Nicki was born into a dog-loving family! “My parents adored all breeds of dogs growing up, hence where my passion for dogs and their welfare first began. We had various breeds of dogs growing up; Dobermans, a Blue Heeler, Jack Russell’s, a Mini Fox Terrier, a Westie cross and a Maltese cross, all living a healthy, long life. Every dog being an important family member”.

In 2011, after hosting a successful fundraiser in Melbourne to raise much needed funds to help those less fortunate dogs in Indonesia, Nicki packed up her home, left her much loved 2 dogs with her parents and moved to Indonesia to volunteer at an adoption shelter. Nicki was involved with educating locals on animal welfare, adoption and helped organise sterilising dogs along Legian and Seminyak beach, for strays and dogs who belonged to locals, who could not afford Vet care.

In 2015 Nicki left the corporate world to fulfill her dream of working with dogs full time. Nicki obtained her Cert 3 in dog behaviour and training, along with completing other courses and became a qualified dog trainer through NTDF.

Nicki knew she wanted to work with dogs on a daily basis and wanted to open a business where she could continue to help others with their puppies and dogs. She wanted to create a safe haven for dogs to come play & rest, to enrich their lives, to help educate dog owners and train dogs to be well balanced, independent, confident, to play & socialise with manners, regardless of their age, breed, size or temperament.

And Mind My Lead was born!

“I absolutely LOVE my job and feel blessed every day that I do what I do. It’s not work, it’s a hobby to me and my heart is fulfilled on a daily basis!”.