About Me
Keren McIlwain, MSc, BSc (Hons), Pre-Certified CAB
Hello, I’m Keren, a Clinical Animal Behaviourist and Head of Welfare and Behaviour at Helpful Hounds Assistance Dogs, training Assistance Dogs and placing Community Dogs. With advanced academic qualifications, including a master’s thesis focused on Assistance Dogs, and years of hands-on experience, I help dogs and their families understand each other, overcome challenges and reach their full potential.
Using modern, science-based, and welfare-led methods, I provide behaviour support and tailored training across Dorset and the UK, making a positive difference to both dogs and the people who rely on them.
My Professional Journey
School wasn’t easy for me. I spent most of my early years believing I simply wasn’t “academic,” until I was finally diagnosed with dyslexia and dyscalculia at 22. Instead of holding me back, that moment changed everything; it ignited a passion for understanding how different minds learn, communicate, and thrive. That insight now sits at the heart of the work I do with both dogs and the people who love them.
Before specialising in animal behaviour, I earned qualifications in childcare, children’s mental health, Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND), and social care. I’ve had the privilege of working closely with neurodivergent individuals and people with a wide range of disabilities. These experiences gave me a deep understanding of the varied ways people experience the world; knowledge that is invaluable when supporting dogs and families with unique needs.
Through K9 Perspectives, I offer personalised, science-led behaviour support for dogs and their families across Dorset and the UK. My approach is practical, welfare-focused and grounded in modern behavioural science. Alongside my own practice, I also work with Helpful Hounds Assistance Dogs, where I train Assistance and Medical Alert Dogs and coordinate the Community Dog Programme.
Qualified and Experienced Animal Behaviourist
Academically, I hold a BSc (Hons) in Animal Welfare & Behaviour and a Master’s in Clinical Animal Behaviour, where I wrote my thesis on Owner Trained Assistance Dogs. I am a Pre-Certified CCAB, follow the professional standards of the Animal Behaviour & Training Council (ABTC), and am a member of FABclinicians, ensuring all my work is ethical, evidence-based and welfare-first.
Outside of work, I’m supported by my wonderful husband and our four children; with a new granddaughter on the way, our family is happily growing. My constant companion is Hiro, my amazing community dog, who joins me on school visits and plays a valuable role in helping children build confidence around dogs.
Together, they keep me grounded, inspired, and endlessly motivated to help families and dogs thrive.
What I do
Clinical Dog
Behaviour Support
Specialist behavioural assessment and structured intervention for dogs presenting with anxiety, reactivity, aggression or other complex behavioural concerns.
Puppy & Adolescent Behaviour Support & Prevention
Professionally guided behavioural support during key developmental stages, focused on prevention, emotional stability and long-term outcomes.
Helpful Hounds – Assistance & Community Dogs
Assistance dog training, community dog temperament assessment, placement, and behavioural oversight delivered by the charity’s Head of Welfare & Behaviour, alongside confidence-building workshops and educational talks.
My Approach
I use positive reinforcement and reward-based methods, tailored to each dog and family. Working closely with veterinary professionals, I ensure behaviour interventions are safe and effective. I am committed to lifelong learning, regularly attending courses and workshops to remain at the forefront of canine behaviour science.
Personal Touch
I live in Dorset with my husband, our four children, our ever-growing family, and our German Shorthaired Pointer, Hiro. Over the years, I’ve travelled widely, especially across Asia, and I enjoy bringing inspiration and new perspectives from these experiences into my training and behaviour work. Life at home is busy and lively, and sharing it with my family and Hiro, constantly inspires my approach to understanding, families, dogs and their behaviour.
Ready to Get Started?
Whether you’re struggling with your dog’s behaviour, want to explore assistance dog training or want to gain confidence around dogs, I can help.