Who We Are.
Combined, our team has over 30 years of expert experience in assistance dog training and handling. This includes experience within the Assistance Dogs UK charity organisations (ADUK) and within owner trained communities.
BOARD MEMBERS.
Peter Gorbing
Over 25 years’ experience working in the assistance dog sector having led a charity that trains assistance dogs for a range of people.
Past President and board member of Assistance Dogs International and Assistance Dogs Europe. Past Chair of the UK BSI Shadow Committee CEN452 on training assistance dogs and currently Convenor of CEN 452 WG4 – Pre-Training, Training and Tasks.
Sandra Fraser
Sandra is former Chair of trustees of Dog Assistance In Disability (Dog A.I.D.) – an ADUK charity that supports people to train their own assistance dogs.
Sandra is a tutor and assessor for the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) and a member of the BSI shadow committee for CEN 452 Assistance Dogs.
Selina Valentine
Qualified dog trainer with over 8 years’ experience training assistance dogs. Selina has been a trainer and assessor for Canine Generated Independence since 2016 and is the owner-trainer of assistance dog Kuga and prospect puppy Oke.
Her personal experience of assistance dogs gives her a unique perspective as both a handler and qualified dog trainer. Selina is a member of the BSI shadow committee for CEN 452 Assistance Dogs.
Kirsten Dillon
Over 10 years’ experience as an assistance dog trainer and assessor for Dog Aid. Former Head Trainer at Veterans with Dogs and Head of Training at the Professional Association of Canine Trainers (PACT).
Kirsten is an animal behaviourist with a canine specialism, is a full member of the British Veterinary Behavioural Association, a member of the Animal Behaviour Professionals and a registered instructor at the Animal Behaviour and Training Council.
Richard Mearns
Richard has a wealth of experience from Military Service serving in the British Army to Law Enforcement and Financial Regulation. Diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in 2009, Richard now has his assistance dog Ziggy, an Owner Trained Assistance Dog.
Richard has been nominated for a number of awards. He champions Accessibility Rights for Assistance Dogs especially those who are owner trained and is driven to show that education will assist in delivering change.
Becki Gude
Assistance dog trainer and assessor with over 8 years experience working in both charity and private sectors. Becki has trained dogs for TV and also runs a small dog daycare with a focus on training and enrichment.
She is a member of the Professional Association of Canine Trainers (PACT) and a registered instructor at the Animal Behaviour Trainer Council.
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