2024 Women to Watch
This year we showcase over 80 South Australian women to watch throughout the year. From business, to careers, arts to science. This year’s selected women highlight the depth and diversity of the women in our state and also the vast array of opportunities to develop a business or career in South Australia. Find our more about our inaugural Women to Watch initiative here.
Dr Tracey Henderson is one of Australia’s premier experts on dog behaviour. As the subject matter expert in how the mind of a dog develops and perceives information, she is highly respected across Australia and in the veterinary behaviour specialist community for her skills and knowledge in assessing animals and communicating their needs to owners.
Tracey is often asked to submit opinions associated with dangerous dog risks in the Adelaide courts and has developed a comprehensive workplace health and safety curriculum focusing on dog bite prevention. Founding the Dog Bite Prevention Project in 2022 has enabled Tracey and her team to share their knowledge and provide the skills required to safely work with and/or approach unknown dogs, with their popular dog behaviour and body language training.
Tracey is a founding member of the Cross Industry Working Group into Dog Bite Prevention set up by Australia Post in early 2023 to tackle the increase in dog bites and attacks on workers entering properties with dogs. She is passionate about working collaboratively to develop industry standards around dog training and creating dog-safe workplaces and communities.
// Favourite inspirational quote
“Animals do speak, but only to those who know how to listen.”
// Let’s get to know you
Obsessed with animals and armed with the dream of becoming a vet, in 1996 I packed up and moved from my parent’s farm in the tiny town of Meningie to the big city of Perth. In 2000 I graduated from Murdoch University with a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery.
After travelling and working in mixed practices in the UK, I returned to Adelaide to general practice in country South Australia where I was introduced to and fell in love with animal behaviour. Completing a postgraduate course in animal behaviour led to being the first South Australian to become a Member of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists in Veterinary Behaviour. in 2008.
This hard-won qualification set the direction for more than a decade of my career seeing me open the Australian Veterinary Behaviour Service, become a subject matter expert on how the mind of a dog develops and perceives information, consult to the SA Courts on dangerous dogs, and work with owners to help manage behavioural and mental health issues in their animals.
In 2022 I co-founded the Dog Bite Prevention Project and stepped into the role of veterinary educator, speaker and facilitator – which is a LONG way out of my vet clinic comfort zone!
// What makes you a Woman to Watch for 2024?
I’m definitely a quiet achiever!! Through the Dog Bite Prevention project, I’m changing the conversation around animal safety and dog bite prevention across three core industries: vets (who are tasked with diagnosing behavioural or mental health issues in dogs that have the potential to be dangerous), council animal management teams (who are tasked with collecting dangerous or potentially dangerous animals, as well as communicating with pet owners), and frontline workers (who are entering properties with potentially dangerous dogs with no safety training).
I’m passionate about creating and delivering engaging, professional, evidence-based training that focuses on assessing and understanding critical animal body language and behaviour as an early intervention tool to reduce and/or avoid dog bites and attacks.
Historically dog safety training has focused on forcing animals to exhibit stressed and/or anxious behaviour to teach participants to withstand a bite or attack – which does NOT provide the skills required to react and make an early decision about personal safety.
// What is your goal or intention for the year ahead? And how are you going to achieve it?
This year I will be further developing the connections and relationships my team and I have made over the past two years only this year I need to move past the conversation stage and start selling our program to big corporate partners.
This year I will be pitching for funding to develop our online course using the latest Virtual Reality tech so we can better illustrate scenarios with dangerous dogs whilst maintaining our values around animal safety and mental health.
This year I am working on building significant profitability in the business and creating financial sustainability so I can grow our training team (allowing me more time to develop content and explore speaking opportunities I’ve been offered).
This year I will be manifesting a HUGE grant (!) so we can develop our community dog safety program and educate the general public and pet owners about animal behaviour.
// What would being a 2024 Woman to Watch mean to you?
I would much rather be in a room with dogs than people so being a Woman To Watch would probably make me feel VERY uncomfortable at first – but I decided to put myself forward to show other people that they’re never too old, or broken, or traumatised to be brave, learn new skills and step out of their comfort zone.
The past five years have been the hardest of my life but also incredibly rewarding. This nomination feels like I’ve been recognised for all the internal, hidden work I’ve had to do to get to where I’m going and if I was to win that would be the icing on the cake.
// What would you like to see for the future of South Australian women and girls?
The celebration of the unique skills, values, and experiences women bring to business and particularly in traditionally male-dominated industries.
In my experience working with the safety leadership of large organisations – where there are women involved in decision-making – things happen fast and without fuss!!
Get in touch with Tracey:
LinkedIn: Tracey Henderson
Website: www.dbpp.com.au
Check out all of the incredible Women to Watch for 2024 here as their profiles are uploaded throughout the year.
To become an SA Woman Member, check out our Membership Options here.
Follow along on socials! Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn
