About Helen
Helen Gerard, BSc (Hons) Canine Behaviour Management
Hello, and welcome. I’m Helen.
My path into holistic health and wellbeing has been shaped by curiosity, lived experience, and a lifelong pull toward both people and animals. I began my Reiki journey in 2009, and my understanding of mind–body balance deepened during my Touch for Health Kinesiology training a few years later. This led me to study further holistic wellbeing courses for dogs and horses.
As a teenager, I volunteered with St John Ambulance and later worked in elderly care homes - roles that nurtured my desire to help others. I once dreamed of becoming a paramedic, but epilepsy closed that door long before I understood I was autistic. Undiagnosed ADHD made school challenging, and the careers I considered in healthcare felt out of reach at the time.
At 18, I took a chance and applied for a Keeper role at West Midlands Safari Park. That decision opened the door to four seasons of hands‑on animal work and eventually an HND in Animal Care. Since then, learning has become a constant thread in my life.
Twenty‑one years since completing my HND, my journey has brought me back to human wellbeing, this time with a deeper understanding of myself. As a late‑diagnosed AuDHD adult with experience of PTSD/c‑PTSD, I know how hard it can be to find the right support. My work now is shaped by what I once needed but couldn’t find locally or through the NHS.
I’ve supported neurodivergent people in many settings; FE education, youth groups, and assistance dog training. I’m passionate about helping neurodivergent women (and those AFAB) reconnect with who they are, honour their strengths, and find grounding through nature and mindful living.
My work with animals continues, but with a new focus: supporting the human side of the partnership through mindfulness and Touch for Health Kinesiology. I will still offer my Dog Training with a Difference course, animal Reiki, and take on selected assistance‑dog clients through Pawsable.
When I’m not working, you’ll find me ringing church bells, tending my allotment, crafting, baking, or exploring nature. I’m also an Ovate member of the Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids.