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 | Born in the UK, Louise came to SA as a
teenager in 1970. She became seriously involved in the dog training and the horse world in
the early 1970's. As a young adult Louise was also involved in animal welfare, running
clinics in disadvantaged and rural areas. Louise continued training and handling dogs in
both domestic obedience, and to the highest competition level, in various disciplines
(obedience protection etc). |
| Louise has vast experience in many
species of animals, with an emphasis on canine (dogs), which are her first love. Her
experience is extremely varied, from running kennels to clinics, to training, showing and
working dogs and even therapy and assistance dogs, in fact she has been involved in most
aspects of the dog world. |
| Horse behaviour is another of Louise's
passions, having trained and owned horses for most of her life. She is well known for
restoring confidence and establishing bonding in abused and traumatised horses. |
| Louise is a practising Accredited
Animal Behaviour Consultant and was fully accredited with the Animal Behaviour Consultants
of SA (©™) in 1996. (The ABC of SA is the only governing body of animal behaviour
consultants in this country) and Louise fully complies with their Code of Ethics. |
| Louise has served as Secretary of the
Association for some years, and also serves on the Accreditation Committee. She was
awarded a Certificate in Companion Animal Behaviour, from the University of Pretoria in
1998, and is a long standing member of the SA Association of Dog Obedience Instructors. |
| Louise has developed her own
techniques, based on understanding and interpreting animal's natural behaviour, using
this, to work "towards" the problem not against it, using positive
reinforcement, rewards, patience and a large sense of humour! |
| Louise has studied the works of many
renowned animal behaviourists throughout the world, and continually keeps up to date with
current developments in the science of behaviour, by regularly attending courses, seminars
and workshops. Louise has also shown great success in putting many of her theories into
practice, solving cat behavioural problems. |
| Louise appears occasionally as a guest
on radio shows and regularly has articles published in various magazines, newspapers and
journals, she also hosts a pet behaviour page with articles and a Q and A section @ www.pet-on-net.co.za |
| Louise was one of the early pioneers
in the concept of Puppy Socialising development and Learning programmes, which of course
is now standard, being the first step in owning a socially acceptable companion dog, and
essential for good puppy management. Louise was also instrumental in being one of the
first in SA to begin an animal assisted therapy programme with various species of animals,
with special visits for the elderly, terminally ill patients and especially children in
hospitals or needing therapy. |
| Louise gives regular talks and
lectures and has been deeply involved with several education programmes in settlement and
disadvantaged areas, helping to teach young children about "prevent a bite"
programmes, basic animal care and promoting positive human animal interactions. |
| Louise lives on a smallholding in the
East Rand, (Gauteng) where she has consulting rooms for her behaviour practice. She also
runs puppy socialising/learning groups and a dog-training/behaviour centre. |
| Louise is the "well behaved"
owner of 8 dogs, 3 horse, 5 cats, a pet cow, a goat, a pet pig, and many assorted fowls,
rabbits, guinea pigs and a full aviary of feathered friends. |
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Contact Information
- Telephone / FAX
- (011) 969-4467
- Postal address
- P.O. Box 11268, Rynfield, Benoni, 1514
- Electronic mail
- General Information: louthomp@mweb.co.za
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Webmaster: tripwire@cybertrade.co.za
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