This is always the hardest to write. How do I sum up the whole of my being in just a few paragraphs?
I’m Hindy Pearson, a dog trainer providing a senior dog care support service. I offer training tips, health & wellness advice, and bereavement counseling after a loss.
I run Walk with Hindy, a dog walking service offering individual walks for dogs that can’t walk with others.
I specialise in walking dogs that are:
- Older and can’t keep up with their younger counterparts
- Anxious around other dogs and/or people
- Not used to being outside due to a rough start in life
- Untrained and are difficult to walk
As a long time shelter volunteer, I was shocked by the number of dogs being returned (I’m trying to be polite because I actually prefer the term “dumped”) for behavior problems. The dogs were always blamed, they weren’t given any training at the shelter, they were adopted again and often (not always) returned again for the same reason.
To me that was heart breaking to watch, never mind frustrating, knowing how many people were unaware of the importance of training…something that should always be explained at the adoption interview but isn’t usually.
Anyway, I started doing some basic training with the dogs to help improve their chances of a forever home. For 14 years I had a dog walking and pet sitting business, focusing on dealing with difficult dogs who needed individual walks. I did more than just walk them, I helped with their issues.
Becoming a certified dog trainer was the next logical step.
I run this website, Grey Paws and All, which is filled with lots of helpful articles about training, health and wellness and pet loss. Sessions are conducted via Zoom so I can help senior dog parents, no matter where in the world they live.
A also run a FB group called Senior Dog Care Club. I started it 5 years ago, when I realised a lot of senior dog parents had nowhere to turn for advice. This group offers a place to share, ask for and receive advice, or find a shoulder when you need one.
Why I Focus on Helping Senior Dogs
When we first moved to Florida, I went looking for a shelter to do some volunteer work and I left with a job! The first couple of days I ate my lunch outside while reading a book. I passed by a room called the “Oldies Room” which had small old dogs, roaming free.
I decided instead of wasting my time reading a book, I would take a dog out so we could keep each other company, and that’s how I fell in love with old dogs.
When I stopped working there I started volunteering and, you guessed it, it was in the oldies room.
I watched people stop and say how cute they were, but go off and adopt a puppy. It absolutely broke my heart and from that moment I became an advocate for senior dog adoption. I also went on to foster and adopt several dogs and still do.
I also started noticing how hard it was for many senior dog parents to get the information and support they needed and that’s why I am focused on old dogs.
Other Stuff
I’m from Montreal but wanderlust took me to live in New York for 2 years, Israel for 5 years, and Toronto for 13. I met my English husband in a restaurant in Costa Rica and moved to England. We left England after a few years, moved to Florida, came back to England, did the snowbird thing for a while, and now we’re in England. Until I figure out where I want to go next!!! I suspect I will always want to spend a significant amount of time here, but I’m keen to divide my time – I get antsy just being in one place.
I prefer to live within easy access of a big city, but could never live in the centre of the hustle and bustle. After a few hours of the chaos I literally feel my blood pressure rising, so I know it’s time to retreat. I love the outdoors, and it’s the one place I feel truly at peace.
Qualifications and Training:
- ADTB Approved Instructor (Academy of Dog Training & Behaviour)
- Understanding Canine Anxiety (diploma) (Centre of Excellence)
- How to Train a Puppy (udemy.com course presented by Dr Ian Dunbar)
- Simple Solutions for Common Dog Behavior & Training Problems (udemy.com course presented by Dr Ian Dunbar)
- Treatment & Prevention of Dog Aggression – Biting & Fighting (udemy.com, course presented by Dr Ian Dunbar)
- Animal Behaviour Diploma (companion animals)
- Care of the Senior Pet Certificate (Holly&Hugo)
- Pet Bereavement Counsellor Diploma (Centre of Excellence)