About Trusted Canine Companions
Trusted Canine Companions is dedicated to transforming the relationship between dogs and their owners. Trusted Canine Companions provides services in:
- Pet dog training
- Assistance dog training
- Therapy dog training
- Therapy dogs in the home
- Overcoming a fear of dogs
- Dog walking
- Pet sitting.
Rachel is fully insured, DBS checked, canine first aid trained, comprehensively risk assessed and has regular confidential supervision.
Rachel Harris
My name is Rachel and I founded and run Trusted Canine Companions. I have many years experience working with dogs and animals. After school, I got a foundation degree from Brooksby Melton College through Lincoln University. After completing this, I began working for Mars Petcare at The Waltham Petcare Science Institute. Here I gained experience training both dogs and cats for research. Most recently, I have been Operations Manager and Head Trainer for an assistance dog charity for three years before setting up Trusted Canine Companions.
I have a keen interest in Mental Health and have a Level 3 Counselling Skills qualification from NWSLC College. I am mental health first aid trained and have an additional level 2 course in mental health studies. I have worked with autistic children and adults and understand the therapeutic nature animals can provide.
I have extensive experience training assistance dogs and therapy dogs as well as standard pet dog training. I specialise in training assistance dogs for a variety of disabilities.
I am accredited by and a member of IMDT (Institute of Modern Dog Trainers)
I am an accredited trainer for ADAA (Assistance Dogs Assessment Association) and also for PAWS Therapy Dogs and PAWS Assistance Dogs.
Most recently, I became Animal Intervention Team Leader for Connecting - Mental Health Solutions in Education. Here I train therapy dogs in schools and also provide animal intervention sessions with my dog, Bonnie.
Bonnie
Bonnie is 2-year-old black Labrador. She is a fully qualified therapy dog and works 3 hours per week in a local school. She knows many different behaviours to help support children with their mental health needs. These include deep pressure therapy, interrupting repetitive anxiety behaviours and chin rest.
Bonnie is an extremely calm Labrador who will happily sit on a mat while being stroked and groomed.
How we Train our Dogs
I only use positive reinforcement to train my dogs. I use kind, reward-based training methods to create a bond with our dogs and to allow them to grow into our trusted companions.
I ask all clients to use a well fitted harness, lead and collar. All clients are asked to come to training with a variety of food rewards and a toy reward for their dog.
I am an accredited member of IMDT (Institute of Modern Dog Training)
