My name is Dave Brice and I live in Norfolk with Lily my 3 year old English Springer Spaniel. Over the last 4 years I have worked for both Wood Green Animal Shelter and the RSPCA, who I still volunteer for. During this time I have also been studying and have obtained an Advanced Diploma in Practical Aspects of Companion Animal Behaviour and Training with the Centre of Applied Pet Ethology (COAPE). The ethos behind COAPE and also my approach is to take into account the emotional state of the animal; not to just treat the behaviour, but the underlying reasons for the behaviour. Amongst other courses and seminars on both training and behaviour, I have also completed post Diploma courses in Practical Behaviour Management (Aggression) and Advanced Pharmacology. I am currently studying an Advanced Canine Psychology course and will soon be starting a mentoring scheme, run by Val Strong, dealing with training dogs to assist those with disabilities and special needs.

Val Strong heads a large behaviour practice in the north of England. She has worked with dogs and horses for most of her life.
She is a member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC), an international speaker and is well known for her work in the assistance dog training industry; being the world leader in the training of Emergency Response Dogs for people with epilepsy and other complex medical conditions. Val has many years experience in the training and rehabilitation of problem dogs and horses and is an expert in the effects of diet on canine behaviour, rehabilitation and training. Val has written a number of booklets on canine behaviour and training and is co-author of several research papers.