Testimonials
Isla Mulholland
After only a few minutes with Shelley, our dog Billy was already more relaxed than he ever normally is with a stranger, and by the end of just two sessions he was even asking for her affection!
Shelley was patient and calm - she understands exactly how to communicate with Billy who is a very anxious dog. After only one session we saw a noticeable change in his behaviour - for example, he was much less anxious around other people when we took him over to a friends house.
As she left Billy got very stressed - rather than leaving, Shelley took the time to guide us on how we can improve similar future situations and tried hard to calm Billy, making the situation positive rather than stressful.
Shelley is clearly passionate about helping animals and truely understands how to listen to their behaviour. I’ve really enjoyed the sessions and recommend Shelley to anyone looking to build a better relationship with their animal.
Phoebe Merryweather
Shelley has been an absolute lifesaver for our two cats, Otto and Winnie. We were struggling with Winnie’s nervous weeing around the house and Otto’s hyperactive energy, which often triggered her even more. In just a few sessions, Shelley completely transformed them and us.
Her calm, reassuring manner made the whole process stress-free, and she took the time to explain everything clearly so we could continue her techniques with confidence after each session. The difference in both cats has been incredible; our home feels peaceful again, and we finally have clarity and peace of mind as a family.
I cannot recommend or thank Shelley enough for the incredible work she’s done. She truly has a gift.
Verity Gillett
Shelley is a truly fabulous trainer who has not only shown me the way to work with my horse in the way I have always dreamed of, but has also transformed my approach as a horsewoman. Her informative, clear, and encouraging teaching style has given me the tools, confidence, and understanding I needed to connect with my horse on a whole new level. I am so grateful for her guidance and expertise — she has made a real difference for both me and my horse.
Vicky Abbott
It was incredible watching Shelley working with our Romanian rescue dog Wolfy. The way she was able to communicate with him and read his body language was special to witness. With Shelley's guidance I have deepened my relationship with him and would recommend the Trust Technique, and Shelley, to others as a way of building stronger bonds and confidence.
Jackie Piper
Working as a volunteer at a pony rehabilitation centre, I have found myself drawn to a rather reticent pony that was taken in from the moor. Others in her herd have adapted themselves to their new found safety and home - but not so much this little one. I have tried to find a connection with her but mood will dictate if she is willing to engage.
If not then that's fine but I didn't have the knowledge to make progress with her.
Today Shelley gave me one to one tuition and an insight as to what the little mare may be thinking - and her perception of me or any approach to her.
i had a marvellous session but more importantly it was thought provoking and I can see how I hone what I learned for the benefit of this lovely little mare who it seems IS willing to engage so long as I give the utmost regard to how I ask her if it is OK.
I just loved the methodology and will
work with this method for all of the ponies at the charity.
I cant thank Shelley enough. It was so wonderful!
Charlotte Luttichau
When Shelley first began working with Bow he was hiding, terrified under a table, he had been that way for 3 weeks after arriving from Romania. Four months have passed since then and Bow is slowly finding his confidence, he's still not comfortable with being touched but with Shelley's help and support he is finally learning that bad things won't happen to him any more, he is in his own way and timing beginning to let go and open up to us.
Shelley has a remarkable ability to get on an animals level and gain their trust, she is very openhearted and has been very generous with the time and energy she has spent with myself and Bow. She has taught me the trust technique which is invaluable for Bows continued recovery. We still have a long way to go but I feel blessed and grateful that Shelley is part of this journey and highly recommend her to anyone who is having challenges with their animals.
Inge Ross
Shelley introduced me and my 2 Alaskan Shepherds to the Trust Technique at a time when I had lost my complete confidence in them. Never knowing how they would react to people approaching us or coming to the house. As the dogs are large I found it very difficult to be relaxed and not anxious as things could get out of control very fast.
I have now learned to be more mindful, positiv and calm around and with them and the change in their behaviour is really amazing.
The 3 of us are a great team and we very grateful to Shelley and the different approach and the result it brought.
Anna Hawkins
I am so grateful to Shelley for helping me and my 16 month old Labrador Rufus through the Trust technique.
We have had three sessions together and with her gentle non judgmental manner she has demonstrated a wonderful new way of communicating together. Rufus is noticeably calmer and through the techniques that Shelley is teaching me I feel more in tune with him and his needs. After each visit Shelley gives me a follow up call to see how we are getting on. This support has had such a positive effect on me as well as Rufus.
I would wholeheartedly recommend Shelley to anyone who is interested in developing new ways of communicating with their animal. Rufus and I really enjoy our sessions with her.
Verity
I contacted Shelley as I needed help with my nervous horse. Shelley's skills and knowledge with the Trust Technique was amazing and instantly I could see improvement with my horse. I feel I now have a deeper bond with my horse thanks to Shelley. I feel I'm so fortunate to have a Trust Technique trainer so close by and someone I will be calling upon frequently. Shelley is a fabulous trainer and well worth a call.
Louise
Shelley has recently been working with our little herd and the effects have been a game changer. My daft cob hated any of the others leaving his field ! He would barge gates and jump hedges and was often quite dangerous in his panic mode. Since working with Shell he is calm,sensible and totally chilled about separation from the girls,will often plod into another field on his own and I can bring him out without them stressing either. A much safer,calm environment all round. Shelley has helped me to be calm and mindful around them and we have shared many flat out snooze s with the whole herd which is such a intensely rewarding sensation,watching them flat out and snoring. If you want a deeper connection with your best friend I would highly recommend this technique as a great place to start.
