Bark & Beyond

I'm Marianne, the face behind Bark & Beyond! I have lived and worked with animals all my life, from dog kennels to zoos, to therapeutic farms and pet training.  I have a First Class (Hons) degree in Animal Behaviour and an MSc (Merit) in Clinical Animal Behaviour. In addition to this, I have completed Dog Training Deploma (with distinction) through the Centre of Excellence, as well as being a qualified post 16 teacher. I am a Full member of the APDT & ABTC training bodies and am a pre-certificated Clinical Animal Behavioruist with the CCAB, as well as a Candidate member of the Fellowship of Animal Behaviourists. 

Over the last 12 years I have seen the huge benefit animals make to people's mental health, both through the bond they create and the social interactions they encourage. For the last 4 years I have trained and worked a range of animals for use in therapy, this has been hugely rewarding and I would love to pass on my knowledge and passion to others.  During this time I have been involved with studies and research into animal behaviour and training methods - a lot of theories have changed and improved over the years!   

Dogs have been my focus since childhood, when I was an active member of the Young Kennel Club, training my pet dog in agility and heel work to music. Since then I have trained all my pets to 'give something back', with one working as a search and rescue dog and the other a therapy pet visiting hospices. Before taking over management of the farm I worked as a pet sitter one to one for owners with pets that struggled with behavioural issues, working through those issues with the dog or cat and advising the owners.