Debbie is registered with the Animal Behaviour and Training Council as a Clinical Animal Behaviourist and works with referring vets to resolve complex behaviour problems in horses and dogs.
She supervises masters students on university courses and mentors new behaviourists coming through professional routes. She practices as a psychotherapist within a Transactional Analysis framework, using this modality to support her animal behaviour clients in implementing the changes that she recommends through her consultations.
Debbie started her animal behaviour career in 2006 when she studied at the Natural Animal Centre with Heather and Ross and achieved the Equine Behaviour Qualification, which she still says was the best training she had in equine behaviour!
Debbie went on to gain a first class honours degree in Psychology and a Masters degree with Distinction in Applied Animal Behaviour and Welfare. Her professional memberships include the British Psychological Society, The Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (full member, ABTC-CAB), the International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants (Certified Horse Behaviour Consultant, ABTC-AAB), the British Veterinary and Behaviour Association and the International Society for Equitation Science.
Debbie is in the second year of her Doctoral PhD research in horse-human relationships at Manchester Metropolitan University, exploring the sustainability of horse riding in the contexts of training methods, welfare and social licence to operate.
Debbie writes articles and books on all aspects of behaviour and consulting, and presents talks and workshops internationally, both as an animal behaviour specialist and as a supporting expert in the Human Behaviour Change for Animals team, collaborating on psychology-themed projects. She contributes to equestrian magazines and wrote the chapter on Equestrianism in the book Equine Behaviour in Mind. Debbie co-authored the book The Horse, A Natural History, published by Princeton University Press.
