Our Experts

Animal Geographer Dr Daniel Allen has been described as "The Brian Cox of animal science". A unique commentator of the natural world, he is passionate about animals and is a confident media personality. Daniel was an expert juror for ITV's British Animal Honours 2013, and has gone on to feature on national radio stations and work with television production companies as a presenter and consultant.

Daniel's first book, Otter (Reaktion Books, 2010), was described by Virginia McKenna OBE as "the most brilliant mix of facts ancient and modern about the otter species". His latest book, The Nature Magpie (Icon Books, 2013), was praised as "part Walden Pond, part Origin of Species, and part Ripley's Believe It Or Not", by Dr Hal Herzog.

Daniel has become a respected journalist and animal advocate in the pet trade and beyond, focusing on controversial issues and otherwise unchallenged subjects. He has magazine columns in The Pet Gazette (News Hound), Small Furry Pets (Pet Nation) and Mental Health Today (Pet Therapy). He also regularly contributes to Practical Reptile Keeping and The Field, and has also written for the Sunday Express.

Daniel is the Founder, CEO and Director of Pet Nation (www.ukpetnation.com). He is on a mission to improve the lives of pets and raise awareness that positive change to pet welfare can only be achieved through "Putting Pets First". Since 2011 he has been exploring the UK in a bid to find his perfect pet. As a pet-free writer welcomed into the closed pet world, Daniel realised his experiences and encounters could help raise awareness about species-specific care, and help potential pet owners think more seriously about adding animals to their family. 

Dr Isla Fishburn has a PhD in Conservation Biology and studied Zoology as an undergraduate. Isla is passionate about creating a connection between wildlife and nature and it was during her three years working with wolves that she observed the importance of conservation beginning at home. Isla realised that many people failed to understand the natural behaviour of their dog, often appearing to chastise a dog for displaying a behaviour that is normal for this species. Isla changed her way of thinking in that, if her goal is to educate people about wildlife she must first educate them about how to work with and understand the needs and behaviour of an animal that a person has chosen to co-exist with - a dog.

Isla has worked in rescue centres and volunteers as a behaviourist for Wolfdog Rescue. She has spent three years working with wolves, wolf hybrids and wolf dogs as well as domestic dogs since 2008. Isla works as an holistic dog behaviourist and owns Kachina Canine Communication. She offers local and national courses as well as one to one consultations and educational talks and workshops.

Isla recognises that each dog is different and works by understanding how a dog's innate character, its diet, any trauma it has experienced and the age this occurred, environment, family dynamics and natural healing can help understand and resolve a dog's behavioural issue by helping its wellbeing. She works using patience, calm energy and non-threatening body language and uses Reiki and Bach Flower Remedies.

Isla's research interests lie in natural healing and dogs' responses to this, as well as stress indicators in different dogs and how diet and scent are used as communication tools in dogs. Isla has written several articles for various online, business and editorial sources and she is currently writing her first book. Isla is passionate about working in communication and co-operation with other dog professionals. By pooling all resources together it will make our efforts to help dog welfare and wellbeing more effective. 

Isla believes that we owe it to our dogs to understand their needs, limitations and expectations and how to recognise these. As an animal that humans domesticated and who, today, decide to co-exist with, it is only right that we provide everything we can to make sure our dogs' wellbeing is safeguarded and in a state of balance. In order to achieve this we need to understand the subtleties that make up a dogs world.

Isla lives in Northumberland with her partner and their four dogs - each one having their own unique traits and responses to their world. Isla believes each dog we have the pleasure of co-existing with will be a teacher for us to learn, both about the dog as well as ourselves. Isla's website is Kachina Canine.

After studying Animal Management, Mark was one of the first people to qualify for an advanced apprenticeship in Animal Care. He was subsequently given the opportunity to manage a boarding kennels, cattery and rescue home, where hundreds of dogs were rescued from breed charities such as Beagle Welfare, Basset Welfare and Labrador Retriever Rescue. he still an advisor and re-homing officer for Basset Welfare. 

