bend
Currently spending the summer working out of state. Shea plans to resume regular availability in August.
Pet Sitter
Meet Brodie!
Brodie has been providing pet care for APP clients for several years and brings a calm, dependable approach to every visit. He genuinely enjoys getting to know each pet’s unique personality and takes pride in providing thoughtful, attentive care.
At home, Brodie shares life with his partner, Kaleb, their four dogs, one rabbit, and two birds. Living in a busy multi-pet household has given him firsthand experience caring for a variety of animals and an appreciation for the unique needs of each one.
Whether he’s heading out for a walk, playing fetch, or spending quiet time with your pets, Brodie enjoys building trust and creating positive experiences for every animal he meets. His attention to detail and genuine love for animals help pets feel comfortable and cared for.
🐾 Pet First Aid & CPR Certified
⭐ Specialties: Exotic birds • Multi-pet households • Detail-oriented pet care
🌙 Available for select overnights, weekends & holidays
📍 Service Area: Mishawaka & South Bend
Pet Sitter
Meet Josh!
Josh is a dedicated dog lover with an easygoing personality and plenty of patience, making him a wonderful companion for dogs of all sizes and temperaments. As a proud dog dad to Tucker and Ace, he understands just how important it is to find someone you can trust to care for your pets while you’re away.
Josh especially enjoys spending time with big dogs and has a natural ability to earn the trust of pets who may be shy or uncertain around new people. Rather than rushing the relationship, he’s happy to let pets warm up at their own pace, helping them feel comfortable and confident over time.
Whether it’s an energetic walk, a game of fetch, or keeping your pets company overnight, Josh brings kindness, consistency, and genuine care to every visit.
⭐ Specialties: Big dogs • Shy or hesitant dogs • Overnight care
🌙 Available for overnight stays
📍 Service Area: North Side South Bend, Notre Dame, Mishawaka & Granger
Pet Care Provider
Meet Ellen!
If you’ve ever met Ellen, chances are you’ve walked away smiling. She has an infectious enthusiasm for life, a heart for both people and animals, and the kind of warm, nurturing personality that helps everyone feel right at home.
Ellen lives on a beautiful farm surrounded by the family and dogs she loves. Whether she’s heading out on a long walk, spending time playing with an energetic pup, or keeping a pet company overnight, she brings patience, kindness, and seemingly endless energy to every visit.
She especially enjoys building relationships with both pets and their families and loves getting to know each animal’s unique personality. Her caring nature and dependable presence make her a wonderful choice for pets who enjoy extra companionship and attention.
⭐ Specialties: Overnight care • Long dog walks • Building relationships with pets and their people
🌙 Available for overnight stays
📍 Service Area: Granger, North Side South Bend & Southern Niles
Pet Care Provider
Meet Chynna!
Chynna has been providing pet care for APP clients for several years and brings a thoughtful, knowledgeable approach to every visit. With a background in canine training, doggy daycare, and veterinary medicine, she’s especially skilled at helping pets feel comfortable while providing exceptional care.
She is currently working toward her Veterinary Technician degree in Indianapolis and enjoys returning to the Michiana area to care for APP clients whenever her schedule allows. Chynna especially loves long hikes with adventurous dogs and has a special place in her heart for pets who need a little extra patience and time to build trust.
Whether she’s caring for a senior pet with medical needs or spending time with an energetic hiking buddy, Chynna brings kindness, confidence, and genuine compassion to every visit.
🐾 Pet First Aid & CPR Certified
⭐ Specialties: Advanced pet care & medication administration • Fearful & shy pets • Limited barn care
🌙 Available for select overnight stays and visits when she’s in the Michiana area
📍 Service Area: South Bend, Mishawaka & Granger
Pet Care Provider
Meet Maddy!
Maddy has loved animals her entire life and enjoys building genuine connections with both pets and the people who love them. She is currently studying Elementary Education at Indiana University South Bend and brings a calm, confident, and caring presence to every visit.
Growing up, Maddy cared for a wide variety of animals, including dogs, cats, turtles, chickens, and rabbits. Today, she shares her home with two dogs—an energetic Australian Shepherd and a sweet Labrador named Frank—so she understands firsthand the trust it takes to leave your pets in someone else’s care.
Whether she’s heading out for a walk, spending time playing with an energetic pup, or earning the trust of a curious kitty, Maddy enjoys getting to know each pet’s unique personality. Her adaptable nature and confidence make her a wonderful fit for a wide variety of households, and she has a special soft spot for playful cats.
⭐ Specialties: Playful cats • Versatile pet care • Calm, confident care
📍 Service Area: Mishawaka, Granger & South Bend
Pet Care Provider
Meet Jacqui!
Jacqui is a devoted animal lover, experienced pet care professional, and proud mom of two. She’s been caring for animals for more than 20 years, and her calm, gentle nature shines through with every pet she meets.
At home, Jacqui shares her life with her two dogs, Penelope and Biscuit, who keep her active with plenty of walks, playtime, and outdoor adventures. As a longtime pet owner herself, she understands just how important it is to find someone you can trust to care for your pets while you’re away.
Over the years, Jacqui has cared for both dogs and cats and enjoys getting to know each pet’s unique personality. Her calm, friendly demeanor also makes her a wonderful fit for visits where family members may be home. She has a special gift for helping shy pets feel comfortable and building trust at their own pace.
⭐ Specialties: Shy pets • Cats • Visits while family members are home
📍 Service Area: Mishawaka, South Bend (South Side) & Granger
Pet Care Provider
Meet Ashley!
Ashley has loved animals for as long as she can remember and feels incredibly fortunate to spend her days caring for pets and getting to know the families who love them.
She grew up on a large farm surrounded by animals of all kinds and spent many years participating in 4-H and traveling to horse shows with her horses. That lifelong experience gave her a strong foundation in animal care and a special appreciation for each animal’s unique personality.
Ashley has cared for dogs of all sizes, breeds, and temperaments. She previously managed a dog kennel in Edwardsburg, where she developed professional grooming skills before continuing her career as a professional dog groomer. Her experience allows her to confidently care for pets with a calm, patient approach.
When she’s not caring for APP clients’ pets, Ashley enjoys spending time with her own horses, dogs, and cats. As a pet owner herself, she understands how important it is to find someone you can truly trust while you’re away.
⭐ Specialties: Barn & horse care • Dog walks
📍 Service Area: Mishawaka, South Bend & Granger
Pet Care Provider
Meet Nat!
We’re so excited to welcome Nat back! He provided pet care for APP clients in 2017–2018, and we’re grateful that life came full circle and gave us the opportunity to reconnect.
Nat has extensive experience working with dogs of all personalities and temperaments. Through his volunteer work with Pet Refuge, he earned the role of Red Collar Handler, a designation given to volunteers trusted to work with dogs needing more experienced handling and behavioral support. His calm, patient approach helps pets feel safe, comfortable, and confident while building trust at their own pace.
In addition to his animal care experience, Nat brings a strong background in leadership and management. He’s dependable, thoughtful, and an excellent communicator who genuinely enjoys getting to know both pets and the people who love them.
We’re thrilled to have Nat once again providing pet care for APP clients and know both familiar and new families will appreciate his kind, steady presence.
⭐ Specialties: Dogs with behavioral challenges • Fearful & shy pets • Advanced pet care, including insulin injections
🌙 Available for select overnight stays
📍 Service Area: Downtown South Bend, Mishawaka & Granger
Pet Care Provider
Pet care provider
Pet Care Provider