Meet our Staff at positive response, read about them and their qualifications.
We have trainers on the Gold Coast, Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.
Qualified Professional Trainers. – (Certificate IV in Companion Animal Services – 2000)
Dee Scott is our Master Trainer.
For further information click on our FAQ https://www.positiveresponse.com.au/frequently-asked-questions/
I have always had a passion for animals and training from a very young age. Moving to Canberra I started a long public service career and as a hobby, joined the local pony club and the companion dog club as an instructor and competitor. Training and competing in both, life seemed complete. In 1998, I won a position with AQIS as a detection dog handler and moved to Victoria. It was a fulfilling career working with scent detection dogs and with my passion for teaching and competing, I joined the first positive dog training club in Keillor.
Positive Response was born in Melbourne as a part time venture to serve the further need of the community. Moving to Brisbane the business grew rapidly from a small part time concern to what it is today. As someone who has grown up in business and customer service, I recognized the need for quality professional trainers within the Brisbane area and have developed a fantastic team of trainers. The business has been approved to train assistance dogs under Guide Hearing and Assistance ( GHAD) since 2018 and the trainers all have a variety of experience across a wide range of mental health and wellbeing.
Dogs have always been a central part of my life. For more than a decade, I have been involved in raising, developing and training dogs, with a particular interest in temperament, early puppy development and the human-animal bond. Through years of hands-on experience and professional study, I developed a strong interest in canine learning, behaviour modification, assistance dog training and the remarkable ways dogs can support people with diverse needs.
My areas of special interest include assistance dog foundations, public access skills, medical alert development, task training, puppy development and supporting neurodivergent individuals and families. I enjoy helping handlers build clear communication, trust and strong working relationships with their dogs through ethical, evidence-based training methods.
My strong interest remains in training dogs to alert to allergens such as peanuts or gluten, blood sugar highs and lows, and heart arrythmia.
My passion for dogs started when I was young, but it wasn’t until I adopted my own dog that it truly grew. Working through her behavioural challenges sparked my interest in learning more about dog behaviour and training, and we continue to learn and grow together.
What drew me to Positive Response is their approach to training, which aligns closely with my own values. I’m passionate about helping dogs build confidence, but just as importantly, helping their humans feel confident too. I enjoy empowering people with the knowledge and skills they need to train and support their dogs throughout their lives. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing a dog and their person working together as a team.
I have always had a passion for working with young children and animals. After graduating high school, I pursued a profession as a teacher, and worked in the education industry for almost a decade. My work life was almost complete; however I still had this active passion for animals and felt that I could integrate two careers somehow. I began researching different roles within the animal industry and fell in love with the behavioural aspects of dog training. I met Dee in 2010 and she mentored me as I furthered my education through the Delta Training Program. I have since completed in house and external study for recognized qualifications and professional development within the industry.
I conduct Private Training consults where behavioural modification programs are developed to reflect the complex needs of dogs and their families and work closely with Veterinarians and Veterinary Behaviorists’ where required to ensure the best outcome for clients. My specialist services within the industry are reflected by my knowledge and experience in working with both children and animals. I assist breeders and new puppy families to incorporate and sustain habituation and training programs, where positive child-dog interactions are developed through appropriate activities and training. This creates harmonious living for all family members.
Further professional development has enabled me to train psychiatric service teams to Public Access Testing level, where handlers are able to experience the full physical and emotional benefits of having their dogs assist them in all aspects of their lives. I specifically enjoy helping children learn and grow with their Service Dogs and witnessing the rewards that they and their families reap. I have a strong development in mental health and a personal understanding of the needs of my service teams. This work is conducted under Guide Hearing and Assistance Dogs Act 2009.
My work is complex and ever-changing; I thrive on challenges and am fulfilled in my career. I continue to undergo constant professional development within my field to further my skills as a trainer.
I have a passion for working with children and adolescents and have had a long career as a Special Education Teacher and a Secondary School Guidance Officer. I worked extensively with students with behaviour problems, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual Impairments and Physical Disabilities. The insight into meeting individual needs led me to developing programs using reinforcers to engage young minds. One very effective method was to take one of my dogs to school with me and this was a major motivator for less engaged students.
