NATURAL CANINE NUTRITION AND HEALTH

Dogs First was born in 2010. Before that I was happily pursuing a career in Guide Dogs, working as a pup supervisor and guide dog trainer. My background meant I was always fixated with diet. Various happenings lead me more towards raw but it was only when I encountered the veterinary brick wall that I began to suspect something was askew. That threw me back into research, writing and lecturing full time.

In 2010 and formed Dogs First, a place to post my findings. I hope for Dogs First to be a resource of no nonsense, well-researched, factual information on all things canine nutrition and natural health. 

• Grew up in Wicklow, Ireland
• Graduated with BSc. Hons from UCD, Ireland, 2002
• Graduated with a PhD studying the effects of nutrition on the behaviour and gut morphology of mammals 
• Joined Guide Dogs Ireland in 2006 as Pup Supervisor
• Joined Guide Dogs Australia in 2009 as Guide Dog Trainer and Supervisor 
• Natural Dog Seminar begins 2010
• Returned to Ireland 2011, formed Dogs First
• Formed Ireland’s first raw dog food company in 2012, had some success on Dragons Den 2013 (I didn’t take the investment, it was purely to get in front of the masses!) and moved it on a year later
• Full-time writing, researching and lecturing since 2015
• Live with wife and daughter and insane cocker spaniel Dudley (what he lacks in brains and delicacy he makes up for with very repetitive determination, very much like his owner) in Wicklow, Ireland

I have a number of very small revenue streams coming in from this site. One is from the retail of my (highly effective, see below!!) seaweed-based supplements from my site. Any targetted at specific conditions have a money-back guarantee they’ll do the job.

I also, albeit rarely, link to some Amazon products that I think you might might need or find useful (as an Amazon Associate I then earn from qualifying those purchases). I receive a very small percentage of your first sale. I don’t block access to my good stuff or ask for subscriptions but I do ask for donations at the bottom of my my more vital articles (this nets me around €3 per day!).

I also link out to one or two raw dog food companies as they sell fantastic, ethical, organic raw dog food which, as a veggie, is the only stuff I can promote and sleep at night.

I have no contracts, no ties to be big companies, nothing. I wish I could accept a nice big sponsor but I just can’t be associated with any of the crap out there, and they’re the ones with the money. This means I’m pretty poor but I’m free to do and say as I please, as you’re about to find out.