Coleen Ellis

Laura lives with her husband and three dogs, and her background includes working Border Collies and a flock of Navajo Churro sheep.

Tamsin Durston

Tamsin “Tam” Durston is a clinical animal behaviorist (mAPBC/ABTC), an accredited dog training instructor (mAPDT), and a registered veterinary nurse. Currently studying for a master’s in psychology (human behavior), Tam has a special interest in establishing empathetic communication as a foundation for trusting, enriching relationships – whether handler-dog, the owner-dog-animal welfare professional triad, or within teams of people working collaboratively.

Dogs Trust is the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, and Tam manages their veterinary engagement team. The team design human behavior change interventions aimed at influencing positive welfare outcomes for dogs through embedding an understanding of canine behavior within veterinary settings.

Petra Edwards

Petra is a Ph.D candidate the University of Adelaide, Australia where she is investigating how companion dogs experience their veterinary care, and strategies that can be implemented to reduce stress. Petra’s honors research focused on the equipment that Australians use to walk their dogs, including looking at beliefs about dog walking, behavior and exercise. Petra has keen research interests in animal training and behavior, welfare, human-animal interactions and relationships, and comparative psychology.

In conjunction with her research, Petra also has an extensive background in, and passion for, humane animal training and behavior (specializing in dogs) with the view for increasing quality of life, improving human-animal bonds and helping companion animals live their best lives in a society often not set up for them. She has experience consulting on behavior problems in dogs, taking basic manners training and puppy classes, running seminars for pet guardians and staff within the animal care industry, including veterinary practice, dog training clubs, day care centers and local government.