ABOUT US

Aimee is the passionate owner and lead dog trainer at Take the Lead, where she dedicates her time and energy to helping dogs and their owners achieve the best possible relationship. Aimee is known for her unwavering dedication and genuine care for every animal that steps through the doors of her facility.

Aimee's love for dogs began after a tragic event in her life, the loss of her father in 2011. Struggling to find positivity in her life, Aimee impulsively bought a Rottweiler named Arlee, who quickly became the light in her life. Aimee spent every spare moment training Arlee to be the best version of his breed, and this experience sparked a deep passion for dog training that only continued to grow.

After years of dedicated training and studying, Aimee transitioned from a successful competitive showjumper to an experienced and certified dog behaviorist. She poured all of her spare time, money, and effort into learning about dog behavior and training, enrolling in veterinary nursing and a Certificate 3 in Dog Behaviour to further her knowledge and expertise.

Today, Aimee's love and dedication for dogs are at the forefront of everything she does at Take the Lead. Her goal is to help every dog she encounters become their best selves, and she works tirelessly to provide the best training and care possible. Thanks to her unwavering dedication and exceptional skills, Aimee has become a beloved figure in the dog training community, inspiring countless others to follow in her footsteps.

Luke has been Aimee's biggest supporter in bringing Take the Lead to where it is now. From humble beginnings, he has helped to bring every idea to life - from building play equipment for the exercise yards to creating new training spaces for our team to use to sourcing vehicles to assist in the day-to-day tasks - the business wouldn't be where it is today without his skills and can-do attitude!

Together, Luke and Aimee have built a household name in the canine industry, all while raising their two sons, Abel and Marley, and running their French Bulldog and Rottweiler breeding programs!

Georgia shares her life with two dogs who keep her on her toes: Morgan, adopted from GAAR as a 3-month-old pup and her first working breed, and Freddie, a rescue with a world-class talent for hide-and-seek.

Animals have always been part of Georgia’s world. Growing up, her home was full of different breeds, from Dachshunds to Bull Terriers, Mastiffs to Poodles, and she always knew she’d one day work with them. That path became clear in 2022 when she joined Take the Lead.

As General Manager, Georgia gets to be involved in every aspect of TTL, from training and social yards to boarding and daycare. Her favourite part of the job is knowing the work makes a real difference for both dogs and their owners. TTL was life-changing for her own soul dog, Lenny, and now she takes pride in giving other families that same support and trust.

When it comes to caring for dogs, Georgia believes the most important thing is choosing a breed that matches your lifestyle, and then putting in the work during early development to build a happy, harmonious life together.

As a trainer, her heart lies with nervous and fearful dogs. She knows they’re often the most challenging cases, but with patience, consistency, and a focus on relationship, the breakthroughs are incredibly rewarding. Lenny, her late Staffy x Basenji, was the dog who started it all, teaching her the toughest lessons and igniting her passion for canine behaviour.

Outside of work, Georgia and her fiancé are busy renovating their first home and finding time to train Morgan and Freddie.

Olivia is the heart behind our busy daycare yards and boarding spaces, making sure every dog in her care feels safe, loved, and ready to have a good time. While she didn’t come into the role with formal animal industry experience, her upbringing with a challenging American Bulldog taught her more than any classroom could. From those early lessons, she gained a deep understanding of dog behaviour and the patience it takes to help dogs thrive.

At home, Olivia’s pack keeps her entertained:
- Oakley, who would sell his soul for a crumb of food
- Caramel, whose big ears are purely for decoration (she swears she can’t hear a thing)
Her favourite part of the job is spending time with the dogs who need a little extra love and patience.
Watching a nervous dog slowly soften and start to trust is, for her, one of the most rewarding experiences at Take the Lead. While she’s hands-on in both daycare and boarding, running the daycare yards is her true sweet spot.

Olivia believes the most important part of caring for dogs is giving them a safe space filled with love, fun, and plenty of cuddles. Nothing beats seeing them relax into play and joyfully interact with their mates.

