Pets in Partnership
Pet behaviour & training services throughout
Essex and East Anglia
Southend
Chelmsford
Maldon
London
T: 0844 478 0234
enquiries@petsinpartnership.co.uk
Meet The Team
All team members are working on or towards the Kennel Club Instructors Accreditation Scheme
Rebecca Keattch B.A.Hons, V.N., Dip.CVM, Level III Dog Training Instructor & Behaviour Consultant
Team Leader
Hello and welcome to the Pets in Partnership Team. My training and years of working with animals in different parts of the world and in different areas has eventually lead me to create Pets In Partnership.
One of the big issues I noticed as I worked in kennels, rescue homes, as a Veterinary Nurse, Trainer etc is the fact that as pet owners we have numerous services that we need, vet, boarding, grooming, training, behaviour help and some of us need special services, hydrotherapy, Assistance Certificates so on and so forth and that from all these service providers we can find ourselves sorting through more and more information that can at times become conflicting and, most of all, confusing.
Pets In Partnership's central focus is helping with pet behaviour issues and providing dog training services to a high standard. Around this, not only do we provide complimentary services through qualified staff, but we liaise closely with different professionals from vets to boarding kennel owners and other specialist trainers with the sole purpose of interconnecting to ensure pet owners receive what they need and are supported by a good network.
My degree is in Human Psychology and Eng Lit. I worked as a Veterinary Nurse for 5 years both in general practice and a cancer referral hospital. Other aspects of my working history has involved wildlife, farm animals and horses. I now predominantly work with cats and dogs and have been working as an Instructor and Consultant for 6 years not including the early days training. I originally trained with Avril Munson, and then went on some intensive courses with John Rogerson as well as attending various other workshops run by people such as Sarah Heath, Vicky Hall amongst others. Its a never ending path of learning with our pets and I continue to do so from people with amazing experience to share and from my own numerous four legged friends. I am passionate about working with owners and pets together to help over come the hurdles that arise. On a personal basis, asides from living with three very different cats, I train my dogs in Obedience and Working Trials to compete.
We are always here as a starting point to help you find what you need.
Pat Handfield Competition Obedience Judge
Competition Obedience Instructor, Member of the Agility and Pet Dog Training Teams
As many of us do, I started training dogs through needing to take one of my first pet dogs to classes for some help. It did not take long for me to become hooked into everything about training dogs, working with their different personalities, seeing what you can achieve and enjoying the special relationship you get with a dog. I trained in Working Trials and the Good Citizens Medal Test Scheme, but it was Obedience that became my passion and I have been competing for over 25 years. I have competed with my dogs through from the starting place of pre-beginners up to Class C category where I am now. I have judged and stewarded all over the country.
Whilst I am still competing, what I also love now is helping others with their dogs, both for general training and for achieving success in the competition rings. I work with all dogs, all shapes and sizes and that's what makes training fascinating, the different techniques that each dog and handler need to develop. From long years of ownership I additionally have a very in depth understanding of Border Collies.
Louise Ballard Kennel Club Accredited Heelwork To Music Judge
Agility Team Leader, Heelwork To Music Instructor
I have owned and trained dogs since 15 years old, my first being a Border Collie and together we were placed 6th in the Obedience Pedigree Chum South Eastern Finals in 1983. Over the years I have competed successfully in the Showing world, Working trials, Agility and now Heelwork To Music. Fin, another Border Collie qualified through to TD Open Stakes in Trials. I competed in Agility for ten years, first starting with my Shih Tzu Jazmin. Chico, one of my Lowchen's has qualified for Cruft's 2010. My overall passion however, is Heelwork To Music, ever since watching Richard Curtis and his 'Great Escape' routine. I have since been a part of his demonstration teams at Discover Dogs and Crufts.
With my love of handling and training dogs personally and with the time I spend working alongside or training with numerous leading competitors amongst the sports it was just natural for me to become a Dog Training Instructor and have been teaching others for over 20 years in various situations including as secretary of Burnham and District Training Club and creator of Blackwater Dog Training Centre.
I am also a qualified Canine Beautician with a professional certificate in Animal Assisted Therapy.
Alongside being a part of the instructing team with Pets In Partnership I run Essex Dancing Paws, providing workshops around the country and hosting special events. Pets In Partnership and Essex Dancing Paws work to support one another.
Lisa Staines BSc Hons, V.N.
Advanced Student in Pet Dog Training and Behaviour counseling
I have always been interested in animals since an early age when I'd constantly bring home sick and injured ones, to my family's regular dismay. I have been involved with various welfare organizations, but my main interest has always been with the behaviour of our animals, primarily pets. So many get re-homed due to 'behaviour problems', the majority of which can be resolved. As a result I took my degree in Animal Science in Lincoln which lead me to want to understand more about behaviour issues that could occur because of medical illness and I've been working as a Veterinary Nurse for 4 years now. I joined Pets In Partnership to be part of a team that provides an integrated set of services akin to my own views and goals. With them I am learning a great deal with regards to training dogs and am starting to take classes and consults on a regular basis. When I'm not working here, I am continuing in my profession as a Veterinary Nurse with Medivet.
Sarah Sykes NVQ in Animal Care
Student Dog Training Instructor
I originally wanted to become a guide dog trainer so started to work temporarily at Sorata Kennels which I couldn't bring myself to leave. This was a large boarding kennels as well as a breeding and showing kennels, exporting dogs abroad. We also provided rescue services. I worked there for 7 years until I eventually came to Edgewood Veterinary Group where I am Reception Supervisor, a very fulfilling job dealing with all sorts of situations and people. Asides from ferrets and cats I have 3 German Shepherds and a Hungarian Puli. My first personal activities with dogs was to show them and I initially started with somebody else's Cavalier. I then went on to show Dream, my 9 yr old German Shepherd and we competed at Crufts twice. She is now retired. Pheobe, her daughter is my comedy dog, always getting into scrapes and being naughty.she has never grown up! With a family and busy work life I have not been able to continue showing, however my involvement with Pets In Partnership allows me to continue developing my skill set and just to have some time around dog in general. They are a huge love of mine and with photography as a hobby, needless to say I have hundreds of photos of dogs everywhere
Karen Howells
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Kirsty Staines
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