Leeds dog trainer blown away to be Yorkshire's only finalist for prestigious Animal Star Awards 2024

Kerry Ward, founder of The Fairydogmother, is in the running for Dog Trainer/Behaviourist of the Year at the Animal Star Awards 2024. 

The Animal Star Awards, founded in 2016, recognise brilliant humans and animals across the country for the extraordinary things they do for one another and winners of the northern region will be announced tomorrow (Saturday, November 9) 

Kerry, based in Yeadon, works with families to build a good, lasting relationship with their new puppy. 

She specialises in fear and reactivity in dogs as well as anxiety issues.

If you’d like to receive more stories like this and the latest news from Leeds, click here to subscribe to our free daily newsletter.

With more than 700 nominations for the awards this year, Kerry, who has been a dog trainer for 12 years, said she was absolutely delighted to have been nominated. 

Kelly said she was also blown away to know she is the only professional from Yorkshire to reach the finals this year as she competes against nine other trainers in her category. 

Speaking to Local TV, Kerry said: “I love meeting dogs for the first time, but it's knowing dogs. 

“There's a lot of evidence about dog body language, what means what, lip licks, head turns, paw lifts and things like that.

“But it's all down to that individual dog as well and gut feeling about a dog.

“People that succeed are the determined owners that love doing it, that practice all the time and do really well, and the ones that do all the online courses as well that help. 

“I do monthly drop-in clinics online for people. They get a lot of support, and the ones that take up all that support and practice do amazingly well.

“I've met so many wonderful dogs recently. It makes my heart sing when I see them and they're doing so well.”

Recently, Kerry opened Puptopia, a secure dog adventure park, to further help dogs and their owners to give them a safe, happy place to spend time together.