Testimonials
Emma Nash
Wow! I can 100% recommend Shelley.
She has such a kind, calm way about her and I have seen and felt such positive changes after 2 sessions of her working with Maisie and myself. I contacted Shelley because I wanted to help Maisie with her separation anxiety. She finds it very difficult to cope when her field companion is taken out of the field or she feels she may be left on her own. I wanted to learn a kind, peaceful way of helping her and the Trust Technique is just what we needed!
Shelley spent a couple of hours with us at each session and explained things clearly as she worked with both Maisie and myself. She demonstrated the techniques and then observed me practicing them to make sure I was on the right track. She left me with things to focus on and work towards and I have thoroughly enjoyed practicing the techniques at home. I have already felt a change in my relationship with Maisie and she has already felt comfortable enough to take herself off into the field whilst her field mate was in the yard. I couldn’t believe it! It’s still early days and we have plenty to work on but I feel so grateful to Shelley for helping us.
helen swift
Working with Shelley has been amazing, such an insight into how much our own behaviour and emotions affect our animals. I have learnt a lot of skills and now have a much improved relationship with my happier, more chilled dog.
PS the cat won't be left out and always joins in with Shelley's visits
*****
Charlotte
Shelley has a magical way with animals, she really knows her stuff! When my rescue dog arrived from Romania he was absolutely terrified for weeks and we couldn't go near him, Shelley helped bring him out of that state and build trust with him, she was very supportive through that time and we really appreciate the time and energy she dedicated to the process.
*****
Anna
I highly recommend Shelley to help in all aspects of animal behaviour. Her methods are gentle and intuitive and help you and your animal understand each other better.
I asked Shelley if she could give me ideas to calm my young Labrador when people came to the house as he was very boisterous and over enthusiastic. She demonstrated her techniques to me and supported me when I practiced them myself. She is a natural teacher and has really increased my confidence and ability to read my dog. What I have learnt has made it much more relaxing to have visitors !
I am continuing to work with Shelley with lead work and recall which has been very beneficial. Each session helps to reinforce our progress and introduce new ideas. She is so professional and takes time to really listen to you and your animals needs.
Janine Falle
In describing a problem with my horses to Shelley she was instantly able to see a possible solution!
I’m so lucky to have the most beautiful two horses, they are father and son, both geldings. The sad thing is that the father bullies the son to the point of ripping rugs and sometimes marking him. Sometimes the situation could be tricky when handling them together.
When Shelley saw them together she could see that the younger horse does not move away early enough from conflict. She advised groundwork to teach him to move away from a light suggestion, even a thought to move.
During the Trust sessions, Shelley was able to bring both horse’s thinking down to a calmer level that enables them to learn.
Ongoing I can see both horses responding to Trust technique and already they are both behaving in a more relaxed manner.
Shelley thinks about problems in a very different way, I really recommend her for her respectful and innovative approach!
*****
Heidi Dorschler
What a delight working with Shelly. She has helped us with separation anxiety, and bird chasing to great effect when our Cocker Spaniel was little, and is now helping us with food obsession (he literally eats anything!!) and we are already seeing a difference. I cannot recommend her highly enough. A wonderful way to build a deeper relationship with your dog and to enable a relaxed and happy dog as part of the family. I've attached a photo of our pup sitting calmly as birds fly by!! Camping and Kayaking was amazingly easy thanks to the work we did with Shelly. Thank you.
*****
Sarah Trevail
Excellent service from Shelley, punctual and friendly, Shelley provides a safe space for both humans and animals to connect and understand each other to create more cohesive relationship. Highly recommended!
*****
Elea Faucheron
Shelly is very attentive and patient! It was wonderful working with her around my cats eating issues and his demanding behavior around food and waking me up! She gave me very simple and practical tools that will not only help my cat, but me as well. I'm in the USA, but our work was easily done via zoom and she was accommodating for the time zone difference. Will book her again.
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.