“I work with Katie in the post-adoption team at the Dogs Trust. Katie is an amazing behaviourist. Her knowledge is first class. I don’t think we’ve ever disagreed on anything regarding behaviour in our time working together, often we come to the same conclusion with an eerily like minded precision! It’s a honour to work beside a professional such as Katie. I’m equally pleased to call her a friend as well. I look forward to working with Katie for many years to come.”
KATIE'S PHILOSOPHY
It's all about you
My philosophy is driven by my passion for animal behaviour and welfare, and the knowledge I gain daily I pass on to you. I’m a currently human psychology student, because you matter and we learn from each other.
Each person and situation is approached as individual, and treated with respect; as an IAABC certified behaviour consultant and an APBC member as a clinical animal behaviourist I fully understand the needs of your pet as well as your needs as an owner and guardian.
“We can’t thank you enough Katie, we are so proud of Hector now and can have people visit us again”
KATIE’S STORY
I have been lucky enough to have shared my life with many amazing animals including horses, rabbits, hamsters, cats, birds, fish and guinea pigs, dogs including my 4 deeply missed Bull Terriers; Cassini, Jellybean Lollipop, Tallulah and Koda, who had been by my side since he was 10 weeks old and Lego the cat who passed aged 16.
Ren (as in Kylo Ren) and Hattie Happypants currently share my life.
Part of the evolution of my career from award winning pet care to clinical animal behaviourist, has been collaborating closely with other industry professionals. The other part is learning every day from the true experts that I've dedicated my life to; animals!
I’m also a national behaviour officer for one of the largest dog welfare charities in the world, providing virtual consultations to hundreds of adopters every week all over the UK, and I was staff behaviour adviser to Holly Hedge Animal Sanctuary 2010-2012.
I've also been mentored by a Jean Donaldson, author of loads of books like Mine! and Train your dog like a pro. It was her guidance for 2 years that gave me the confidence to run puppy classes and I never looked back.
I have been studying companion pet behaviour and dog training for 17 years and I'm vet recommended, I am qualified to undergraduate degree level (Advanced Diploma in Animal Behaviour Management plus other level 5 diplomas and related qualifications) and have just completed a diploma in human psychology and cognitive behaviour therapy and am now studying a graduate diploma in animal behaviour management with a view to becoming a certificated clinical animal behaviourist with ASAB.
I'm a fully certified member of the International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants (IAABC), a full member of Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC) as a clinical animal behaviourist and a Level 1 TAGteach coach.
Previously I've been qualified in scent work instruction, dog training, horse care, animal first aid instructor, gymnastics coach, special needs coach, and also have experience in other sectors such as school governor, finance, hospitality, silver service and tons more. Ha yes I'm pretty old!
I consult worldwide, drawing upon both my personal experience of living with animals of varying emotional and physical needs, as well as my considerable professional experience.
I've presented many of my own and co-authored seminars in the UK and Dublin, guest presented for other pet related businesses including local vets and groomers.
I have guest trained classes in California USA and Dublin, and have had the pleasure of hosting many of the best in the business in various workshops over the years. I also regularly guest lecture at South Bristol Skills College in the Animal Care Department and recently wrote an online class for the students.
I also occasionally get invited to present to media in varying formats, click here for a recent BBC Radio Bristol video collab to help pets out of lockdown.
Click here to view my Ask the Expert Facebook event for the APBC on Bull Terriers
And I'm here to help you.
“I wish I could clone you and take you everywhere with me, your help has been so empowering to me and your easy explanations meant even I could understand more about my animals. thank you for everything.”