My name is Gina. I am a Scientist (Medicine & Chemistry), with over 10 years teaching and lecturing experience at the University of Hull and the University of Liverpool (LinkedIn Profile). I have over 30 years dog training experience and I am currently working towards the Level 4 Canine Training Instructor with PACT (Professional Association of Canine Trainers), which involves the study of canine behaviour, canine health and welfare, animal legislations, training & learning techniques and the psychology around them and much more.

My passion for dog training began in 1989, when I took my new rescue puppy, Penny (a black lab cross) to my very first training class. I’ve been hooked ever since and over the years I’ve loved, trained and shared my home with many dogs of various breeds, most of whom were rescues, with their own unique backgrounds and challenges.

I have been a member of many different training clubs around the country and have been involved in the Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme (KC GCDTS) for over 10 years. I compete and scribed at Kennel Club rally obedience competitions and I have passed the Kennel Club Requirements of a Rally Judge and the Kennel Club Rally Practical Judging. I also hold a Higher Certificate in Canine First Aid.

I currently share for life with 2 dogs, Tess and Lyra, both are rescues.

Tess was a street dog from Romania who came to live with me in 2014, she is about 15 now. Tess and I have achieved gold level with the KC GCDTS and began competitive rally in 2016. She is now retired. Tess' favourite things are sniffy woodland walks and digging holes to lay in in the garden.

Lyra is a Czechoslovakian Wolfdog, who joined our family in 2021 when she was 5 months old. We are currently working through the KC GCDTS and started to compete in rally in 2024. Lyra's favourite things are evening snuggles on the sofa and peanut butter filled Kongs.

When I moved back to East Yorkshire in 2022, after 15 years living in the North West, I was disappointed that there were no training clubs that offered KC rally or KC GCDTS training nearby. Lyra and I were travelling a 3 hour round trip every Sunday to KC GCDTS classes and travelling back to the North West for rally.

Not only was I determined to bring rally to East Yorkshire, but I also wanted to use my scientific background to translate more evidence-based science into dog training practices. So, I began training with the Professional Association of Canine Trainers (PACT), working towards becoming a registered Animal Training Instructor (ATI) with the Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC) and in 2024, K9 STARS was born!

In addition to Tess and Lyra, I share my life with a number of other rescue animals... Chiquita (a chestnut thoroughbred, who has lived with me since 1998), Ursla (a donkey), Charlie and Roz (Cockerels), Chrissy, Naomi and Camina (ex-caged hens) and Little Duck (a duck!).

I am passionate about animal welfare and only promote the use of empathetic, ethical and welfare-friendly training.