A RETIRED nurse from Cirencester has decided to embark on a new career at the age of 65.

Most people's retirement plan includes holidays, gardening and relaxing but Julie Barclay, who now lives in Northleach, has taken a different route and decided to become a dog separation anxiety coach.

Last month Julie launched her Separation Anxiety Mentor business to help struggling dog owners navigate the anxious behaviour of their four-legged friends when they are left at home alone.

All her sessions are online and start with an initial four-week program, but she also offers a longer service.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: Julie with Fynn and Mouse Julie with Fynn and Mouse (Image: Pete Paredes)

Her passion for helping dog owners comes from a traumatic incident that happened to her ten years ago.

In 2013, Julie's two Border Terrier puppies, Fergus and Fynn, escaped from her garden and were hit by a car; Fergus died and Fynn was badly injured.

After witnessing this incident, Julie was diagnosed with PTSD and when she eventually introduced new puppy Mouse into the family, didn't socialise him properly in fear that something bad would happen again. 

Mouse grew up with extreme anxiety.

Julie said she wasted a lot of time and money on inadequate training sessions to try and help Mouse, and eventually decided to train as a dog trainer so she could help him herself.

She said dogs with separation anxiety often show behaviours such as self-mutilation, howling, soiling in the house and destroying furniture when left alone - however, every dog expresses home-alone anxiety differently.

Julie said: "I was drawn to this new career choice because I have always been a person who likes helping people. 

"I have always been a very detail-orientated person and there is a lot of problem solving involved in my job as a dog separation anxiety mentor.

"Separation anxiety can have have significant welfare consequences for the dog, and a dramatic impact on a dog owner's life, so I offer support to struggling people who can often feel helpless in terms of finding the right support.

"There is so much joy in helping people navigate what can seem like an intractable situation.

"When I can see the light go on in the human's eyes when they realise that they can help their dog, and that dog becomes the relaxed, confident animal they all have the potential to be, that's the joy for me. 

"Each client receives a bespoke training plan which is tailored and personalised to the needs of their dog and situation.

"I'm proud to be only one of 10 CSAT specialist SA anxiety trainers in the UK. 

"It was a lot of hard work to qualify and I'm really excited to start my new business".

To find out more visit https://sa-mentor.com/