Helpful Hounds

Megan is the founder and owner of Helpful Hounds, based just south of Gympie, Queensland, where she lives on acreage with her partner, their 2-year-old son, 1 Kelpie cross and six Border Collies. Originally from Brisbane, Megan has a wealth of experience in both the animal and healthcare industries, making her uniquely equipped to train dogs for both work and companionship.

With nearly 15 years in the animal industry, Megan’s career began with horses before transitioning to dogs. In 2009, she travelled to the USA to work as a horse riding instructor at a children’s summer camp, where she spent much of the year honing her skills. Upon returning to Australia, she continued teaching horse riding for several years before pivoting to the healthcare sector, working at The Wesley Hospital in Brisbane.

Megan spent nearly seven years in healthcare, collaborating with a wide range of allied health professionals across various wards, including ICU, Outpatient Rehab, Paediatrics, Palliative Care, and Surgical wards. During this time, she developed a deep understanding of various medical conditions and their physical and psychological impacts. She also earned a Bachelor of Exercise and Movement Science from Queensland University of Technology, which led to a position as a Research Technician at the University of Queensland, where she worked on an aphasia trial.

Although Megan enjoyed her work in healthcare, she realized her true passion lay in animals. She left the medical field to return to her first love, working with animals. Megan gained invaluable experience in boarding kennels, including one in Melbourne that housed up to 120 dogs. It was here that she worked with dogs rescued by various organizations, including the Beagle Freedom Project (this is a charity worth supporting!), helping assess and prepare them for foster care.

Megan’s passion for animals led her to sheepdog training, where she continued developing her skills in identifying and nurturing the natural strengths of dogs. She became captivated by sheep herding and began competing in sheepdog trials with her Border Collies. This passion led her to start her own dog training business, initially named Hairy Nose Dog Training.

Her journey into assistance dogs began when she was selected for and completed a Cadetship with a not-for-profit organization, which allowed her to become an accredited Assistance Dog Trainer. This role gave her the opportunity to train and follow dogs from birth to placement, being mentored by some of the industry’s best senior trainers.

After transitioning out of this role, Megan refocused on pet dog training with her own company, Hairy Nose Dog Training. She earned a Certificate III in Dog Behaviour and Training with the NDTF, but the pull of assistance dog training remained strong. After taking a break to start a family, Megan returned to the field under a new business name—Helpful Hounds.

Today, Megan has successfully trained multiple dogs from puppyhood to Public Access standard, specializing in roles such as autism assistance and medical alert. With a focus on utilizing each dog’s unique strengths, Megan ensures that they provide the most appropriate support for their human companions. In 2024, she formally launched Helpful Hounds, a company dedicated to specific dog roles, and she continues to expand her expertise by attending seminars, training events, and staying up to date with the latest scientific research in dog training.