I trained Minnie the rescued Greyhound to be an autism assist dog for Celeste.
I loved picking up new puppies and bringing them to their foster families. This is Paddy.
Socialisation training at Aussie World with Monty
I trained Minnie the rescued Greyhound to be an autism assist dog for Celeste.
My Story
When I was young and was asked "what do you want to do when you grow up" I would say "I want to be a vet" because I knew I wanted to spend my life surrounded by animals. I didn't know at that time that it was possible to become a dog trainer. I am so happy that I discovered dog training as an occupation, it is my dream job because it combines many of my passions, being with dogs, working with psychology to help people and dogs, tuning into the intrinsic magic in nature through connecting and working with life force energy. Yes there is magic involved in dog training! It is discoverable through experiencing the deep presence that is necessary to work effectively with dogs. Through being completely in the moment we discover the magic of connection, interconnectedness and learn the art of subtle communication. When we become aware of life on this level incredible things can happen.
One of my favourite aspects of dog training is teaching people about dog psychology and guiding them in the subtle forms of communication like perceiving energy and reading body language. I was trained to do this while being around animals throughout my childhood and also through studying martial arts during my adolescence into my 30's.
I trained initially in Hapkido and then joined a Shaolin Kungfu school where I learned three systems of Kung Fu with lay buddhist monks; Shaolin Fist, Labyrinth of Shadows Boxing and Tibetan White Crane boxing and also Qi Gong. I became fascinated with taoist philosophy which explores the elements and the flow of life force energy that makes up our universe and went onto complete a diploma in Chinese Medicine. Throughout this time I worked as a healer in my own private studio and combined Reiki, massage, light work and Chinese Medicine. I still practice healing work and bring all that I have learned through my experiences as a martial artist and healer to my dog training sessions.
Just over 12 years ago I was drawn to seek something new so I began to study dog training and behaviour with the National Dog Training Federation. At the time I also had a female Kelpie who had been rescued from a property and she had many issues that required greater knowledge in behaviour modification than I had at the time. I fell in love with dog training and decided to specialise in assistance dog training because I felt I had a lot to offer in that area. I practiced all of my dog training skills on my new Border Collie puppy Waylan and eventually he was opening cupboards, putting things in baskets and bringing them to me and doing a wide range of tricks.
I applied for my dream job which was working for an Assistance Dog Organisation and was accepted! It was a dream come true and moved to the Sunshine Coast and began working as a dog trainer for Smart Pups Assistance Dogs on the Sunshine Coast. We trained dogs in Autism Assist tasks, Disability tasks and Seizure Response for children. I eventually become the head trainer and worked passionately and tirelessly in that role training dogs, over seeing the foster puppy program and travelling to place dogs with families until I reached burnout and needed to take a break. I have been doing freelance dog training work while recovering and am now excited to offer dog training to our Sunshine Coast community through my new business Wild Spirit Dog Training And Behaviour.
Waylan
Waylan and I work together as the Wild Spirit team. He frequently comes along to private training sessions and demonstrates obedience training tasks, teaches socialisation and assists with behaviour modification in manners and reactivity. Waylan has been training dogs for years and in the past he helped me train many of the puppies who made it through the assistance dog program. I would take puppies home when their foster carers were finding them too difficult due to behaviour issues so they were on the brink of failing the program. These puppies would board with my family and Waylan would help me to train them. Before long they were balanced assistance dogs working out in the community. Waylan's nickname is Magical Panda and he is a truly magical, special dog.
Dogs and Animals In My Early Life
As the daughter of a wildlife ranger my childhood was filled with animals. My father fostered in me a deep connection with animals and the land. He educated me in how to observe and listen to the subtle ways in which animals communicate through body language and sounds. He taught me that "the land tells a story and you can read the land through the lines, colours, seasons and behaviour of the flora and fauna". My family's lifestyle ensured that I was constantly connecting with wildlife, tawny frog mouths roosted in the tree outside my window, echidnas and possums in my yard, picnics with emus and visits with kangaroos, koalas and birds at the National Park where my Dad worked.
I grew up on a property with many domesticated animals such as horses, dogs, ducks, chooks, peacocks, guanine pigs and I spent my childhood mostly outdoors, roaming the bush with my dogs, or playing with them in the yard. School holidays were spent on properties feeding cows, or running from them in paddocks, riding horses, pulling weeds, swimming in dams, playing in wool sheds and always with dogs by my side keeping me company and protecting me.
My red cattle dog named Boss once saved me from a brown snake bite when I was 9 years old and walking in the bush with my sister far from home. He blocked and distracted the snake when it was just about to strike! We all got away safely. He also saved me from charging cattle on a few occasions and once from a wild boar. Dogs have also got me through many emotionally challenging times and filled my heart with hope when I was deep in despair or grief. Their comfort has helped me sleep when I was feeling scared and uncertain, and they make me smile and laugh everyday. Their loyalty inspires me to have a strong heart and to love as deeply as they do. When the world that humans create for themselves seems crazy and very unbalanced spending time with dogs restores my sense of wholesome sanity.
The goodness that dogs have bestowed on me throughout my life is immeasurable and I feel very passionate about being there for them too. As a dog trainer I have the opportunity to show up for the dogs I am training, to continue to learn from them and guide them to become more balanced and happy as they have always done for me. I absolutely adore all dogs and will continue to do the best I can to assist them and their families in finding greater balance and happiness.
I have been a student of the International harp therapy program for 4 years and through my studies have learned how to play music in different modes to create a healing effect for the listener. Therapeutic harp music is effective for humans and animals. My dogs prove that they are experiencing a positive effect in the way they respond to the music. I love playing harp for my dogs while watching them relax and unwind. When I begin to tune the strings they surround me and get themselves comfortable in preparation for deep relaxation and sigh deeply when I begin to play.
I am in the process of planing an album for dogs to calm them and assist with separation anxiety. I also plan to create a dog TV Youtube channel.
I also play folk music solo and in a duo with my wife Andrea Kirwin who is the Founder and Director of Peace Run Records on the Sunny Coast. Dogs and music are our life!
Our Dogs
