Meet our team
Training team
Dedicated professionals driving our success - read their qualifications at the bottom of the page.
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
Nathan - He/Him
Assistance Dog Trainer
Hi, I’m Nathan, a dog trainer based in Dublin, Ireland. I have several years of experience working with all dog breeds from small companion breeds to large working breeds. I hold a QQI Level Distinction in Animal Care & Grooming, I’m Canine First Aid Responder certified, and I’m currently studying a Bachelor of Science degree in Veterinary Nursing. I combine my hands on experience with strong knowledge of canine behaviour, anatomy and physiology. I’m always happy to help with any questions or for any support needed!
Based in Dublin, Ireland.
Administrative Staff
Our support network.
Beth Baron - She/Her
Assistant Director & Fundraising Lead
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.
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.
✽ Want to know we're the best fit?
Our Team's Qualifications!
Current Enrolment:
N/A
Completed Qualifications:
L5 Dog Behaviour Diploma [DISTINCTION] - Centre of Excellence
L3 Separation Anxiety Specialist - Dog Training College
L3 Reactivity Specialist - Dog Training College
Children & Dogs - Dog Training College
Choosing the Right equipment - Dog Training College
Genetics - Dog Training College
Puppy Relationship Building - Dog Training College
Enrichment - Dog Training College
L3 Scentwork Specialist Programme - Dog Training College
L5 Certified Dog Trainer - Dog Training College
Canine Vocalisation - Dog Training College
Canine Emotion - Dog Training College
Pet First Aid - Dog Training College
Pain and the Influence on Behaviour - Webinar by Amber Batson
Dog Law - Dog Training College
Breeds - Dog Training College
Resource Guarding - Dog Training College
Hormones - Dog Training College
Loose Lead Walking - Dog Training College
Spanish Rescue Mentorship (7 Days), Murcia
Building your dog's confidence - Dog Training College
L3 Assistance Dog Specialist - Dog Training College
Assistance Dog Awareness - Dog Training College
Loose Lead Walking - Canine Principles
L3 Safeguarding Children and Adults
Bsc (Hons) Paramedic Science
Current Enrolment:
BSC Nursing (Child)
Reactivity Specialist Shadowing
Scentwork Specialist Shadowing
Completed Qualifications:
Assistance Dog Mentorship - Canine Allies
Mantrailing Specialist Shadowing - Darwins Dog Training School
Mental Health First Aid - Mental Health First Aid England
L3 Dog Training Diploma - Centre of Excellence
Mentorship of Puppy and Adolescent Training (4 months)
Current Enrolment:
N/A
Completed Qualifications:
L3 Scentwork Specialist Programme - Dog Training College
L3 Separation Anxiety Specialist - Dog Training College
L3 Children & Dogs Specialist - Dog Training College
L3 Canine Body Language Specialist - Dog Training College
L3 Assistance Dog Specialist - Dog Training College
L3 Companion Obedience Specialist - Dog Training College
Dog law - Dog Training College
Pet First Aid - Dog Training College
Current Enrolment:
L5 Dog Behaviour Diploma - Centre of Excellence
Completed Qualifications:
Behaviourist Mentorship (3 years) - Mentor Mutts, England
Security Dog Handler (12 years) - Phoenix Security, Dubai
Current Enrolment:
APDT Accredited Trainer
Completed Qualifications:
BSL trained
SENCO trained
Canine Anxiety - DTC
Dog Law - DTC
Pet First Aid - DTC
Zoopharmacognosy - DTC
Building your dog's confidence - DTC
Predation in Dogs - DTC
Canine Shaping - DTC
Reactivity reinforcements - DTC
Canine Emotional Regulation - DTC
Canine Cancer - DTC
Rapid Recallers - DTC
Dog Senses - DTC
Loose lead walking - DTC
Breeds - DTC
Canine Trauma - DTC
Blind Dog Awareness - DTC
Puppy Health and Awareness - DTC
Raising a Rescue Dog - DTC
Current Enrolment:
Assistance Dog Mentorship - Canine Allies
Completed Qualifications:
Mental Health Studies - Alison
Mental Health First Aid - Training Academy
L2 Understanding safeguarding and preventing - NCFE CACHE
L3 Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults - Alison
L5 Certified Dog Trainer - Dog Training College
Canine Coaching Foundations - Canine Principles
Canine Anxiety - Canine Principles
Dogs and Children - Canine Principles
Scentwork Webinar - Canine Principles
Dispelling The Myths of Dog Training - Dog Training College
Enrichment - Dog Training College
Behaviour Modification - Canine Principles
Pet First Aid - Dog Training College
Therapy Dog Awareness - Canine Principles
Approved Canine Nutrition & Wellness Expert - Canine Principles
Dog Senses - Dog Training College
Dog Law - Dog Training College
Loose Lead Walking - Dog Training College
Current Enrolment:
Assistance Dog Mentorship - Canine Allies
L5 Dog Behaviour Diploma - Centre of Excellence
Completed Qualifications:
L3 Dog Training Diploma - Centre of Excellence