Assistance dog training is really just the basics done well. It’s not this mysterious area that turns some trainers off doing it.  You are taking on a client as a team, building your relationship with both the human and the dog; in part, you are the client’s support worker as well. As trainers, we need to meet the clients where they are at, so we need a good deal of human skills and patience. It helps to have or gain a good understanding of mental health and physical health. Being non-judgmental is essential, and honing your skills to read nonverbal human body language as well.  From a business perspective its good to have a balance of clients including assistance dog teams.  This is why I also specialise in therapy dog training as well.  

Learning Objectives

About The Presenter

Like many dog trainers, I had a previous career. For me, this was as a nurse, starting in the UK and then continuing here in Australia until I had a family.  Unknown to me then, this was to aid my transition from a pet dog trainer to specialising in assistance and therapy dog training. My business is K9 Potential, which commenced in 2009, and I’m situated on the North side of Brisbane, Queensland. Hilary is one of 25  approved non-organisational trainers, able to conduct a PAT under the ACT Government.  I have had a variety of dogs, and living on a large property, most of my dogs have been working dog breeds. Currently, due to age, I am downsizing, property and dogs, so I only have one small to medium-sized, old girl called Keira, a kelpie X Terrier. I have a passion to teach both pet owners and fellow trainers.

Pet enrichment is so important and it means giving animals activities, environments, and challenges that stimulate their mind and body. Enrichment improves their overall health, behaviour, and happiness and can include such a wide range of activities - get as creative as you can!  It prevents boredom; reduces behavioural problems; supports their mental and emotional health; encourages natural behaviours; improves physical health and strengthens the bond you have with your pet.

Learning Objectives

About The Presenters

 Fiona Cowie brings extensive experience in animal training behaviour, but   her special interest is in helping humans untap their animal's superpower -   their incredible noses! 

 Along with over  14 years’ experience as a detector dog handler and supervisor, she has run her own successful business, The Doggy Lady, for over 10 years. While The Doggy Lady team supports dogs and their humans through a wide range of behaviour and training services, they’re best known for their popular scent detection program—affectionately called “Sniffer Dog School.” She has trained 100's of dogs in scent detection, along with some talented cats, birds and horses! 

Fiona also contributes to the future of the industry as part of the IMDT Australia Education Team, and serves as a Trainer and Assessor for Applied Vocational Training, shaping the next generation of dog training professionals.

 Andrea Carne is a Feline Professional Member of PPGA and a Certified Cat   Behaviour Consultant through IAABC.  Based in Tasmania, she helps cat   guardians solve feline behavioural issues of all shapes and sizes through her   business "Cattitude". Offering in-home and virtual consultations, Andrea   works on everything from aggression and house-soiling to cats fearful of   human touch .... and even shoe thieves!  But, most of all, she loves helping   humans ensure their cats are living their best lives.

 Donna Marchiori BVetTech, BSci(Hons1), AFHEA, Elite Fear Free Certified   Professional, Cert IV Dog Behavioural Training, Cert IV TAE.

 That’s me with the alphabet, working on adding some more letters – I am a   lifelong learner and a crossover trainer – I’ve done all the dumb things.  I’ve   trained service dogs and puppy pre-schools, I write the vet tech column for   the AVSAB newsletter, and I’ve done time as a moderator/admin on the mega facebook group Canine Enrichment.  My real job for the past twelve years has been working as a behaviour tech in the Vet School at the University of Qld with the teaching colony animals, which I also adopt out.  I’ve taught foundation companion animal behaviour to vet and vet tech students for at least half that time.  I am officially onto my eleventh keeper dog having succumbed to foster failure just this week and she’s yet another project, because I have a problem.  Wait.  I am the problem?  Lots of those dogs were Maremmas but our lives have been either graced or disgraced, depending who you’re talking to in the family, by Border Collies, Greyhound and Lab.  Feel free to pick my brain, I need to make some space.