ABOUT US

Meet our trainer!

Lauren is an experienced support worker whose passion for animals and helping people led her to become an assistance dog trainer. At home, she has two dogs: Coda, a Rough Collie, and Honey, a Golden Retriever. Coda is a retired cardiac alert assistance dog and now works as an assistance dog at home. She also enjoys cheering on Honey at dog sports events. Honey has been an assistance dog since late 2021 and passed her GHAD Public Access Test in early 2023. This gives Lauren unique insight into the challenges of having an assistance dog, enhancing her expertise as a trainer.

Lauren has been professionally working with dogs since 2020 and has been assisting support work clients and their assistance dogs since 2021. Additionally, she is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice at university.

Credentials

Qualifications

  • Certificate IV in Animal Training and Behaviour

  • Level 3 certificate in Assistance Dog Training

  • Blue card - working with children

  • NDIS workers screening - Yellow card

  • WWVP ACT

  • First aid and CPR (HLTAID011).

  • Disability Awareness Training

  • ACT Registered assistance animal trainer and assessor

Experience

• 5+ years of working with assistance dogs
• 2 years as a dog grooming assistant
• 4+ years as a disability support worker
• Working with children with a disability as a volunteer since 2018
• Past subcommittee role in an assistance dog association
• Guest on ‘Through a Handlers Eyes’ Podcast (2020)
• Film set Dog Wangler - One Perfect Match (2023)
• Attended Animal Assisted Services Conference (2023)
• Attended Ultimate K9 scent work live coaching - Cameron Ford (2023)

Memberships / Affiliations

• Australian Association of Professional Dog Trainers (AAPDT) - Accredited Service Dog Trainer
• Pet Professional Guild (PPG) - Behaviour and Training Professional
• Animal Therapies LTD (ATL) - Professional Member
• International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP) - Member