It all started with Buster
Our story:
Buster, the rebellious canine
The shelter environment really took a toll on Buster. Over time, he regressed significantly—he became selective with people, reactive towards both humans and other dogs, and after a few kennel fights, developed full-blown dog aggression. Within a year, he was considered almost unadoptable.
During this time, I made a point to watch and learn every time the shelter’s dog trainer came in. I’d ask questions, take mental notes, and soak up as much knowledge as I could, all in an effort to help Buster. I was determined to see him adopted. I worked with him consistently—his obedience became rock solid. He learned commands like sit, down, paw, bed, spin, and how to walk calmly on leash. But unfortunately, that alone wasn’t enough to make him adoptable.
By summer 2019, I made a big decision—I was going to change my life so I could adopt him myself. Through training Buster, I discovered a real passion for dog training. I loved figuring out how dogs think, and how we can help change their emotional and behavioural responses. I got a job to save for formal training, earned my driver’s license, and moved out of my parents' house—all within six months.
Even with all the preparation, I didn’t fully grasp how challenging things would be. In the first six months of living with me, Buster bit two family members and a friend of a housemate. Walks were overwhelming for him—he’d get overstimulated just stepping outside. Like many aggressive dogs, he was sweet and affectionate with his people, but deeply reactive to the world beyond that. My plans to pursue formal education in dog training had to be put on hold while I focused on getting Buster the help he needed.
Back in 2018, I found myself stuck in a rut. I was dealing with severe social anxiety that made it incredibly hard to leave the house alone or talk to strangers. I had no real goals or sense of direction. One day, I saw that an old schoolmate was volunteering at our local animal shelter and they were looking for more help. I’ve always loved animals, so I decided to give it a go.
From the very first week, I was hooked. I started volunteering four days a week, sometimes up to 12 hours a day—I absolutely loved it.
About two months in, Buster arrived. He was 18 months old, rescued from Kalgoorlie, and absolutely filthy—covered in red dirt and grime. We gave him a bath and got him settled in his kennel. He was friendly with other dogs and adored people—maybe a little too much. Most of the other volunteers were elderly, and Buster’s way of showing affection was mouthing, which often left them with broken skin. Despite that, he and I clicked instantly. It wasn’t long before he felt like he was mine.
The first trainer I reached out to was someone I had worked closely with before—someone who already knew Buster. So, it was a huge blow when they told me, “There’s nothing I can do for him.” I felt completely defeated. Thankfully, the second trainer I contacted was Lauren (Lorri) from Holistic Hound Dog Training, and she changed everything for both me and Buster.
I had always suspected Buster would benefit from an e-collar, but I had no idea where to begin. Lorri made the entire process approachable and supportive. Even when things fell apart—and they did, more than once—she was there to guide us, encourage us, and help us get back on track. I eventually started shadowing her, and Buster even became a helper dog for her client sessions. He blew both of us away with how far he came. He was not only a trusted helper dog for my own clients, but he still helps out at Lorri’s group classes too.
After seeing Buster's transformation and learning so much from Lorri, I finally pursued my formal dog training qualification through the National Dog Training Federation (NDTF). I studied dog behaviour, body language, puppy raising, socialisation, desensitisation, habituation, and various training methods and their effectiveness. Buster, always eager to learn, even mastered tricks like turning on a light and skateboarding—still a crowd favourite!
I started taking on clients casually, offering one-off sessions, and discovered just how much I love this work. That feeling hasn’t changed. Buster became an incredible assistant during client evaluations—soon to be followed by Sparrow, his little sister and the next helper-in-training.
Training dogs is genuinely one of the most fulfilling things I’ve ever done.
There’s something really special about watching dogs learn and grow—and watching their humans grow alongside them. Seeing the pride, relief, and joy people feel when their dog becomes the version of themselves they always believed was possible—it never gets old. I feel that joy with every client win, because I’ve lived it too.
Buster
2016 - 2025
In March 2025, I had to say goodbye to my best friend and soul dog. A large mass on his spleen left me facing the heartbreaking decision to prioritise his quality of life over my own desire to keep him with me. It was the hardest choice I’ve ever had to make, but I knew it was the right one for him.
Buster was everything to me. I gave him the best life I possibly could, often putting his care above all else. We travelled together, grew together, learned side by side, and he was by my side through every stage of my adult life. Losing him feels like losing a part of myself—like a limb, like a piece of my heart. I miss him deeply, every single day.
He was the best first dog I could have ever asked for—loyal, loving, and incredibly special. And in the end, he became an amazing helper dog, changing not just my life, but the lives of so many others too.
To keep him with me every day I had his pawprint engraved onto a necklace charm and sent some of his ashes to the lovely people at Cotton Street Art Co in Tennessee to immortalise him in a tungsten ring with amethyst opal. It’s the most precious piece of jewellery I own.
