Our instructors are the heart of our organization.
Our teachers and instructors are dynamic, inclusive, and creative individuals. They are devoted to the betterment of animals and their people through knowledge, awareness, and understanding. Each teacher brings their spin to the work, providing a supportive, multi-layered learning experience.
Linda Tellington-Jones is known worldwide for her revolutionary approach to working with animals. She is the founder and president of Tellington TTouch Training. Certified TTouch practitioners for horses, companion animals, and humans are now in 27 countries.
Her work is rooted in a philosophy that views all beings – both humans and animals – as reflections of a Divine Whole. The Tellington Method created over 40 years ago, is a system of animal training and communication. It aids people in relating to animals in a deeper, more compassionate way. This method furthers inter-species connection and honours the body, mind and spirit of both animals and their people.
She is the author of 17 books, available in 13 languages.
In 2007, she received an honorary PhD from Wisdom University. Linda was also appointed Chair of the Wisdom University Institute of Interspecies Connections.
Robyn Hood
Senior Tellington TTouch Instructor, Connected Riding® Practitioner, and Four Hoof Surefoot® Professional
Robyn, Linda’s youngest sister, has been riding horses before she could walk. She participated in Pony Club and competed as a junior rider in Alberta. Later, she attended the Pacific Coast School of Horsemanship in California, owned by her sister, Linda Tellington-Jones. Robyn went on to instruct there. She has successfully competed in various disciplines, including hunter, jumper, three-day eventing, endurance, and western events. More recently, she has focused on gaited horses, competing throughout North America and Europe.
In 1982, Robyn became fully involved with the Tellington TTouch Method. For over 30 years, she has been the editor of the TTEAM Newsletter and principal of Tellington TTouch Training Canada. Since 1986, Robyn has taught TTouch full-time in Canada, the US, Europe, South Africa, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. She spends about 160 days each year travelling. Robyn has given demonstrations and lectures at notable venues such as Spruce Meadows, Equitana USA, Equitana Asia Pacific, and Equitana Germany. As well, she presented at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan, the International Humane Society Conference in Vienna, and Murdoch University in Perth.
Robyn, along with her daughter Mandy Pretty, has written and published several TTouch-related publications to enhance the ongoing development and refinement of the Tellington TTouch Method. “All Wrapped Up: For Pets”, “All Wrapped Up: For Horses”, “All Wrapped Up: For You”, and “Harnessing Your Dog’s Perfection” are available through the online store.
In addition to teaching around the world and at her farm in Vernon, BC, Robyn and her husband have been importing and breeding Icelandic horses since 1976. Their herd of around 40 Icelandic horses share the farm with a cat, two dogs and a talented parrot named Frances.
Mandy Pretty
Tellington TTouch Equine Instructor, Connected Riding® Associate Instructor, and Four Hoof Surefoot® Professional
Mandy Pretty was born and raised around horses, riding horses before she could walk. As a child, she was deeply involved with horses. It included helping to start youngsters, exercise sales horses, as well as participating in demonstrations and competitions. Many of these horses were her parents’ Icelandic horses.
Her introduction to the horse world was unique. As the daughter of clinician Robyn Hood, and niece of Internationally known horsewoman Linda Tellington-Jones, her approach to handling and interacting with horses was several decades ahead of its time. Instead of using terms like “stubborn,” “lazy,” or “disrespectful,” her family sought tangible physical and emotional reasons for unwanted behaviour. They considered balance, pain, fear, and communication issues long before equine chiropractors, massage therapists, and acupuncturists became mainstream.
Mandy’s clinics focus on creating a positive experience for horses and riders. Her goal is to improve performance without compromising physical, emotional, or mental well-being. While her clinics often target Icelandic horse enthusiasts, they can be applied to all breeds. She teaches 1 to 5-day workshops throughout the year, offering several at The Icelandic Horse Farm. Mandy’s available for demonstrations, riding lessons, lectures, and clinics.