Catriona Johnstone
My rescued galgo espanol has become very reactive to other dogs. Walks can be pretty stressful. Shelley is working with us to help her (and me!) to shed this anxiety and feel peaceful, by employing the trust technique. She's a kind, skilled and extremely patient teacher, and has a quite extraordinary rapport with Zsa Zsa - it's fascinating to watch them interact, as if they have a silent language.
Shelley is very concerned as to how we're progressing after each session, and is always available for advice. She's taught me a lot about the ways dogs express themselves, and about human-animal communication. It's very rewarding to see Zsa Zsa releasing her anxiety and becoming relaxed and dozy in response to me.
This technique seems ideal for a previously abused animal, as it works to gain their trust. And I'd highly recommend Shelley!
Mercedes
Shelley introduced me and my dogs to the trust tecnique when my older dog was having a hard time. It's a wonderful way to find peaceful moments to be together. Good for the dogs and good for me! Highly recommended if you are seeking to improve communication with your animal companions.
Sue Thomas
Shelley has a lovely quiet professional quality that comes with her and has the ability to get to the heart of the matter to really help problem solve, whatever the issue. I wholeheartedly recommend Shelley and the Trust Technique. Me and my ponies love Shelley .
Anne-Marie Le Seve
Shelley has been out to facilitate the Trust Technique for myself and my horse Rosie three times now, and I am honestly so impressed with this practice and it’s powerful and healing effects. My mare is quite anxious in her temperament and very hyper vigilant - being on box rest currently due to laminitis I felt it was the ideal time to aid her healing at physical, mental and nervous system levels. I had a rough idea of what TT entailed, but Shelley very clearly and effectively explained the process and the rationale behind it, all of which made total sense. On the first session after some initial resistance, Rosie was able to drop into a deeply relaxed state where it was clear that she was releasing long held tensions. In the 6 months I have owned her I have never once seen her lying down - she is a lead mare and feels she has to be constantly on guard. On the third session she lay down twice through the application of this technique, with Shelley and I both in the stable with her. It was beautiful to witness. The wonderful thing about this is that this powerful method is actually quite simple - Shelley has taught me how to do it so I can now continue to help my horse let go and drop into relaxation and healing myself - a wonderful skill to have. I felt that my sensitive-souled mare was very grateful for the opportunity to trust that it was safe for her to deeply relax, provided through this practice. Developing skills in maintaining presence and mindful regard are also highly beneficial for us as humans living in this fast paced modern world.
I highly recommend Shelley to anyone wanting to learn the Trust Technique - she demonstrates and teaches the practice with clarity, sensitivity, intuition and kindness and her big heart connection with the horses shines throughout.
Iona
We asked Shelley to come to visit our 6 year old Springer Spaniel Roo. We re-homed him 2 years ago but he has really struggled with anxiety, particularly appertaining to visitors coming into the home.
Shelley’s calm presence instantly had a positive effect on Roo, and he responded to her mindfulness techniques within minutes.
When his stress behaviours became more obvious, she was able to get down on to his level and talk him down whereby his breathing slowed again.
It is clear that Shelley has an incredible bond with animals and has a real skill in her ability to get owners and pets alike to find a peace and balance with one another. Our home is very busy, but the techniques that Shelley has given me, I still implement, and Roo is now mostly a very calm and happy boy.
I would strongly recommend Shelley, she’s amazing and so professional.
Tegan
Shelley is amazing at what she does. She has a very calming effect on animals and people alike! Our dog Toffee can be nervous with new people, but warmed to Shelley straight away and is always pleased to see her now. Shelley explains the Trust Technique very clearly to make sure that owners can continue to practice the technique on their own. Shelley seemed to know what Toffee’s next actions and behaviour would be throughout the session, which was really interesting! Since our sessions with Shelley, we are able to make Toffee feel more at ease and calm her down quickly when meeting new people. You can really tell Shelley loves working with animals, which is truly reflected throughout the sessions and the results that are achieved!
Bill Bankes-Jones
Ding, Dong and I started work with Shelley on Trust Technique quite a few months ago now. Our first session, with Dong, was truly astonishing. He went from humpy frantic maniac, running around the place to absolutely out for the count in moments once Shelley got going. There then followed a lot of work just helping them both find peace, calm and ways for the three of us to achieve this on our own. This has been invaluable in the face of huge triggers, such as when the cows are about and Ding would go completely unhinged. It's also brought us three closer generally, deepened our relationships and helped tricky moments become a lot less tricky. Highly recommended.
Bodmin Moorland Pony Rehabilitation registered charity no. 1167401
Today we welcomed good friend of BMPR, Louise who brought Shelley, a The Trust Technique practitioner to meet our herd & give us an opportunity to learn more about the principles. The Trust Technique is a practice that I personally first connected with many years ago & was a real turning point for us, as it was what inspired my passion for working with our residents in a more mindful, trust-building way, so today was great to rekindle my enthusiasm, learn more & inspire
It was just wonderful seeing some of our more sensitive souls like Phoenix connecting with Shelley & we are really looking forward to continuing our journey
Thank you Shelley, Louise & The Trust Technique