Louise Laurens’s animal career began at the age of twelve when she started five years of volunteering with Horse Riding for the Disabled. She then helped out at the Toowoomba & District Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and took on the position of Junior Branch Convenor at the society at fifteen. Later, she was placed at the Fairfield branch of the RSPCA and soon worked as a volunteer Veterinary Nurse on weekends and school holidays at various veterinary practices in Toowoomba.

A well-behaved pooch creates a calmer home environment: a Happy Puppy equals a happy parent! She began Veterinary Nursing studies in 1993 and became a Certified Veterinary Nurse in 1995, at which time she gained further experience by working as a locum throughout Brisbane and surrounding areas and speaking at Veterinary Nursing workshops. She was taken on by Ferny Hills Veterinary Surgery as Senior Veterinary Nurse (and eventually Nurse Manager) in 1996, where she was nominated for the 1997 Excellence in Nursing Practice Award. In April 1996, she completed Craig A. Murray’s Dog Trainer Course and became Chief Dog Trainer for Craig in Brisbane, running courses at Mitchelton, The Gap and Albany Creek. She also completed Craig A. Murray’s Puppy Trainer Course later that year. In 1998, she qualified as an Enrolled Veterinary Nurse, and followed this by completing her Advanced Veterinary Nursing Certificate in 1999. In early 2004 she received her accreditation in Veterinary Nursing, followed by her Diploma later that year.

Paws x 4 is Lauren’s foray into the world of small business. It started in 1997, and under this banner she educates both puppy and dog owners at various venues throughout greater Brisbane.