I have always been surrounded by animals through paid employment, work experience, volunteer work or my own pets. From as young as ten years of age I was actively involved in the R.S.P.C.A as a junior member, where I went about tasks such as grooming and walking shelter dogs. It was here that I knew where my passion lay, and I endeavoured to live my life surrounded by my canine friends.

Animals of all shapes and sizes have always interested me. In 2007 I completed a Bachelor of Animal and Veterinary Biosciences with Honours at La Trobe University. My project involved the detection of parasites in a small-endangered possum, the Mountain Pygmy-possum. Although I found this line of work very rewarding I still felt there was something missing in my life.

It was not until Saturday the 27th of October 2007 that this changed. This is the day I started the Foundation Course held by the Dog Listener herself, Jan Fennell. When I walked out of the room I cannot describe to you the way I felt. It was like a light bulb had turned on in my head and everything fell into place. It all made sense, but more than anything I felt that passion never before experienced, a passion to understand man's best friend.

I immediately went home and applied Jan's method, known as Amichien Bonding, to my own pack and the difference has been phenomenal. Within three days I could see a considerable change in way our dogs behaved. The most surprising outcome has been from my own dog Bronson. Because he was so 'obedience trained' I never thought he had a problem. He would not come into the house until he was invited; he sat, dropped, stayed and even played dead! But it wasn't until I looked at things from his perspective that I realised he was actually a highly stressed individual! When he followed me around from room to room it was not because he loved me, it was because he was worried about his 'baby' and trying to protect me! The jumping when I arrived home; pulling on the lead; crying at the window when I left the house; they were all classic signs of a dog who had taken on the stressful role of looking after the family or 'pack'. It became more apparent than ever that Bronson believed he was the leader of the pack, and it was up to me to relieve him of this demanding role.

Calm, relaxed and happy is how I would now describe Bronson after applying Jan Fennell's Amichien Bonding techniques. For the first time ever the stress of leadership has been removed, allowing him to just be a dog. Now I can enjoy Bronson's company as all of his behavioural problems have subsided naturally and without force. I have since completed Jan Fennell's Advanced Course in Canine Communication and can now proudly say I am a certified member of the Dog Listening team in Victoria. To know that I am helping dogs and their owner's nation wide is an indescribable feeling. You too can apply this kind, pain free method of teaching with your canine and become the greatest thing you can be, a friend of the dog.