Mandy is a certified Tellington TTouch Instructor and Connected Riding Instructor. She lives near Vernon, BC, just down the road from her parents, Robyn and Phil (aka Grandma & Grandpa). She shares her “Faux Farm” with her husband Walt and their two young sons. Visit her website at www.intouchwithyourhorse.com.
Kathy began her dog training journey in 1991 when Spirit, a slightly wild but wonderful Alaskan Malamute puppy, came into her life. Together, Kathy and Spirit participated in obedience competitions, flyball, and agility. They also worked as a Therapy Dog/Handler team in hospitals and nursing homes. In search of a truly respectful and gentle way to work with animals, Kathy and Spirit attended their first Tellington TTouch workshop in 1994. The method resonated deeply with Kathy, leading her to complete the first two-year TTouch Practitioner Certification Program, graduating in October 1996. Later, she became an instructor in 2003.
With a background in Physical Therapy, Kathy brings a unique understanding of the neurophysiological and sensory aspects of TTouch. Her teaching style is known for being creative, engaging, and often humorous. Kathy believes that learning should always be fun for both people and animals.
Kathy’s skillful approach to working with dogs with aggression and fear issues led her to develop a series of seminars titled S.A.N.E. Solutions for Extreme Dog Behavior. Her calm, confident demeanour serves her especially well in working with these cases, and she has had great success helping many reactive dogs transform from living in a state of fear to feeling safe in the world.
You can learn more about the four-legged crew and Kathy at www.sanedogtraining.com.
Maryse has always been fascinated by the oneness of life and nature. As a child, her father taught her to wander silently through the forest, in a meditative state, “listening to the sound of life,” as her father and grandfather would say. She became captivated by interspecies bonds and relationships, especially the human and companion animal bond.
What intrigued her most was understanding others and building trust without using words. As a result, she would unexpectedly find herself being touched by vivid emotions forming relationships that are sometimes so simple and sometimes very complex.
Later, two events brought TTouch on her path. Her dog was diagnosed with Addison’s disease, and she met with Lucie Leclerc, a then-TTouch practitioner and assistant. These life events sparked curiosity and led her to learn more about TTouch. Eventually, it ended up completely changing her life path and career goals.
She continued her training and became a TTouch practitioner. At this time, she held degrees in Geology and Communication while also working. In her spare time, was a dog trainer using positive reinforcement and an animal-assisted activities practitioner and teacher.
From then on, Maryse dedicated her life to teaching TTouch to various groups of people. Different backgrounds within the animal field like groomers, shelter employees, dog trainers, and animal-assisted activities practitioners. She also mentored both French and English-speaking students. She wrote blog articles in French, translated documents and training materials, and taught online classes.
Eager to deepen her understanding of the TTouch method, she explored somatic education. She amongst other methods, explored Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Karate, and the Feldenkrais Method. This led her to earn a degree in somatic work. She now teaches voice-guided somatic work inspired by Moshe Feldenkrais in Québec, Canada.
This work, along with the TTouch work, shaped how she approaches animal-assisted activities and therapy work. She has worked with dogs, rabbits and other small animals from shelters, helping them manage stress and anxiety – her passion from the start.
As a companion animal Tellington TTouch instructor, Maryse believes that animals, like humans, possess the potential to express their full abilities and relational skills. She is proud to contribute to the changes that help people form authentic, respectful relationships with their pets.
For more information about Maryse, visit her website www.essenceetalliances.com or contact her directly at [email protected].
For as long as she can remember, Debby knew she would spend her life working with animals. She began to live the TTouch philosophy of creative problem-solving even before she had any idea this would be her life’s work; she was extremely allergic to anything covered with hair or fur!
Of course, she dreamed of having a dog. Her turtle Herman and her canary, Tangie, were wonderful but it wasn’t the same as thoughts of walks around the block with her very own dog. One day her parents learned that poodles didn’t shed. Shoni, a silver miniature poodle, soon became her best friend.
