Michelle Hanley, a 53-year-old teacher, sought companionship after her children left home. Growing up with a German Shepherd, she decided to welcome an Italian Greyhound, known for their gentle and affectionate nature, into her life. Dante, a 12-week-old Italian Greyhound, quickly became a beloved part of her family.

Initially, everything went smoothly with Dante. However, at around eight months old, his behavior took a turn for the worse after several negative encounters with aggressive dogs. This led to Dante becoming anxious and reactive towards other dogs during walks, causing distress to Michelle.

Despite seeking help from a local trainer, Dante’s behavior continued to deteriorate, causing Michelle to feel overwhelmed and anxious. She even considered giving him up, which was a heartbreaking thought for her.

Fortunately, Michelle found assistance from Woodgreen, a charity based in Cambridgeshire that supports pets and their owners across the UK. Through Woodgreen’s services, Michelle was connected with Steph Drake, the lead outreach officer, who provided invaluable support and guidance.

Steph identified Dante’s stress signals and educated Michelle on how to interpret his body language and respond calmly in challenging situations. By learning to reassure Dante and maintain a positive environment during walks, Michelle saw significant improvements in Dante’s behavior.

Woodgreen aims to ensure every pet has a loving home and offers support to owners to achieve this goal. By working closely with pet owners, Woodgreen prevents unnecessary separations and provides care for pets in need until they find new homes.

Thanks to Steph’s guidance and Michelle’s dedication, Dante’s transformation has been remarkable. Michelle now feels confident that Dante’s behavior can be completely turned around, with significant improvements already evident.

Steph commended Michelle for her hard work and commitment to Dante’s well-being, noting the positive changes in Dante’s confidence and demeanor. Michelle is grateful for the support she received and the positive impact it has had on Dante’s life.