Jackie Murphy, 48, has been appointed Ambassador of Great Britain to the International Society of Animal Professionals (ISAP) fighting to promote the most humane ways to work with animals.

Ms Murphy of Central Avenue, Gravesend, is a leading canine and feline trainer, lecturing at Crayford Adult Education centre and as a distance learning teacher. Her high profile roles led the new association to approach her about the role.

She said "There are not many adult education centres that offer teaching in dog training so my work as a teacher singled me out I think. T is obviously quite an honour and one I couldn’t really refuse."

The ISAP has been established to encourage people who work with animals of any kind to place their welfare as a top priority.

Alongside Ms Murphy, Ambassadors have been appointment in France, Ghana, New Zealand, South Africa, Sweden, Nigeria and Egypt.

Ms Murphy added "It is still in its infancy but the aim is place animal welfare as the focal point for people. There will be an internet forum where people can post questions and my role will be to help people not just here but around the world."

An animal trainer for 10 years, she explained how she became involved when asked to care for a cat that had been re-homed three times previously due to behavioural issues.

She said "When he emerged as this docile happy pussycat I began to question why this had happened. I never went to university because of a young family and so through the distant learning programme I began to take courses in both canine and feline behaviour."

Unfortunately the tom which set her on her course is no more, but she still enjoys time with her German Shepherd Teddy, adding "When I tell people the story I like to think that he may be gone but his legacy remains".

By Nicholas Hitchens – Gravesend Reporter 30/4/2010, The Bexley Times, The Leader papers.

Jackie was asked by the 4th Milton (Milton Mount) Brownie Group to teach their “Friends to Animal” badge in January 2009.  All the Brownies successfully achieved their badge and had their picture taken with Jackie and Teddy. 

As a thank you the Brownies carried out a sponsored skip in aid of “Blue Cross” and successfully raised £180 for them.  Jackie and her Dog Teddy represented the Blue Cross and accepted the cheque on their behalf.

Jackie is pleased to announce that she will be tutoring the new Canine Behaviour and Training course which has practical elements and assessments and is being offered via Compass Education Limited. The classes will be held in the South of England and if owners are interested then they should contact Compass Education Limited.  Tel:  0845-458-5981

Animal Care NVQ Level 2 – As part of Jackie’s expanding tutoring she will soon be able to offer a recognised NVQ Level 2 qualification. Please contact Jackie with your details to go onto her mailing list for the NVQ course details

I have been on Radio Kent for a couple of their phone in programmes – one I phoned in when they were talking about aggressive dogs and the second time was when I gave advice to one of the presenters about getting a dog.

I am also an Educational Speaker for the Blue Cross to visit schools and give talks and my dog Teddy has been fully assessed by the Blue Cross and sometimes accompanies me on these talks.