I began my journey in veterinary nursing in 2005, the same year I moved from Germany to Australia. I completed my nursing degree in 2007 and earned my Certificate 3 in Dog Behaviour and Training from the National Dog Trainers Federation (NDTF) in 2008. In 2012, after relocating to Western Australia, I decided to specialise in surgical nursing, which led me to a large referral practice in 2013. It was a steep learning curve, but I had the privilege of working alongside talented specialists and nurses, gaining extensive experience in specialized surgeries, including neurological procedures like Hemilaminectomies and Ventral Slots, as well as orthopaedic surgeries such as MPL, THR, fracture repairs, and lots and lots of TPLOs.

What truly stood out for me was the patient care aspect. It takes empathy, patience, dedication, and a deep awareness to provide the care each animal deserves— whether they are in pain, high on drugs, in discomfort due to a full bladder, have feeding difficulties or are just plain anxious, for each of them you must find an individualised approach to care for them as well as possible.

And this is where my passion for rehabilitation started!

Having witnessed numerous dogs recover from major surgeries, I became determined to learn more about how I could support them through their healing process and help them regain optimal health. In 2019, I enrolled in the University of Tennessee’s program to become a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner (CCRP). Shortly after, I began working alongside another CCRP specialist at an established rehabilitation practice, where I was able to put my knowledge into action and continually enhance my skills.

Fast forward to 2024, after two decades of learning and growing in the veterinary and rehabilitation fields, I took the leap to launch my own business, High Five Paws. I’m thrilled to use my knowledge and experience to help dogs live their fullest lives by restoring balance and renewing vitality.