Our Team
Meet Your Dog Trainers, Consultants & Support Team
At Pets In Partnership, our team of expert dog trainers is dedicated to helping you and your dog build a strong, trusting relationship. With years of experience in dog training, behavior management, and positive reinforcement techniques, we’re here to support you at every stage of your journey - from puppy training to advanced skills and behavior solutions.
We care about your pets as much as you do!
Rebecca Lawrence-Baker KCAI(CD)
Director of Pets In Partnership & Independent Instructor
Senior Behaviour Consultant
B.A.(Hons), V.N., Dip.CVM, CSDTDip.DTBC, KCAI(CD)
Learn More About Rebecca
My extensive working history has involved farm life, horse yards, boarding kennels & catteries and rescue homes including within RSPCA headquarters in Melbourne. As a Veterinary Nurse I worked for a few years in general practice and moved into a Cancer & Trauma referral hospital, becoming their first night nurse whilst studying for 5 years as a student in canine & feline behaviour & training. Overlapping with this I completed a 2 year Diploma in Vibrational Medicine.
Not long after becoming an Independent trainer & consultant in 2003, I went on to study and learn with the late John Rogerson. This learning continued as I trained my own dogs with other great National & International Trainers over the years including Kamal Fernandez. I continue to passionately learn from amazing people in the field, some of whom are unsung hidden treasures in the UK.
My qualifications include human psychology as well as canine psychology. I eventually completed the original Kennel Club Accreditation for Instructors programme which is a City & Guilds teaching qualification in 2017.
I am a published author contributing to Emma Fretwell's book Dogs In Detail. I have run workshops for the British Veterinary Nursing Association Congress and in 2003 designed one of the first original public canine first aid courses in its time, running it across a decade, taking it to Northumberland Police Headquarters to train their kennel staff.
One of the big issues I noticed, particularly as a Veterinary Nurse, was the fact that as pet owners we have numerous services that we need to tap into, but that from all these service providers we can find ourselves having to sort through more and more information which can at times become conflicting and, most of all, confusing. My intention, when I first founded our training centre in 2005 was for one of the central roles to be about helping bring clarity for owners, as well as to network & liaise closely with different professionals when needed.
I am passionate about working with owners and pets together to help overcome the hurdles that arise. On a personal basis, I always have a combination of cats and dogs within my home life and have spent time, across many years, training and competing my dogs in Obedience and Working Trials, with my newest venture being in Agility, all of which is juggled with motherhood too.
We are here as a starting point to help you find what you need. Whilst I love running the Pet Dog Classes, Agility services and workshops that I provide, my passion and core work is in my private Behaviour consultancy practice.
Karen Foster
Co-ordination Manager & Senior Training Advisor
Learn More About Karen
My parents had a couple of dogs whilst I was growing up, but it wasn’t until the youngest of our four children reached her mid-teens that my husband and I decided to get a puppy. So at the end of 2010 along came Max, an ever so slightly insane Chocolate Labrador, to join our family of four kids and two cats. I took Max to Pets In Partnership for training when he was 7 months old and it wasn’t long before I was well and truly hooked on all things dog.
At Pets In Partnership Max and I worked our way through the Kennel Club Good Citizen awards achieving the gold in 2012. In early 2012 we joined the Competition Obedience class, loved it, and began competing, by the end of the year we had qualified for Discover Dogs at Earls Court. The following season bought more success in the obedience ring and we won out of beginners. I started helping out in the pet dog classes at the end of 2012 and I love the interaction with so many different people and their dogs and each ‘eureka’ moment is so special.
I continue to love the challenges, the learning, the experiences that come with this work. I am a student member of the KCAI and am currently studying for a diploma in canine psychology and behaviour.Rebecca had me marked for the role of office manager, a position which took time and patience to bring into existence and was a huge step forward for our team back in 2014.I have since taken in a rehome Border Collie, Kasper, who I've also successfully competed with in both Competition Obedience & Rally Obedience. I have continued to train both my boys in numerous other activities including Scent Detection Programs.
Cathy Chambers
Independant Instructor
Learn More About Cathy
Despite having worked with and owned animals for most of my life, family and work commitments meant that I waited until far later than I would have wanted to own my own dog. From a young child, my Christmas wish list was always headed by 2 things…. a dog and a pony!
