I am retired, but I’m still happy to donate lectures and fundraisers to clubs and coaches. I am also happy to help Seniors or People with Disabilities – not in an “NDIS sense”, but in helping with your pet when you’re in hospital, or helping with problem cat & dog training & advice…for free.

Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) uses trained animals to help people to achieve specific physical, cognitive, or mental health goals. Common types include canine therapy for motor skills and emotional regulation, equine therapy for psychological trauma, and therapeutic visitation for stress relief

Community access & Functional Support Dog Training

Science-based behavioural training for NDIS, community access, confidence and daily living support.

Services

Public access readiness
Confidence & stability training
Community participation support
Behaviour & emotional regulation
Task-based assistance training
Loose lead & calm walking
Dog & cat behaviour
Handler confidence coaching
Vet, carrier & transport training
Fear & reactivity support

Professional Background

40+ years animal training and behavioural experience.

Retired Adjunct Professor in Sports Biomechanics with international lecturing and risk-management experience.

Experience in movement analysis, injury prevention, behavioural shaping and safe community participation.

Training Philosophy

Calm. Functional. Safe. Reliable.
Training focuses on neutrality, recovery, emotional regulation and real-world public behaviour — not just obedience commands.

An older woman petting a small dog while seated at a table in a communal dining area, with several elderly people and caregivers visible in the background.

IN BRIEF:

40+ years experience working with clients with disabilities.
Honoured with 5 separate awards for teaching Riding for Disabled coaches
Presenter, Riding for Disabled National Forum (Australian Government Initiative)
Worked with nervous beginners to Paralympic medallists.
Help fundraise hundreds of thousands of dollars needed to fly horses internationally
Expert Witness (in court) for Maurice Blackburn (horse-related/disability injury)
Expert Witness (60 Page Written Opinion) for McCabe’s Lawyers (injured rider with a disability)

Become connected

No matter if you’re dealing with the NDIS, the PIP program, or the USA’s Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) it is easy to get bogged down in government paperwork.

That’s on top of whatever physical issues you might be dealing with, so, in my experience my best advise is: GET CONNECTED.

I am happy to donate free time to clubs and groups including help with advice with fundraising,

After 40+ years teaching train the trainer courses at Riding for Disabled and therapeutic riding centres around the world – help me get you connected. Let me know if you need help. You’re not alone.

Technology

I started studying Psychology at Deakin University in the mid 1980’s part time off campus. I only did a couple of semesters and changed my studies and my interests back to exercise physiology and sport science and with my own sport as horse riding, and training trick dogs and cats just for fun, I put it all together to bring animals and people together.

I have recently completed some amazing University short technology-related courses to help understand assistive technology from specific website design for low vision to step design for people with motor or muscular issues, or those in wheel chairs.

It’s amazing the new AI based technology coming forward, however the simplest things like a rubber band that can save a disabled rider from injury, to input into a range of prosthesis from simple wrist braces to simply helpful safety things like LED light up dog collars so you don’t trip over your dog at night. I have worked in literally every area of equipment to get riders mobile and riding – including being invited to input into the full body support of the one amazing quadriplegic rider, which previously was unheard of.

I continuously research apps and websites relevant to those outside of funded support, and workshops partnering with Universities around the world. I am retired, so I don’t accept NDIS-like positions, however, I am happy to provide free advice via zoom, or at public events, clubs and therapeutic sports and riding centres for free.