Megan

Hi there, 

I am an internationally experienced animal handler with a background caring for and training a variety of species. I immigrated from the United States to Belfast 2.5 years ago to get my Master's in Animal Behaviour and Welfare. Before I moved, I worked as a Canine Behaviour and Enrichment Specialist, and instructed puppy and basic obedience classes. I also did 1-on-1 training with clients regarding problem behaviours such as nipping, jumping on guests, pulling on the lead, resource guarding, etc. Dog training is a huge passion of mine and I'm happy to offer training help at a fraction of the cost of other private trainers, as I'm just getting started here in Belfast.

Animal behaviour is a difficult field to get into and make a living in, but it's been my lifelong passion and I've invested so much time and energy and money, even moved internationally, to pursue it. I absolutely love this work, and would love to spend time with your pets of any variety. I have my own transportation and am certified in canine CPR.

Being from a rural area, I was around horses and livestock from a very young age. I began leasing and competing when I was 11, and moved on to showing arabians/half arabians. I got all my horses green broke and put the training on them myself under a sports psychologist who specialized in equestrian sports. I sold my horse when I moved away for undergrad studies, but was lucky enough to still get to train a lovely Standardbred called Sebastian, and do in-hand and ridden work with him. I have a lot of experience as a stablehand and with varying livestock (goats and cows primarily)

I majored in psychology in my undergraduate studies with an emphasis in animal behaviour, completing research on spatial navigation strategies in homing pigeons. I began working for a canine care and training facility, where I worked my way up from kennel staff to the facility's behaviour and enrichment specialist. 

 I am both professionally and academically trained to handle medically and behaviourally complex animals, and my professional experience spans a variety of species. I am able to provide both physical and mental enrichment from a that supports their psychological and physical wellbeing. I will love your creatures, treat them with the utmost respect, and care for them as if they were my own. I am also open to boarding in my home-- I am directly beside the Waterworks park in Belfast, and my dog boarding price includes 2x a day walks/playtimes in the park.

If I sound like I could be a good fit for your pet care needs, please don't hesitate to send me a message. I'd love to meet your furry friends and provide care for them in whatever areas suit!