I have worked in the Veterinary Industry for over 16 years in a variety of practices, during which time I held the role of Head Nurse and continue to be a Student Assessor.

My speciality was developing clinics that were focused on supporting owners and preventing health problems in their pets. From there stepping into the world of animal behaviour and training was a natural one to take.

I own three rescue dogs, Solo, a German Shepherd X Collie, Bandit, a Staffordshire X and Ruby, a German Shepherd, cat Jules, Millie the Shetland and part loan Morgan the horse

My general interests in behaviour led me to take a degree in Human Psychology & Literature. Over the years I have worked with animals in a range of areas from kennels and livery to Veterinary Nursing and in a variety of countries including Australia working with the R.S.P.C.A.

In the field of animal behaviour I currently work with both dogs and cats. I have also trained and qualified in the use of natural herbal medicine, which animals respond to with wonderful effect.

I own a rescue Border Collie who now goes by the name Duet, as well as 3 cats, Porthos a Siamese and two Domestics, Arthur & Bonnie.

Being the owner of my two adult Norwich Terriers gives me not only huge enjoyment and pleasure but also a great sense of pride in being part of a nation of dog lovers. Training hasn't been at all easy with two terriers, amd it takes a lot to motivate both Cassie and Taylor and that focus doesn't tend to last very long. However I have always persevered, finding new ways to motivate and progressing to getting both dogs involved in many levels of training, which they both thoroughly enjoy, as do I!

I am proud to say that the hard work pays off continually - Cassie has her Gold Good Citizens Medal and competes in Pre-Beginners Obedience while Taylor is working towards his Gold Good Citizens after getting his Silver in 2006, and enjoys fun agility classes. Both dogs are fantastic fun to work with and have helped develop my experience as a handler and trainer.

Having been involved with classes for a couple of years now I know this is where my passion lies and I feel such pride and joy seeing each owner and dog team working together. I also enjoy the one-to-one sessions as owners soon discover a new side to their dogs they often thought they'd never see and this can open up a new sense of freedom for them and their dog.

I started training because I could not ‘catch’ her German Shepherd Callum, then it all began, my love affair started when I entered the dog training club and seen a border collie this has continued for over 25yrs now.

I have owned nine collies in all going through pre-beginners, beginners, novice, places in A, B and C for obedience competition. I have done trial work also and have gone through various highs and lows with training and my dogs illnesses. The amazing characters in my dogs have been a real experience to manage, a whirlwind collie and an aggressive collie all of whom I took to the obedience shows.

At present I own two bitches Melody and Jazz, Jazz whom I have high hopes for the future and I am a firm believer in being prepared to put back what I take out of obedience competition and accept that, without all the helpers at the many shows each year I attend none of this would be possible. Consequently I have judged and stewarded many times, stewarded at crufts: the judges scribe in 1997 for obedience championship, the inter-regional obedience in 2001, the obedience world cup in 2005 and in 2006 the special pre-beginners and triathlon. I enjoy every minute of dog training.