The Team

Leigh Shenker

BADA (Hons)(WITS), DipCABT (COAPE) OCN, CAPBT SA Practitioner

Leigh’s studies and career path started in the field of human behaviour, working primarily with youth at risk. However, her love of four legged creatures led her to change direction towards all things related to animal behaviour. Leigh was volunteering in shelters and recognised a real need for behaviour practitioners, both for the animals in the shelters and for post-adoption support. She therefore embarked on obtaining her qualification as a companion animal behaviour practitioner through COAPE. Leigh now holds the OCN UK accredited Diploma through the Centre of Applied Pet Ethology and is a COAPE SA lecturer.

She has also completed her clicker training qualification and has a real interest in natural medicine for animals, and therefore grows and sources many unusual medicinal plants. Leigh spends the majority of her time involved in shelter work and working with clients. Her dedication to shelter work is reflected in several programmes and systems she has set up, and she is committed to changing the traditional model for animal shelters and improving basic conditions for all animals, as well as assisting families who choose to adopt a rescue. She joined the ThinkingPets team in 2014 and became the proud owner of Thinking Pets in 2015.

George van Huyssteen

(DipCABT, C.C.A.B, CABTI. MHERA)

George began his journey with dogs in 1998, when he got his first Border Collie, Flash. He quickly became involved in obedience training, flyball, and dog agility with Flash, and from that point on, he never looked back. In 2014, he enrolled in an entry-level course in dog behaviour and psychology. He then pursued a Diploma in Dog Behaviour and Training at Pet Sense College. In 2019, he continued his education by enrolling in the COAPE Diploma in Animal Behaviour. He currently holds credentials including DipCABT, C.C.A.B, CABTi, and MHERA. Additionally, George was part of the Dunbar Academy Top Dogs for a few years. In 2024, he started working for COAPE International as a course marker, tutor, and training course developer. George also offers puppy and rally classes in George, Western Cape, and is actively involved in animal welfare.