Our Team
Rob
Rob brings a wide range of experience to his work. His early career in the kitchen saw him reach impressive heights—winning awards, writing cookbooks, and working as a chef in a Michelin-starred restaurant. He later built a successful career as a carpenter, continuing to fuel his love of creativity and hands-on craft.
A passionate advocate for ethical meat consumption, Rob manages local deer alongside Lars, his dedicated deer-tracking Dachshund. Together, they hunt sustainably for the family freezer and support their local community.
Rob also raises grass-fed sheep and is committed to helping others understand where their food comes from, encouraging deeper connection to the land and teaching rural skills.
Living with Dyslexia, Rob has first-hand experience of the challenges young people can face in education. This drives his commitment to supporting the next generation, helping them discover their strengths and shine.
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Janka
Janka is the owner and lead dog trainer at Penthwell Dog Training, specialising in dog-centred methods including scent detection and fun gundog work. Working alongside her Labrador, Trudy – a registered therapy dog – she supports children and young people with SEN, creating calm, confidence-building experiences through animal-assisted interventions.
Born with Cystic Fibrosis and later receiving a double lung transplant, Janka has always fought for equal opportunities and is deeply passionate about inclusion, diversity, and equity. Her qualifications include a Level 3 Diploma in ADHD, an Autism Awareness Diploma, EDI in the Workplace and a Level 3 Diploma in Animal Assisted Intervention. She is also learning BSL to ensure her services are accessible to an even wider community.
Rachel
With more than twenty years’ experience as a Special Needs teacher, Rachel has worked with pupils across a wide range of complex needs, adapting her practice to ensure every young person feels understood, supported, and celebrated.
Alongside her teaching background, she has hands-on experience working on a farm provision for autistic adults, where she saw first-hand the therapeutic value of meaningful outdoor work, animal care, and calm rural environments.
Rachel's passion for animal-assisted support has shaped much of her work; she previously trained a dog who became a certified educational assistance dog in school, and she is now training her young dog to become a therapy dog. She has also completed a Society for Companion Animal Studies (SCAS) four-day training course in companion animal interventions in therapeutic practice, strengthening her understanding of safe, ethical, and effective approaches to animal-assisted work.
Rachel strongly believes in the power of animal-assisted learning to build confidence, reduce anxiety, and create a safe space for pupils to engage, communicate, and explore new skills at their own pace.
