JONATHAN
Years of Experience: Over 15 years in the pet care industry.
Certifications: CCPDT-KA, Cert IV in Training & Assessment.
Achievements:
- Founded one of Melbourne’s busiest pet care services with 30+ staff, 12 dog vans, two daycare facilities, and a grooming salon.
- Director at Melbourne Dog Trainers, specialising in science-based training approaches.
- Extensive work supporting retired service members and their dogs through pro bono efforts.
TOM
Years of Experience: Over 10 years in dog training and education.
Specialisations: Canine behaviour, reward-based training methods, and education.
Achievements:
- Owner of Heeling Hounds, an in-home dog training business on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula.
- Certified Absolute Dogs Pro Dog Trainer with expertise in force-free, positive training methods.
- Secretary of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), editor of Click! magazine, and active in APDT’s digital presence.
- Volunteering at Peninsula Positive Paws Dog Club, teaching group classes using positive training techniques.
Fran
Years of Experience: Over 15 years in pet grooming and animal care.
Specialisations:
- Breed-specific grooming techniques and canine health.
- Community education on pet hygiene and care.
Achievements:
- Started as a veterinary assistant in Brazil and became a certified groomer in Australia.
- Spent the last 10 years refining her skills and mentoring others in the Australian grooming industry.
SUPPORT THROUGHOUT YOUR LEARNING JOURNEY
- Dedicated trainers available to support and mentor you.
- Small group learning for personalised attention.
- Regular progress meetings to help you succeed.
- Access to online support tools and resources.
Why Learn From Our Instructors?
At Animal Academy, our instructors are more than educators—they’re mentors dedicated to your success. Here’s what sets them apart:
Learn from seasoned professionals who bring years of hands-on industry experience directly into the classroom.
Our instructors have worked in both local and international settings, giving you diverse perspectives and insights.
Their commitment to student success shines through, as they guide you step by step toward achieving your career goals.
CLIENT REVIEWS
“The lectures were always engaging and interactive, which made learning so much easier. I found lecturers to be extremely approachable whenever I had doubts or unanswered questions.”
“The lectures were always well prepared and clearly structured allowing me to understand. Great patience was shown with students who were faced with academic and practical challenges throughout their studies.”
“The love, care, passion and precision in how we were taught made us strive to be the best we can be at our jobs.”