Away from the farm, Olivia’s just as outdoorsy, whether it’s camping, fishing from her kayak, or sitting fireside with her dogs curled up on camp chairs beside her. Olivia also runs a small business called Its for the Dog, and we proudly promote and use her training equipment here at Take the Lead.

Kayla’s passion for animals started early. Growing up surrounded by dogs and farm life, she was the kid who would try to catch any wild animal she could get close to, beg her parents to keep it, and then reluctantly return it to where she found it. That curiosity and drive to connect with animals never left and eventually led her into dog training.

Her journey began in high school when a friend was struggling to teach her new puppy some basic commands. Kayla stepped in, experimenting with food rewards and simple impulse control games, and within minutes the puppy was trading toys calmly. Her friend said, “You should be a dog trainer,” and so she did. Years later, with her own dog Laika by her side, Kayla’s passion was truly ignited. Training Laika (whose first trick was “speak,” a decision Kayla still questions!) taught her patience, persistence, and just how rewarding it is to see a dog transform.

At Take the Lead, Kayla is especially drawn to working with the tough cases: dogs reactive to others, whose owners may feel like they’re out of options. She knows first-hand how overwhelming it can feel when a simple walk around the block seems impossible, which is why it’s so rewarding for her to watch those same clients light up when their dogs succeed in training.
For Kayla, it’s about more than teaching commands. It’s about building bonds, creating safe and happy spaces for dogs, and helping owners see what’s possible when they don’t give up.

Outside of training, Kayla enjoys a balance of quiet and social time, from playing card games with friends to hiking with Laika.

Jess’s journey into the dog world started with her own dog, Luna, who once came through a Stay & Learn program at Take the Lead. Luna’s challenges sparked Jess’s passion for training, and together they began a path that turned into not just a career, but a calling.

At home, Jess shares life with two characters:
- Gordon, the cheeky shopper who’ll steal anything he can carry
- Luna, who’ll happily “play dead” for a hot chip

For Jess, training is more than commands. It’s about looking at the whole picture. She believes in meeting every dog’s needs, building trust, and creating a strong connection so they can thrive. Her favourite part of working with TTL is simple but powerful: helping dogs live a better life.

Her heart lies with puppies, guiding them to flourish in the real world, and with bully breeds, teaching them how to regulate themselves and find balance.

Outside of training, Jess enjoys bike riding with Luna, proof that the bond she builds with dogs doesn’t stop when work ends.

Jacinta’s training journey started a few years ago when she worked in a dog daycare and began a trainer internship. Through hands-on experience and dedication, she grew her skills and passion, eventually becoming a professional dog trainer.

Her biggest inspiration has been her own dog, Koda, who she adopted through our rescue partner Guardian Angel Animal Rescue. Koda completed a 5-week Board & Train program at TTL before Jacinta officially began her career in dog training. Seeing the transformation in Koda, from a dog with challenges to one who is now fully off-leash trained and ball obsessed, lit the fire for Jacinta to help other owners experience that same life-changing difference.

At Take the Lead, Jacinta loves forming connections with owners and their dogs who frequent the farm, with the bonus of sneaking in a cuddle or two between tasks. Her favourite part of her role is training and caring for our boarding dogs, ensuring they feel safe and cared for while also making meaningful progress.

Jacinta has a special soft spot for nervous and fearful dogs, finding it especially rewarding to help them build confidence and come out of their shell. For her, the most important part of caring for dogs is knowing they have a home away from home where they feel secure, enriched, and understood.

When she’s not at TTL, Jacinta loves hiking with Koda and exploring nature, a perfect mix of adventure and quality time.

Mia shares her life with Patch and Kina, a duo she never expected but now can’t imagine life without. Patch thrives on scent work, while Kina can’t resist the flirt pole. Kina originally came to Take the Lead as a rescue dog, surrendered at just four weeks old. Mia fostered her during that time, and, as often happens with the special ones, Kina never left.

Before joining Take the Lead, Mia had minimal formal experience working with animals outside of teaching her own dogs tricks. What started as a personal passion quickly evolved into a career when she realised how much she loved training, learning, and building bonds with dogs.

