About us
Laura Mundy
It all started when…
I began my foundation training in human psychology where I completed a Bachelor of Science from The University of Melbourne, with majors in psychology and behavioural neuroscience, and followed onto a Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology from The University of Ballarat. These foundations piqued my interest and passion for behaviour and psychological well being. After completing my university studies I got involved in working with an assistance dog training organisation that also worked with young people experiencing social, vocational and emotional challenges learning to train dogs. The rest is history. I went on to complete a Certificate III in Dog Behaviour and Training with the National Dog Trainers Federation. I have continued to do further studies in dog training and behaviour through completing a number of courses in behaviour and training. I also regularly attend conferences and workshops with world renowned dog behaviourists and scientists in canine behaviour.
I have been working as a dog trainer and handler across Victoria for 15 years in a variety of roles and settings. I have worked as a training manager and senior trainer within veterinary and dog day care centres, operated a private training and behaviour consulting business since 2008, and worked as a trainer and manager running animal assisted activity groups with at-risk youth training therapy dogs in a not-for-profit dog training centre. Starting out growing up and beginning training in more rural Victoria in a town called Bendigo, my work and studies have taken me to live in Geelong for a number of years before heading to the big smoke of Melbourne. I have a keen passion for training therapy dogs and am involved in the training of therapy dogs for private organisations and allied health professionals. The training of assistance dogs is also another area I have been involved in for almost 20 years and currently train and accredit assistance dogs for owners interested in accrediting their own dog as an assistance dog.
I’m currently a PhD candidate with The University of Queensland, undertaking a PhD in therapy dogs. I have a strong passion to also better develop the scientific knowledge of dog training, canine behaviour and welfare.
I am a member of the International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants and Animal Therapies Limited.
I’m committed to personally mentoring dog owners through education around their dog’s behaviour and learning processes, and the welfare and behavioural implications of the way we interact and engage with our best mates.
Rebecca - Group Trainer
Bec is a dog trainer from the UK specialising in positive reinforcement training. She got her degree in Canine Behaviour and Training from Chester Uni and starting her own dog training business here in Melbourne’s west. Bec has a 4 year old Lurcher called Benji who is her baby and hopefully he’ll be making an appearance here in Australia as soon as she can get him here! She loves doing puppy training and helping people bring out the best in their dogs.
Bec has been an amazing addition to the team we are super lucky to have her on board. I’m sure those that have had the pleasure of training in her classes can agree to that. You can look forward to meeting Bec in our Rookies classes!
Education:
Certificate III Dog Behaviour and Training
Bachelor of Science (majors Psychology and Behavioural Neuroscience) – The University of Melbourne
Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology – The University of Ballarat
PhD Candidate exploring therapy dogs and mental health – The University of Queensland
First Aid Level 2
Pet First Aid – PetTech
Awards:
Society of Mental Health Research – NSW Government Bursary to present at conference on Animal Assisted Therapy
Society of Mental Health Research – Best debut oral presentation
Professional Development:
Aggression in Dogs Master Course - Michael Shikashio (2019).
Learning about learning: 4 day workshop with Professor Susan Friedman and Peta Clarke (2019).
Living and Learning with Animals – Professor Susan Friedman Applied Animal Behaviour course (2017).
APDT conferences (2015, 2016 & 2017)
Aggression in Dogs with Dr Gabrielle Carter Veterinary Behaviourist
Pet Professional Guild webinars (Pet first aid, separation anxiety with Chirag Patel, PTSD in dogs and much more)
Dr Ian Dunbar 3 day workshop (2015).
Memberships:
Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) Australia
Pet Professional Guild Australia (PPGA)
Pet Dog Ambassador (PPGA) certified instructor and assessor.
Lucie Eadie - Group Instructor
Lucie has been a volunteer Dog Trainer with Hobsons Bay Obedience Dog Club since 2014 and in a quest to further her knowledge has become an accredited trainer. Since then she has completed additional professional training programs including 30 Days of Canine Science with The School of Canine Science and is currently undertaking a certification in Scent Work under the same school.
Lucie has titled her now 8.5 year old Border Collie Maddy in Obedience and Heel Work to Music and together they are members of the Lort Smith Pet Therapy Team.
Alfie is her now three-year-old Australian Shepherd (pictured) who she is training with in Agility, Obedience, Rally O Heelwork to Music and Scent Work. Lucie has already achieved multiple titles in obedience and rally obedience with Alfie. Lucie’s passion is working with puppies and their families, to develop a relationship of trust and understanding.
She believes that with gentle guidance and reward based training, puppies can thrive and become valued family members. We are so lucky to have her as a part of our training team.
Benny the Portie
I’m fortunate to also live alongside Bennett my 4 year old Portuguese Water Dog who has titled in both tricks trialing and Rally Obedience. He continues to do well in dog sports and will expand his horizons over the coming years to multiple other dog sports. We sadly lost our precious Lily, a 14.5yo golden retriever when we lost her to cancer in early 2022. She will forever live on as why I do this work and her legacy is to continue to provide kind and ethical training to dogs.