Wild Wanders

Welcome to Wild Wanders, 

Hi, my name is Bethan,  I have had the pleasure of walking alongside dogs all of my life. At my happiest when I am hanging out with, observing and listening to Dogs, allowing time and space to just be and see them. loving nothing more than being out in the middle of nowhere with a canine companion. 

Choosing me to walk alongside your dog will involve me giving absolute precedence to your dog's  care and  making sure there is always time to listen to them, meet their needs and what they (and you) are asking of me.

It's super important to me to build a trusting relationship with both you and your dog. A dog afterall is a valued family member and I would want to know and trust anyone looking after any of my nearest and dearest.

 We will enjoy wild one-on-one country walks adapted to the individual needs, offering  gentle time and sniffy walks for nervous system regulation allowing freedom, connection, bonding, and grounding. 

We will be visiting many of the hidden gems in the local area.

I have worked with reactive dogs, wild and free spirited dogs, as well as dogs that like to just trot alongside me…. I love how they are all so different and yet all have similarities to. 

My journey began with having family dogs growing up in my immediate and extended human family.

Always knowing one day that I wanted my own dog, a beautiful soul crossed my path, I said “yes!” And the rest is history.

“Paddy” came to me from a broken family. Having lived with his sister and litter mate it was a massive transition for us both, he taught me so much. 

Not having had the best start to life, he was then  wrenched from all he knew and loved. I am sure you can imagine just how unsettling that was for him. We worked with separation anxiety and him being fairly reactive with other dogs especially males to name a couple of his needs.

Paddy and I became inseparable. Bless him, he walked by my side through some massive life changing transitions. 

My life's mission was to help him feel more grounded and safe in his body... little did I know he was teaching me to feel safe in mine and all about unconditional love. 

Opening my eyes to a bigger picture,  It was  him and I against the world and I love that he is right by my side through this venture and the face of "Wild Wanders".

Before I knew it I had opened the doors to other dogs with emotional needs of all types and it has truly been an honour and a  pleasure to hold a space for them all. 

Below are a few stories of the dogs i have walked with and that i walk beside:

 “Ruby” an elderly lab collie cross with so much gumption, strength and determination,  I walked alongside her in her twilight years. Walking the woods together, she led  the way and called the shots  always, I never decided the route, just a mere facilitator of her wildness, (she had spent her life time in these woods and knew them like the back of her hand) It was so beautiful, to watch her as an elder proudly live her best life and with purpose. As Ruby got older the walks became shorter and more about stimulation, presence, connection and socialization.  These walks felt so important, we were both really grateful for this time. She really taught me to listen and observe. To walk the path less trodden and worry less about what others think. Showing up as yourself, with gentle strength and knowing. 

“Kip”  a collie and a boy so sensitive, strong and misunderstood. He had a bumpy landing with one thing and another. Highly reactive with some intact males and certain breeds, he  just wants to run, feel free chasing the wind and the birds that fly above his head, just needing  space and safe boundaries to be what he needs to be. Such a joy to watch him run and feel safe when he knew what was being asked of him. Teaching me how safe boundaries and feeling held can allow us to be what we were always meant to be.

 “Alfa”, a relation of Ruby's no less, he is a nervous and needy boy but also had this independence about him. He came into my life while we were grieving Ruby, and he was grieving his brother and litter mate. Together we walked and held a space for each other.

So grateful that someone gave him a safe space to land, and actually saw him, could listen and meet his needs. Our bond grew so quickly and it was a gift we both shared at a time that was so painful and so healing. 

It was finally after our time together and the other stories I share above that  I realised this is where I'm meant to be, opening my doors and my heart to caring for your dogs when you are not able. 

“Eric” a working cocker. A nervous, anxious, gentle soul  just wanting to be left alone to do his own thing, unsure of humans he doesn't know and will tell a dog where to go if they get in his face.

I walked with Eric a few years ago back then he had other canine siblings. It was love at first sight for me though it's a very different walk when there is more than one. We have been reunited and It's such a joy to be back walking by his side again, He is heart medicine personified. His anxieties do add a dimension and learning to our walks. What he's taught me is such a gift. To not hold on so tightly, to allow space and to trust. To watch him, he knows. He has really started checking in with me now, the trust and connection has grown so much  and it's a beautiful thing to be a part of.

It is through walking with dogs and my own journey, I have found IFS (internal family systems) or parts work. 

I notice that if I can be calm, grounded and in self, noticing the parts of me with trust and space in my system. We, the dog and I can co regulate each other. I notice them and what they are showing me, they know my nervous system is calm, they are calm, and we work together in a symbiotic and reciprocal way. 

Of course, it's not always text book perfect but this is the practice and what I offer.

Please do let me know if you have  any worries or concerns, I know how special these beings are and I will do my utmost to make sure your dog feels safe and loved in my care. 

IFS Informed

I am fully insured and DBS checked.

Coming soon….. 

More IFS work and allowing it to weave into my relationship with Dogs and humans alike.

Lets see what unfolds ♥️ 🐾