Mia’s journey into training truly began when she worked through her dog Patch’s reactivity and fear-based aggression. That process sparked her passion for understanding behaviour and helping dogs grow with patience and trust. Today, she finds the most rewarding part of her role is watching owners light up as their dogs achieve things they once thought impossible.

At TTL, Mia’s favourite part of the job is building strong client relationships and being part of such a supportive, like-minded dog community. Her training passion lies in helping nervous and reactive dogs, guiding them to feel safe and learn neutrality, while also focusing on puppy development to give young dogs the very best start in life.

For Mia, the heart of dog training is always about trust and relationship. She believes that when a dog feels safe, respected, and understood, real progress naturally follows.

Outside of work, you’ll usually find Mia outdoors, hiking, exploring new places, or enjoying beach walks with her dogs.

Gemma’s love for animals started on the 140-acre farm she grew up on, where she was always surrounded by animals of every kind. That early connection inspired her to study a Bachelor of Science (Animal Behaviour) and gain hands-on experience working at a specialist veterinary clinic before joining the Take the Lead team.

At home, Gemma’s pack is as colourful as it is entertaining:
- Marley (Kelpie X): Obsessed with balls and proudly mum’s favourite (yes, she has a tattoo to prove it)
- Astro (Rottweiler): Adopted from Take the Lead and convinced he’s a lap dog—all 55kg of him
- Bella (Maremma): Famous for her “submissive grin” that looks like a smile, though strangers often misread it as scary
- Milo (Maltese Shih Tzu): 50% fluff, 50% attitude, and 100% sure he’s the boss

For Gemma, the best part of working at TTL is simple: waking up every day to a job she truly loves. No two days are ever the same, and being surrounded by dogs and the friendships built with the team makes it all the more rewarding. As one of our Daycare Specialists, she thrives on getting to know every dog’s quirks and personality, while also building trust and relationships with their owners.

When it comes to caring for and training dogs, Gemma believes that genuine care for their wellbeing is non-negotiable. She’s also inspired by the progress she sees in our training dogs, especially after watching the transformation of her own dog during their Stay & Learn journey, a life-changing experience that fuels her passion for the work.

Outside of the farm, Gemma loves spending time outdoors. Whether it’s at the beach or on a hike, she’s happiest when the dogs are along for the adventure.

Tayla brings both knowledge and heart to her role at Take the Lead. With her two dogs, Beans and Kyah, by her side at home, she’s always been drawn to understanding animals on a deeper level. Studying Animal Behaviour has given her hands-on experience with a wide range of species, from wildlife to farm animals, and broadened her perspective on how different animals think, learn, and connect.

Her background also includes running puppy training classes at Gawler Animal Hospital, and she’s currently gaining further experience in the working dog industry through her placement with Guide Dogs. That variety has taught her just how adaptable and unique each dog really is, and she brings that insight into her work at TTL every day.

For Tayla, the best part of the job is simple: spending her days showering all kinds of dogs with love. She especially enjoys being part of our boarding and daycare programs, where she gets to see dogs relax, play, and build trust. Looking ahead, she’s eager to step further into training, her true passion and career goal.

When it comes to caring for dogs, Tayla believes the most important thing is making sure every dog feels safe, secure, and loved as if they were her own.

Hannah brings warmth, dedication, and a wealth of knowledge to her role as an Animal Attendant. With a Bachelor of Science in Animal Behaviour and over two years of hands-on experience, she’s passionate about ensuring every dog feels safe, loved, and supported.

Her love for animals extends beyond work. Hannah has a special place in her heart for rescue pups, often fostering and caring for them until they find their forever homes. At home, she’s kept on her toes by her three dogs:
- Hallie, the goofy Golden Retriever and loyal sidekick
- Darcie, a Kelpie cross with endless energy (especially when there’s a bouncy ball around)
- Scoona, the Red Heeler who never says no to belly rubs.

One of Hannah’s favourite parts of life at Take the Lead is hydrotherapy sessions. She loves watching dogs grow confident in the water, whether it’s discovering how to swim, having fun, or learning new tricks.

