wellness
The wellness area will provide visitors with a weekend packed with expect speakers covering a range of topics. You'll be able to enjoy and learn everything from dog biomechanics to blood donation. Find out more about our speakers below.
Timetable coming soon.
Thanks to this year's wellness sponsor Pawsitive Relief
Introducing our
wellness sponsor
At Pawsitive Relief, we provide dedicated veterinary rehabilitation and pain management services designed to help dogs live longer, happier, and more comfortable lives.
As the only vet-led rehabilitation practice in the North East, we offer a unique, clinically informed approach that blends advanced veterinary knowledge with hands-on, personal therapies.
We work with dogs (and cats!) of all ages and conditions — whether they’re recovering from injury or surgery, struggling with long-term pain such as arthritis, or simply slowing down with age.
Join Pawsitive Relief; our wellness sponsor for their talks across the festival weekend.
Talk One; Living Better, For Longer: Why recognising pain in dogs matters.
Dog’s are masters at hiding pain and commonly signs of pain can be confused as being ‘normal’ in older dogs. This talk shines a light on the importance of recognising when your dog might be in pain, even if they are not crying or limping. We will explore the subtle signs of discomfort, common misconceptions about pain in pets and why early recognition is key to improving quality of life. By understanding what pain looks like and how it affects your dogs behaviour, mobility and mood, you’ll be better equipped to advocate for their well-being. By the end of this talk, you’ll have a clearer understanding of why dogs often hide signs of pain and how to recognise the subtle behavioural and physical changes that might indicate discomfort. You’ll learn how to distinguish normal signs of aging from signs of underlying pain, why early recognition of pain is so important for your dogs long-term well-being, and how to confidently start the conversation with your vet to get the right support. Ultimately you will leave better equipped to advocate for your dog’s comfort and quality of life.
Talk Two; Pinpointing Relief: How Veterinary Acupuncture Can Help Your Dog
Veterinary Acupuncture is a safe, evidence-based treatment that can support dogs living with a range of conditions – from arthritis and back pain to digestive and neurological disorders. This talk will demystify acupuncture, explain how it works in animals and present real-world examples of dogs who have benefited from it. Perfect for curious dog owners, this session will show how acupuncture can be a valuable part of your dog’s wellness plan. After this talk you will have a solid understanding of what veterinary acupuncture is, how it works and how it can support your dog’s health and comfort. You’ll learn which conditions it can help to manage as well as what a typical acupuncture session involves. We’ll also discuss how to know if your dog might benefit from this gentle, evidence-based treatment, and how it can fit alongside other therapies as part of a holistic care plan.
introducing this year's speakers
Passion. Expertise. Dedication
You’d be hard-pressed to find a more diverse timetable without paying a small fortune —but at the festival, it’s all included! Take a seat, relax, and enjoy an inspiring lineup of talks covering everything from canine nutrition and behaviour to health, wellness, and more. Featuring leading experts from across the country, this is your chance to learn from the best—all as part of your day at the festival. Don’t miss it!
Pawsitive Relief
Veterinary Rehabilitaion
Dr Emma Rogers-Smith
Talk One; Living Better, For Longer: Why recognising pain in dogs matters.
Talk Two; Pinpointing Relief: How Veterinary Acupuncture Can Help Your Dog.
Full talk details above. Pawsitive Relief and their team are sponsoring our wellness tipi this year so make sure you visit them and find out more about the amazing rehab work that they do.
National Foundation for Retired Service Animals
Rona Malessa
Supporting our emergency service animals.
Discover the vital roles animals play in the public sector—from locating missing people to detecting digital evidence at crime scenes. Learn about the rigorous training they undergo, what retirement looks like for them, and how our charity supports their wellbeing post-service. We’ll share real-life stories of retired service animals who’ve received life-changing financial assistance through our work.
Chloe & The Super Spaniels
Chloé Nerina Fuller
Canine Nutrition - The Booster Bowl;
How to build your dog a Booster Bowl, a bowl of 5 different foods which are all designed to target different areas of your dog’s wellbeing from fighting Cancer, supporting Gut Health, Joint Support, their Behaviour and Skin/Coat!
NGCO Clinic (Animal Chiropractor)
Katie Purvis, Dom Salmon and Zoe Freedman Fossey of The NGCO Clinic
Chiropractic and Canines
We will explain what chiropractic is and how you can detect signs in your own pet that might benefit from treatment. Our Talk will include handy demonstrations and free spinal screens.
Plus if you visit our stand in the marquee on Saturday and your one of the first 20 attendees who have a spinal screen you'll get a goody bag.
North East Assistance and Therapy Dogs
Kay Whiteley
Assistance dog work and canine assisted therapy.
There are many varied ways our dogs can support but as a brief example, our education dogs have been trained to press speech buttons to answer simple English or Maths questions which students can then assess.
Our Occupational Therapy dogs retrieve thrown items and are trained to support in stretch and balance work, while our medical support dogs lie on patients who experience stress during medical procedures or provide deep tissue pressure for people with trauma responses or Autism to aid emotional regulation and grounding.
