About

As founder of The Confident K9 I am lucky enough to have been brought up with a large variety of pets and livestock which has given me a life of hands-on experience with animals.

Having grown up as an ex-pat in Botswana and Oman for my father’s job with MAFF (Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food), now known as  DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs), I moved to England in 1991 where my work with animals continued to blossom.

Completing my education in Oxford, I then in 2002 went on to complete BSc (Hons) in International Equine and Agricultural Business Management at The Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester. During my degree, I took a particular interest in Animal Science, Animal Behaviour and Welfare module. This led to me working at a prestigious equine establishment in Lambourn, Berkshire and gained a number of practical farm animal roles with Blenheim Estate Farms and The Great Tew Estate, Oxfordshire to name but a few.

A lifetime of pet ownership has given me an abundance of knowledge and hands-on experience in training animals. From owning cats, dogs, sheep, cattle, rare breed pigs, poultry and my one in a million horse, Monty, a very quirky and edgy Thoroughbred, who sadly passed away in 2019. Monty taught me many skills I now use professionally as an animal behaviourist. 

I joined the IAABC (International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants) as a supporting member. The IAABC is a practitioner organisation of ABTC (Animal Behaviour & Training Council) and elevates animal behaviour consulting and training worldwide through ethical standards and the effective use of Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive (LIMA) practices. The IAABC is a certifying organisation providing evidence-based education, professional development, and networking for animal behaviour professionals and the public we serve. Within our Code of Ethics, the IAABC welcomes diversity and openness. Positive regard and respect for differences are among our core value, always striving toward solid, effective, positive reinforcement-based work.

As a Platinum Professional Member of the Pet Professional Network. The Pet Professional Network is an international force-free organisation for pet professionals. Having undergone a rigorous one to one platinum coaching programme and assessment process, ensuring I meet their high standards and force-free philosophy, showing exceptional progress in both my personal and business journey and the willingness to support other professionals, I am a member of ICAN (the International Companion Animal Network). ICAN were formed in order to meet the profound need for solidarity, mutual support, communication and cooperation between professionals working in the animal behaviour and training realm. They also set and maintain high standards within what is currently an unregulated industry.

Currently, my spare time keeps me busy studying and working towards becoming a Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist and member of the APBC (Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors) which is a lengthy, but thorough process. 

All my passion and drive is to provide dog training services with a huge emphasis on owner support. I understand how stressful things can be when you have a dog with training or behavioural issues. Being company director for The Confident K9 as well as the head trainer and behaviourist keeps me in a full-time job! I am dedicated to making a difference in my client’s lives both canine and human.