Freya Locke

Freya brings a wealth of experience in dog training, behaviour and welfare. She is highly qualified, chartered, certified and accredited, with a strong commitment to kind, reward-based and game-based training.

Freya supports dog guardians through 1-2-1 sessions, helping them build confidence, trust and communication with their dogs in a fun and practical way. She works in person within 10 miles of Newmarket, Suffolk, and also offers virtual support worldwide.

She is the owner, creator and founder of the Fun Not Fear® App, which helps dog parents create a happier life with anxious or behaviourally challenged dogs.

Freya has studied and trained with a range of respected organisations, including The ISCP, Canine Principles, Dog Training College, ADTB and Absolute Dogs. She is a Certified Absolute Dogs Pro Dog Trainer, a Certified Behaviourist Member of The Association of INTODogs, Head of The Dog Welfare Alliance, a Canine Training Professional with the Pet Professional Guild, an RCDTBP Signatory and a Chartered Behaviourist.

She is also a Practitioner Member of The Complementary Medical Association and has a keen interest in holistic approaches. Freya has previously served as co-coordinator of ICAN: International Companion Animal Network, and has been on the committees of INTODogs and ACP.

Freya is also a Kids Around Dogs Approved Trainer, supporting children, schools and families with dog phobias, dog body language and bite prevention.

Marc Bekoff, Ph.D.

Marc is Professor Emeritus of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Colorado, Boulder, and a Patron of ICAN. He is an internationally recognised author, researcher and advocate in the fields of animal behaviour, animal emotions, cognitive ethology, compassionate conservation and animal protection.

Marc has published more than 30 books, received numerous awards for his work, and was a former Guggenheim Fellow. He has worked closely with Jane Goodall and is Co-Chair of the Ethics Committee of the Jane Goodall Institute. He also works with inmates at Boulder County Jail, supporting compassionate education and connection through his work with animals.

In June 2022, Marc was recognised as a Hero by the Academy of Dog Trainers.

Below are some of Marc's most popular reads:

• The Emotional Lives of Animals
• Canine Confidential: Why Dogs Do What They Do
• The Animals’ Agenda: Freedom, Compassion, and Coexistence in the Human Age
• Dogs Demystified: An A to Z Guide to All Things Canine
• Animal Emotions: Exploring Passionate Natures

Ruby Leslie

Ruby is the founder of Welfare For Animals (WFA), a humane companion animal training and animal welfare business based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Before moving to Canada, Ruby lived in Chengdu, Sichuan, China, where she ran WFA for over eight years.

Ruby’s work focuses on supporting trainers, veterinarians, animal professionals, shelter professionals, companion animal guardians and anyone interested in improving animal welfare. She specialises in force-free, positive reinforcement training and behaviour modification, with a particular focus on rescue animals, fearful companion animals, cooperative care, grooming and veterinary visits.

Ruby has over 10 years of international experience in companion animal training and welfare, with work connected to Canada, the UK, Thailand and China. She holds a range of certifications across animal behaviour, welfare and training, including Fear Free Certified Speaker, Low Stress Handling Certified, Fear Free Veterinary, Shelter and Groomer Certified, and ISFM Feline Behaviour Certified.

Alongside her work with WFA, Ruby has more than 10 years’ experience as a professional editor, writer and copywriter for conservation and companion animal magazines. She also designed ICAN’s current website.

Ruby has been ICAN’s Social Media Manager since 2019 and took on the additional role of Co-Coordinator in 2022.

Click here to learn more about Ruby’s work at WFA.