About Me and My Work

Referrals

Owners contact their vet for a referral. The length of consultation is usually 1.5 - 2 hours at the clients home. A full report is then written and sent to both the owner and the referring vet. Back up consultation and support via phone is included.

The types of problems I deal with

Dog:

  • Aggressive behaviour towards humans/dogs/cats/others animals.
  • Destructive behaviour when home alone.
  • Nervousness eg fear of loud noises.
  • General unruly behaviour.
  • House soiling.
  • Travel problems.
  • Self mutilation.

Cat:

  • Toileting problems within the home.
  • Fear of going out.
  • Aggressive behaviour towards humans/cats/dogs/other animals.
  • Owner attachment problems.

My background

I was a veterinary nurse before attending Nottingham University to study Zoology. Post-graduate studies included animal welfare and behaviour on laboratory rats. I also worked as an editorial assistant for ASAB (Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour) on the journal “Animal Behaviour”. I then began lecturing at Derby University in animal behaviour/ecology/human evolution and at Broxtowe College lecturing veterinary nurses. I then set up practice in the Nottingham/Lincoln/Doncaster area as a companion animal behaviourist and successfully ran this for four years. I trained and helped the South Yorkshire RSPCA centre in behavioural matters and specialised in rescue dogs. I also appeared regularly on Channel Fours “Pet Rescue” as their behaviour expert and co-authored a chapter on scent communication in dogs featured in the APBC Book of Companion Animal Behaviour. I have recently published new new book "Good Dog? Bad Dog?" and have also written for local papers and magazines such as “Women’s Own”. I work part time at the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust (Jersey Zoo) where I coordinate the many volunteers that help the trust run smoothly.

General Interests

I love riding my Gypsy horse “Thistle” and walking my beautiful Airedale. I have an A’ level in Theatre arts and am involved in “The Jersey Arts Centre” theatre group (ACT) and also write comedy sketches two of which were performed for the arts centre production of “The hair of the turkey 3”. 

I am married to a Scottish civil engineer and have two lovely children (school ages) who love the Jersey life and have begun to grow their hair and wear beads.

Little known personal fact

Have appeared on “Bargain Hunt” with my husband and won £35.00. It would have been £75.00 if we had ignored the expert’s advice.