Slow Dog Movement

Laura Dobb (Lala Human Dog Coach) is a dog coach specialising in behaviour and problem solving, certified and taught by Turid Rugaas in 2014/15 and based in Old Malton, North Yorkshire, U.K. She is also a full member of the Pet Dog Trainers of Europe (PDTE) and a member of the Pet Professional Guild and the International Companion Animal Network.

Born in Vancouver, Canada, Laura has lived on Gabriola Island, BC, Vancouver, San Francisco and now lives with her family, in Cornwall, U.K., since 2009. She has two dogs, a Jack Russell Terrier named Izzy and a Weechon called Ted. They are both small rescue dogs with big spirit.

Laura launched Dog Sense, Cornwall and the SW Peninsula’s 1st dedicated indoor canine enrichment facility in February 2020 and will open a sensory garden for dogs called in her new home this year. More news soon! 

In her spare time, she walks in the countryside with her dogs, writes her Slow Dog Movement Blog, and swims in the refreshing waters of the Atlantic/North Sea without a wetsuit!

Laura started the @slowdogmovement as a Facebook group in late January 2020. It became a C.I.C. (Social Enterprise) in January 2021. She is the Founder and Director of the Slow Dog Movement, along with 5 other directors who hope to build the movement slowly, for the benefit of dogs and their loving guardians.

Jonas Thulin The Jonas – Canine Education Centre Team and a Director with the Slow Dog Movement. As far back as he can remember, Jonas has had dogs around, and some of them, more than others, put a mark in him.

The first dog he recalls, was an incredibly beautiful Welsh Corgi named Palle. Palle was the joy of his family home. ‘He was playful and affectionate like few others and when he left us prematurely it broke my heart. He left us in 1977 and I still miss him.’

Then came Fia, a small Beagle girl that gave Jonas the reason to get into the world of dog training and psychology. He then lived in Sweden and signed up for puppy classes with the Swedish Working Dog Club (Svenska Brukshundklubben). This was in the year of 1984 and those puppy classes got him hooked. As a result he took an Instructor course and obtained his certificate in 1986. Jonas studied dog psychology at the then Swedish State Dog School (Statens Hundskola) and in 1989 got the Working Dog Club Certificate as Dog Trainer Teacher.

In 1992 Jonas moved to Spain, which took him away from the world of canine education, but he couldn’t live without a dog by his side, so Luna, a Siberian Husky, came to accompany him. Luna was for many years a fantastic traveling companion who, for example, helped Jonas take care of his children during their first years.

Hercules is a Chihuahua who’s taught Jonas that little ones can also be grand. This guy has a huge personality and Jonas has a great respect for him.

A few years ago Jonas joined an animal protection association and little by little has moved into the canine education game again. At first altruistically and especially organising controlled pack walks for the Happy Galgo association. After some time doing this he came to the conclusion that he should dedicate himself to this professionally and after taking some courses to get new education to catch up, something that never stops, he launched himself into this adventure. #beyourdogsbestfriend

Namitha PC is a Director at the Slow Dog Movement. Namitha is a Dog Welfare Activist. Based out of Bangalore, India, Namitha loves spending outdoors with her two dogs Micah and Sniper. She believes her love for embracing nature and all the little things around, got into being her lifestyle because of her dogs.

Namitha, along with her peers handle the content at Bombat Dawgz, a large Facebook community that has come together to educate fellow dog parents, rescuers and dog lovers. She is a freelance content writer at Fresh Desk and also manages her music band ATA which is a Kathakali and Carnatic influenced band. In her free time she loves exploring places, singing and co-producing music with her partner.

She started a wonderful initiative known as “Street Dogs are Family Too” for her love of street dogs. She and her partner Anant, take care of street dogs whom they lovingly call streeties near their residence and it’s a visual treat to watch the beautiful dogs all happy and positive around them. She says that street dogs are a huge part of her life and she will go any extent to protect them and do right by them. You can follow them on Instagram to know more. #streetdogsarefamily

Pennie Clayton is a Director at the Slow Dog Movement and works with horses and dogs. She works on a freelance basis, coaches horses and riders to develop confidence and helps people understand their dogs better by providing support and training.

She has lived with lurchers and greyhounds for many years and loves spending time with her current two greyhound girls and a lurcher that constantly presents her with lots of problems!

In 2008 Pennie qualified as a human Bowen therapist and then studied further to become a canine and equine Bowen therapist. She recently set up and runs Crabtree Canine Enrichment in Sussex and writes regularly for Edition Dog magazine. In 2016 she founded a Facebook group called Enhancing the Life of Your Hound

She is currently writing a book about how to live with an ex racing greyhound which is due to be published in the summer. Pennie is a full member of the Pet Dog Trainers of Europe (PDTE).

Grace Shen‘s The Collarless Dog came about from the need to educate people about Dogs, their walking gear, and their needs in our busy human world where we often do not take the time to truly understand them.  Dogs are so gracious and forgiving so we can easily overlook what they are trying to tell us.  The Collarless Dog is here to help humans gain a better understanding of dogs, their language, and the research that has been done to keep us connected and on top of the Dog World from a Dog’s Perspective.

Grace Shen, originator of the Collarless Dog and Director at the Slow Dog Movement, studied with Turid Rugaas in the first US training offered in the States.  She has been a practicing human Physical Therapist for over two decades and knows the importance of comfortable equipment whether it be shoes for humans or walking gear for dogs from a physical standpoint as well as for mental ease.  Grace offers consultations for dog related issues, and has been studying canine nutrition for two decades as well so that she can consult with humans on a wide variety of holistic topics that affect our canines…food, chemical assaults such as vaccines, flea meds, etc.

Her hope is that the Collarless Dog will serve as a resource and inspiration to bring humans and dogs to a more harmonious place where understanding and bonding can come together easily.  After all, a Collarless Dog is a Free Spirited and Happy Dog!