About Gary
have been passionate about dogs and their welfare my whole life. I’ve always had rescue dogs, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, a Newfoundland, an Irish Wolfhound X and nowadays Siberian Huskies. They’ve arrived at ages ranging from puppy to seven years old and it’s been an educational and rewarding journey.
I've volunteered with dog rescue organisations since 1985, starting when I I’ve was just fifteen years old. In my early twenties, I worked as a veterinary nurse. I currently volunteer with a few sled dog specific rescues as a fosterer, dog assessor, homechecker, dog transporter and fund raiser, I also volunteer with The Animal Team as a dog assessor, homechecker and dog transporter. The Animal Team is a network of volunteers around the UK who carry out these services on behalf of hundreds of dog rescue organisations.
I’ve been the Dog Daycare Manager at Woof and Ready in Glossop since April 2016 and trained as a dog trainer with the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers, as well as successfully passing their final assessment to gain full membership. The assessment is a combination of practical training in a class environment, as well as one to one training and advice for a rescue dog, another for a puppy in addition to the theory part which covers dog training, and behaviour, dog law and canine nutrition. I also update my training in Canine First Aid and CPR and Dog Law every two years, as well as attending workshops in Myotherapy and T Touch Therapy.
With my wife, Lucy, I also compete with our team of Siberian Huskies in dog sports including canicross, bikejor, dog scootering and on dryland mushing rigs. You’ve probably seen our vans around the area with our team name “Second Chance Huskies” on them. The whole team started out as untrained rescue dogs, several with serious issues from having been rescued from abused or neglected situations.
I have also worked as a dog handler for an episode of BBC Watchdog Live and our dogs have featured on Channel 5’s TV series The Yorkshire Vet and in Lancashire Life magazine. I'm also Head of Sponsorship on the committee of a dog sports club. I only use modern, positive training methods in line with the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers (IMDT) code of conduct.
About Lucy
I’ve had dogs most of my life. I grew up with two German Shepherds as well as spending time on my Grandmother’s farm where there were twenty dogs.
It has always been my passion to work with dogs as my vocation.
As well as being a trainer and member of the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers, I’m also a qualified small animal hydrotherapist and previously worked on the hydrotherapy team at Woof and Ready in Glossop. I have also worked as a dog walker for Mountain Miles dog walking service in Glossop for many years both part and full time, including being a team leader there. I have since set up on my own as Rebel Dog Walking offering walking and pet sitting services.
I started out working alongside Gary as a training assistant in classes and one to one training sessions and handler for our “stooge” dogs who are used extensively when working with clients whose dogs are reactive to other dogs. I later worked through the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers courses and passed their membership assessment to become a full IMDT member myself. As part of my previous work with dogs, I have also completed courses in Advanced Canine CPR and First Aid, Dog Law, T-Touch therapy and many others.
Along with my husband, Gary, I volunteer with several rescue organisations as well as having our own family of rescue Siberian Huskies who we race together in several sled dog sports all over the country. I am Head of Dog Welfare serving on the committee of the same dog sports club as my husband.
I only use modern, positive training methods in line with the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers (IMDT) code of conduct.
