Nicole began working as an assistant for Pets in Practise in 2007 when she finished studying for her degree in Animal Behaviour Management.  She lives in Mytchett, Surrey with her 4 Leopard Geckos (Kia, Aura, Origin and Wotsit), runs a branch of Puppy School classes in Surrey as well as offering 1-2-1 training for dogs in her local area through her company, Paws-Off.  She previously worked for Battersea Dogs and Cats Home; first as an Animal welfare assistant and then later as a Rehomer.  As well as caring for and rehoming the dogs and cats that came into her care she was also part of the temperament assessment team, assessing the behaviour of the animals and finding them appropriate homes.

In addition to her practical experience she holds a BTEC Higher National Diploma in Animal Management and a First Class Honours degree in Animal Behaviour Management.  Having trained with Gwen Bailey she is a qualified Puppy School Tutor and also a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (Membership No. 01043).  She is also a provisional member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC), which means having gained the relevant academic qualifications she is gaining the practical experience necessary for full membership.  She continues to update her knowledge through courses and seminars.  She has been trained in canine first aid and has also been trained as a microchip implanter.  Nicole started the Postgraduate / MSc programme in Companion Animal Behaviour Counselling at Southampton University in September 2010.

Nicole runs the Binfield puppy and Improver's courses on a Tuesday evening, the Camberley Improver's course on a Thursday evening and the Burghfield puppy, Improver, Rally-O and Kennel Club courses on a Saturday daytime. She also offers daytime puppy and dog 1-2-1's, to include our 1-2-1 training consultations, too. Nicole is the person you will speak to when calling the Pets in Practise office on a Wednesday and Thursday as she mans the office phone on these days. 

Helen's first dealing with Pets in Practise began in 2007 after attending the Improver's course with her dog Warrick.

Click here to watch Warrick's wave, which Helen has only just taught him.  

Helen has been involved with various rescues over the last few years and has a keen interest in promoting responsible dog ownership. Helen competes at Flyball with Warrick and also runs her own dog boarding / dog walking company called Holybrooks.

Looking after other people's dogs on a daily basis , as well as her own, has given Helen huge amounts of practical experience in teaching dogs to walk without pulling, to come when they are called and not to jump up when greeting.

Helen has spent many years training and caring for puppies and rescue dogs, especially those with training and behavioural problems. Therefore not only is Helen very experienced in dealing with the training of puppies and dogs, but she also has a very rare and invaluable skill which is being able to see the training problem from both a trainer's and an owner's point of view.

Helen has completed the 'Puppy School' tutor's course, taught by Gwen Bailey, and is a fully qualified Puppy School Tutor.

Helen runs puppy, as well as adult, classes in Burghfield, Woodley and Newbury. Helen is also a fully qualified microchipper so please contact her directly if you would like further information on this.

Helen instructs our 9am Burghfield puppy class, our Newbury puppy and Improver courses on a Monday evening, our Woodley puppy and Improver courses on a Wednesday evening and is an assistant instructor in our Binfield puppy and Improver courses on a Tuesday evening. Helen offers 1-2-1 training for puppies and dogs on ocassional evenings and Saturdays. Please note evening and Saturday appointments will incur an additional 20% charge. 

Sarah has been working as a training assistant for Pets in Practise since 2007.  She lives at home in Burghfield Common with her two Springer Spaniels (Kas and Bea) who are used as gun dogs so she can provide some useful tips for those looking to start gun dog work.  

Sarah has a National Diploma in Animal Behaviour, passed with distinction, and is studying at university for a degree in Animal Behaviour.  Sarah is also a canine first aider.


Sarah is our senior assistant instructor at the classes in our Burghfield Common and Woodley locations.

Zoe joined the team in July of 2011 as an assistant instructor at the Earley location.

Zoë first contacted Pets In Practise in November 2010 and attended our Puppy Class with her Yorkshire Terrier, Pelucchi. She and Pelucchi then went on to complete the Improvers Course, Rally Obedience Level 1 and have just passed their Kennel Club Bronze Good Citizen Award.

Zoë has trained and competed in agility with her rescue Collie cross Binxie and previous rescue Yorkshire Terrier Megan and has begun training with Pelucchi.

Zoë has worked within the kennel environment since 1998 working in boarding kennels, local rescue kennels including Battersea Dogs and Cats Home where she trained as a temperament assessor. She has also worked at Hearing Dogs For Deaf People and Guide Dogs For The Blind.

In 2007 Zoë qualified as a City and Guilds Intermediate Dog Groomer and in 2009 set up her Dog Walking and Dog Grooming business A Pawsonal Touch in Maidenhead.

Zoe is our assistant instructor at the Earley puppy classes and a valued member of the Pets in Practise Trick Display team. 

Tom first started with Pets in Practise in 2010 when he joined our Puppy classes in Earley with his Working Cocker Spaniel Rocket. Since then Tom has gone on to become a member of the local Search and Rescue team with her.

 Tom has grown up with dogs living on a working farm, livery yard and kennels at Wheats Farm, regularly looking after the dogs who stay for their holidays. This interest has made Tom keen to learn more and has worked in pet shops, trained his other dog Millie at Flyball and he is now also studying dog behaviour and training.

We welcome Tom as our newest Assistant Instructor in Newbury.