Our Team

I changed breeds and bought my first Golden Retriever in 1980 and have bred, showed and trialled Golden Retrievers for the past 30 years. From my first Golden, I went on to raise Show Champions and Obedience winners as well as many litters of pups.

In 2000, I set up my own business as a Dog Behaviourist, doing ‘in home’ training for problem dogs, as well as running a successful puppy preschool and adolescence dog group training class. My clients mainly came from recommendations from local veterinarians and dog training schools.

I was asked by a client to help train a dog for a child in a wheelchair with various disabilities. Seeing the difference an assistance dog made to the independence of this child, I was on a mission to train more assistance dogs!
To learn as much as I could about training assistance dogs for children, I went to the USA to join 4Paws4Ability and worked a 6 month internship. Seeing for myself the amazing success of dogs helping children with disabilities, I was convinced the internship was well worth it to have this knowledge and train these dogs back in Australia.

Smart Pups was launched in 2011.

I’m originally from the southern area in Adelaide near the McLaren Vale wine region and beautiful beaches and sunsets.

I started my working career in customer service and then transitioned into an administration role which was within the health sector. This has given me strong foundations throughout the rest of my career.

I have always known I’d love to work with animals and started this journey as a veterinary nurse in small animal practice. Once I completed my qualification I was lucky enough to be able to volunteer in the animal health centre at Adelaide Zoo on a regular basis. During this time I also studied a Graduate Certificate in Captive Vertabrae Management with Charles Sturt University. I was in the field for 7 years. Once again this experience has added to my foundation knowledge and experience for my next steps within my Career.

In 2008 I was extremely fortunate to get take my next steps and combine my passions of working with animals and assisting others. A dream came true. With lots of hard work & support (while working full time) I completed a diploma in Disabilities & A Masters in Human Services with Griffith University. I successful completed my qualification as an Orientation & Mobility Instructor with formed part of my international Qualification as a Guide Dog Mobility Instructor (2011). During my time with Guide Dogs SA.NT I was primarily responsible for and worked within all aspects of Guide Dog Program both dog & client roles (formal training, class training of new teams, follow up & support of active teams through to retirement and starting the application & assessment process to start again). I gave support to the Puppy Raising & Puppy development teams, vision Services team and the Autism Assistance Dog (AAD) Program. I was an assessor for the Public Access certification Tests & Bronze Paw tests. I ran the 2 day handling course for families going through the application process of the AAD program and supported were required the remainder of the program. I thoroughly enjoyed my role within Guide Dogs SA.NT and extremely thankful for this journey and the people I have worked with along the way. From my involvement in the AAD program,vision services yearly Kids skills camps and the pilot buddy program (working with children with vision impairments and assistance dogs) my passion for early intervention grow.

In March 2017 I’m excited to say I made the big interstate move to follow my passions of early intervention and joined the team at Smartpups. I couldn’t believe my luck! I stepped very quickly from a Senior trainer role into a team Leader role also. I provide support to our recently qualified Cadets (through their journey’s to completion). Support for the Maryborough Correctional Centre Prison Program. I work alongside Dayle on the Borallon Training & Correctional Centre program. As part of the senior team I work alongside Dayle, Patricia (the Founder) & Kylie (client support/ administration) in matching of our soon to qualify Smart Pups. I have trained and placed the first Vision Assist team, Autism Assist teams, mobility Assist teams & medical alert (Seizure response) teams. In 2018 we were fortunate to undertake scent training (Diabetes alert) with the international known and respected Debbie Kay. I have been blessed to work in a specialised and rewarding career and worked with some truely amazing and inspiring people I’m able to call my friends. I feel vey fortunate to working with the Smart Pups Team and to be apart of this amazing organisation. To be able to place dogs with families throughout Australia and see firsthand the impact these dogs have on their special person and the families & community is priceless.

I look forward to the continuing my growth as a trainer learning from each dog & team which I work with. Plus I’m loving living in Sunny QLD.