My parents didn’t want either unfortunately, but they were kind enough to compromise and gave me weekly riding lessons instead. My early love of animals was therefore given a firm push in the direction of horses, and I spent many years riding, eventually owning and competing with a horse of my own. This led to over a decade working in the equine industry training and caring for horses professionally.
Juggling a family with my own horse and the job of caring for many others left little time to add a dog, but the desire to have one never left me. Luckily, time constraints finally relaxed enough to allow me to do justice to dog ownership.
I currently live with my 2 Golden Retrievers, Amber and Tango, much loved members of our household and both are amazing dogs to work with. Being a very sport orientated person, when Amber arrived, I quickly set out to find a training centre where I could try out a wide variety of the various dog sports available.
This led me to Pets In Partnership. We trained through all the Pet Dog Levels and Amber proved a very capable and enthusiastic learner, earning her KC Good Citizen Gold award by the time she was 18 months old.
We then started trying our hand at some sports; Agility, Tracking, Heelwork to Music and Competition Obedience... we loved them all! Although we still do all of them in one way or another for fun, Competition Obedience and Heelwork to Music became our focus, Amber & I competed at the Crufts National Finals Freestyle Heelwork To Music twice.
Now retired from top level competition, Amber is enjoying learning and competing in nosework, and I have been training Tango in Agility. I have been a member of the PIP team since 2014 and continue to enjoy teaching, helping owners and their dogs travel through those all-important key stages of training.
Sarah Ward
Independent Instructor
Learn More About Sarah
I have owned animals my entire life and growing up through childhood these ranged from chickens and reptiles to many small furries, but I was never allowed to have a dog. At the age of 16 I began work in a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breeding & rescue center. The rescue section covered the entirety of East Anglia and involved coordinating with the RSPCA amongst other organisations, taking in whole units of dogs when puppy farms were successfully shut down. Licensed to board 80 dogs, we also had over 30 breeding dogs.
It was here that I was introduced to the world of breeding and showing. I have personally shown many Cavaliers at all different levels from all breed open shows, to breed championships to Crufts including travelling to Ireland in the mix. After 7 years at the kennels I went to work as a Receptionist in a large veterinary practice, where I remained for 19 years, working my way up to Assisting Practice Manager.
The medical experience and knowledge I gained during this time was immense and my constant ongoing training included CPDs with insurance companies, food companies, pharmacy groups, parasite talks, HR care and most significantly, client care-based training.
My very first dog was a Miniature Schnauzer and I showed him for many years. I then went on to own the breed I love immensely, German Shepherds, the first of which I showed at Crufts. My showing experiences also took me to Germany & Belgium which lead to my interest in Shutzund and Working Trials. Since my Schnauzer I have never lived without dogs of my own, and over the years I have taken on a mix of both puppies and rescues.
Whilst I have predominantly owned German Shepherds, my current menagerie includes not only my 8yr GSD, Leela, but also my Beagle X, Bella and a Chihuahua X, Pops as well as my young shepherd, Xena. I met Rebecca through the Veterinary Practice (we set up and ran puppy groups on site for a while) and began training one of my GSD puppies with her.
One thing lead to another and I became her assistant at her village hall satellite classes from 2006. In 2009 I moved across to the main centre on Lubards Farm where I worked as a Sub Instructor for 10 years, alongside my main job, supporting new staff members settling into their roles and liaising with clients across services.
In October 2019 I made the decision to leave the veterinary world tobecome a full-time training instructor. I run pet dog classes, provide private training tuition, and provide a tracking service which is a sport I am passionate about. I’m looking forward to lots more fun and exciting times ahead.
Liz Phillips
Independent Instructor
City & Guilds Assured Scent Detection Handler & Instructor
Learn More About Liz
As an only child, animals of all types and sizes were my great company in life. My early adulthood was all about family and raising my children so it wasn’t until later that I was able to return to my absolute original passion and in 2014 when I started my own successful Dog Walking business.
