Amy, our trainee dog trainer and solo dog walker

My love for dogs started long before I can even remember. I never slept in my own bed until I was five years old, and that first night was the exact same day we brought home my childhood dog - a gorgeous Collie-Doberman mix named Rocky. I quickly learned just how beautifully a dog can impact a family, bringing so much love, joy, and laughter into our lives. Rocky lived a great life until he was 15 years old, we had so many fond memories together - my favourite was playing hide and seek through the fields and seeing his wee head poke up out of the tall grass.

It was my amazing Nana who taught me my true love for animals and nature though, and especially dogs. Half of my childhood was spent on her farm in Dunbar. She took in rescues, and I would walk her dogs around the woodlands - itching to get out with them any chance I got. 

During high school, I worked at the stables each weekend for pocket money, or walked family and friends dogs - avoiding homework at all costs, of course. I then went on to work in healthcare, still pretty unsure where life was going to take me, but I enjoyed my time with the NHS and private care companies where I met so many people and loved hearing their stories! When I wasn't at work, it was any excuse to be outdoors! I was camping, wild swimming, going to music festivals, or walking people’s dogs. I eventually realised that working the animals was my genuine passion and in 2023, made a commitment to myself to pursue it full time. I started off by working at a local Doggy Day Care, where I learned a lot about dog behaviours. This pushed me to learn more about our furry pals - because every day is truly a school day! 

Then Beau came along and my learning really cemented - my beautiful year and a half old Border Collie has really helped me to understand heaps more! I spend time with her every day - training, walking, playing and working hard to create a beautiful bond. She has really brought out my passion for learning, and this is when I was absolutely certain I wanted to become a dog trainer. 

I eventually moved on to working with Louise at Noki’s Walkies in early 2025, doing solo walks with a wide variety of dogs, which has grown my confidence, experience and passion even more, she was a fundamental part of my journey to becoming a dog trainer myself and introduced me to Nick and the Team here at Esk Valley.

Nick, Molly and Louise have been really supportive and encouraged me to pursue further learning by reading books and watching other great trainers online - I completed my Canine Behaviour Training Diploma with the centre of Excellence online and my ITC Canine First Aid at the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home. Now, as I continue working with a wide variety of dogs and learning how best to meet their needs, I’m grateful to be mentored by Nick and the team, and to be surrounded by such supportive people.

As I continue to learn and grow with everything dogs have to offer, I’m constantly reminded how much I love my job and the joy I find in dogs simply being dogs.