Pet Professionals

From the age of 11 I wanted to be a veterinary nurse and had a special interest in the psychological and physiological welfare of animals and a passion for communication with animals.

I achieved my goal and became a qualified veterinary nurse in 2000 and worked in that profession for over 15 years. In my career as a VN I have held positions such as head nurse, head veterinary health care advisor and ran nurse clinics and puppy parties for many years.
I am also a qualified behaviourist achieving my Certificate in Applied Animal Behaviour at Southampton University over ten years ago. Since then I have kept up to date with developments in the training and behavioural world via professionals CPD courses. I have worked in the role of canine and feline behaviourist in the vet practice and then through my own company Pet Professionals since 2010.

Pet Professionals is a mobile pet services business offering a wide range of services from dog walking to home visit cat de-matting. I personally offer behavioural consultations and private 121 training, small pet boarding, cat sitting and home visit nail clipping and de-matting services.

I am passionate about preventing problems having worked so long in the field of behaviour modification and the resolution of established behavioural problems. This is why I am thrilled to be now able to offer puppy training. Getting the most up to date and positive training advice to owners through the amazing puppy school program.

I have always admired Gwen Bailey founder and owner of the Puppy School programme and when an opportunity came up to join the team in my area I jumped at it.

My business partner in Pet professionals is also a Puppy School tutor and I have always been in awe of her work with puppies and the courses she ran. I am thrilled to be part of a team of such dedicated professionals who strive to make this world a better place for dogs and their human families.

I have shared my life with many different animals, chinchillas, gerbils, hamsters, chickens, dogs and cats. Also many other small animal species that come to stay with me when there owners are away which include reptiles, birds, rabbits, degus, Guinea pigs and even hares.

I currently live with my rescue cat, my Cavapoo Minty and my daughter. I enjoy working with all sorts of species and finding a way to communicate to enrich both mine and the life of the animal I am working with. I have recently been training one of my cats who can now sit, beg, spin, come when called to a whistle and shut the door, she is loving learning and the opportunity for quality time and connection with me. She has been watching the dog so is also pleased to be finally getting her paws on some of the ham!

My previous dog Finn was a working stock Labrador he was a best friend and companion and the reason I became a behaviourist. I have so very much to thank him for. He went most places with me a fantastic pal, great cuddler and my joy. He helped me at work when he was younger working as a stooge dog for aggressive dogs, he trained as a gundog (for fun not competitively) and tried his paws at agility. He took everything in his stride as long as I was with him – he even rode on ferries and even went in a speed boat for a trip to a remote island off the isle of Harris. He went everywhere with me that was safe for dogs of course and is the reason for so many wonderful dog friendly holidays.

Through my relationship with him and how much he blessed my life I have become even more dedicated to helping other people have the very best of relationships with their dogs through teaching them about training, socialisation, communication and connection.

After loosing Finn it was three years before I felt ready for another dog in my life and I had too many work commitments to make It possible. I now have a Cavapoo Minty is filling Finns big paws with her little paws in great style. She is doing agility now with my daughter and try’s her hand at some gundog skills. I hope in the future to do some search and rescue work with her. For now though she is earning to be a polite member of society and picking up some cool tricks so she can help me with training demos.

• Class information

  Classes are held at St Davids Hall, Whitehawk Road, Brighton BN2 5FL on Tuesday evenings 7 – 8pm.