Louise holds a variety of qualifications, including a PhD, and after a successful career in academia and the corporate world she resigned as CEO of the South African Excellence Foundation in 2005 to pursue her childhood dream of working with and for dogs in the countryside.

It was at this time that Louise discovered that she has a very special gift when it comes to canines... Louise single handedly carried a German Shepherd Dog, who was run over by a garbage collection truck and broke his leg below the hock, to her “Dog Ambulance” (a service she provided for Ontdekkers Animal Hospital at the time). She spent approximately 20 minutes talking to the dog asking him whether he would allow her to carry him to the “ambulance” and how important it was for him to allow her this. Not muzzled nor restrained in any way he subsequently willingly allowed Louise to carry him in her arms. 

Louise has more than 7 years experience in dog training, shows her own dog, is a member of the South African College of Dog Grooming and is also a qualified personal and fitness trainer. She used her knowledge and skills in the fitness world to develop an exercise programme for overweight dogs and enlisted the help of specialist dog food manufacturer, Royal Canin. She has a number of case studies which attests to the success of this programme.

Having worked extensively with small and medium enterprises nationally and internationally, she started Canine Capers as a small business in Johannesburg in 2005 which offered grooming, styling and exercise therapy for weight loss services. She moved her small business to Hermanus in the Western Cape in 2007 where she now provides a range of customer centered services (for both owner and dog) which includes

• Grooming and styling  (maximum of 8 dogs per day without crating)

• Puppy day care  – puppies between 8 weeks and 6 months

• Exercise therapy for weight loss – in collaboration with a veterinary practice

• Puppy socialisation classes

• Adult dog obedience training

• Dog behaviour consultancy

Louise has completed an animal communication course with Anna Breytenbach, a well known figure in the animal communication world both in South Africa and USA. She also enrolled for an Effective Pet Massage for Dogs distance learning course with Jonathan Rudinger in USA.

Louise was also recently appointed as coordinator for PAT (Pets as Therapy) for the greater Hermanus area.

As a responsible dog owner activist, she regularly gives talks in and around the Hermanus area on different aspects of dog (and especially owner!) behaviour and she also holds the education portfolio on the Kleinmond Animal Welfare Society (KAWS).

Louise is currently working towards accreditation with the Animal Behaviour Consultants of SA.