Meet the team

Katie Smith (Fiddes)

Dog Trainer & Behaviourist.

I have worked with dogs for over 30 years after attending the very first courses available for behaviourists in the late 80’s and early 90’s. I gained a certificate in Advanced Canine Behaviour and attended the first-ever clicker training course in the UK.

I was fortunate enough to run puppy classes and take vet referrals from David Harveys’ vet practice in Weston-super-Mare and Clevedon, in the early ’90s and was supported by the vast experience that Peter Neville, John Fisher, and Robin Walker had to offer when they initially set up COAPE.

My passion is Staffordshire Bull Terriers and have owned them for over 30 years and worked with rescue for 10 years. During my time with the breed, I have had the pleasure of qualifying a number of times for Crufts and also competed with them in obedience.

I love to work and support people to achieve the best they can and have taken this passion to qualify in Learning and Development and as a life coach.

Over the years I have developed to provide the best services for owners and their dogs to achieve what they want from their relationship together. I am a firm believer that fun and laughter are one of the best ways to achieve this and I am always looking for new ways for owners to enjoy themselves with their dogs.

For a number of years, I have worked closely with Angela Stockdale ( The Dog Partnership) who has mentored me and developed my knowledge of understanding dogs and their emotions. We continue to work closely together and are able to provide all-around support to owners whose dogs have “aggressive” tendencies or extremely complex behaviour issues.

In 2015 I qualified as a First Aid Trainer and then developed this further, with Veterinary support, to write a canine workshop, which I delivered through Reflex First Aid Training.

I currently share my life with my two daughters, Sarah and Laura, my partner Tim and our 5 dogs, Eric the labradoodle, Rosie the Staffie and Stan the Staffie, Daisy the rescue and Bruno the Deutsch-drathaar (a very posh Pointer).

Alison Garforth

A.DipCBM, AMT

Canine Merishia Massage Therapist.

Canine Behaviourist

www.canine-wellbeing.co.uk

I am a Canine Merishia Massage & Rehabilitation Therapist.

I started to see the link between posture and behaviour many years ago and wanted to learn more, so I then started my journey of learning about Tellington Touch, but I wanted to learn more about this on a cellular level, which is why I am now a Canine Merishia Massage & Rehabilitation Therapist.

I have now started another journey with Sarah Fisher from Tilly Farm, learning about Ace Connections and free work and how this can also help my clients to feel better emotionally and physically.

Diploma in Canine Merishia Massage Therapy level 4.
An Advanced Diploma at Foundation degree level in Canine Behaviour Management level 5.
A certificate in Animal Physiotherapy level 3.
A recommended practitioner member of the Association of Merishia Therapist.

I have the pleasure of sharing my life with my husband Shane and 3 dogs, a Chihuahua cross Jack Russell called Paisley who is 7 years old, a Labrador called Ace who is 5 years old and Mika puppy Labrador.

Anne Smart

Dog Trainer

My dog training journey started in 2007, my dogs and I both fell in love with the training and the teamwork it created for us.

Golden Retrievers are my passion I have had the pleasure of owning six over the years, we qualified for the Kennel Club Good Citizens Awards up to Gold level after this I decided that I would also become an examiner and I have had the great pleasure of seeing dogs and their owners achieve these awards.

I have been on many courses with dog's including Agility, Hoopers and Gun dog training.

My dogs and I have completed in Obedience competitions and gained qualifications up to Novice level.

During this time, I also ran courses for 10 years covering all aspects of dog training.

My passion for dog training comes from watching dogs and their family members develop their relationship as they learn together providing a wonderful bond all through their lives.

My two Goldies are now training with Harmonious dogs and Bess the eldest is a buddy dog helping other dogs to relax and give support.

I share my life with my husband Clive and our wonderful two Golden retriever’s Bess and Jasmine.

Naomi Beard BSc

Dog Trainer/Behaviourist

I have studied for 3 years doing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Animal Management & Wildlife Conservation. During this course, I had the privilege of going to Costa Rica to stay at the Reserva Playa Tortuga where I had the opportunity to monitor their wildlife through observations and trail cameras, and capture, gather data and then release juvenile crocodiles.

I also have 3 years of experience volunteering at Secret World Wildlife Rescue, where I worked with a variety of animals, gained knowledge and learnt a range of skills in observation, handling and care.

Katie took me under her wing 4 years ago and I have since been helping her with dog/puppy training classes, because of this I have gained huge amounts of knowledge in canine behaviour and training techniques. Through Katie, I met Angela Stockdale ( The Dog Partnership) who has helped me further my knowledge in canine behaviour by allowing me to be present and observe during her sessions.

I share my life with Betty a Cavapoo and Daisy a Labrador, who have been benefitting from the knowledge and skills I have learnt throughout the years.

Shellie Brown

Admin and Dog Trainer in training

I kind of fell into Harmonious Dogs in 2016. After suffering a heart attack and meeting Katie I originally visited the field to groom the ponies as a form of rehab, not long after I started to join in with the dog and puppy groups and gain lots of knowledge of canine behaviour and training techniques

I have a 6-year-old Jack Russell Terrier called Lottie and a 8 months Cockapoo called Mac. Not long after rehoming
Lottie, I found that she has some behavioural issues but with the help of Katie, Alison, and Angela Stockdale ( Dog Partnership) I have been able to put into practice the skills that I have gained.

I have enjoyed helping out in puppy classes and gaining more knowledge on how to help dogs live a life in partnership with their humans. it is great to now be part of a team that all have the dog's best interests at heart.

Emma Masley VN

Veterinary Nurse, Trainer

I am a Registered Veterinary Nurse, currently locuming in various veterinary practices across the area. I have always had an interest in animal behaviour, carrying out various CPD courses on reading our companion animals’ behaviour and supporting them in the veterinary environment. The arrival of my first dog got me interested in dog training, and whilst my children were small I occasionally spent evenings assisting with puppy and bronze kennel club training classes.

Through the arrival of Lucy, our whippet puppy (who arrived at a practice I was working in as a rescue), I met Alison and Katie whilst looking for help with her socialisation and training we had so much fun that 4 years on we were still attending a class weekly and staying behind, so that I could learn from watching them work! In turn, this inspired me to follow my interest in behaviour fully and I started my Diploma in Companion Animal Behaviour with COAPE (Centre of Applied Pet Ethology) in September 2023. I have also become an affiliated member of the ICB (International Canine Behaviourists), helping me to expand my knowledge.

Lucy is very much a family dog, enjoying activities with both the teenage boys in the house, attending hoopers classes, and previously partaking in agility with my eldest. She is my running companion and enjoys family walking holidays. Then, after all that a good snooze cuddled up on the sofa with her people.