The desire to meld teaching and dog training together was strong and led me to volunteering in the Happy Paws Happy Hearts program at the RSPCA. This then led me to further my skills by enrolling in a Certificate IV in Companion Animal Services course through Delta Society Australia.
I am now able to put my knowledge and experience in teaching and working with behaviour working with Positive Response and enjoying the challenge immensely. This also includes training clients who require service dogs. As a GHAD trainer I find it fulfilling to see clients reach their goals and how assistance dogs can change lives.
I have worked with dogs in the dog behaviour industry for 10 years, having qualified as a vet nurse in 2003, and in recent years have broadened my knowledge to work and train dogs for the assistance dog program. Having a hearing impairment myself, I have taught my beautiful kelpie to also be my ears around my home.
I am excited to be working with a group of people who share my enthusiasm for training, to assist homeowners in forming a closer bond with their family dogs but also to improve people’s quality of life through training and accrediting assistance dogs.
Growing up I’ve always had a love for Animals and was fascinated with how we communicate with them. Once I left school and worked for a while I realized that Animals truly are something that continues to put a smile on my face throughout my life and I’d be Silly to not Pursue something so worthwhile.
I had just completed a Cert 3 in animal Studies through Tafe whilst volunteering also at AWL working with Dogs. Whilst trying to Look for new work in the Animal Industry I was granted the opportunity to work for Positive Response Dog Training to work my way up to being a Dog Trainer. I’m beyond excited to begin my Journey here at Positive Response and help people learn how to better understand and communicate with their Beloved Pets. In the last 12 months.
I have had the pleasure of working with our assistance dog teams who are training to become PRAD and GHAD-qualified. It is highly rewarding to see people reach their dreams and to see how much dogs can support and empower their owners towards healing. I work part-time as a Disability support worker and my experience in this field has increased my knowledge of disability as a whole.
I have always loved animals and after a trip to Australia Zoo I knew I wanted a future working closely with them. In 2020 I got the opportunity to do work experience at Australia Zoo which grew my love for animals and my passion for caring for and training them.
Last year I had the pleasure of doing work experience with Positive Response Dog Training, it was such a great experience and I learnt so much. I recently contacted Dee and found they were looking for a new administration assistant and jumped at the chance.
I have always admired a dogs ability to learn and help their owners and I’m looking forward to the opportunity to help others grow closer with their dogs.
My passion for dogs has been with me for as long as I can remember—one of my earliest and most vivid memories is being able to connect with a dog no one else could approach when I was just three years old. Since then, working with dogs has been a natural and fulfilling part of my life.
I love training and working with my own dog, and I actively participate in my local obedience club’s training and competitions. My favourite part of working with both our clients and my own dog is experiencing those eureka moments of pure pride when everything just ‘clicks’ for the dog. Seeing that breakthrough, and the joy it brings to both the dog and their handler, is incredibly rewarding.
When I was starting my Certificate IV through Delta Institute, I approached Positive Response Dog Training for work experience, and through that opportunity I was fortunate to be welcomed into the team. Being able to learn and grow alongside such a skilled and supportive group of trainers has been an inspiring experience and has reinforced my passion for pursuing this career.
I came across Positive Response Dog Training when I was looking for some training for my own dog.
I have always had a passion for the animal industry and this was confirmed whilst working privately with my own dogs issues.
I was offered an opportunity to complete work experience with the company and found the work invaluable. I learnt so much within a short period of time and the support from the staff has been incredible.
I have fostered dogs and cats, volunteered at the RSPCA and at a horse stable and my passion for animals has given me a clear pathway. I am currently studying my cert IV in Animal Behaviour and also a certificate IV in vet nursing to gain skills required to further my career and full fill a dream to become a behavioural dog trainer.
I became interested in dog training when my family and I became foster carers for a rescue group in 2016.
In 2017 I took on a palliative care foster and joined a dog club for some training. My interest peaked and I became a volunteer obedience instructor for the club in 2020.
I found Positive Response on Facebook and started to follow their page because the information they provide and the type of training aligned with what I practice.
I enjoy watching the bond that strengthens between owner and dog through dog training so when an opportunity came up to work with Positive Response as a dog trainer I contacted them immediately.