About Me
and My Work
A pet and horse owner for most of my life, I graduated in Equine Science from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth in 1999. During my degree, I focused on the behaviour and welfare of horses and livestock. I then went to work for the Blue Cross, getting hands on experience in equine welfare and rehabilitation training, working with horses with behavioural problems. This made me one of the first in the UK to be applying learning theory to the training and low stress handling of horses and ponies. During this time and after I completed University of Southampton’s MSc in Companion Animal Behaviour Counselling. I established my business in 2005. I help caring horse and dog owners struggling to support their animals through their problem behaviour to get deeper understanding of their animal and resolve behavioural issues.
Behaviour Consultations
Behaviour consultations are available on veterinary referral to rule out or work with medical issues that are relevant to the problem. If you suspect that your client needs the help and support of a clinical animal behaviourist you can refer them to me with confidence that they will be looked after with complete professionalism and empathy.
I draw from my postgraduate training in the following areas:
-
The species’ natural behaviour (ethology)
-
Learning theory – a branch of experimental psychology
-
Human psychology, counselling, teaching and coaching skills
-
Neurophysiology and psychopharmacology
-
Animal welfare science
-
Animal Law & ethics
-
Case studies including dogs, cats, rabbits and other small furries, horses, birds, reptiles
And continued practical experience and professional development from my own behaviour practice since 2005 and as per my obligation to annual completion of 30 hours of CPD as part of my CCAB and ABTC registration and APBC and FABC membership.
Behaviour and training consultations are conducted at the client’s home or other place where the animal is kept, alternatively they may take place on Zoom. They take approximately 2 hours, which includes taking a detailed case history to fully establish the animal’s motivation for the problem behaviour(s) as well as the factors that predisposed, initiated and maintain the problem. A suitable, safe, evidence-based, humane treatment program is then implemented with the client. One follow-up visit is included in the price of consultation as standard. Further follow up visits are offered and back up support is provided by telephone and email.