I am happy to supply a reference for Shadonna. She has worked with our son for about six months now, and I have been so happy about the way she seems to look for ways to enrich the time they spend together. If they are at the park she doesn't just take the required walk and hurry home to deposit him on my doorstep again. Many times she has spontaneously added in fun events -- signing up for the magic show at the park, checking out the nature center, or taking him on the train ride through the Park. In a word, we sense that to Shadonna our son is a Person and she will direct him firmly, but she isn't weirded out by unusual behaviors, and has a sense of humor. Which makes her very special to us. I have had some really nice patient sitters, and those who seemed to have an affection for him. And I've had many more who stop showing up, or stop answering the phone when I call, or who take him for a walk by routine, but seem uncomfortable with the job. Shadonna has always shown up. She isn't always prompt for weekend appointments which are pretty casual at our house, but has not let us down when we are going out at night. And she always shows up. We have hired her for evening sitting and also over the weekend, when she comes with her husband who is a rare and wonderful individual. They are both charming people. I would definitely recommend her.