Sue worked for seven years as a volunteer with a search and rescue team as their dog co-ordinator, instructor (in obedience, natural agility and search and rescue) and handler of her two working Border Collies, Molly and Martha, who are trained to find trapped people under collapsed rubble, such as is found after earthquakes and explosions. 

With a medical background as a Paramedic, Sue has also completed an advanced course in canine first aid with Royal Army Veterinary Corps vets in Aldershot. 

Sue has experience of owning dogs, cats, guinea pigs and rabbits and, having lived for the most part of 25 years in the beautiful Stroud Valleys, she possesses good knowledge of local walks and a wealth of information and contacts. 

From an early age, Kate has had an affinity with most animals (camels aside!).  She grew up with ponies and two dogs - a G.S.D and a collie cross, before getting the first of her own pets - a Flatcoated Retriever/Black Labrador cross which she had from a puppy for 13 years. She has also owned several cats, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs and reptiles (including tortoises and pythons).

After gaining a degree in marine zoology, she worked on whale and dolphin projects in various parts of the UK and also the Canary Islands.  It was here that she also became involved with local animal rescue groups who caught and then took in abandoned, starving dogs, re-homing them afterwards in Germany and Italy.  Having lived in Tenerife and Southern Spain and travelled through several European countries both with her own and other people's dogs, Kate has first-hand experience of preparing them for the UK PeTS (Pet Travel Scheme), training them how to use crates, how to deal with travelling on all types of transport, travelling safely in foreign countries and of course the protocols of re-entering the UK.

Kate was involved with search dog training for several years, and currently participates, for fun and fitness, in CaniX with Podenca, Paz and agility with Border Collie, Inca.  All the dogs are currently enjoying helping Kate train for the Stroud half marathon in October 2010, when she will be raising funds for the EGLR (Evesham Greyhound and Lurcher Rescue) and also British Dalmation Welfare. 

Kate is also a qualified Canine First Responder, having successfully completed a short first aid training course in July 2010.

Both Kate and Sue believe that effort put into maintaining appropriate exercise and stimulation for your dog will result in a healthy, happy and contented companion, which in turn creates a calmer household for all. 

Both are non-smokers.

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