Sian Hornigold, Head Coach

Sian started working for Dogs Trust as a Canine Carer at the Basildon Centre in 2014. She soon realised that working with the more challenging dogs and helping with the rehabilitation was what she wanted to work towards. By 2015, Sian became a Trainer for the centre and by 2016 became the Assistant Training and Behavioural Advisor. After over 3 ½ years of working at the centre Sian wanted a new challenge which she found in Dogs School and is currently starting up a Dog School In Surrey, excited to put her practical experiences with rescue dogs and training knowledge together to help owners and dogs bond and learn together.

Laura Swanson, Senior Coach

Laura graduated from Swansea University with a degree in Psychology. Due to growing up with a dog that had behavioural needs, she chose to study the behaviour of dogs in her final year project. Throughout her three years at university Laura spent most of her spare time looking after two miniature Daschunds, which spurred her passion to learn more about training dogs.

After university, Laura’s passion to work with dogs grew further, so she spent a lot of her spare time volunteering at doggy day cares, shadowing behavioural consultations and being around dogs as often as she could! This also included volunteering as an Assistant Trainer at local reward based training classes, where she thoroughly enjoyed teaching and helping owners learn how to understand their dogs. This is what led Laura to join Dogs School Surrey where she is enjoying meeting all of you and your furry 4 legged friends!

Alice Freeman, Coach

Alice graduated Kingston University with a Foundation Degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare having previously qualified and worked as a chef after achieving her Cordon Bleu Diploma.

Throughout her degree she continued to work in the catering industry however made the jump into the animal care industry in 2017 when she began working as a canine carer for the Dogs Trust Ilfracombe rehoming centre. It proved difficult to decide between a love of cake and a love of animals, however the animals won the battle!

During her time with Dogs Trust she quickly identified her key interest lay with the training of the dogs. This came in particularly useful with her own dogs! A Bichon cross, Stevie and an extremely excitable Labrador, Frank.