Outside of the farm, Hannah is just as active. You’ll find her playing netball, camping, exploring national parks, or cheering on her beloved Hawthorn.

Chrissy’s love for animals runs deep both at home and at work. She shares life with two small but lively companions: Odie, a Jack Russell who is obsessed with tennis balls and cat toys, and Ellie, a Mini Fox Terrier who loves giving kisses and never leaves her side.

With a Certificate III in Animal Care Services and two years of hands-on experience in boarding and daycare, Chrissy is also currently studying to become a Veterinary Nurse. Her dedication to learning and growing in the animal care industry shines through in everything she does.

For Chrissy, the best part of working at Take the Lead is forming special bonds with the dogs. She admits she misses them on her days off and loves being greeted by their happy faces and wagging tails each morning. Whether she’s spending one-on-one time in the yards or watching dogs with behavioural challenges grow in confidence and thrive, she finds joy in every step of their journey.

Chrissy believes that truly caring for dogs comes down to understanding their individual needs and preferences, ensuring each stay is comfortable, enriching, and tailored to the dog in front of her.

And in case you were wondering, yes, she’s working on slowly convincing her husband that a greyhound adoption might just be in their future.

Rachel has always had a deep passion for animal welfare and enrichment, a path that began with her Cert II in Animal Care and work experience at a local shelter. That experience led to over three years as an Animal Attendant with the RSPCA, followed by completing her Cert IV in Veterinary Nursing and nearly four years working in a busy veterinary clinic. With that knowledge and experience, Rachel has found her way back to her roots, caring for boarding, daycare, and rescue dogs here at Take the Lead.

Her favourite part of the job is being able to care for every dog that comes through the gates, from the tiniest companion to the largest working breed. Rachel loves providing compassion, enrichment, and comfort to each dog while their owners are away, and she finds joy in seeing them thrive in the farm-style environment.

At TTL, Rachel enjoys both sides of her role: working hands-on with the boarding dogs and welcoming clients at reception. For her, the most important part of caring for dogs is tailoring the experience to each individual, whether that means managing dietary needs, supporting socialisation, or creating the right living arrangements to ensure every dog has a calm, happy, and enriching stay.

Although Rachel doesn’t currently have dogs of her own, she dreams of one day having her own mini farm with a few happy pups running around. Until then, she pours her love into the dogs she cares for each day at TTL.

Originally from England, Rachel moved to Australia in 2006. In her spare time, she loves beach adventures, river getaways, baking sweet treats, and the occasional lazy day at home.

Having grown up with German Shepherds, Shannon has a definite soft spot for the breed, but she’s quick to say she loves all dogs. Take the Lead is her first job working with animals, and she’s soaking up every bit of knowledge she can.

Her favourite part of the role so far is seeing the rescue dogs, learning their stories, being part of their care, and watching them head off to forever homes. She’s especially curious about how daycare and the social yards are put together, and can’t wait to dive deeper into that side of things.

Patience has been the biggest lesson for Shannon, thanks to Cerberus, her Swiss Shepherd. Training a young dog can feel like a rollercoaster, but when she looks back on how far he’s come, it’s clear the effort is paying off.

When she’s not with the dogs, Shannon is usually at her gaming setup, switching between cosy casual worlds and competitive modes, her way of recharging and relaxing.

Paul works tirelessly to keep the Farm running smoothly each day, ensuring everything is operating like a well-oiled machine. His hard work ensures our facility is safe for all our guests and staff and is constantly being upgraded with new additions to keep the Farm fresh and fun!

Paul is also a big supporter of his son and daughter-in-law's French Bulldog breeding program; Marlabel French Bulldogs. He has three Frenchies of his own: Sapphire, Dora, and Floss!

Always down for a cuddle, Daphne is the emotional support dog for all our team here at Take the Lead. Whether we're feeling the pressure of a busy holiday period, or we've heard some devastating news, or we're simply just feeling a bit rundown, Daphne is more than happy to help us through these trying times with her unconditional love and bring a smile to our faces with her little 'seal ears' and goofy personality.