About
Woof Wonders is a small two-person venture that is dedicated to providing fun, enriching and positive experiences for all dogs.
We (Anj and Mish) are both qualified and passionate about dog behaviour, well-being and training.
Whether it’s group adventures rollicking down the creek, one-on-one walks around quiet streets, or helping you to problem solve behaviours we bring a sense of fun and approach each session with care and curiosity. We see each dog for the individuals that they are and tailor sessions accordingly.
Woof Wonder’s core value is to build trusting and rewarding relationships with each dog through positive experiences, empathy and science-based training methods.
We believe in the importance of forming a strong bond with each dog. This ensures that our sessions are highly rewarding and heaps of fun. It also ensures that your dog is cared for safely and compassionately.
Anj
Anj has been working professionally with animals for over 19 years. But her involvement with the animal kingdom begins well before that...
Once she had mastered walking on her own two feet, Anj would temporarily kidnap (borrow) the animals in her local neighbourhood in Wales (where she grew up) to take them on amazing adventures up the Great Orme.
As a young adult Anj went on to become a junior zookeeper at the famous Durrell Wildlife Park, which is dedicated to working with critically endangered species.
Since then, Anj has completed tertiary studies (Certificate IV in Companion Animal Services) where a major portion of the course was animal behaviour-based and taught by Steve Austin (the canine training specialist, not the wrestler).
Anj has worked tirelessly as a professional in the animal industry. Her roles have always been hands-on, varied and numerous. To name just a few:
Animal welfare officer and then shelter supervisor at an adoption centre in Perth;
boarding kennels manager at a vet clinic in Sydney;
part of a team that would look after up to 40 dogs at a doggy day-care facilities in Sydney and Melbourne; and
for 5 years, Anj was working as a shelter attendant and veterinary nurse at the well-respected Lort Smith Animal Hospital.
In 2016, Anj finally decided to gather up her many years of experience, her extensive knowledge and passion for looking after animals to create (drum roll please).......Woof Wonders!
She hopes that this venture will provide pet owners in Melbourne with an outstanding, reliable and well-respected service.
Mish
Mish is a self-confessed science and nature nerd. As a kid, she took every opportunity to go camping. As a second-generation Australian of refugee parents, being close to nature helped Mish to feel a sense of place and belonging.
These camping adventures would later inspire Mish to complete a double Bachelor in Environmental and Social Sciences, and a Masters in Sustainable Agriculture. Her studies, work and adventures continue to fuel her passion for conservation and sustainability.
Mish came to work with dogs in a round about way. For four years, Mish ran a project in St Kilda called ‘Outlandish’ working with women overcoming mental health challenges and experiences of trauma. Mish facilitated volunteering opportunities for participants to build confidence; make community connections and to experience the therapeutic benefits of working in nature and with animals. One of the volunteering opportunities on offer was working in the animal shelter at the Lort Smith Animal Hospital. After seeing and experiencing the incredible potential of working with animals to provide mutually enriching and nourishing experiences for both humans and dogs, Mish embarked on a mission to learn as much as she could about dogs.
In 2019, Mish completed the Gentle Dog Trainers Instructors Course, one of only four Victorian Government accredited dog training organisations. The course runs intensively over 12-months and focusses on the science, methods and ethics of positive reinforcement dog training.
Mish was lucky to have the opportunity to be mentored weekly by trainers at The Kintala Club and gained invaluable skills and experience through running weekly one-on-one puppy classes and group adult classes.
Since then, Mish is excited to offer her knowledge and skills through Woof Wonders’ dog training services.