What led you to Positive Response?
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.
Qualifications:
- Ed Counselling
- Grad Dip School Counselling
- Grad Dip Teaching
- App Science
- Certificate IV in Companion Animal Services
- Senior First Aid and CPR Certificates
- Qualified Delta Professional Dog Trainer