PROFESSIONAL ADVICE and FORMAL ASSESSEMENTs…
Advice and assessments for school dogs, insurance or local authority foster/ adoption placement
You’re in the right place!
In-person support available in York Harrogate Sheriff Hutton Knaresborough Wetherby Easingwold Stamford Bridge ...and more!
HERE ARE SOME
ways that I can help…
Insurance
Assessments
As a Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CCAB), I can conduct a behavioural assessment of your dog, for the purposes of insurance.
Just get in touch to arrange.
Support for
School Dogs
As a former Deputy Headteacher (and with a vast amount of experience with school dogs), I can provide expert, pragmatic, practical advice.
Just get in touch to discuss.
Foster/ Adoption
Assessments
I can provide formal dog assessments for foster/ adoption placements. I take pride in providing thorough reports, with a fast turn-around.
Just get in touch to arrange.
LOOKING FOR SOMETHING ELSE?
Let me know how I can help you
MAYBE YOU’RE WONDERING…
why you should choose me
for foster/adoption assessments
I’ve been a Safeguarding DSP and Inclusion Leader, so understand the importance of protecting Looked After Children.
I’m professional but also approachable. I always do my best to put people at ease and engage everyone (including children!).
for insurance assessments
I’m both a Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CCAB) and an ABTC-Registered Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CAB).
I’m a full member of the most well-respected professional bodies for animal behaviour in the UK: the APBC and FABC.
for school dog support
I’ve been Deputy Headteacher, so am well aware of the realities and pressures of life in school/ being a school leader.
I have significant experience of working with school dogs (from puppies to adults) in a range of roles and educational settings.
Investment: POA
GET IN TOUCH TO DISCUSS YOUR NEEDS
Travel to your home is included for: York, Knaresborough, Harrogate, Wetherby, Easingwold, Sheriff Hutton, Stamford Bridge
Other locations that I cover (such as Leeds, Thirsk, Otley, Ripon, Northallerton, Malton, Boroughbridge, Pocklington) will incur a travel charge.
READ ABOUT MY WORK WITH
a wonderful school dog
“I can’t thank Gretta enough. She has supported us every step of the way with our school dog, Milo. From meeting with the Governing Body and invaluable support with choosing the right dog, through to practical advice and a formal assessment for our insurance. Introducing a school dog is a huge commitment and not to be considered lightly. However, if well thought-out, and with advice at hand from Gretta, we would thoroughly recommend having one if it fits in with your school's culture and ethos. We would certainly recommend working with Gretta if you decide to take on this journey of introducing a school dog.”
Suzanne & Milo - Headteacher, Westfield Primary School
“Having a school dog is wonderful but it isn’t without its challenges! Gretta has been on hand through the rough and the smooth - she’s helped Truffle grow into a calm school dog with a love for his work.”
Valerie Noon (Headteacher)
REST ASSURED, I’M also
recommended by vets
Invaluable and reliable... the 'go to' specialist
"Having worked with Gretta for several years, we have found both the prompt service given to owners in need of help with their pet's behavioural problems and responses to our requests for advice invaluable and reliable. Gretta became very well known amongst our clients for her training and tackling of behavioural issues. She was the 'go to' specialist in our area and having Gretta available to refer cases to was always reassuring."
Julie Turner BSc, BVetMed, MRCVS
My first choice for all behaviour referrals
"I have worked with Gretta on a number of cases of dogs with challenging behavioural problems. She is an excellent and very knowledgeable behaviourist and, before she moved to Yorkshire, she became my first choice for all behavioural referrals. As an added bonus, clients love her too! I am already missing having her in Hertfordshire and am struggling to find someone that can match her standards of professionalism and knowledge."
Dr Mike Groombridge MRCVS
Extremely professional... highly recommend
"It's an all too familiar line we hear from clients - 'I've been to see a behaviourist' but there has been no communication with the vets! Gretta is one of the exceptions: extremely professional and works with the vets as a 'team' for that pet. We were lucky to have Gretta in our area - she kept us updated and was always there for advice. Feedback from clients was always very good. I would highly recommend her for any behaviour referral."
Dr Melanie Taylor BVetMed, MRCVS, MVetSci
“Gretta has been fantastic! Thanks to her, we have a superb school dog who is having a positive impact on our whole school community.”
Laura Williams (Deputy Headteacher)
GOT QUESTIONS?
these might help…
If you have other questions that aren’t answered here or would like to arrange an initial 15 minute chat (at no cost) to see if I might be the right person to help you, just send me a message by clicking on the button below.
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I’m a Certificated Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CCAB)
I have a Post Graduate Certificate and a Graduate Diploma in Clinical Animal Behaviour
I am an ABTC-Registered Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CAB)
I am a full member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC) and the Fellowship of Animal Behaviour Clinicians (FABC)
I have an MA (Hons) and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
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Good question!
In very simple terms, a dog trainer teaches new skills (such as coming back when called and walking nicely on the lead) whilst an animal behaviourist helps with problem behaviours, including aggression.
Problem behaviours tend to have an underlying emotional component (such as fear). The underlying emotion is addressed as part of the plan, rather than purely focusing the surface-level behaviour which arises as a result (eg. growling/ refusing to walk etc.).
It’s often suggested that you can think of it this way: a dog trainer is like a teacher whereas a clinical animal behaviourist is like a clinical psychologist.
I am qualified and accredited as both a trainer and a behaviourist.
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Just get in touch to discuss your needs so that I can provide a personalised quotation.