Our Staff

Mel joined the charity as a volunteer in 2018 with her Rough Collie who was a registered Therapet®. In 2019, she became an employee in the newly created ‘Support & Development Officer’ role, and then took on the role of CEO in January 2020.

Mel has had a diverse career in education spanning 23 years working in private and state education in a variety of roles. She spent a total of nine years in the positions of High School Principal and Head of Middle School in an international school in Singapore. During that time, she was also an international school Accreditation Officer working in schools with varying curricular approaches in countries including Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Nepal, Thailand, and South Korea. She returned to the UK in 2015 where she decided to fulfil a lifelong ambition and learn to drive an articulated lorry!

Through her experiences, Mel has witnessed the positive impact dogs can have on the physical and mental welfare of children and adults. She supports several animal charities and has volunteered in animal rescue centres here and abroad. Mel brought three animal shelter cats back with her from Singapore and has accumulated a small pack of dogs, all of which were re-homed from families in Scotland. As an avid motorcyclist, when not supporting our charity, Mel fills her time volunteering with the charity Blood Bikes Scotland which provides a free courier service to the NHS. She also supports the Royal British Legion Riders Branch raising funds for veterans.

Before joining Therapet® in January 2026, I worked in HR for the NHS for 13 years.  Since January 2024 I have been the Area Representative for West Lothian which has enabled me to meet lots of our wonderful volunteers and their dogs.  I have enjoyed it so much that I am now full time as the Operations Manager which is a huge privilege and very rewarding.

I have a wee Patterdale Terrier called Luna who is not a Therapet® but brings a lot of love and joy!

Nicola Connor has a background in banking, business, and administration. She worked in banking for many years, attaining Chartered Banking status, and a BA majoring in accountancy whilst managing a portfolio of corporate clients. 

Following this, in 2012, she set up a dog walking business, which she runs with her husband (he does the dog walking, she does the admin). 

In 2016, Nicola became a self-employed virtual PA and business manager for a portfolio of clients, including an international charity, and enjoys the variety of work this brings on a daily basis.

Nicola has been a volunteer with her dog, Therapet® Star, a Keeshond, since January 2024. They are based in Stirlingshire and visit various locations, including care homes, hospital wards, and colleges. 

She joined the Canine Concern Scotland Trust board in 2025 and brings her financial and business experience to the board.

“Lesley Bird joined in August 2013. She has been a happy dog owner for over 50 years and currently shares her life with a handsome Lurcher called Romey (cross Greyhound/Saluki).  Romey is a rescue dog and thought to possibly have belonged to the travelling people, having been found as a stray in Cambridgeshire. He is now 9 years old but still very nervous, so not suitable as a Therapet, but loves coming into the office, as Jess did previously.

​Lesley’s working career has been mainly in administration, which she still enjoys. In her free time she has been involved previously in dog training and obedience, not having climbed to Crufts level, but having loved every minor rosette she was lucky enough to win with her dogs. She is also a keen supporter of several animal charities – SPCA, Dogs Trust, WWF, Redwings Sanctuary and The Edinburgh Dog & Cat Home.”  

Carole Dryburgh joined in September 2017. Carole first volunteered with us by helping to fill envelopes for the tri-annual bulletin, and then by coming into the office to help out with the welcome, but increasing number of enquiries!  Now she’s joined our administration team of three part-time staff in Edinburgh.

​An animal lover of all types, both domesticated and wild, Carole very much relished the opportunity of joining CCST.  It was her heart’s choice.  Knowing that Romey, the lovely Lurcher and ‘unofficial’ office Therapet (as had been his predecessor Jess), would also be there on a daily basis, made the decision all the easier! Don’t be confused however into thinking you are speaking to Norma, if you phone or pop into the office, it may be Carole as they are in fact sisters!

“My name is Catriona Jones, but I am more commonly known as CJ!

 Before working at Therapet®, I worked at The Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home charity rescue, which was my first experience in working with animals. This is also where I rescued my wee dog, Juniper, an Italian Greyhound.

 Having worked in various charities for a variety of vulnerable groups, I was excited to hear there was an opportunity to work with Therapet® with my skill set! It was an easy decision for me when asked if I would like to join the team. I have always found working with charities more fulfilling than working in other organisations, and I’m glad I can be surrounded by dogs while doing so! It’s great being able to walk in and bring Juniper into the office with me, with Romy and Preston being her office big bros!”

Hello, I am Rachel.

I first became aware of Canine Concern 11 years ago while working at the University of Edinburgh where Therapet®s came in to relax stressed students, and I witnessed at first hand the positive and calming effect a dogs cuddle can have.

I stopped working for the University in December 2025 and quickly registered Hamish (my wee Cavapoochon) as a Therapet® and we now visit a Care Home and Hospital Ward regularly.

What a privilege it is now to be working as a part time administrator for an organisation I have such faith and respect in.