Joanne Robertson
Joanne Robertson
Joanne Robertson
CO FOUNDER and CHAIRPERSON
Joanne (Jo) has worked with dogs most of her life , rehoming rescues and is now going for full KC accreditation and Assistance Dog Trainer this year after 5 years of mentoring under Tina.
Jo has Buddy for her son Ollie and he has worked perfectly changing Ollie's life for the better for the past 5 years , hence this is why Jo and Tina set up Oliver's Army.
Tracy Feeley
Joanne Robertson
Joanne Robertson
MANAGER
Tracy started as a Handler for her own Assistance dog, Marley. We asked her to take over as manager in 2021.
Tracy is busy making improvements to the charity to help it run more smoothly which allows more time for trainers to spend working with the dogs.
She also works with local primary school with Marley as a Therapy Dog.
Megan Kennedy
Joanne Robertson
Megan Kennedy
STUDENT TRAINER
Megan started her journey on and off from 2017.
She has trained her own Assistance dog and realised the benefits to a handler. Due to this, she wanted to help and support people through their own handler experiences. Megan has been a great assest to t he charity and now works with handlers from Silver to Public Access level.
Ciara Feeley
Robert Brooks
Megan Kennedy
STUDENT TRAINER
Ciara came on board as a work experince student from a local college.
Ciara has thrived as a student trainer and has become a great asset to Oliver's Army. She has now come on board as a volunteer supporting our families from Puppy to Silver.
Rebecca Cox
Robert Brooks
Robert Brooks
STUDENT TRAINER
Rebecca is our newest Student trainer however been part of the charity for a number of years as a young handler.
Current still in school, Rebecca has decided to work towards a future career as an instructor. She is volunteering once a month in order to support her personal development and gain experience teaching Puppy and Bronze.
Robert Brooks
Robert Brooks
Robert Brooks
VOLUNTEER
Robert has been behind the scenes helping with all maintenance and handy work for our centre.
Robert is currently inlisted with the Army Reserve. He has agreed to volunteerting to support our local veterans and runs our Veterans Club on a Thursday evening.
CHRISTINE MEANEY Co Founder, Head Trainer and Assessor
Christine has many years’ experience of conventional animal training and therapy methods as well as having a keen interest in holistic science and alternative therapies which she combines through non-invasive treatments. She also holds many qualifications and is a Kennel Club accredited Instructor, KCAI at advanced levels in Companion Dog Training and The Kennel Club Good Citizens awards. Christine is also a KCAI assessor and Kennel Club Judge; her previous roles have included that of KCAI Regional Mentor. Working with a varied client base including many clients that experience mental or physical difficulties Christine trains both assistance and therapy dogs. She is also a qualified ‘Pets as Therapy’ assessor and Dog Aid Trainer.
DAVID CAMPBELL Head Trainer/Assessor
David has worked extensively within the realm of animal behavior and holds many certificates and qualifications. David is accredited by The Kennel Club through The Kennel Club accreditation Scheme KCAI at advanced levels in Companion Dog Training, The Kennel Club Good Citizen Scheme and Behavioral Training.
David is not only a Kennel Club assessor and judge but has previously been a KCAI Board member, KCAI regional Mentor and a member of the KCAI marketing and communication working party.
David enjoys working with both Therapy and Assistance dogs, NHS patients and is a qualified ‘Pets as Therapy assessor’ and Dog First Aid Instructor. He has owned numerous dogs over the years including many different breeds; he currently owns two dogs, an English Springer Spaniel and a rescue Shetland sheepdog.
Susan Edwards, Trainer
Susan has been training with Midlothian Dog Training Club for ten years, working with dogs of all ages. She is a Kennel Club Accredited Instructor and a trainer with the Institute of Modern Dog Training. Two of her own dogs have worked as therapets and she is very interested in working with assistance dogs and the help they can give their families.
John Hood, Trainer
John has been training dogs for approximately 30 years.
John competed in a sport called working trials for about 26 years and achieved the Working Dog Championship, also competing in IGP/IPOH.
John became a Kennel Club accredited instructor in 2017.
John also volunteers for German Shepherd Rescue Scotland where he is involved in fund raising, home checks, dog assessment and fostering Dogs.
He has been a trainer for Midlothian Dog Training Club for about 20 years now.
Our Trustees
Amy Anderson
Secretary and Book keeper
Amy does a good job of keeping our books in order.
Amy has Poppi who has retired as a fully qualified assistance dog for her son, Charlie. Poppi has now taken to babysitting Charlie's baby brother.