Throughout, I continued to have small animals and cats; but it wasn’t until my children became older and my working hours allowed, that we finally got our first dog; Ruby a 1-year-old rescue German Shepard X Samoyed who spent her early life as a stray and taught me how clever and mischievous dogs can be. One dog rapidly became four dogs encompassing a range of breeds as you can see in my photo lol.
As my dogs trained to a higher standard I went to Pets in Partnership, where I was then offered the opportunity to join the team, initially as a volunteer, and then as a student. It’s been exciting stepping into the space of now being an Instructor. Dog training brings me so much joy - I feel such a great connection with my dogs and love the sense of achievement in all that we have learnt together.
Being involved with Pets In Partnership is a real pleasure and has encouraged me to do more. I love to see people progress and develop their relationship with their dogs. I run Pet Dog Classes, provide some private tuition slots, am a Kennel Club Good Citizens Examiner. My ultimate sport passion is Scent Detection and I am thrilled to have classes for this activity now up and running.
Marisa Slack
Back Up Support Trainer
Learn More About Marisa
Marisa is a highly experienced trainer, who has formerly run advanced level classes and been an amazing sub Instructor over many years for and with Pets In Partnership.
Marisa shares her life with her two Weimaraner boys, Dillon & Roman with whom she competes in competition obedience.Marisa is a very caring member of the team, she will do everything she can to support you on your training journey.
Tracy Ridley
Volunteer Assistant
Learn More About Tracy
I was first introduced to PIP in 2011 after getting our first ever family dog, a parti-coloured Cockerpoo called Ella. For the majority of the time Ella was a loving family pet, although she brought with her some challenging behaviours. This was where PIP came in, to support with 1-2-1 sessions, Pet Dog and Gun Dog classes. Most of my working life has been in Infant and Primary Schools as a Learning Support/Special Needs Assistant.
In 2020, once again, I ignored the saying ‘never work with children or animals’ when I accepted Rebecca’s offer of becoming an Assistant at PIP. I enjoy being part of an amazing team that helps owners achieve the best relationships with their dogs. I am always learning from the more senior members of the team and their vast array of knowledge and experience.
In late 2020, we adopted a 6-month-old rescue dog called Luca who was lacking in confidence, having no experience of home life and lead walking. He is a quirky little character who now loves nothing more than being part of the family and best pal to our little Grandson.
He still has a tendency to be stubborn at times (particularly during pet dog classes) but has grown in confidence. In 2022 he achieved his Kennel Club Bronze Good Citizen Award. I have learned a lot from the challenging behaviours Ella brought to us and the different challenges that come with taking on a rescue dog. This has enabled me to provide crucial help to some of our clients when they have needed it most.
Chrissy Baxter
Volunteer Assistant & Student Instructor
Learn More About Chrissy
I have always loved animals from a young age but having grown up mainly around cats I longed to have my own dog.
This came to me in the form of a rescue dog named Bailey who was a King Charles Spaniel. After Bailey I went on to have a cockapoo puppy which set me on my journey with Pets In Partnership 5 years ago when I attended puppy classes.
I thoroughly enjoyed the classes as did my dog, so when the opportunity arose to join the team I jumped at the opportunity. I love meeting new people, their dogs and helping them to learn new skills. In my spare time I enjoy travelling, photography, being with my family & friends, walking and swimming.
Sue Chandler
Volunteer Assistant
Learn More About Sue
I have been a Volunteer Assistant with Pets In Partnership since July 2022 after retiring from my role of Finance Officer in the Education Department of Southend Borough Council.
I have always had a special love of dogs and have to admit that I have a real soft spot for the Labrador Retrievers of which I have had 5 during my lifetime. Becoming a volunteer has helped me to fill a huge void in my life after losing Rio, In October 2021 and Max in January 2022 – brothers who lived to the ripe old age of 15 years old. It has also introduced me to some amazing dogs an downers.
I have learnt so much during my time here and find it so rewarding watching the dogs progress from the puppy class through to advanced and beyond. I am pleased to say that I am now the proud owner of a 14 month old Labrador called Flynn who I also train at Pets in Partnership. We are both enjoying our journey and the challenges set before us with the help of the team.
