OUR STORY
The idea for the National Dog Handling Academy began around a kitchen table in May 2023.
At the time, there was a growing awareness within the industry that while dog handling had become an increasingly important and skilled profession, there was still no clear national standard for training or assessing handlers. Across the country, capable and dedicated people were working with dogs every day, yet the pathway into the profession remained largely informal and inconsistent.
For those who had spent years working in the field, it was clear that dog handling demanded far more than simply “playing” with dogs. It required knowledge, judgment, and the ability to safely manage multiple dogs in real-world environments. Compatibility, pack behaviour, recall reliability, environmental awareness, and risk management were all part of the daily responsibility.
Many of the people involved in the early discussions had already spent years training and mentoring new handlers. Between them, hundreds of handlers had already been guided into the profession. Yet there was a shared belief that the industry needed something more structured, a clear, recognised pathway that could support new handlers, strengthen safety standards, and demonstrate the professionalism of the field.
Those early conversations led to the vision for a nationally recognised qualification.
What followed was many years of work researching, designing course structures, developing practical assessments, writing training materials, and aligning the programme with recognised educational frameworks. The goal was not simply to create another course, but to establish a structured academy that reflected the real skills required in modern dog handling.
The National Dog Handling Academy was built on the belief that dog handling is a skilled profession that deserves clear standards, proper training, and recognition.
Today, NDHA provides a structured pathway for students entering the industry and for experienced handlers seeking to formalise their skills. Through a combination of classroom learning and hands-on practical training, the academy focuses on the core principles that underpin responsible dog handling: safety, competence, professionalism, and respect for the welfare of the dogs and the communities they are part of.
The academy’s purpose remains the same as it was on that first evening around the kitchen table — to support the next generation of handlers, strengthen safety across the industry, and help ensure that dog handling is recognised as the professional and responsible career it truly is.
STUDY. HANDLE. LEAD.
At NDHS, we’re all about shaping confident, capable dog handlers.
Our mission is to provide practical, hands-on training that teaches people to understand, communicate with, and care for dogs at the highest standard.
PERSONALISED, SMALL-GROUP CLASSES
We keep our class sizes intentionally small, so every student gets the one-on-one attention they deserve.
This means you’ll have more time with instructors, more tailored feedback, and a better hands-on learning experience for both you and your dog.
REAL WORLD, EXPERT-LED TRAINING
Our instructors are experienced dog-handling professionals who bring years of field knowledge to each lesson.
We focus on practical skills that translate directly to real-life situations, helping you build confidence and competence from day one.
SAFE & PRIVATE OPEN SPACE TRAINING
All hands-on training takes place on our spacious private property, purpose-built for learning.
The grounds are fully secure and fenced, so dogs can’t slip out or mix with the public, giving every handler the freedom to practise, make mistakes, and learn without worry.
OUR TEAM
KATHLEEN WEEKS
DIRECTOR OF TRAINING
With over two decades of experience in dog handling and developing future professionals, Kathleen Weeks has trained more than 200 handlers throughout her career. She co-founded the National Dog Handling Academy to provide aspiring dog handlers with the knowledge, confidence, and hands-on skills needed to succeed in a demanding and rewarding profession.
Kathleen’s mission is to elevate standards across the industry and demonstrate that dog handling is a skilled, respected profession built on safety, responsibility, and a genuine commitment to the welfare of dogs and the communities they are part of.
LISA TELLE
INDUSTRY & EMPLOYER REPRESENTATIVE
Lisa Telle founded and heads Zoomies Dog Training & Adventures in Cromwell, Central Otago. She is a professional dog trainer and certified canine nutritionist specialising in behaviour modification, including reactivity, anxiety, and complex behavioural cases. She also works with clients around the world on gut-brain behaviour cases.
Lisa takes a holistic, evidence-based approach, integrating training, lifestyle, and nutrition to support long-term behavioural change and overall canine wellbeing. Her work is grounded in force-free methods, with a strong focus on emotional safety and clear communication between dog and owner.
In addition to her business, Lisa develops online courses designed to educate and empower dog owners, and interviews industry professionals on her podcast, Lisa and Roo. She is an active advocate within her community for dog welfare and access to safe, appropriate off-leash environments, and is the founder of Cromwell Dogs.
GEORGIA PATERSON
INDUSTRY & EMPLOYER REPRESENTATIVE
Georgia was born and raised in Tāmaki Makaurau and was surrounded by dogs since birth. With two labradors and a feisty Jack Russell, as well as other family member’s boxers and pitbulls. She became very comfortable with them from a young age. It led to her getting her own Jack Russell as an adult and chasing jobs in animal care, dog handling and a management of a handler team.
She believes that training, stimulation and socialisation is an essential for a dog’s general well-being and understanding dog’s behaviours is essential for us. Learning to speak to your dog through understanding their body language, facial expressions and other social cues is vital to fully understanding and building a bond with your dog. Her years in the animal industry has taught her the importance of patience and perseverance and she hopes this course is able to share this knowledge even further.