Debby’s interest in health and well-being was sparked by her childhood companion animals and continued with her becoming one of Oregon’s first board-certified veterinary technicians. She grew up breeding and showing horses, which gave her an extensive background in working with many different breeds and disciplines of horses. A horse born with severe neurological damage initially brought Debby to TTEAM and TTouch in 1984 after the veterinarians had done all they could to help the filly. The amazing progress Spirit made inspired Debby to use TTEAM and TTouch to improve the lives of animals and their people on a physical, mental and emotional level.
Debby’s passion for helping people and animals in a fun, positive and creative way is evident in the many workshops and trainings she teaches every year. She has been a popular speaker at various international conferences including the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and the International Symposium on Rescue Dogs. She established TTouch in Japan and oversees the TTouch Companion Animal Practitioner Training there.
From the beginning, Debby has used TTouch to help humans as well as animals. Today Debby frequently works with people to help them reduce pain, recover from illness or injury and improve mobility and function. She finds the TTouch work and philosophy to be an important part of helping people to find balance and well-being in their lives. She often says, “TTouch isn’t just what I do, it’s who I am.” TTouch philosophy has strongly influenced her life and that of her family. Her 2 wonderful sons were raised with these concepts and often asked their mom for TTouch when they had bumps and bruises.
Debby travels much of the year teaching pieces of training and working privately with individuals in North America, Europe, South Africa and various parts of Asia. She lives near Portland, Oregon with her human and animal family. For more information about Debby visit her website www.IntegratedAnimal.com.
Andy Robertson, Tellington TTouch Instructor for Companion Animals, incorporates her skills as a Motivational Dog Trainer and Feldenkrais practitioner in her teaching.
In the late 1980’s Andy attended an evening demonstration of TTEAM, the original name for the Tellington TTouch Method. The TTEAM presenter did not touch a person or an animal but had participants pair up and give directions from the floor. At that stage. Andy was ready for a change as she was uncomfortable with the way most others were training dogs and TTouch just felt “right”. Changing how Andy touched her dog has benefited all the other animals that she has come in contact with from that day forward.
As a Motivational Trainer, Andy uses TTouch when she teaches Puppy classes as well as Teen and Adult classes. Andy teaches workshops and one-on-one sessions. While Andy mainly works with dogs, she is interested in working with other species and has needed to work with wildlife.
Andy’s special interest is with animals lacking the basic social skills needed to live in society. The owners/partners find it very interesting how TTouch, Ground Work and the use of TTouch Equipment can make changes that affect both the animals and themselves.
Andy lives just outside of Sydney, NSW, Australia.
The world lost a bright light in September of 2022. We are still in shock that our wonderful colleague, teacher and friend Edie Jane Eaton passed away suddenly after a short illness. We are dedicating this year’s “Cell-ebration” in her honour and memory. We wish she could have joined us in person.
Edie Jane came to TTouch in the 1980s at the suggestion of her Feldenkrais teacher. After one demo she was hooked and would become one of our beloved instructors.
Edie Jane was a phenomenal teacher and had a knack for balancing rational, concrete thought and her intuition and spirit. She was driven by curiosity for knowledge and possessed a calm, kindness that put everyone she met at ease. Well-spoken and full of wry observations, Edie Jane loved the natural world, was a geologist by training, and had a thirst for adventure, she could count rally car racing as a hobby!
As a friend, she was fun, full of life and always interested in learning more. She had an eye for detail like no other. Edie Jane took many groups to Botswana on safari, horseback and otherwise, and loved the magic of the African bush. Her latest trip had been in May of this year and by all accounts it was spectacular.
We will miss Edie Jane more than words can describe. She changed the lives of so many people and animals over the decades she shared the Tellington TTouch around the world and she was an integral part of the development of the work. Her pivotal analogy of “Shedding Some Candlelight on Resistance” will continue to be shared in her memory.
Her family shared her obituary here: https://www.hpmcgarry.ca/…/edit…/4971918/obituary.php…
We have been comforted by the wonderful stories and thoughts shared in our community as we have remembered Edie Jane. We will never forget her and we hope that she knew how life-changing she was for so many.