Keira Bowhray
Volunteer Assistant & Student Instructor
Professional Dog Walker
BTEC National Extended Diploma in Animal Management, SEG Accredited Certificate for Awards Spirit Dog Trainer
Learn More About Keira
My life has been centred around animals, from horses to dogs, small mammals and reptiles. After riding for 15 years and working in a horse yard I transferred my energy over into the dog world.
I grew up with Boxers, and terriers. It was our last terrier, Mini who sparked my interest in training. This lead to my 3 year Animal Management Diploma. I discovered PIP in 2024 where I took my work placement and have stayed on with them to continue my journey to becoming fully fledged instructor. As a part of building my knowlege, I completed the Essential Canine Life Skills Accredited Dog Trainer Course which was an incredible experience.
Whilst I continue to build my training experience I currently run my own dog walking business which has given me so much hands on experience with a vast variety of breeds. Within this I also provide in home holiday care. All my work is one on one with each family dog(s).
I have been fortunate enough to explore a variety of sports activities with a lovely mixed breed call Bo, enjoying my introductions to obedience, Rally, Agility, Gun Dog & Scent.
I am very passionate about helping people and their dogs an hugely enjoy my time within the PIP team.
Carly Abbot
Volunteer Assistant
Learn More About Carly
Carly supports the Instructing team with the Tuesday evening pet dog classes.
Juliette Pearce
Volunteer Assistant
Learn More About Juliette
Juliette is a great support for our pet dog classes and the team. Juliette shares her life with a wonderful toy poodle called Florence.
Becky Swift
Volunteer Assistant & Qualified Groomer
Learn More About Becky
I have always loved dogs and pestered my parents at 7yrs old resulting in our rehome Kizzy, who was my shadow and I was hooked! I have owned numerous breeds over the years, Keeshound, Elkhound, GSDs, Alaskan Malamutes. I currently a Briard and Schapendoes, Brie & Snoop who keep me busy alongside the horses. With my children all grown up and with the arrival of Snoop I was finally able to get involved with dog training and have been exploring agility, competition obedience, Rally obedience and general pet dog activities.
This all lead to a career change and have been studying hard to become a now qualfied groomer. Alongside this my interest in providing training services lead me to helping out with PIP on Fridays, working under the supervision of Sarah Ward who I learn so much from. It has been so rewarding to get to know all our clients and see them achieve their training goals. I especially love seeing the progression in the puppy/beginner classes - it is amazing to see how they change from Week 1 - Week 11.
Jackie Barnett
Volunteer Assistant
Learn More About Jackie
Jackie joined our team in 2026 having trained her beautiful cockapoo Chester with us for some years. She has been an absolute joy and such an asset since she came on board.
Lacey Claydon
College Student
Learn More About Lacey
Lacey has completed the first year of her Diploma placement with us and we are loving seeing her confidence grow.
Billie Smith
Assistant
Learn More About Billie
Billie has stood down from being a main stream volunteer but still pops up to help us out from time to time, be it with a class or a private session.
Billie's passion and main focus is in foster care work, taking up a senior role with Many Tears and rehabilitating many dogs through her doors as they transition from one home to another. Her expertise in this area is second to none.
Our Classes
Pet Dog And Sports Classes
Our pet dog classes sit at the heart of our services, laying a solid core foundation of training with starting options for all, be it puppies, teenage dogs or adults.
The courses evolve up the levels to our fun-loving advanced groups and include opportunities to achieve the Kennel Club Good Citizens Medal Tests along the way. Our Pet Dog classes also provide a great spring board for successfully jumping into sports activities, either with us or anywhere else.
Find out more by downloading our full information pack today.
Our Workshops And Webinars
Here at Pets In Partnership, we run a range of workshops, seminars & webinars which aim to either help you and your dog(s) together on specific things, or provide some extracurricular fun. These can include Whistle Training, K9 First Aid, Separation Anxiety, K9 communication, Leadwalking, Recall and much more.
Stay Connected with Pets In Partnership
Receive practical dog training tips, pet behaviour advice, free handouts and occasional updates from us. No spam, just helpful information to support you and your pet.
Get In Touch
Monday 9am - 1pm
Tuesday 9am - 2pm
Wednesday 9am - 1pm
Thursday 9am - 1pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
*Times can vary on occasion
