Mentoring & Coaching with Compassion
with Clinical Animal Behaviourist Danielle Beck, CAB & Gemma Stephen, CAB
Helping you thrive on your behaviour journey......
For all Dog Trainers, Behaviourists & Veterinary professionals
Control the Meerkat is your safe space for case support, practical guidance, and community connection. Together, we’ll help you face tricky cases with confidence, grow your skills, prepare for assessments and thrive in your career.
A safe space to grow, learn, and thrive in your career.
You don’t need to do this alone
Welcome to a space where you can grow, reflect, and be supported without pressure, performance, or perfection. This is mentoring with compassion, connection, and clarity—a space where your voice matters, your values are safe, and your goals are nurtured.
What Makes This Mentoring Different?
Being a dog trainer or behaviourist can be deeply rewarding—but it’s also tough. Between complex cases, the emotional weight of helping struggling dogs and families, and the pressure of the cost of living crisis, many of us are at breaking point. You don’t have to carry this alone. Here, you’ll find a supportive community where challenges are met with compassion—not judgement
- Ego‑free, trauma‑informed neurodivergent‑friendly space
- Guidance from an ABTC Assessor (CAB, ABT, ATI, & APEL) with international reach
- Peer support that builds confidence, connection, and competence
Our group meets weekly on Zoom for 2 hour support sessions and has an active Facebook community. All are welcome. How often you join live depends on your plan and the support you need. Most sessions are recorded, and you can change your plan as your business change.Bring your own cases to discuss, ask questions about past cases or case recordings, gain support on growing your business and fuure CPD options or just come for a private rant as life can be hard.
Mentorship Paths That Meet You Where You Are
Animal Professional
2 live sessions a month-
Two live 2 hour group session each month
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Private Facebook Group Access
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Access to all recording & on demand webinars
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Access to the full Learning Empawrium
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10% off 1-2-1 mentoring with Danielle Beck MSc
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Guest Speakers& Real Case Discussions
Animal Behaviourist Mentorship
Weekly Live Sessions-
Everything in Animal Professional PLUS
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WEEKLY 2-hour live group sessions
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20% Discount on 1-2-1 mentoring with Danielle
Ultimate Animal Behaviourist
Weekly sessions & 1-2-1-
Everything in Animal Behaviourist PLUS
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Monthly 1-2-1's with Danielle
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25% off further 1-2-1 sessions with Danielle
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Personalised case guidance, CAB/APEL preparation support.
Not sure where to take your career?
Looking for one‑off support, help tackling a difficult case, or ongoing guidance as you work toward accreditation?
Wherever you are on your journey—there’s tailored support here.
FAQs – Mentorship & Coaching
Mentoring is longer‑term support through cases and career milestones. Coaching is short, focused guidance on a specific goal. You’ll get a friendly blend of both, based on what you need right now.
We’re here to support you for as long as you need. Choose 3, 6, or 12 months—or stay on a monthly rolling plan. We keep it flexible so you can adjust as your needs change. We also offer a facebook only alumni membership for those who still want to keep in touch but can’t make the live sessions.
What every you need during the time to help you progress with your career. Examples include support with current case planning and reports, client communication, business confidence, reflective notes, and accreditation preparation.
Absolutely. Many mentees are working toward ABTC accreditations via APBC, PACT, TCBTS, IICE and more. We welcome all levels and encourage peer support and networking.
Our aim is to build a supportive community of different professionals to promote diversity and collaboration through all levels.
This offers safe referral (where needed) without worry.
Live group sessions on zoom, recorded webinars, past case studies, learning resources, and discounts on 1‑to‑1 mentoring
Yes—plans are designed to be flexible. If your workload changes, you can move between tiers or take a break. Just reach out and we’ll help where we can!
Most group sessions are recorded for those who can’t attend live. If anyone requests privacy, that session won’t be recorded. Private 1‑to‑1 debriefs are not recorded, unless requested.
Yes. We support professionals worldwide and provide recordings to help with time‑zones. You’re welcome wherever you are.
This is mentoring and coaching designed to complement accreditation requirements and strengthen reflective practice. Most organisation will recognise this under their CPD requirements. Please check your professional body’s supervision rules for formal criteria.Â
Click the button above to schedule a chat. Members can also book 1‑to‑1 mentoring through the portal. You’ll receive a confirmation email with a Zoom link. If you need an accessible format or have time‑zone constraints, just let us know and we’ll accommodate
1-2-1 and group support examples include
Case Shadowing & Case Discussions
Watch recordings of real cases or listen to current cases presented by other in the group to deepen understanding of consultation principles, reflective practice and the reasoning behind the decision-making.
Case Studies & Case Eviidence Review
Gain structured feedback on your cases, to create your treatments and better support your clients. Understand how your work style fits within the ABTCs Role standards and how to strengthen your submission by showcasing your evidence.
Private Debriefs
A confidential space to discuss tough cases, ethics, confidence wobbles – no recordings, just support. This can be available in the group sessions or as a 1-2-1.
CPD Webinars & Courses
We have on demand webinars, courses and recordings from guest speakers. New webinars are member led and offered throughout the year.
Guest Speakers
Industry professionals are invited to come and chat with our groups to offer external insight into cases and specialist areas. These are recorded and available to all
Resource Library & Templates
You have access to the CTM community and the learning empawrium, packed full of ebook, courses, instructional videos and printable diaries and trackers.
Who Are We?
Danielle Beck
PGDip/MSc, ABTC-CAB/ATI
Clinical Animal Behaviourist
& Rehabilitation Trainer
Danielle Beck owns Danielle Beck, Clinical Animal Behaviour and is the founder of Control The Meerkat. Danielle has been supporting and coaching dogs and their owners since 2009!
Danielle is an enthusiastic, passionate and empathetic person and understands the turmoil of what it’s like to work in this industry and aims to create safer places for people to come together and discuss their cases.Â
Danielle is a professionally assessed, qualified & Insured Clinical Animal Behaviourist. She is a full member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Councillors and specialises in aggression and trauma. Danielle is also a Registered Animal Training Instructor and full member of PACT (Professional Association of Canine Trainers) and the Pet Professional Guild PPG.
Danielle is a committee member of the APBC and also assesses applicants for multiple roles within the ABTC such as ATI, ABT, & CAB. Danielle is an experienced assessor for all ABTC roles and the new APEL route and regularly supports applicants through these assessment processes.
It’s Danielle’s goal to provide a safe place, especially for LGBTQ+, neurodivergent and disabled people. They are a huge advocate for mental health and increasing accessibility in the industry.
Gemma Stephen
BSc (hons), ABTC - CAB/ATI
Clinical Animal Behaviourist
& Rehabilitation Trainer
Gemma owns Natures Companions Dog Behaviour & Training and has been supporting and coaching dogs and their owners since 2008!
Gemma is a professionally assessed, qualified & Insured Clinical Animal Behaviourist. She is a full member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Councillors & on the Animal Behaviour & Training Council register as a Clinical Animal Behaviourist & Animal Training Instructor.
Gemma is extremely empathetic in working with both the dogs & clients wellbeing and needs. Gemma offers understanding & support without judgement.
Gemma’s focus and empathy makes her a perfect member of our team as she supports the control the meerkat ethos to to provide safe, kind & effective training support and coaching to families and their dogs, using successful methods that are backed up by science & evidence.
