Ceri's Canine Companions

From a young age, I’ve been passionate about animals. Inspired by my childhood idols, Sir David Attenborough and Steve Irwin, I grew up surrounded by dogs and other pets. Like many animal lovers, I first dreamed of becoming a vet—but after witnessing the heartbreak of a horse being put to sleep, I realised my path would be different.

I studied Animal Care and Welfare at college, where I discovered a deep interest in animal behaviour—from the migration patterns of birds to the way dogs learn. This passion led me to work with a dog trainer, where I had my first experience with canine scent detection. I was fascinated by the incredible power of a dog’s nose, and this opened the door to learning about obedience training and behaviour—though looking back, I can see how far training methods have come since then!

I went on to work in boarding kennels, caring for dogs while their owners were away. Here, I learned the importance of body language and communication, and found I could build trust with even the most nervous or difficult dogs. Around this time, I was unexpectedly offered a position as a trainee veterinary nurse, shifting my focus towards animal medicine. I have been a qualified Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) ever since, and continue to work in both clinical and office-based roles.

In 2018, everything changed when a little stray dog came into my life. After spending just ten minutes curled up in my lap, I knew she was meant to stay. I adopted her, named her Betty, and with her, CCC was born. Betty reignited my love of training and behaviour, and together we explored everything from obedience classes to scent work and rally.

During the COVID lockdowns, Betty was my constant companion, and our bond inspired me to help others build the same connection with their dogs. I began training with the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers (IMDT), a respected organisation that sets high standards in an unregulated field. After passing their challenging assessments with distinction, I became a qualified trainer and have kept my registration active through ongoing professional development.

Most recently, I completed the City & Guilds Scent Detection Handler and Instructor Course with the College of Scent Dogs, further expanding my skills and knowledge.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about me and my journey—I can’t wait to help you and your dog discover the joy of learning together.