ABOUT
ME
Frankie Howard | Canine Behaviourist
My career began in wildlife rehabilitation, working with injured and abused animals in Ireland. I focused on helping them recover and relearn the skills they needed to thrive in the wild — a foundation that instilled in me a deep respect for animal behaviour and the importance of species-appropriate care.
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Over the past decade, I’ve worked across rescue centres, sanctuaries, and zoological settings throughout the UK and Ireland. I served as Head Trainer and Head of Behaviour at both Many Tears Animal Rescue in Wales and Dogs4Rescue in Manchester — two pioneering organisations known for taking in some of the most challenging dogs in the country. These roles immersed me daily in complex behaviour cases, including aggression, trauma, and dogs at risk of behavioural euthanasia.
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My work has focused on rehabilitating and rehoming thousands of dogs who had previously been written off by more traditional shelter systems. I’ve also broadened my understanding of behaviour through hands-on experience with elephants, giraffes, and Andean bears in a zoo environment, where I supported welfare and husbandry through behavioural observation and enrichment.
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My mission is to stop dogs from entering shelters in the first place. Through early intervention, behavioural support, and public education, I aim to reduce the number of dogs surrendered due to behaviour problems — and ensure that more animals remain in safe, stable homes. I believe that with the right approach, most dogs can be helped — and every one deserves the chance.
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Through Animist, my long-term goal is to establish a kennel-free rescue and sanctuary of our own — a space dedicated to helping dogs with behavioural challenges get the second chance they deserve.