Following this, Mark was given the opportunity to work in Dog Law with leading solicitor Trevor Cooper. He accompanied Trevor across the UK, holding seminars to a wide range of audiences from pet owners to police, dog wardens and professionals. Mark has done presentations at events such as The Pet Show 2013 in Stoneleigh, focusing on meeting the welfare needs and responsibilities of dogs.

In his free time, Mark is Treasurer & Show Manager of the South of England Basset Hound Club. He is on the committee on one of the biggest dog shows, Windsor Ch. Show (often regarded as the 'Summer Crufts').

Mark volunteers for the YKC (Young Kennel Club), and is an official Kennel Club steward at events such as Discover Dogs and London Pet Show. He occasionally judges under Beagles and Bassets, as well as being requested to judge at many Ring-craft and fun dog events.

Mark has a blog (www.markwalden.org) where he conducts views, reviews and interviews with dog specialists and charities from various areas of the dog industry. The Kennel Club have produced a long statement that was tailored by Mark's articles regarding compulsory microchipping. He has often been requested to guest blog on pet magazines and websites.

Sarah has worked as an Animal Welfare Officer for the Borough of Poole for over 20 years and has an excellent record for reuniting dogs with owners and am proud to have a non destruct policy. She works with local reputable dog rescue charities, providing guidance and advice when needed as well as microchipping.

She is committed and passionate about animal welfare. Her particular area of interest being the issues surrounding dogs in this country (UK) and has a great understanding of the related laws and how to apply them. 

She believes good, clear communication is key to resolving most of the public complaints she deals with. This can involve a lot of confrontation, which has resulted in her developing good and effective communication skills. She enjoys challenging herself and doesn't shy away from the more complex complaints that are reported.She enjoys working both in a team and on her own, and welcomes new and challenging ideas.

In the future she would like to become more involved in campaigns to re-new the dog laws in this country, in particular ending Breed Specific Legislation. She would also like to be more involved in educating people about responsible dog ownership and the welfare of their dog, to include the more hard to reach and/or impoverished area's of UK

She has a keen interest in canine psychology and behaviour and is hopefully looking to start a foundation degree later this year.

Previous work has included veterinary nursing and working for the RSPCA which included the care and rehabilitation of dogs/animals before rehoming.

Sarah lives in Wimborne st Giles, Dorset with my 3 rescue dogs ‘Charlie’ the JRT, ‘Willow’ the Labrador and ‘Ty’ the American Bulldog – all rescues. A Persian cat called ‘Eddie’ and 5 ex battery hens ‘Red, Gutsy, Betty, Blondie and Sandy’.

Sarah Whitehead is an international lecturer and pet behaviour counsellor. She sees dogs and cats with behavioral problems on referral from veterinary surgeons across the south of England, under her company name of the Alpha Pet Behaviour Practice. She has an MSc in Animal Behaviour and is a member of the APBC (Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors), a past public relations executive for the APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers) and MD of Alpha Education - an organization providing accredited education in the field of behaviour and training.

Sarah runs the Clever Dog Company® chain of puppy and dog training classes, all based on the most modern methods of teaching both people and their pets, with several branches now established across the South of England.

Sarah is the author of more than twenty behavioural and training books, booklets and videos including Puppy Training for Children, The Puppy Survival Guide and Clever Dog: The Secrets Your Dog Wants You to Know.

Sarah is a regular contributor to the specialist press, a feature writer for 'Dogs Today' magazine, and is frequently quoted in the national press.

Her TV appearances include 'Pet Rescue' for Channel 4, two series of 'Barking Mad' for the BBC, 'Give a Pet A Home' for ITV, 'Open House' with Gloria Hunniford for Channel 4, and Richard and Judy - to name a few!

Sarah is a favourite guest on numerous radio programs, including BBC Radio 4 and a phone-in show on BBC Radio Berkshire.

As well as animal behaviour, Sarah has a special interest in human psychology. She is an NLP Master Practitioner (a branch of cognitive psychology) and has a passion for successful strategies in adult learning.

Sarah's websites are:

www.cleverdogcompany.com

learntotalkdog.com

www.thinkdog.org