About us
Laura Mundy
I’m a proud neurodivergent Mum to two young boys, one also ND. I am also a researcher, practitioner, animal trainer and handler, animal assisted support worker, and fierce advocate in the spaces of mental health, neurodivergence, NDIS, animal welfare, therapy dogs, assistance dogs and much more.
Originally from regional Victoria, I am now based in the western suburbs of Melbourne. Beginning my early university education with a Bachelor of Science from The University of Melbourne in 2003, I majored in psychology and behavioural neuroscience. I then followed on to also complete 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 ran programs for young people experiencing social, vocational and emotional challenges in learning how to train dogs. The rest is history! I went on to complete a Certificate III in Dog Behaviour and Training and have continued to do further studies in dog training and behaviour through completing a number of courses in behaviour and training.
I have been working as a dog trainer and handler across Victoria for over 20 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 therapy animal group programs with youth in a not-for-profit dog training centre. While satisfying my passion for working with dogs, I continued to work within the human mental health space with roles in clinical research at large youth mental health services. My love for research and continuing to expand our knowledge and drive for better understanding and standards in working alongside our animal friends, lead me to begin a PhD. I’m currently a PhD candidate with The University of Queensland, undertaking research in therapy dog programs and practices within organisations.
I have a keen passion for the standards of training and practices of therapy dogs and as a result, decided to develop a comprehensive three-day therapy dog course for professionals in including their own therapy dogs within their work. This course is fast becoming one of the most well-respected courses for therapy dogs and their handlers in Victoria, and continues to grow and develop with more training and mentorship options being provided to professionals each year.
I am also a Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dog (GHAD Act 2009) accredited assistance dog trainer and assessor. I have been involved in the training of a range of assistance dog specialties 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 committed to personally mentoring dog guardians 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.
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.
GHAD accredited assistance dog trainer and assessor.
Lucie Eadie - Group class instructor and trainer.
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 8 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. I hope to add another goldie to the home in the very near future. As soon as my heart can fathom having another goldie that isn’t my Lil.