Animal lovers in Shetland have a new service at their disposal thanks to the owner of the islands' only cattery.

Christine Henry from Gott has undertaken recognised training over the past three years to deal with common behavioural and health related problems in a wide variety of animals from cats and dogs to birds and other 'companion' animals.

With a training and development grant worth £1,316 from Shetland Enterprise, Christine made the long journey to Bath in England six times to undertake the Tellington Touch (TTouch) practitioner training which has featured in the press and TV programmes like 'Pet Rescue'.

Her training involved learning creative solutions to identifying behavioural, health and temperament problems; working with cats to alleviate timidity and aggression; learning to use training tools like canine head collars and body wraps; using ground exercises and obstacles to increase learning ability; and implementing new ways for stress-free grooming.

Christine said: "The training was comprehensive and very hands-on. The trainers encouraged me to develop my skills and techniques back in Shetland between training sessions and this helped consolidate what I was learning.

"Whilst my initial focus is on providing an even more comprehensive service to clients who use my cattery, I would be very keen to hear from other pet owners who may be interested in finding out more about this holistic approach to treating animals. I could not have undertaken this training if it had not been for the financial assistance I received from Shetland Enterprise. Their enthusiasm and encouragement was great during the whole process."

Many practitioners using the TTouch method work with shelters, obedience schools, veterinary clinics and zoos. The method also helps animals reduce stress, adapt to new environments and recover quickly from surgery and injury.

Chief executive of Shetland Enterprise Ann Black said: "It is essential that businesses in Shetland have a commitment to developing their skills on an ongoing basis. This ensures they remain competitive and continues to add value to the economy of Shetland.

"After 24 years in business, Christine has built Gott Cats into a thriving business and the training she has recently completed extends the range of services on offer, making the whole operation more viable."    

To find out more about Gott Cats Boarding Cattery log on to www.gottcats.co.uk or telephone 01595 840275.