Galen Myotherapy
Sue Maclennan
Fascinating Fascia - a fundamental element of movement and mobility.
Galen Canine Myotherapy uses palpation, posture analysis as well other specialised massage techniques in order to pinpoint and then treat possible muscular issues or injuries in dogs as well as the associated compensatory issues that may arise. Myotherapy is able to manage a range of mobility issues in dogs. enhancing the general well being of the dog, enabling them to live life to the full.
The Dog Log
Louisa Squires
The Dynamic Dog- Can pain really affect behaviour?
Pain often plays a hidden role in behavioural issues. This talk explores how discomfort can influence your dog’s actions and what signs to watch for. Learn about the Dynamic Dog Assessment process and how it supports vets in identifying pain-related behaviour.
Understanding these signs now can help you better support your dog’s needs—both today and in the future.
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People
Martin Peagam
Martin Peagam, a volunteer with Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, shares how specially trained dogs change lives. Deaf since birth, Martin’s own journey with Hearing Dog Inca highlights the profound impact these dogs have on confidence and connection.
In this engaging talk, Martin explains how the charity breeds, trains, and partners dogs with deaf people of all ages—helping them overcome isolation and reconnect with the world. Martin will be joined by his Hearing Dog, Inca.
Leaps and Bounds Canine Massage Therapy
Rachael Fraser, Sara Irving and Vicky Sowerby of Canine Massage Guild.
Activities of daily living and how massage therapy can support your dog.
The benefits of clinical canine massage therapy and how it can support your dog during acute injuries, chronic conditions and for longevity!
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How to recognise the subtle signs of pain in your dog.
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Why Activities of Daily Living are so important
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How massage can help!
My Anixous Dogs
Sarah Jones
A Calmer Walk Starts in Yellow
This talk explores how a simple yellow accessory can change the experience for an anxious dog, why space matters, and how understanding the silent struggles of dogs who are overwhelmed can lead to safer, calmer, more compassionate walks for everyone.
Perfect for dog lovers, owners of anxious & sensitive dogs, and anyone interested in making the world a little kinder – one yellow lead at a time.
Chuck Tails Dog Chaperone
Kirsty Spender
Could my passion become my profession? Building a Business That Brings You Joy.
Become inspired to make that dream become a reality to pursue work that aligns with their passions, and empowered to make bold changes that prioritise joy, balance, and wellbeing.
The Lost Dog Trapping Team UK Search & Rescue Network CIC
Kieren Stephenson
Lost Dog Protocol – Finding the
needle in the haystack.
Strategies to act quickly and increase the odds of a successful reunion. The lost dog trapping team is made up of a network of dedicated volunteers with one aim to reunite missing dogs with their owners.
Dog Tales Puppy & Dog Training
Nicole Kenning
How to Raise A Happy Dog: Safe Socialisation + Canine Body Language.
You’ll receive tips on how to safely socialise your puppy or adult dog, insights into canine body language, and a socialisation checklist to help you create a happy, confident dog.
We're often led to believe that socialisation simply involves introducing your dog to other dogs and people, but it's SO much more than this! It’s about gradually exposing your puppy to ALL they’ll experience in their life with you, to help them build confidence and resilience as they develop.
Ask the sponsor....
Dive deeper and find out more about our wonderful sponsor Pawsitive Relief.
Why did you decide to get involved with the festival?
We chose to sponsor the North East Dog Festival because it perfectly reflects what we’re all about – celebrating the bond between dogs and their people, and supporting canine health and wellbeing at every stage of life. It’s a fantastic opportunity to connect with dog loves across the region, share what we do, and help more owners learn about how rehabilitation, pain management, and proactive care can make a real difference to their dog’s comfort and happiness. We’re proud to be part of an event that brings together expertise, community, and a genuine love for dogs.
What are you most excited to see at the festival?
We are most excited to meet the amazing pet owners of the North East at this years festival! We can’t wait to chat, share advice and connect with fellow dog loves who want the very best for their pets (and we can’t wait for all the doggy cuddles too!)
What makes your business unique?
We are proud to be the only veterinarian-led dedicated rehabilitation practice in the North East, devoted exclusively to helping dogs live more comfortable, active lives. With expert knowledge in pain management, mobility, and recovery, we offer a level of care that goes beyond the basics – combining veterinary insight with hands-on therapies like physiotherapy and acupuncture. Our personalised, evidence-based approach means your dog gets the best of both worlds: advanced clinical care with a gentle, compassionate touch. At the heart of everything we do is one simple goal, to help dogs live more comfortable lives. Because every dog deserves to feel their best, for as long as possible. Clients come to me because they know they’ll be heard, their dog will be seen as an individual, and the support they get will be honest, knowledgeable, and tailored. It’s not just about teaching obedience — it’s about building connection, confidence, and lasting change.
"I am driven by the satisfaction of helping dogs live their best, most comfortable lives. Seeing them recover, thrive, and regain their happiness – whether its through pain relief or a successful rehab journey – reminds me every day why I do what I do. It’s not just about treating a condition; it's about restoring a bond between dogs and their owners , and ensuring they can enjoy more happy years together."