Human Behaviour Change For Life Online Learning

Catherine is an Equine Behaviourist and Independent Barefoot Hoof Trimmer. She started her working life in academia, obtaining a PhD in astrophysics and conducting research into black hole systems for 10 years. Her interest in human behaviour, equine behaviour and hoof-care evolved in parallel to this as she strived to meet the needs of her quarter horse, Jak. What started as an interest for his sake gradually became a job. When her children were born in 2008 and 2010 she left research in favour of full-time parenting and home education but continues to run her behaviour and hoof-care business alongside. She has a particular interest in promoting autonomy for both horses and humans in their interactions, maximising welfare whilst still enabling people to achieve their goals.

Catherine founded the Thinking Horsemanship Forum in 2003, providing an online platform for exploring the (then) new ideas regarding training horses with positive reinforcement and debating what we mean by “ethics” in horse training. She was also a founder member of the Equine Behaviour and Training Forum, an entirely voluntary organisation providing non-commercial evidenced-based information to the general public. Catherine is qualified as a Certified Horse Behavior Consultant with the IAABC, registered as a behaviourist with the ABTC and has nearly finished a BSc. Psychology.

I have worked in several very different roles that together have paved the way for being the co-director of HBCA alongside Jo. I have a long-held interest in the behaviour of animals, including the human animal, which has been a thread through my varied roles, developing interests and professional focus. After graduation, for 10 years I worked in science publishing – initially as a science journalist, then as the managing Editor of Trends in Biotechnology, and later managing several journals. On reflection, this role started my interest in human behaviour change as I received training on conflict management, counselling and communication techniques. In my spare time, I re-qualified in animal behaviour and welfare and gained extensive practical experience with several international organisations. In 2006, I founded Learning About Animals, through which I organised educational events, undertook animal welfare consultancy projects and worked as an equine behaviourist. I am still an IAABC-certified horse behaviour consultant and lecture for the University of Edinburgh on their Clinical Animal Behaviour course. Through extensive travel to low-income countries, I gained interest in transport animals and in 2005 joined the Board of the World Association for Transport Animal Welfare and Studies (TAWS). I am one of the co-founders of Change For Animals Foundation (CFAF) and Trustee of the World Cetacean Alliance (WCA). During this period, I completed several post-graduate certificates and courses on a huge range of topics, including a certificate in participatory research from the University of Delhi. In 2007, I joined WSPA (now World Animal Protection) as the Programmes Manager of the Companion Animal Unit managing several dog population and working equine programmes. The role was to develop and test participatory approaches – working with communities to change the way they manage and care for their animals. I led the move away from a heavy focus on mobile clinics towards prevention through participatory approaches and applying the science of human behaviour change. To reflect the broad applicability of the approach to many issues I later gained the job title ‘Technical Advisor for Human Behaviour Change Programmes’ and provided input into issues ranging from alternative livelihoods for dancing bear Kalandars in India, to slaughterhouse workers in Europe. Between 2011 and 2016, I worked as an international consultant for animal welfare and human behaviour change and in that period Jo and I gravitated towards each other as we shared the same unwaning enthusiasm for all things ‘human behaviour change’. In 2016, I co-founded Human Behaviour Change for Animals CIC with Jo and the rest is history!

Ben is passionate about animal welfare and behaviour with more than 20 years delivering training for private owners, corporate groups and welfare organisations, throughout the UK, Europe, Ethiopia, Egypt, Mexico, Cambodia, Australia, U.S.A. and Canada. This experience has created in-depth understanding of the special requirements of people who work with animals.

Ben uses his knowledge of the practical application of animal and human behaviour to deliver training and facilitation services that are relevant, sustainable and fulfil the needs of any organisation working with animals. Ben provides individual training and facilitation services that are based on the principles of honesty, wisdom and responsibility so that training inspires change not just at the end of the day but for years to come.

Ben has worked in agriculture with all types of livestock in many countries and for organisations, including the RSPCA, The Blue Cross, The Brooke and The Donkey Sanctuary.

Ben's expertise involves the practical application of Human Behaviour Change with individuals or organisations.

Catherine is an Equine Behaviourist and Independent Barefoot Hoof Trimmer. She started her working life in academia, obtaining a PhD in astrophysics and conducting research into black hole systems for 10 years. Her interest in human behaviour, equine behaviour and hoof-care evolved in parallel to this as she strived to meet the needs of her quarter horse, Jak. What started as an interest for his sake gradually became a job. When her children were born in 2008 and 2010 she left research in favour of full-time parenting and home education but continues to run her behaviour and hoof-care business alongside. She has a particular interest in promoting autonomy for both horses and humans in their interactions, maximising welfare whilst still enabling people to achieve their goals.

Catherine founded the Thinking Horsemanship Forum in 2003, providing an online platform for exploring the (then) new ideas regarding training horses with positive reinforcement and debating what we mean by “ethics” in horse training. She was also a founder member of the Equine Behaviour and Training Forum, an entirely voluntary organisation providing non-commercial evidenced-based information to the general public. Catherine is qualified as a Certified Horse Behavior Consultant with the IAABC, registered as a behaviourist with the ABTC and has nearly finished a BSc. Psychology.