15/09/2025
Alongside running Dog Confidence lm also lucky to be part of the Creative Action Team. Just an amazing organisation that changes lives. 🐾❤️🐾
Meet Vickie 🐾
Vickie first joined CAT as a dog trainer and quickly became an invaluable member of the team, working not only with our dogs but also supporting our young people in their journey alongside their canine companions.
With an MA in Psychology, an MSc in Sports Psychology, and a PGCE, Vickie brings a wealth of academic and practical expertise. After a successful 20+ year career teaching Psychology in Further and Higher Education, where she also provided extensive pastoral support, Vickie chose to change direction six years ago and retrain as a dog trainer.
She is a Full Member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (01532) and a Registered Animal Training Instructor with the Animal Behaviour and Training Council. Her experience spans sports dog training, assistance dog development, and supporting young people with additional needs. Vickie also worked with Dogs for Good as a Puppy Coordinator, overseeing the early training of future assistance dogs.
At CAT, Vickie combines her extensive experience with both people and dogs through 1:1 client sessions, where she is passionate about strengthening the bond between them. She believes that nurturing this relationship can empower both dogs and their humans to grow in confidence and lead more fulfilling lives.
Alongside this, Vickie plays a key role in supporting the wellbeing and training of our team dogs, ensuring their needs are met so they can thrive in their important roles. It is vital all our dogs actively enjoy being involved and we ensure all handlers are fully trained on their dog’s body language and needs. Vickie also assesses dog temperament and behaviour to ensure that all the team dogs thrive in the environment’s they work in.
It’s of utmost importance to us all that all participants, human and animal, are happy and comfortable in what they are doing.
We are delighted to have Vickie as part of the team. Her expertise, warmth, and dedication make a real difference every day.
