Kirsty is a full member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (UK), a registered animal trainer with Animal Behaviour and Training Council and a candidate member of the Fellowship of Animal Behaviour Clinicians. She has undertaken a number of dog training roles, including volunteering with Guide Dogs for the Blind Association puppy walker program, and running her own pet dog training and behaviour business – working closely with a local veterinary practice – for several years. Since 2015, Kirsty and her dog team have been delivering Animal Assisted Activities to around 200 children and young people across a range of settings; including prisons, residential care and small nurture classes within schools. In January 2020 she founded Therapawsitive CIC to concentrate on work with care experienced children and young people (children fostered, adopted, or living in residential care). Therapawsitive focus on empowering children to design their individual program, using play, relationship, and movement to create fun activities which are mutually enjoyable to both children and dogs. Bug and Peanut love learning with the children and have acquired a huge range of tricks, agility and cooperative care skills along the way; inspiring confidence and self-belief in children that they too have the required care, respect, and ability to work with animals someday.
Kirsty has undertaken a broad range of training and development relating to animal behaviour, understanding trauma,counselling skills and has also completed Animal Assisted Play Therapy™ levels 1 and 2. She holds a Master’s Degree (with distinction) in Human Animal Interaction at University of Stirling. Therapawsitive is a full member of Animal Assisted Interventions International and is committed to the highest standards of welfare for their dogs.
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