ABTC Board of Trustees
Fiona Cooke - Chair
Fiona's PhD focused on the role of local government in the implementation and enforcement of
animal welfare legislation. In addition to work in welfare law and policy, her welfare science research
focuses on assessing and improving animal welfare, particularly in shelter environments, using
innovative and practical tools. Fiona is Head of Specialist Services (vet, behaviour, training and research) at Woodgreen Pets Charity. She is a lecturer in
law and runs an animal behaviour company working with complex behavioural issues of dogs and
cats. Fiona is a full member of the APBC and FABC as well as an ABTC registered CAB.
Chris Laurence - Treasurer
Chris Laurence qualified as a veterinary surgeon from Bristol University in 1968 and went into mixed practice in Somerset. A year later he moved to Chippenham and was subsequently Chief Veterinary Officer at the RSPCA and Veterinary Director of Dogs Trust. He retired in August 2011. He was awarded the MBE for services to animal welfare in 2007, granted Fellowship of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2017 and awarded the OBE for services to animal welfare in 2022. Chris is involved in a number of other charities including the British Veterinary Behaviour Association and is Chair of the RSPCA’s South West Regional Board.
Jane Williams - Secretary
Jane Williams is an Animal Training Instructor and Clinical Animal Behaviourist working in the East of England and on-line. She has been ABTC registered since 2008, an ABTC Trustee since 2018 and was its Chair 2018-2020. Jane has been a full member of the APDT since 2008 and of the APBC since 2009 and was the APBC Chair 2017-2020. Since gaining her M.Sc. from the University of Southampton, Jane has delivered CPD to vet practice staff, developed resources to improve owner understanding of their pet’s behaviour and worked hard to promote animal welfare through the ABTC and APBC. Alongside a full and varied career as a behaviourist and trainer, Jane lives with a number of reptiles, 6 rescue dogs, Harry the rabbit and another equally animal-mad human.
David Montgomery - President
Following a first career in the Army and a spell living in France David attended Oxford Brookes University as a mature student. After graduating with a Combined Studies degree in Psychology and Animal Behaviour he moved into adult education and taught in the Prison Service for a few years. David has now been involved in the delivery of education to students worldwide in Animal related topics such as behaviour, conservation and welfare for over 25 years. Since 2010 he has also been closely involved in the work of ABTC creating the standards and infrastructure needed to support a true profession.
Hanne Grice
Hanne Grice is a Clinical Animal Behaviourist and Training Instructor covering the South East of England and online, working primarily with dogs and cats. She has been a full-time practitioner since 2006 and has an MSc in Applied Animal Behaviour & Training. Hanne is also an Animal Sciences lecturer, responsible for the MSc Animal Behaviour Consulting and Human-Animal Interactions & Psychology modules at University Centre Bishop Burton. She is an assessor with the APBC, holds membership with several animal organisations, and is a volunteer Educational Officer with Blue Cross. Hanne has a special interest in human-dog relationships pre- and post-partum.
Lauren Johnson
After ten years lecturing in animal science, welfare, behaviour and nutrition, Lauren set up one of the first commercial track liveries in the world. This was motivated by a keen interest in elevating welfare in domestically kept horses and cementing the role of management in good quality, positive reinforcement based training.
Lauren has a BSc (Hons) in animal science, is a qualified teacher, AMTRA trained and is an ABTC-ATI. She trained as a hoofcare provider in 2014 to compliment the rehabilitation work undertaken at her livery yard.
She is also a freelance writer, having had many articles published and in 2023 will publish her own book on track systems.
Nikki McLeod
A crazy cat lady and self-confessed study geek, Nikki has been a RVN since 2000. With her fingers in many pies, she splits what little time she has between working as the Cat Advocate and consulting nurse for a small animal practice in Fife Scotland, and studying for multiple certificates.
Not satisfied with gaining her first undergraduate degree at 50, she is now studying for a Clinical Animal Behaviour Masters degree at University of Edinburgh, with a view to becoming a practice-based Clinical Animal Behaviourist. She is also keeping a BVNA Council seat warm for the next three years.
Sian Jones
Sian Jones is a passionate pet guardian, immersing herself into the world of training and behaviour through her dog's journey from puppyhood to adult. This journey was not simple or easy, with Sian requiring professional help to navigate the tricker aspects of his behaviour. This sparked an avid interest in learning about her dog’s behaviour, and how we as handlers can fulfil their needs based on the dog’s individuality. Navigating the complex world of dog training brought Sian to learn about ABTC and inspired her to embark upon a journey to becoming an Animal Training Instructor. Sian is passionate about and committed to showcasing high animal welfare standards associated with training and behaviour therapy.
Jen Makin
Jen has worked in the dog training sector for a number of years and has benefitted enormously from working closely with Clinical Animal Behaviourists. She is going to be studying Applied Canine Behaviour at Bishop Burton from the Autumn. As an outspoken advocate for ethical training, Jen is passionate about the training and behaviour industry’s progress towards consistent standards of knowledge and modern practices, to improve welfare for all species we share our lives with – from dogs to cats to horses.
Samantha Lympany-Tier
Coming from a zoological background training birds of prey, Sam has more recently settled in the animal sector as a feline behaviourist and education officer (yes, you can love both!). Following her MSc in Clinical Animal Behaviour with Edinburgh University, Sam is now qualifying as an executive coach to further enhance her skillset. Sam currently works at a referral veterinary practice in Hampshire as an education and development officer, championing colleague progression and advocation of animal emotional wellbeing. Sam lives with her husband and small cat Mymbles, who loves bread almost as much as she does.
Jo Vale
Jo has been actively involved in dog rescue with SeBPRA since 2021, focusing on rehoming setters and advocating for better treatment of working dogs. She has continued to develop the charities social media presence and build archives of information available to adopters to support them and their adopted dogs. Jo also works in Membership and Events for the National Office of Animal Health and is a member of the IMDT. She continues to study animal behaviour to increase the depth of her knowledge and skills working with dogs. In her spare time Jo enjoys sea swimming, paddle boarding and walking with her three dogs.
Nicole Harris
Nicole is a Clinical Animal Behaviourist and Animal Training Instructor working with dog owners across Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire. She has a Postgraduate Diploma in Companion Animal Behaviour Counselling from the University of Southampton and has been working as a full-time practitioner since 2009. She is passionate about maintaining high standards within the animal behaviour and training industry and working towards regulation. Nicole has a particular interest in the development of practitioners within the field of dog behaviour and training. She currently provides ongoing CPD opportunities for the Puppy School tutor network, is an APBC Committee member and Assessor.
Sally Willis
Sally is a Human Resources and Diversity and Inclusion professional, currently working within the Defence sector. Growing up in agriculture, Sally spent her childhood surrounded by an array of animals. Sally’s interest in the animal training and behaviour sector stemmed from the adoption of a Retired Police Dog who struggled with the transition from working dog to canine companion. Seeking out the help of ABTC registered professionals, Sally dove into developing an understanding of canine behaviour and the human-canine relationship. Developing a passion for animal welfare through this journey, Sally embarked on her own journey to help other people and their canine companions. She is now an ATI with PACT and working towards ABT assessment. Sally owns German Shepherd Rosco and Springer Spaniel Rossi.
