Experience & Qualifications Timeline:
2001
Graduated with degree in science from NUI Galway studying subjects such as biology, immunology and nutrition.
2002
Completed Certificate in Supervisory Development through Fetac at Cork Institute of Technology, receiving distinction.
Certified as a groomer from Crocodile Dundee Dog Grooming School, then founded and started trading under Peter Barks Dog Grooming in Ennis. Continued to educate and improve my skills by attending seminars and demonstrations nationwide.
2002-2005
Achieved multiple certification from the Northern Centre for Canine Behaviour in Durham, UK, run by leading dog behaviour specialist John Rogerson, who is Kennel Club Accreditation Scheme Approved Trainer and Behaviour Consultant. John pioneered many well-known training methods that have become standard practice today. He is a founder member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors, Support Dogs, Dogs’ Aid and the British Kennel Club Accreditation Scheme. Check out John Rogerson’s website here.
Courses Completed Include:
- Introduction to dog training
- Puppy development
- Dog aggression
- Dog handling and Kennel Club Good Citizen test completed with a deaf rescue collie from Dogs Trust.
- 21-day residential Advanced dog training
- Behaviour consultation
All courses were combination of lectures plus hands-on experience with rescue dogs. They were held at the well-known, respected, Dogs’ Trust and Battersea Dog Rescues. The intensive 21-day residential course was held both in Battersea London and Windsor. It was the first of its kind and also attended by well-respected Irish dog trainer, behaviourist and RTÉ contributor Samantha Rawson along with Ali Taylor, head behaviourist in Battersea, who makes regular appearances on the popular tv program ‘For the love of Dogs ‘ with Paul O’Grady.
They were run by world renowned expert John Rogerson, whose courses have been attended by some of the biggest names in dog training, including his associate in Ireland Mary Owens from Fircroft Kennels and Judith Owens from Dogwise.
In the UK Gwen Bailey, author of numerous books and star of many tv shows, website link here, and Robert Alleyne, author and star of the BBC3 show ‘The Dog Borstal‘, website link here.
On completing the 21-day course I was hand-picked by John to be one of only 6 associates of his. He would continue to guide and educate me on my path to be a successful trainer and behaviourist. I also acted as his assistant trainer on several courses both here and in the UK.
2003
Became life member of Irish Kennel Club.
2004
Started doing training classes and one-to-one behaviour/training.
2005-present
Competed in agility and obedience with my two dogs regularly. Highlights in agility include my boxer x lab Oscar running 4 clear rounds to secure the National Team Jumping and National Team Agility tropics for Team Munster in Athy in 2007 and Meggie, my collie, qualifying for the prestigious Balmoral National Show in Belfast. There were many other wins during this 7-year period, and I took a break in 2012 to have my twin girls.
Hosted 5-day reunion course with John Rogerson in Ennis, with students from Europe and Japan.
2004 -2006
Fostered and rehabilitated bull breeds from ‘Dundalk Dogs’ (now ‘A Dog’s Life’) to get ready for adoption, both here and abroad.
2006
Trained for 1 week under Ann Nash at the South West Dog Training and Behaviour Centre, completing my second Kennel Club Good Citizen Test with a Labrador.
2008
Founded Rover Rescue
Run dog shows, agility and training displays for charities such as Cahercalla Hospice until 2012.
Founder, head trainer and honorary secretary of Ennis Dog Club.
2009
Head of dog show section for Clare Agriculture Show until 2012. Ran the dog show along with providing agility and training displays.
Hosted and acted as Assistant Trainer to John Rogerson on 2-day Ultimate Recall Course in Ennis.
2011
Provided expert witness court requested assessment and report on alleged dangerous dog in Clare pound, requested by ISPCA.
2012
Attended 2-day talk by Dr. Ian Dunbar, website link here.
Attended 2-day talk by USA trainer Dee Gangly, website link here, at Dog Training Ireland.
Presented with a plaque and flowers by ISPCA as recognition for the work Rover Rescue was doing to save lives.
Hosted and acted as assistant trainer on 5-day training and IKC Good Citizen Exam, run by Ennis Dog Club and John Rogerson in Ennis.
2014
Rover Rescue features on Nationwide (add link)
Rover Rescue features on the national papers highlighting rescued dogs during the floods
Attended course and received certification to become the Kennel Club Certified Dog Agility Judge.
2016
Featured in American film maker John Mottern’s film “The Land of the Magpie and the Crow “, about the lives of greyhounds in Ireland. Other contributors included Greyhound Associate of Ireland (G.R.A.I), Flying Irish Greyhounds (F.I.G.), Limerick Animal Welfare (L.A.W.), Retired Greyhound Trust (R.G.T.) and ISPCA Clare Dog Pound workers. The Clare segment can be viewed at 21.30 through the following YouTube link.
2014
Co-founded Clare Greyhound Project, now called WAGI which is now a thriving registered charity (I have since retired from rescue work).
2016
Start competing again in obedience competitions, getting numerous wins and places in Beginners, Novice and Level A with my two border collies.
2017
Member of working trials club of Ireland and border collie club of Ireland.
2018
Won my first Working Trial (Companion Dog – C.D.) with Tilly Totts at Border Collie Club of Ireland.
2019
Completed QQI (formally Fetac) Level 6 Dog Training and Behaviour Course at Creedon’s College, Cork, achieving a distinction.
Co-founder, trainer and honorary secretary of Heelfree Dog Club
Attended web seminar on business in grooming and became member of online grooming and training group by multi award-winning Swedish groomer Mia Overnas.
Rebranded as D.R. Dog Care to incorporate training services.
2020
Completed Canine Nutrition Course with the Open College Network.
Completed Dog First Aid and CPR Certification.
Attended Dog Agility Seminar by Britain’s Got Talent star Ashleigh Butler at WaggyMamas Agility, Dublin.
2021
Gained a Distinction in a 1 year, Level 5 course with the Institute of Modern Dog Training and Behaviour (IMDTB), becoming a qualified Dog Behaviorist recognised by the UK Dog Behaviour and Training Charter.
Looking For A Professional?
Contact me to discuss you & your dogs' requirements!
Book Appointments
by Phone Only: