Sarah Butterfield, Head Coach

Sarah is passionate about animal welfare, behaviour and training. After completing a BSc in Zoology, Sarah wanted to focus on canine and feline behaviour and welfare so completed a master’s degree in Clinical Animal Behaviour at the University of Lincoln. Sarah then worked in research roles and for their behaviour clinic while teaching dog training classes for a variety of providers. Sarah then set up as a canine and feline Behaviourist and Trainer in East Sussex giving behaviour consultations by veterinary referral and providing dog training classes and one to one sessions. Following this Sarah worked for Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare before becoming an Instructor for the assistance dog charity Support Dogs and is now very pleased to join the Dogs Trust team as Head Coach in Doncaster.

Sarah is APDT accredited and enjoys attending conferences and seminars about dog training, behaviour and welfare to keep up to date.

Ellie Walke, Senior Coach

Ellie has a Bsc (Hons) Degree in Applied Animal Behaviour and Training and has extensive experience raising and training puppies. Ellie volunteered as a Puppy Walker for Guide Dogs for the Blind and this inspired her to further her knowledge of canine behaviour and training. Since graduating, Ellie volunteered with Support Dogs and gained a lot of essential knowledge observing and working with their trainers.

Ellie has also worked as a kennel assistant at a local rescue centre. This is where she developed a passion for getting dogs ready for their forever homes by training them to become confident, well-mannered members of our society. Ellie has also run her own home-based dog sitting business for three years which has given her experience with dogs of different breeds and temperaments. She also discovered her favourite breeds in Lurchers and Vizslas!

During her spare time, Ellie enjoys horse riding in the countryside on Oliver and is looking forward to one day adopting her own dog to join them!

Amy Pearson, Coach

Amy has achieved her advanced dog training qualification with the APTD and is hoping to gain her full membership in the near future. She has an Animal Behaviour and Welfare Bsc degree from the University of Plymouth and has experience working as a veterinary nurse an in rehoming centres.

Before joining Dog School, Amy ran a pet care company for the last 6 years and is really enthusiastic about helping people make positive choices for their pets.

In her spare time, Amy loves exploring the countryside with her two dogs Fen and Rascal.