Meet our team
Training team
Dedicated professionals driving our success.
Em Dashwood - She/Her
Director & Head Trainer
Hi, my name is Em and I am the Founder & Lead Trainer here at Canine Allies CIC. I'm a former paramedic and have 16 different qualifications in Dog Training with professional experience since 2019. After being diagnosed with POTS myself, I decided to put my love of dogs and healthcare experience together. My Assistance Dog is Bean the GSD, and I have a Siberian Husky called Zoro.
Based in Peterborough, UK.
Ocean Tails Training
Amelia Merrick - She/Her
Senior Assistance Dog Trainer & Mental Health First Aider
Hi, I’m Amelia! My assistance dog in training is Tux the Labrador. I’m the mental health first aider, and a very nearly newly qualified nurse! Please feel free to message me if you ever need anything, nothing is too big or too small!
Based in Leicester, UK.
Country Canine Academy.
Jordan Lowery - He/Him
Senior Assistance Dog Trainer & Assessor
I'm a former security dog handler with over three years of experience. After overcoming personal loss and PTSD, I found my calling in helping others through dogs. I train assistance dogs for Canine Allies, focused on the transformative bond between humans and their canine companions. Let's explore this incredible journey together!
Based in Nottingham, UK.
Cryptic K9
Holly Bluett - They/Them
Assistance Dog Trainer & Assessor
Hi, I’m Holly. I have 10 years of assistance dog training experience, with a degree in canine psychology. My speciality is allergen alerts, and finding named people. I’ve trained a vast variety of dogs, from dachshunds to Great Danes, and most dogs in between!
Based in Gloucester, UK.
Outcast Assistance Dogs
Bryony Brodzig - She/Her
Assistance Dog Trainer & Assessor
Hey, I'm Bryony Brodzig a dog trainer from Dorset. I have a few years of animal care experience and dog training, both in experience and education. I trained my own assistance dog Giles, the French Bulldog.
Based in Dorset, UK.
Brodzig's Dog Training
Administrative Staff
Our support network.
Beth Baron - She/Her
Engagements Team
Hello, my name is Beth. I have 2 dogs, my Assistance Dog in training Lucifer and my pet dog Lilli. I help with Canine Allies CIC's fundraising!
Eden Baillie - She/Her
Social Media Content Creator
My names Eden and my Assistance Dog is Osha who is a Rottweiler X Cane Corso. I handle the Social Media Content Creation like reels & posts.
Alexandra Gillespie - She/Her
Fundraising Manager
Alex has worked in the charity sector for over 10 years, supporting adults and children, working in mental health, homelessness, SEN, criminal justice and complex needs. She’s a proud northerner, and neurodiverse. She loves yoga, travelling and has recently started to learn sign language in the hope of reaching more people in need of support.
Ethan Chandler - He/Him
Photographer
Hello! My name is Ethan and I am helping out with Photography for CA. I am the other parent of Tux the Assistance Dog with Amelia :)
Kate Leech - She/Her
Engagements Team
Hello I am Kate, I help Canine Allies secure vital resources to continue our work in the community. I have two pups, Roo (Assistance Dog) and Stephen (Assistance Dog In Training) and I love to spontaneously travel, especially to Thailand.
Krys Catterall - She/Her
Events Co-ordinator
Hi, I’m Krys, Events Coordinator for CA! My partner in crime is Luna (ADiT), who takes her job very seriously… unless she decides it’s time for a dramatic sigh, a flop, or a theatrical side-eye. We make a pretty great team, and we love making our events welcoming and accessible for everyone.
Ella Henshaw - She/Her
Events Team
Bio coming soon.