Meet Laura
(and Diesel)
In 2006 Laura began Volunteering on weekends at a local Dogs Aid Sanctuary and later fostering, transport and doing home visits for various rescues around Dublin & Meath. Laura decided to turn her passion for canine care, into a lifelong career and began to study as much as she could about dogs. Laura holds a Diploma in Canine Behaviour and Training (Centre of Applied Pet Ethology), First Aid Certificates and has been assessed by independent organisations in the UK (Association of Pet Dog Trainers) and the USA (Certified Pet Dog Trainer) as well as many other workshops, seminars and certificate courses.
Laura was the Head Trainer and Operations Manager at Ireland’s first Dog Daycare & Training Centre, where she worked for several years, seeing up to 90 dogs a week for daycare, grooming, training and behaviour work. Laura was certified as a FETAC instructor to deliver a ‘Train the Dog Trainer’ course to students who wished to pursue a career in Dog Training.
Dog Sports, especially dog Agility, has become a big part of Laura’s life. She has competed in agility for over 12 years, with 4 different breeds, mixes and size. She currently competes with Diesel, her intermediate sized Miniature American Shepherd, they have competed around the UK and in Europe and were selected to represent the Republic of Ireland in 2018 and 2019. Laura’s lifelong dream came true, when over three qualifying rounds, held in Northern Ireland and Discover Dogs at London Excel, they won a place to compete at the final in Crufts, and even more amazing they finished in the top 3 🐾 In her spare time Laura coaches other Agility students around Ireland including World Team members for the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland Team Squads.
Continuous Education
I spend HOURS every week on my own professional and personal development and training. Here is a list of my Workshops, Webinars and Classes for the last 12 months.
Beginner Canine Massage, 1 Day Workshop, Emma Overend CCFT/Canine Massage Guild, 2021
Que-Me Crew - Monthly membership, Dave Munnings, Champion & World Renowned Agility Handler
Irish Kennel Club and Irish Agility And Dog Sports Association, Approved Agility Judges Course, 2021
Distance Handling Workshop with Hayley Lachess from Taming Canine, 2021
Intermediate Level Canine (16 hours) Canine Conditioning Coaching Course, Canine Conditioning Academy, 2021
Pre-Competition Agility Workshop with WAO Team Poland Manager, Ola Kordas, 2021
Foundation Workshop (16 hours) Canine Conditioning Coaching Course, Canine Conditioning Academy, 2021
K9 Nosework: The Brain, Attention and Emotional Well-Being with Dr. Kathy Murphy, 2021
Running Contacts - 4 months personalised Tuition with renowned UK trainer Becky Sinclair, 2021
Intermediate Trick Dog Title with Quinn by Do More With your Dog, 2021
Intermediate MASTERS Trick Dog Title with Diesel by Do More With your Dog, 2021
Intermediate Trick Dog Title with Diesel by Do More With your Dog, 2021
Canine Body Language: Micro Signals and Moves by Katrien Lismont CBATI, 2021
Effort-less Dog Walking: New Innovations in BAT Leash Skills by Grisha Steward, 2021
Walk With Me! Bat Empowerment by Grisha Steward, 2021
Stationing for the Win-Win! Platform Training for Behaviour by Jamie Popper CPDT-KA CCFT, 2021
Resource Guarding: For Dogs Who Growl or Bite to Keep Their Stuff by Diane Garrod Founding member Pet Professional Guild, 2021
Predation Substitute Training: New Ways to Manage Predatory Chasing by Simone Muller Dog Behaviourist (ATN.AG), 2021
Novice Masters Trick Dog Title with Diesel by Do More With Your Dog, 2021
‘Believe in Magic’ take your dog training to the next level by CAPBT, Eyrn Martyn Godfrey, 2021
Novice Trick Dog Title with Diesel by Do More With your Dog, 2021
Novice Trick Dog Title with Quinn by Do More With Your Dog, 2021
Adolescence in dogs: from brain to behaviour by APBC Dr. Naomi Harvey 2021
Cognitive Bias and Fad Susceptibility by Jean Donaldson at Association of Pet Behaviour Councillors 2020
Shape in a Nutshell: Exotic Animal Enrichment for Companion Animals by APBC Mark Kingston Jones 2020
Online Classes Webinar by APBC, Eyrn Martyn Godfrey, 2020
Running Contacts Handler Place (Online 4 month class) with Katarina Podlipnik 2020
People Centred Solutions for Dog Trainers by Clair Hickson DipCABT, 2020
Virtual Consults by APBC, Danielle Beck, 2020
Hip and Patella Diseases and Injury by Chris Zink DVM PhD 2020
Agility Training Workshop, 2 day Handler Place with Polands WAO Team Manager Ola Kordas 2020
Complimentary & Alternative Therapies for Dogs by Chris Zink DVM PhD 2020
It’s All on your (Dogs) Shoulders by Gayle Wakins PhD & Chris Zink DVM PhD 2020
(Monthly membership) Into Shape Agility by GB World Team Members Naarah Cuddy & Martin Reid 2020-2021
Feeding the Active Dog by Gayle Wakins PhD & Chris Zink DVM PhD 2020
Agility Training Seminar, Northern Ireland, two day handling place with World Renowned Agility Trainer Toni Dawkins 2020
Raise your Separation Anxiety Game by Jo-Rosie Haffenden School of Canine Science 2020
2 hour Private Consultation on Canine Sports Medicine and Rehab with THE master 🤣 Chris Zink DVM PhD 2020
Supplements for the Active Dog by Gayle Wakins PhD & Chris Zink DVM PhD 2020
Participant Place Ashleigh Butler Dog Training Workshop by Britain’s Got Talent Dog Trainer Ashleigh Butler 2020