Meet the WKD training team

Matt

Director & Principal Dog Trainer

Matt’s interest in dog training began many years ago with his own, particularly awkward, pet German Shepherd. He learnt his craft initially as a hobby which developed quickly into a dedicated career in dog training and behaviour. He developed his skills, knowledge and techniques with a passion for achieving what some would deem impossible with various breeds and associated behaviours.

With many positive testimonials and feedback from his peers in the Police force and other recognised authorities in the dog training sector, he created WKD Trained Dogs. Working hands-on with the whole team on a daily basis, Matt continues to develop and oversee training while liaising with clients to provide them with the perfect trained companion. In all ventures that Matt undertakes his underlying agenda is to make the lives of dogs and owners better and he constantly strives to make that result accessible for all owners.

Matt now heads an experienced and dedicated team providing not only our bespoke selected and fully trained dogs but also for people with owned dogs he has developed and offers one-to-one consultant appointments, residential training, and an expanding online training experience, offering ongoing support to ensure the best results.

Never one to rest on his laurels Matt has gone on to expand his training knowledge to include sheepdog trialing in his spare (?!) time, along with more recently bringing on two protege security trained dogs from puppies that are shaping up brilliantly.

Kathy

Site Manager

Kathy comes to WKD from a diverse background ranging from Facilities Management, Banking and Finance to Catering and Personal Care, she has been with us since 2015. Here at WKD Kathy looks after our busy office managing customer accounts, enquiries and queries. In addition to her clerical role Kathy has a menagerie of animals outside of work too, so has a wealth of experience in all aspects of their care.

Cassey

Senior Dog Trainer & Team Manager

Cassey joined the team in March 2013 after leaving school, initially as a kennel hand. She has progressed through the company into her current role as Manager of the Training Team and is a key member of the team. Cassey embraces the challenge of every new dog with enthusiasm and dedicates herself to giving every pupil the best possible training to get them ready for their new life with their new owner. She particularly enjoys working with our Residential pupils including younger dogs (some just 4-month-old puppies) building trust and establishing a bond that enables her to tackle even deep-seated behavioural issues to transform a dog’s performance.
With the addition now of our one-to-one consultations Cassey plays an instrumental role in transforming the lives of owners with challenging dogs, through these three-hour sessions; assisting owners in understanding their dog’s behaviours and giving them skills to build upon to give them a happier and more contented experience with their pet

Sian

Deputy Head Dog Trainer

Sian joined the team in March 2015 as WKD’s first apprentice, co-inciding her work here with a diploma in Animal Care. Sian had previous experience working in a kennel environment, and being a dog trainer is her dream career. Sian has now successfully completed her diploma being awarded Apprentice of the Year at her college. During her time with us, Sian has continued to develop her skills and is now assisting Cassey to coordinate the duties performed by the training team to ensure all aspects are being covered. Sian gets a thrill out of working with some of the larger dogs we have, the bigger the better; she soon has them under control and they know who’s in charge! Sian always considers each dog’s future and enjoys making sure that they are fully prepared for all that is required of them in their new home.
Sian is also one of our consultant trainers, working one to one with owners to help transform their dog ownership experience. Like Cassey, Sian finds these sessions challenging but enjoys getting great results with these dogs enabling their owners to have the best experience with their dog.

Zoe

Dog Trainer

Zoe is now an experienced member of our team having joined us in 2018, she is not new to the world of caring for and training animals. With a BSc in Animal Management Zoe is knowledgeable in ‘all things animal’ and having previously worked extensively with primates she has certainly had much experience of the antics that animals get up to! She is a valued member of our team here at WKD and excels in her dog training role. Zoe is enthusiastic and bubbly and always makes sure her canine students have a thorough training workout. A true lover of Labradors, Zoe has a huge soft spot for this breed, but also she has a lighter touch which nurtures our smaller and more nervous pupils when they first start and the bond she builds with these dogs is lovely to see, as they then engage and make strides in their training.

Maddie

Junior Dog Trainer

Maddie is our newest member of the training team, however, she has worked her way up to this new role after many years with our Welfare team. With a love of big and sometimes challenging dogs, she is gutsy and is happy to challenge some of our more headstrong pupils. That said she has a positive outlook and is definitely a cheery member of the team, even when the weather turns grim, she manages to find fun in her work and has a smile to share. Maddie is progressing brilliantly and is a great asset to our team

Jay

Welfare Manager

Jay manages our welfare team to provide the best care and attention to all of our ‘pupils’ during their stay with us, she is a much-valued team leader who is caring and kind to all of the animals in our care. Jay has an enthusiasm that is infectious and always goes the extra mile to make sure that all of our dogs are happy and healthy. Jay’s attention to detail is beyond compare, she keeps us all on our toes! Jay grew up on a farm so she is no stranger to hard work or the antics that animals can get up to. Jay has previously flown the world in her role within executive travel and has also been awarded a second at Crufts with her own Border Collie.

Michaella

Welfare Supervisor

Michaella has recently been promoted and is now our Welfare Supervisor at WKD. She has already proven to be conscientious and caring with all of our dogs, taking time to make sure their needs are met and standards are upheld. Michaella has a National Certificate in Animal Management and a level 2 certificate in Grooming. She has a lifelong love of animals. In her new role she assists Jay in the organisation and daily operations within the welfare department, making sure that all of our animals get the best of care

Zoe

Welfare Assistant

With her wealth of animal knowledge achieved through achieving her BSc in Animal Science and Behaviour, caring for primates in a zoo and then providing care as a veterinary nurse in private practice, Zoe is already a valued member of our welfare team here at WKD. Zoe is a conscientious and meticulous worker and puts the needs and care of our animals first in all she does. Having also volunteered on several occasions at animal conservation projects in South Africa, amongst her many other experiences, Zoe is resourceful and ready for anything!

Angus

Welfare Assistant

Angus has grown up with a love of animals. He has owned many weird and wonderful creatures over the years most recently adding a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Bengal cat, and an exotic tank of Frogs to his menagerie! He is a loyal member of our welfare team where he helps to care for all the dogs and other animals with us. Matt is particularly grateful for Angus’ assistance when it comes to treating, tagging, or just generally managing our small flock of sheep

Teigan

Volunteer

Teigan volunteers at WKD and brings with her a huge love of animals meaning she gives her all to make sure they are well looked after. She is conscientious, kind, and extremely patient with dogs that have just arrived with us and gives them the time to adjust to their new environment. She is particularly adept at bathing and grooming and confidently reassures the dogs when they are having necessary treatment or clipping procedures, meaning the whole overall experience is less scary for them.

Rod

Head Instructor

Rod comes over to guide and instruct all of the dog trainers here at WKD as he is an absolute expert in the field and a real asset to the company.